Whether you’re the person who’s been working on their costume since July and has “Practical Magic” playing on repeat or you’re just looking for a festive way to fill up the rest of your October schedule, there’s no shortage of local happenings for getting in the spooky mood.
From ghouls and ghosts to candy and costumes, these Halloween activities are the creep of the crop.
A good scare
The Haunted Farm | Now-Tuesday, Oct. 31 | Times vary | 624 Townsend Rd., Hendersonville | $35-$60
When the night falls, enter at your own risk for a serious fright — ominous curses, wailing ghosts, terrible derangement, and bloody feuds await on this rural stretch of farmland.
Murder Mystery Party | Wednesday, Oct. 18 | 4-6 p.m. | Harvest House Community Center, 205 Kenilworth Rd., Asheville | $7
Take on a new persona, and work to solve a mystery before the murderer gets away — advance registration is required.
Asheville AI Summit | Friday, Oct. 27-Saturday, Oct. 28 | 6:30-10 p.m. | Art Garden AVL, 191 Lyman St., Asheville | $44-$50
Live the dangerous AI future during this immersive theatre experience, a psychological haunted house that will have you giving a sideways glance to your laptop.
Haunted Castle on the Hill | Friday, Oct. 27-Saturday, Oct. 28 | 7-10 p.m. | Stephens-Lee Community Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave., Asheville | $2
Expect ghouls, ghosts, things that go bump in the night + a fair share of scares — kids 10-14 must be accompanied by an adult.
Celebrations for the kids
Haunted Trail | Now-Monday, Oct. 30 | 6-9 p.m. | Adventure Center of Asheville, 85 Expo Dr., Asheville | $18-$44
Walk the family-friendly haunted trail with live actors, spooky sounds + a little comedy, then stop by the Aerial Glow Trail or visit Pirates Cove — the event is geared toward families with kids ages 3-13.
(Not So) Scary Stories to Tell in the Daytime | Saturday, Oct. 14 | 11 a.m. | The Magnetic Theatre, 375 Depot St., Asheville | $10-$20
The all-ages puppet show for those little ones who are fond of (not so) scary stories, featuring hilarious reimaginings of classic tales.
Halloween Cookie Decorating | Sunday, Oct. 15 | 4-6 p.m. | Haw Creek Commons, 315 Old Haw Creek Rd., Asheville | $46
Get into a festive holiday spirit with Sweet and Southern Bakery while you learn to create creepy, cute, and delicious Halloween-themed cookies — the class is great for kids 8+, but you don’t have to be a kid to join.
Kooky Spooky Toddler Halloween Party | Friday, Oct. 20 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Stephens-Lee Community Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave., Asheville | $5
Kiddos 4 years old and under can experience the fun fest of inflatables, toys, crafts, snacks, and a costume parade.
Pumpkin Patch Pizza Party | Sunday, Oct. 22 | 1-3 p.m. | White Labs Brewing Co., 172 S. Charlotte St., Asheville | $35
The biergarten will be transformed into a pumpkin patch for decorating — the ticket covers one adult + one child for a pumpkin, decorating tools, a cheese pizza, an adult drink ticket, and a kid’s drink.
Southside Halloween Festival | Monday, Oct. 23 | 5-8 p.m. | Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St., Asheville | $5
Don your costume and dig into pumpkin carving, face painting, classic horror movies, spooky music, festive snacks, and a costume contest — kids under 14 must be with an adult.
Wolfbat Mask Making and Halloween Parade | Wednesday, Oct. 25-Saturday, Oct. 28 | New Belgium Brewery, 21 Craven St., Asheville | Free
Create a cool 3D, cardboard, or paper mache mask during this workshop, then show it off at the Wolfbat Wicked Walk on Saturday, Oct. 28 at Foundation Skatepark — choose a free or paid mask option.
Annual Boo Bash | Tuesday, Oct. 31 | 5-7 p.m. | Asheville Outlets, 800 Brevard Rd., Asheville | Free
Trick or treat around the center, enjoy strolling magic and music, and get your photo in a festive photo booth.
Halloween Bingo | Tuesday, Oct. 31 | 6-8 p.m. | Burton Street Community Center, 134 Burton St., Asheville | Free
Feeling lucky? Play for prizes in your Halloween costume — kids under 14 must be with an adult.
Petrifying parties
The Witch Trials | Wednesday, Oct. 25 | 10 p.m. | 27 Club, 180 Patton Ave., Asheville | $10
Join an interactive satire of the Salem Witch Trials, and stay for burlesque, vendors with magical wares, tarot reading, and a costume contest.
Halloween Silent Disco | Friday, Oct. 27 | 7:30-11:30 p.m. | Hi-Wire Brewing RAD Beer Garden, 284 Lyman St., Asheville | $10-$15
Don your spookiest attire, and get ready to dance your heart out because with headphones for the music, you can sing as off-key as you like and with three channels of tunes, no one will know if your moves are off rhythm.
“Hocus Pocus” Halloween Party | Friday, Oct. 27 | 6-8 p.m. | Fired Up Creative Lounge, 26 Wall St., Asheville | $8
Mount your broomsticks before you stop by for a “Hocus Pocus” photo booth, festive goodies, and a spooky silkscreen to help with your pottery creation — pottery isn’t included in the ticket price.
