Halloween isn’t until next Friday, but lots of fun Halloween-related activities are starting this weekend. Here are just a few spooky (and not-so-spooky) activities you might want to check out. For a more complete list, visit Triangle.com and search for “Halloween.”
Friday
The Durham Symphony’s Halloween Spooktacular – A Concert for Families
A Halloween concert featuring ghoulish symphonic tunes and the artistry of Durham’s Paperhand Puppet Intervention. Attend in your favorite costume for a chance to win a prize.
When: 6 p.m.
Where: Northgate Mall, 1058 West Club Blvd., Durham
Appropriate for: All ages
Cost: Free
Info: northgatemall.com
Saturday
Haunted Mordecai Festival
An afternoon of Halloween-themed fun that includes food, music, games and crafts on the lawn. Also, costume contests for kids up to 16 years old, and a paranormal investigation group will reveal their findings from the Mordecai House.
When: Noon
Where: Mordecai Historic Park, 1 Mimosa St., Raleigh
Appropriate for: All ages
Cost: Free
Info: 919-857-4364
Halloween Festival
Trick-or-treating, costume contest, spooky music, magic, games and much more.
When: 2-5 p.m.
Where: City Market, 200 E. Martin St., Raleigh
Appropriate for: All ages
Cost: Free
Info: citymarketraleigh.com
Cary’s Great Pumpkin Carve
Bring your own pumpkin or pick one up at the Pumpkin Patch ($3) and get to work at one of the carving stations. Pumpkins will be lit for display and judged. After the pumpkin lighting, “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” will be shown outdoors under the stars.
When: 2-8 p.m.
Where: Performance Green, corner of Academy Street and Kildaire Farm Road, Cary
Appropriate for: All ages
Cost: Free
Info: townofcary.org
Kooky Spooky Halloween Party
Come in costume for this family-friendly Halloween event featuring activities like Ghoul School, Mad Scientist Lab, Monster Mash Dance Party, spooktacular snacks and more. Preregistration required.
When: 6-8:30 p.m.
Where: Marbles Kids Museum, 201 E. Hargett St., Raleigh
Appropriate for: Children (with an adult)
Cost: $8-$13
Info: marbleskidsmuseum.org
Haunted Twilight Tour of Downtown Cary
Hear spooky legends and tales of yesteryear presented by Cary Players. Tickets usually sell out.
When: 6, 6:20, 6:40 and 7 p.m.
Where: Page-Walker Arts & History Center, 119 Ambassador Loop, Cary
Appropriate for: Teens, adults
Cost: $15
Info: 919-460-4963 or caryplayers.org
Goblins Groove and Trick or Treat on Salem Street
Start off trick-or-treating in historic downtown Apex and find your way to the Halle Cultural Arts Center for dance contests, punch and snacks. Young people must be accompanied by an adult. Costumes encouraged.
When: 7-9:30 p.m.
Where: Halle Cultural Arts Center, 237 N. Salem St., Apex
Appropriate for: All ages
Cost: $5/couple, $2/child
Info: thehalle.org
Raleigh Zombie Walk
Dress up like a zombie and stumble along a course that starts at the Acorn and loops the Capitol before ending at Moore Square. An after-party at Tir Na Nog Irish Pub starts around 9. All proceeds benefit the American Red Cross.
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Moore Square Acorn, 200 S. Blount St., Raleigh
Appropriate for: All ages
Cost: Free
Info: nando.com/lt
Sunday
Haunted Carolina
Explore ghosts and haunts of North Carolina when ghost-hunters and scientific explorers of the paranormal and occult visit to talk about the spooky side of our state. Registration recommended.
When: 2-3 p.m.
Where: West Regional Library, 4000 Louis Stephens Drive, Cary
Appropriate for: Teens, adults
Cost: Free
Info: 919-463-8500 or nando.com/ls
Monster Dash
This Halloween-themed family festival features a 5K competitive race, a 1-mile fun run and a 100-yard Monster Dash for the little ones. There’s a Kids Zone and a costume contest for adults, children and teams (please use good taste).
When: 1 p.m.
