By Hailey Blevins
The weather has cooled down in the last few days, and it’s finally starting feeling more like October with that chill in the air. Plus there’s the other signs that October is upon us. Like pumpkins and other fall squash of all shapes and sizes are being sold everywhere you look and stores are getting in costumes. Everywhere you look, there are signs that fall is here and Halloween is on its way.
And with the approach of Halloween comes the many different events meant to give you a fright or two. From haunted trails to trick or treating, there’s surely something for everyone! Be sure to check out them all to find out if you have what it takes to defeat the monsters and spooks lurking around every corner this season.
Haunted Attractions and Events
2nd Annual High Country Walk/Run for Breast Cancer (October 27)
- Our second annual High Country Walk/Run for Breast Cancer is the flagship event for the High Country Breast Cancer Foundation. 100% of the funds donated to the High Country Breast Cancer Foundation are used to provide for the needs of breast cancer patients, survivors and their families in the North Carolina High Country.
Hillside Horror (Friday and Saturday nights until November 3)
- Experience up in your face terror as you dare to take the spooky hayride, terror trail and NC’s #1 Haunted Corn Maze as voted by NC Haunt reviewers, all for one frightfully low price! Get lost in 14 foot tall corn, but beware as you are not the only ones out there! General admission is $20 for remaining nights in October. On November 2 and 3, the monsters take control of Hillside’s power sources, flipping the switch off and leaving you with only a single glow stick to guide your way through the entire Hillside. Power Outage nights are $13. Hillside Horror is located off 421 in North Wilkesboro and is open from 7:30-11 p.m.
The Haunted Horn: The Accused (Friday and Saturday nights in October)
- The interactive haunted trail, The Accused, is 8-11 p.m. The Accused, a unique outdoor escape challenge, will take you back to a time when a simple lie could have you burned at the stake! A small mountain settlement has been rocked by accusations of witchery and sorcery. Are all of the women truly witches or innocent bystanders of a more sinister plot? Use your intellect and wit and to help Luna Langsten, a young girl trying to escape the settlement. To maneuver through, you will need to solve puzzles and disarm diabolical traps. The Accused is $13 online, $18 at the door. Spectator: $10 (if you want to enjoy the beer garden and the fun but don’t want to enter the trail). Located at the Hickory Ridge Homestead and Horn in the West in Boone.
Wilkes Heritage Museum Candlelight Ghost Tours (October 20 & 31)
- Enjoy legends of the past and stories of ghosts in the present. Join us and walk amid the history of a proud mountain peoples as we regale you with stories of the past – well, maybe some folks aren’t as “past” as we’d think. You might just hear the footsteps of the long dead Tom Dooley in the jail cell he once occupied or you might spy the earthbound spirit of the little girl killed by runaway horses. It’s all here, just waiting for you.Tour times are 7:30, 8:00 and 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person, (5 and up)
The Haunted Factory, West Jefferson (Friday and Saturday nights in October and on Halloween)
- This event starts at 7 p.m. The Haunted Factory is Ashe County’s haunted attraction! This creepy, haunted-house style attraction is recommended for ages 8+. Admission is $10. The Haunted Factory is also open on Halloween Night.
Hunger and Health Coalition’s 4th Annual Masquerade Ball (October 26)
- The past three have been downright stellar, raising funds for the HHC’s programs to help those in need in our community. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served, along with a cash bar! The costumes, dancing, drinks, and performances from Appalachian Musical Theatre Ensemble will all be back, too, plus visits with fortune tellers and tarot card readers and even more surprises and twists!Come in costume for our annual costume contest with prizes for winner in the following categories: Most Creative, Funniest, Most Unique, Scariest and Best Overall. We’ll also have a silent auction with some amazing items not to be missed! This year we’ll be hosting the event in the grandeur of the Blowing Rock Country Club. This event starts at 6:30 and lasts until 11.
Daniel Boo (Friday and Saturday nights in October)
- The kid-friendly event Daniel Boo is 6-7:30 p.m. Guests of all ages can enjoy some spooky, not-so-scary fun. Both children and parents alike can play fall-inspired games, win prizes, wander through the Wacky Woods on an interactive scavenger hunt and much more! Daniel Boo is $10, parents and kids (2 and under are free). Located at the Hickory Ridge Homestead and Horn in the West in Boone.