1st Annual Haunted Pajama Party | Saturday, Oct. 28 | 5-10 p.m. | The Asheville School of Film, 12 Old Charlotte Hwy. Ste. 80, Asheville | Free
Grab your pajamas because it’s time to tell spooky stories, watch classic horror films, try out festive treats and games, and spend time with your fellow film buffs.
All Hallows Full Moon Faire | Saturday, Oct. 28 | 5-9 p.m. | Hive House Commons, 19 Park St., Canton | $35-$135
Meet under the full moon for enchanted exploration in costume or sorcerer’s garb — storytelling, crystal reading, a personalized oracle deck, and more are included in the ticket price.
Hell Comes to Flavortown | Saturday, Oct. 28 | 6 p.m. | DSSOLVR, 63 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville | Free
Step into Guy Sciery’s lair for a Halloween rager with a costume contest, beer releases, burgers, donuts, dancing, and a painting raffle.
Masquerade Party | Saturday, Oct. 28 | 8 p.m.-12 a.m. | Pillar Bar, 309 College St., Asheville | Free
Ball costumes both elegant and terrifying are welcome during a night of music and cocktails.
Halloween Masquerade | Sunday, Oct. 29 | 7-11 p.m. | Antidote at Chemist Spirits, 151 Coxe Ave., Asheville | Free
Dress to impress with early 1900s or masquerade-themed flare then enjoy thrilling music, gift bags for the costumed, and a little cocktail alchemy.
All Hallow’s Eve Purrrty | Tuesday, Oct. 31 | 4-9 p.m. | House of Black Cat Magic, 841 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Free
The shop is staying open late for sweet treats, family-friendly activities, and three costume contests with cool prizes.
Furry frights
Canine Trick or Treat | Saturday, Oct. 14 | 12:30-2:30 p.m. | Burton Street Community Center, 134 Burton St., Asheville | Free
Dress up your furry friend in the best costume for a treat scavenger hunt and giveaways for both pups + their humans.
6th Annual Wicked Halloween 5k & Fun Run | Saturday, Oct. 21 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Carrier Park, 220 Amboy Rd., Asheville | $25-$50
Okay, so this isn’t a run for pets necessarily, but it is in support of the Asheville Humane Society. Show off your Halloween costume while you run or walk, then grab a local brew after the race.
Haunted Dog House | Friday, Oct. 27 | 4-6 p.m. | Ruff Life Dog Training Services, 95 Thompson St., Asheville | $7
Get ready for a spook-tastic adventure for your pup as you walk through the haunted dog house, take a photo in the photo booth, and join the raffle — the ticket covers one dog and two humans.
Experience immersive theater under a lunar eclipse.
Photo by @jenbenmedia
Spine-chilling shows
Wonderland Legacies: Alice’s Adventures in Murderland | Now-Saturday, Oct. 28 | 7:30 p.m. | Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre, 92 Gay St., Asheville | Free
In a work written by local playwright Will Storrs, Alice returns to a re-imagined Wonderland to see it transformed into something hardly recognizable.
The Splatter Play | Now-Saturday, Oct. 21 | Times vary | The Magnetic Theatre, 375 Depot St., Asheville | $25
The play follows Tina on the day of the open house for her childhood home/mother’s evil laboratory — certain rows will be in the splash zone.
Cat Fly Halloween | Saturday, Oct. 14 | 7 p.m. | Wedge Brewery at Foundation, 5 Foundy St. #10, Asheville | $15-$18
The curated screening + costume party will feature 10 spooky shorts from up-and-coming filmmakers in the South — and don’t miss the pre-party screening of “Practical Magic” the House of Black Cat Magic tonight, Friday, Oct. 13.
Rocky Horror Picture Show | Saturday, Oct. 14 | 8 p.m. | Rabbit Rabbit, 75 Coxe Ave., Asheville | $10
Dress up, watch the cult classic film, and get ready for the live shadow cast experience.
Punch Bucket Lit Halloween Rapid Read | Tuesday, Oct. 24 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | rEvolve Mercantile, 697 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Free
Settle in for 10 writers’ interpretations of the scary, horrifying, creepy, and unsettling — while you’re there, you can purchase a tarot card reading or raffle tickets with cool prizes.
The Legend of Tommy Hodges | Friday, Oct. 27-Saturday, Oct. 28 | 6:30 p.m., 8 p.m. | Cradle of Forestry in America, 11250 Pisgah Hwy., Pisgah Forest | $6-$26
Grab your walking shoes for this production that follows a one-mile-long trail, traveling back in time to hear yarns of the legendary Tommy Hodges, fictional student of the Biltmore Forest School — you’re also invited to dress up in period clothing.
The 13th Surreal Sirkus Arts Festival | Saturday, Oct. 28 | 1-10 p.m. | Pack Square Park, 80 Court Pl., Asheville | Free
Experimental theater, circus arts, and live music blend together for a festival spookily situated under the Full Lunar Eclipse — plus, vendors, food, drinks, and art installations.
Eclipse: Stories of Light and Dark | Tuesday, Oct. 31 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Weaverville Community Center, 60 Lakeshore Dr., Weaverville | Free
This All Hallows Eve storytelling and music show features Connie Regan-Blake and Kim Weitkamp.
Check out our calendar for even more haunted happenings.