Where: Cameron Village, 2000 Clark Ave., Raleigh
Appropriate for: All ages
Cost: Running, $20-$35
Info: capitalrunwalk.com
Oct. 31
Halloween Safe Night
Get candies and treats as you walk along the trick-or-treat trail and through the museum exhibit, “The Story of North Carolina.”
Where: N.C. Museum of History, 5. E. Edenton St., Raleigh
When: 6-9 p.m.
Appropriate for: Kids 12 & under (with adult)
Cost: Free
Info: 919-872-9535, ext. 3069 or ncmuseumofhistory.org
Sunset Tour of Old Town Cemetery
Local historian Steve Peck guides you through one of the most historic cemeteries in North Carolina – more than 200 years of history.
Where: Old Town Cemetery, West Tryon Street entrance, Hillsborough
When: 6 p.m.
Appropriate for: Teens, adults
Cost: $5
Info: 919-732-7741 or isithillsboroughnc.com
Halloween Beer Bar and Magic
Conservator Perry Hunt talks about Tudor blueblood Reginald Scott, the subject of an NCMA portrait, who published an influential book that argued against the existence of witches, prompting a rebuttal by King James and informing Shakespeare’s witches in Macbeth. Featured at the event: a DJ, local magicians and beer.
Where: N.C. Museum of Art (West Building lounge), 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh
When: 6 p.m.
Appropriate for: Adults
Cost: Free
Info: ncartmuseum.org
Safe-N-Sane Halloween Celebration
Dress in your coolest or scariest costume and trick-or-treat around the mall while enjoying storytelling, sing-a-longs, a magic show, a costume contest and more.
When: 6-8 p.m.
Where: Cary Town Center, 1105 Walnut St., Cary
Appropriate for: All ages
Cost: Free
Info: 919-771-1295 or townofcary.org
Trick-or-Treat at Crabtree
Dress up in your best costume and enjoy an evening of Halloween fun. The mall will provide goodies for kids 10 and under.
When: 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Where: Crabtree Valley Mall, 4325 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh
Appropriate for: Kids 10 & under (with adult)
Cost: Free
Info: crabtree-valley-mall.com
Nov. 1
N.C. Symphony Young People’s Concert: “Phantoms of the Orchestra”
Each year around Halloween, “Phantoms of the Orchestra” return to haunt the concert hall. The conductor and his terrified assistant must use the power of the baton to control this ghoulish orchestra of the undead and lead them in concert. Kid activities take place in the lobby an hour before showtime.
When: 1 and 4 p.m.
Where: Meymandi Concert Hall, 2 E. South St., Raleigh
Appropriate for: All ages
Cost: $23
Info: dukeenergycenterraleigh.com
Ongoing
Clayton Fear Farm Daytime/Nighttime
Clayton Fear Farm Daytime offers Halloween and fall family fun – like a cotton maze, pumpkin patch and more. Tickets: $7-$10.
The Nighttime attraction delivers scarier fun, so it’s not for kids. They have several haunted houses, a “Black Hole” and a haunted cotton maze. Tickets: $10-$25.
When: Select dates through Nov. 1
Where: 1620 Loop Road, Clayton
Info: claytonfearfarm.com
Haunted Forest at Panic Point
Seven terrifying attractions spread out over 50 acres. The main attraction is the Haunted Forest (“you’ll run for the hills, mess your pants and call for Mama,” the website claims), and there’s also a zombie shootout (laser tag), a “Carny Crypt” and more.
When: Through Nov. 1
Where: 2808 Cedar Creek Road, Youngsville
Appropriate for: Teens and adults
Cost: $16-$32
Info: raleighhauntedhouse.com
Ganyard Hill Farm
A gorgeous pumpkin patch and a cornfield maze, of course, but also a hay maze, barnyard animals and more. A pumpkin is included in admission price.
When: Through early November
Where: 319 Sherron Road, Durham
Appropriate for: All ages
Cost: $12.50
Info: ganyardhillfarm.com
McKee’s Cornfield Maze
With 14 acres of corn maze (including 2 acres of an interactive maze for kids), this Rougemont farm is an annual destination for many Triangle families. A “haunted” version of the maze starts at 6 p.m.
When: Closes Nov. 2
Where: 5011 Kiger Road, Rougemont
Appropriate for: All ages
Cost: $10
Info: mckeecornfieldmaze.com
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