New River Corn Maze (Saturdays in October)
- Enjoy nature on the historic Brown Family Farm in Deep Gap, NC. Get lost in the maze, stroll along the New River, take a tram ride around the farm, and select your perfect pumpkins to decorate for fall or bake the perfect pumpkin pie! Why not bring a picnic and enjoy the beautiful fall colors and crisp mountain air? Or play a game of corn hole while you soak in the changing season and colors!
Trick or Treating
Trick-or-Treat Spectacular (October 25)
- From 5-7 p.m. at Mayland Community College, Michell Campus in Spruce Pine. This FREE event hosts trick-or-treating in a safe and friendly environment for kids of all ages! Trick-or-treating, games, costume contest, police car, fire truck, and ambulance tours, and themed tables.
Trick-or-Treat for Tots (October 25)
- Appalachian State University Housing’s Trick or Treat for Tots will start a 5 p.m. Children of all age groups are encouraged to dress in their Halloween costumes to go trick-or-treating through Hoey, Cannon, Lovill, East, Doughton, White, Summit and Cone residence halls. ASU students will be handing out candy and the hall lobbies will have fun activities designed for all ages.
Halloween Party at Buckeye, Beech Mountain (October 26)
- Join in the “Buckeye-neer Haunted Experience!” Trail-or-Treat is 5-6pm, followed by the annual Halloween event for kids 12 and under at the Buckeye Recreation Center. Go inside the Center if you dare for the Haunted Halloween Party! They’ll have food, games, and a haunted house (kid-friendly!) from 6-8pm. Don’t forget to wear your costume and bring a bucket or bag for treats! FREE.
CCC&TI Trunk-or-Treat, (October 30)
- 5-7 p.m. at Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute’s Watauga Campus
A Beary Scary Halloween (October 27)
- This fun-filled day at Grandfather Mountain includes an opportunity to create animal enrichments, trick-or-treating through the animal habitats and a costume contest. Plus, children in costume are admitted at half-price.
Blowing Rock Halloween Festival (October 27)
- From 3-8:30 p.m., there will be FREE activities at the Museum and park games, trick-or-treating, and a Scavenger Hunt. The highlight is the Monster March, where all the kids get to take over Main Street for a costume parade! New this year, a Halloween movie: enjoy two screenings in the school gym!
Trick-or-Treat (October 29)
- Deerfield Ridge Assisted Living offers trick-or-treating that is open to the public for free from 6:30-8 p.m. Deerfield Ridge Assisted Living is located at 287 Bamboo Road in Boone, NC.
Fall Family Festival (October 30)
- Temps are dropping and leaves are changing which means it’s time for our annual Fall Family Festival at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church!!! Mark your calendar and invite your friends to join us for this safe family event on October 30 from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. It will be an evening of games, food and fellowship with friends and family.
Banner Elk Trunk-or-Treat (October 31)
- One of the most popular family Halloween events in the North Carolina High Country. Children (and adults) come dressed in costumes for a fun trick-or-treat experience from the trunks of vehicles. The festivities include a costume contest for kids, and a separate contest for four-legged friends. Be sure to check out the haunted house and hay rides. Come early for free face painting from noon to 5:00 p.m. Other parts of this event last from 5-8 p.m.
Boone Mall Trick-or-Treating (October 31)
- Enjoy trick or treat at the stores in the mall from 5-6 p.m. Watauga Parks and Rec will have fun games and activities in the center of the mall. ASU will be taking professional photos of your children dressed up for a fee.
Halloween at Tanger Outlets (October 31)
- From 5-7 p.m. at the Tanger Outlets in Blowing Rock, enjoy a fun family event with Trick or Treat with Blowing Rock Fire & Rescue, Blowing Rock Police Department and the Tanger Outlets shops! Plus, fill out the Scavenger Hunt Card and drop it off in Shopper Services to register to win more prizes, and enjoy a DJ, photo booth, a hayride with Blowing Rock Parks and Recreation, and hot drinks from the Blue Moose Coffee-mobile. There’s a special blood drive at the event too, so you can donate blood with The Blood Connection and get a $10 gift card! $10 will also go to High Country Breast Cancer Foundation. It’s a win-win!
Boone Boo (October 31)
- In Downtown Boone, from 4-6 p.m., enjoy games and arts & crafts at the Watauga County Library and a spooky, silly tour of the Jones House! Downtown trick-or-treating from 5-6pm. FREE.
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