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16 must-do scary and spooky Halloween activities in Charlotte

It’s the scariest time of year, when Halloween is near and ghoulish activities are found all around the Charlotte area.

Whether you’re looking for a night of fun for the littles, a gory musical to immerse yourself in or a grown-up celebration of wizards and witches, there are things to do in Charlotte that scream Halloween. Boo, we got you.

Here are 16 Halloween events to enjoy in Charlotte and nearby:

BOOllantyne!

Location: 11611 N Community House Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277

When: Oct. 28 from 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

What to know: Dive in to the Halloween spirit with BOOllantyne! Enter a pumpkin contest, explore a ghoulish graveyard and enjoy other activities, along with a 7:45 p.m. screening of “Hocus Pocus.”

Cost: Free until 4 p.m. After that, tickets are $10, but children 5 and under remain free.

BOOllantyne will take place at Ballantyne’s Backyard on Friday, Oct. 28 from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
BOOllantyne will take place at Ballantyne’s Backyard on Friday, Oct. 28 from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Matthews Haunted Trail

Location: Matthews Community Center, 100 E. McDowell St., Matthews

When: Trail runs 7-10 p.m., Oct. 28-30.

What to know: Get spooky at the Matthews Playhouse of the Performing Arts’ annual Haunted Trail, which raises funds for scholarships and sponsoring students in arts programs. The “Not-So-Spooky” Hour, featuring a free Trunk-or-Treat and other children’s activities, will take place from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Food trucks will also be available.

Cost: $10 per person.

Trek through the Haunted Trail at Matthews Playhouse on Friday, Oct. 28 from 7-10 p.m.
Trek through the Haunted Trail at Matthews Playhouse on Friday, Oct. 28 from 7-10 p.m.

LoSo Halloween Crawl

Location: Multiple locations

When: Saturday, Oct. 29

What to know: Dress in costume and raise a glass of Charlotte craft beer during the LoSo Halloween Crawl. Check in on the Hopp app at each location for a chance to win prizes, and Ride Jaunts will be available for transportation between locations. Noon-6 p.m.. Participating breweries in the Charlotte Craft Beer Week event are Brewers At 4001 Yancey, Protagonist LoSo, Gilde, Lower Left Brewing, The Old Mecklenburg Brewery, Red Clay Ciderworks, Weathered Souls Charlotte, Sugar Creek Brewing.

Cost: Free admission

Lake Norman Halloween Brew BOO Tour

Location: The tour leaves from The Kilted Buffalo, 119 Landings Drive, Suite 101, Mooresville.

When: Oct. 29, noon-6:30 p.m.

What to know: Sample some the Lake Norman area’s best craft beer during the Lake Norman Halloween Brew BOO Tour. Guests 21+ will enjoy a professionally guided brewery tour with transportation that includes stops at Lost Worlds Brewing Company, Eleven Lakes Brewing Company, D9 Brewing Lake Norman and Primal Brewing and two souvenir pint glasses for each attendee, along with three tastings at each brewery. Lunch will be provided from Ghostface Pizza. Prizes for best costumes will include four flights to four winners (a $24 value) and a grand prize of two free tickets to a future Brew Ha Ha Tour (a $120 value).

Cost: $59.95

D9 Trunk or Treat

Location: D9 Brewing 11138 Treynorth Drive, Cornelius

When: Saturday, Oct. 29, 2 p.m.

What to know: Bring along the kids in costume and celebrate Halloween and D9 Brewing’s anniversary with a family friendly Trunk or Treat. There will be pumpkins for painting, and the event will finish off with a costume parade around the brewery.

Cost: Free admission.

Waverly Monster Bash

Location: Providence and Ardrey Kell roads

When: Saturday, Oct. 29, 3 p.m.

What to know: Parade your pet and/or your children around Waverly — or just watch the fun— at Monster Bash. A Pet Parade begins at PetPeople at 3 p.m., and a $1 donation will go to a local animal charity. You’ll also find mini pumpkin giveaways and $1 JJ’s Red Hots Hot Dogs for the first 500 guests. Those who want to join in on the costume contest can register from 3–4:30 p.m., while a DJ spins seasonal tunes, with winners in various pet, kid and adult categories announced at 4:45 p.m. There will also be live music by KRVE from 6-10 p.m. at The Waverly Walk Stage.

Cost: Free

Boo Bash 2022

Location: Mooresville War Memorial Building, 220 N. Maple St., Mooresville

When: Oct. 29, 6-8 p.m.

What to know: Party with the Special Olympics Lake Norman at Boo Bash 2022, which will include a costume contest, food and games, and trick-or-treating.

Cost: Free, but RSVP required.

Rooftop Halloween

Location: Cloud Bar by David Burke at Le Méridien Charlotte, 555 S. McDowell St.

When: Saturday, Oct. 29, 8 p.m.

What to know: Dance all night at Cloud Bar by David Burke’s Rooftop Halloween. You’ll find a costume contest, DJ, spooky specials, giveaways and more.

