With Halloween just a few days away, we’re creeping it real with a roundup of 25 frightening events around the Asheville area.
Pssst: This is your sign to put together that Halloween costume that you’ve been putting off for days — there’s still time..
Freaky and funny
Eyes Up Here Comedy: Haunted Doll Edition | Fri., Oct. 28 | 8-10 p.m. | Getaway River Bar, 790 Riverside Dr. | Laugh along at this evening of femme and “slightly undead” comedy.
Zombie Comedy, best of Atlanta showcase | Sat., Oct. 29 | 7-9 p.m. | Asheville Beauty Academy, 28 Broadway St. | $15 | Atlanta comics, including Alyx Libby, Gabby Watts, Isaiah Pringle, will put on a spooky Halloween comedy show.
Mazes of horror
Haunted Castle on the Hill | Fri., Oct. 28 - Sat., Oct. 29 | 7-10 p.m. | Stephens-Lee Community Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave. | $3| This can’t-miss haunted house — with ghosts, ghouls things that go bump in the night — is not for the faint of heart.
Eliada Fall Festival and Corn Maze | Fri., Oct. 28 - Sun., Oct. 30 | Various times | 2 Compton Dr. | $12+ | Explore this massive corn maze, take a hay ride, and participate in other fall-themed lawn games.
Costumed affairs
Marquee Masquerade | Thu., Oct. 27 | 5-10 p.m. | Marquee Asheville, 36 Foundy St. | Free | Dress as your favorite Hollywood icon and enjoy light bites and drinks by Saint Brighid’s, tunes by DJ Jaze Uries, and trick or treating for the whole family.
Grogtober | Fri., Oct. 28 | 7-11 p.m. | Sly Grog Lounge, 271 Haywood St. | $15 requested donation | This fundraiser to help the fire-ravaged dive bar recover features live music, a costume contest, a photo booth, and bites from Chef Matt Grush of Grush’s Cajun Dino Grill.
Late Night Halloween Dance Party | Sat., Oct. 29 | 9 p.m.-12 a.m. | Highland Brewing Company, 12 Old Charlotte Hwy. | Free | Don a costume and prepare to do the monster mash at this dance party with DJ Marley Carroll.
Thrones, Rings, and Stranger Things | Sat., Oct. 29 | 5-11 p.m. | DSSOLVR, 63 N. Lexington Ave. | Free | Dress up as your favorite character from Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, or Stranger Things at this fantasy-themed costume and dance party.
Halloween Trivia | Sun., Oct. 30 | 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Well Played Board Game Cafe, 162 Coxe Ave. | Free | Show up in costume to get extra points and enjoy special beverages and brunch throughout multiple rounds of trivia
Dress up with your pet
Howl-O-Ween | Sat., Oct. 29 | 12-3 p.m. | Down Dog, 51 Sweeten Creek Rd. | Free | Down Dog’s second annual Halloween party features a pet costume contest + an appearance from The Smokin’ Onion Food Truck.
Howl-O-Ween | Sun., Oct. 30 | 1-5 p.m. | Aloft Asheville, 51 Biltmore Ave. | $5 | This fundraiser for Charlie’s Angels Animal Rescue includes costume contests, raffles, dog portraits, vendors, cocktails, and a DJ.
Pup-O-Ween| Sun., Oct. 30 | 2-4 p.m. | Hi-Wire Brewing Biltmore Village, 2A Huntsman Place, Asheville | Free | Hi-Wire will hosts its 5th annual dog costume contest — proceeds will support Asheville Humane Society.
Taste the fear
Spooky Halloween Charcuterie Workshop | Fri., Oct. 28 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Oak and Grist Distilling Co., 1556 Grovestone Rd., Black Mountain| $60 | Learn to create an Instagram-worthy charcuterie board at this Halloween-themed class.
The 5th Annual Halloween Bar Crawl | Sat., Oct. 29 | 2-10 p.m. | Catawba Brewing Company South Slope, 32 Banks Ave. | $20+ | Get decked out in your best Halloween costume for the chance to win $1,000 while sampling food + drink specials at multiple venues.
Hallowine Candy Pairing + Costume Contest | Mon., Oct. 31 | 4-10 p.m. | Bottle Riot, 37 Paynes Way, Asheville | Free | Celebrate Halloween with a wine + candy pairing — the best costume wins a $50 gift certificate.
Invite the whole family
Hocus Pocus Paint Night | Fri., Oct. 28 | 6-8:30 p.m. | Fired Up Creative Lounge, 26 Wall St. | $24+ | Create your own Hocus Pocus-themed piece of pottery.
Wolf Howl for Kids | Fri., Oct. 28 | 6-8 p.m. | WNC Nature Center, 75 Gashes Creek Rd. | $15+ | Spend your evening learning about the red and gray wolves of North America with your family.
OWL-loween Boogie: A Community Halloween Party | Sat., Oct. 29 | 4-6:30 p.m. | Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W. State St., Black Mountain | $5+| Boogie your bones off with a ghoulish dance party, enjoy devilish treats, make hauntingly adorable crafts, and play wickedly fun games.
Boo Bash | Mon., Oct. 31 | 5-7 p.m. | Asheville Outlets, 800 Brevard Rd. | Free | Asheville Outlets will host its annual Halloween event, featuring trick-or-treating, photo booths, and beyond.
Halloween Boo’th Fest | Mon., Oct. 31 | 6-8 p.m. | Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Rd. | Free | Put on your costume, make memories, and take pictures while trick-or-treating.
Break a sweat
Catawba White Zombie 5K | Sat., Oct. 29 | 9-10 a.m. | Catawba Brewing Company South Slope, 32 Banks Ave. | $45 | Dodge zombies at this third annual event benefiting local nonprofit BeLoved Asheville.
Pumpkin Pedaller | Sat., Oct. 29 | 1:30-7 p.m. | New Belgium Brewing | Free | Join Asheville on Bikes’ annual costumed community ride + take a spin on the Pop-Up Bike Park presented by Kid Cycle Club.
VolleyBOO Tournament | Sat., Oct. 29 | 1-8 p.m. | Highland Brewing Company, 12 Old Charlotte Hwy. | This co-ed volleyball tournament will host games throughout the day until a championship team is crowned.
Special markets
Halloween Pop-Up! Market | Sun., Oct. 30 | 12-6 p.m. | Hi-Wire Brewing-Biltmore Village, 2A Huntsman Pl. | Free | This indoor and outdoor market features 20+ vendors slinging arts, crafts + other artisan products from Asheville and surrounding areas.
Monster Market at Highland Brewing | Sun., Oct. 30 | 1-6 p.m. | Highland Brewing Company, 12 Old Charlotte Hwy, Ste 200, Asheville | Free | Celebrate All Hallow’s Eve with a Monster Market and live music.