Cost: $10 cover

Tweetsie Railroad Ghost Train

Location: 300 Tweetsie Railroad Lane, Blowing Rock, NC 28605

When: Friday and Saturday nights through Oct. 29

What to know: The gates open at 7:30 p.m., and the park closes at 11 p.m. Tickets designate a night and a scheduled train ride departure time. Activities include dance parties, trick-or-treat stations, themed photo opportunities , a Palace Spooktacular Show, Haunted House , Freeky Forest walk and amusement rides after dark in the Creepy Carnival. Some activities, including the ghost train, are recommended for ages 8+.

Cost: Buy tickets online. Ages 13+ are $52, ages 3–12 are $35; and ages 2 and under are free.

Tweetsie Railroad’s Ghost Train is recommended for children 8 and older.
Tweetsie Railroad’s Ghost Train is recommended for children 8 and older.

Shipwrecked Halloween Ball

Location: AvidXChange Music Factory, 1000 North Carolina Music Factory Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28206

When: 6-11 p.m. Oct. 29

What to know: Tickets are almost sold out to the Shipwrecked Halloween Ball with Yacht Rock Revue at the Music Factory. Come in costume dressed to impress — Members of the 102.9 The Lake team will be scouring the crowd looking for the 10 people with the best costume to compete in the costume contest.

Cost: Buy tickets online; begin at $30.

”Evil Dead the Musical”

Location: The Barn at MoRA, 8300 Monroe Rd., Charlotte, NC 28212

When: Through Oct. 30

What to know: Performances are outdoors, so bring a chair. If you’re really into immersion, you can sit in a designated “splash zone” (free poncho included). Recommended for ages 16+.

Cost: Buy tickets online. $37 for splash zone, $38.66 for standard seating or $49 for premium seats.

Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte’s last production will be Evil Dead the Musical.
Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte’s last production will be Evil Dead the Musical.

[RELATED: Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte will permanently close after ‘Evil Dead the Musical.’]

Carowinds Great Pumpkin Fest/SCarowinds

Location: Carowinds, 300 Carowinds Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28273

When: Weekends and select nights through Oct. 30

What to know: During the day, Carowinds offers the Great Pumpkin Fest, with Halloween-themed activities, dance parties and games. At night, the park turns to SCarowinds, where a new chaperone policy has recently been put in place requiring guests 17 and younger to be accompanied at all times by an adult 21 or older. Bags including purses, backpacks or diaper bags are not allowed, and neither are costumes or face paint.

Cost: Buy tickets online. Prices vary but start at $34.99 for guests of season passholders and top out at $45 online in advance.

The Bloodyard at SCarowinds.
The Bloodyard at SCarowinds.

Stroke’s Halloween course

Location: 1318 Pecan Ave Suite 101, Charlotte, NC 28205

When: Through Oct. 31

What to know: In addition to a Halloween-themed golf course, complete with glow-in-the-dark balls, Stroke is also introducing a fall cocktail menu. Drink choices will include the Recovery (Ilegal Mezcal, pineapple-carrot juice, lemon and ginger beer) and two non-alcoholic options, The Besty (Ritual tequila substitute, hibiscus-cinnamon syrup, lemon and orange, and the Beauregarde (Amethyst non-alcoholic botanical spirit, bergamot syrup, lemon, lime, orange and egg white).

Cost: $15/person

Stroke’s Halloween-themed course will be available Sept. 28-Oct. 31.
Stroke’s Halloween-themed course will be available Sept. 28-Oct. 31.

Aw Shucks/The 13th Acre

Location: 3718 Plyler Mill Rd, Monroe, NC 28112

When: Aw Shucks is open Fridays through Sundays until Nov. 6; The 13th Acre is open select nights through Oct. 31.

What to know: Aw Shucks activities include a corn maze, wagon rides, animal barn, fishing and more. The 13th Acre is a haunted trail, where you “feel as if you are walking right into your worst nightmare.”

Cost: For Aw Shucks, adults are $13, kids 4+ are $10, and 3 and under are free. Cards are accepted at the Aw Shucks booth, but for The 13th Acre, you must buy tickets online or with cash only at the door. The 13th Acre is $20 or $28 in combination with Aw Shucks Farm (not available on Sundays or Halloween). $15 fast passes are available with cash only at the door.

[READ NEXT: 11 places to go apple picking this fall near Charlotte.]

Scary suprises await at The 13th Acre haunted trail.
Scary suprises await at The 13th Acre haunted trail.

Rural Hill Amazing Maize Maze

Location: 4431 Neck Road, Huntersville, NC 28078

When: Tuesday-Thursday, 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. entrance; Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. for day maze and 6:30–9 p.m. for night maze; Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. for day maze through the first weekend in November.

Details: Explore one of the largest corn mazes in the Southeast, spread out over 7 acres. Concessions are available, but guests may bring their own picnic lunch or dinner, as well — and bringing water is recommended. The maze operates rain or shine. Pets are not allowed.

Cost: $13 adults, $8 children. Weekday mazes must be purchased at least 24 hours in advance; weekend tickets can be purchased online or on site upon arrival.

Wizarding Cocktails at Supperland Speakeasy

Location: 1212 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC 28205

When: Through Nov. 19, Thursdays-Saturdays. Seatings are at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

What to know: Join the team at Supperland Speakeasy for a “spellbinding journey of cocktails for grown-up wizards, witches and non-magic folks alike. “ The tasting menu, crafted by mixologist Colleen Hughes and her team, is paired with dishes from executive chef Chris Rogienski.

Cost: Buy tickets online. $140/person.