SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — October is a busy month in the Cape Fear, with plenty of events scheduled to ensure the region lives up to its name.
Festivals, horror movie nights, haunted houses, corn mazes, concerts and more will keep October packed with fun. Here are 20 ways to get the most out of the pumpkin-spiced season.
Panic Attack
An experience created by film industry professionals, Panic Attack is not for the faint of heart. Located an hour away, west of Wilmington, in the heart of Grissett Swamp, the attraction brings extreme scares to all that dare enter. The 2022 event, Hellbilly Hoedown, is brought to life by set designers, mechanized props, and actors who take on demonic clowns, threatening minotaurs, and zombies from the farmland of the area. Read PCD coverage from 2020 here; however, it’s important to note theme changes annually. Tickets are $30-$70; the attraction tends to pack in audiences every season.
Pup-O-Ween
On Princess Street at Hi-Wire Brewing, the second annual Pup-O-Ween welcomes all the (well-behaved) dogs to its costume contest Oct. 28th, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Prizes offered in five categories, including Best Overall, Waggiest, Scariest, Best Circus Theme, and Bartenders’ Choice. There is a $5 entry fee to benefit Canines for Service. North Carolina’s longest-serving accredited service dog provider, connecting pups with veterans or civilians affected by ailments, disorders, injuries and illnesses.
Big Something
Greenfield Lake Amphitheater is welcoming back the big energy of Big Something to celebrate the Halloween season. The North Carolina-based jamband will perform two shows at the end of the month: Oct. 28 will feature special guests Lespecial and Oct. 29 will bring in Loud Music Company, along with Lespecial. Costumes are encouraged; read about the band’s three-night run last year during Halloween here.
Phobia Haunted Trail
Located in Leland on Maco Road, tucked away into the backwoods of southeastern North Carolina, Phobia Haunted Trail will open 8 p.m. to midnight every Friday through Sunday. This year’s theme, “The Institute,” has the doctor bringing out every patient’s worst phobia — “pushing the brain to the brink using neuroimaging techniques.” Phobia Trail participants become the test subjects. Tickets are $20-$30; the trail lasts 30 minutes.
Misery
Yep, the classic Steven King film is coming to life on the stage, as Big Dawg Productions presents “Misery.” The story follows Annie Wilkes’ all-consuming obsession with romance novelist Paul Sheldon, who is being held captive in Wilkes’ secluded home. As she reads his latest book to him aloud, she becomes consumed by anger upon learning her favorite character, Misery Chastain, is killed off. From there, misery ensues for the novelists whose life depends on rewriting the novel. Big Dawg presents the show at Thalian Hall, Oct. 20-30, with showtimes at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 3 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $32.
Grissettown Haunted Trail
Hosted by the Grissettown Longwood Fire and Rescue in Ocean Isle Beach, the 2022 haunted trail is packed with the grisliest of characters and scenes, strobe lights, chainsaws, funhouse-like vibes and plenty of screams. Tickets are $15 a person and the trail is open every Friday and Saturday, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m., and on Monday, Halloween night.
Maides Park Halloween Fest
A free community festival will get underway Friday, Oct. 21, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Maides Park, 1101 Manly Ave. Activities include trick-or-treating, games, costume contest, plus food and music.
Free Horror Movies
Every October Satellite Bar and Lounge hosts free horror movies every night of the week. The 2022 schedule includes “Carrie” on Oct. 10, “Suspiria” double feature on Oct. 11, “Army of Darkness” on Oct. 12, and “Sleepy Hollow” on Oct. 13. The last two weeks haven’t been announced yet but can be followed here; the Greenfield Street bar and lounge will end the month with “Rocky Horror Show” on Monday, Oct. 31. Movies are shown on a big screen on in courtyard and begin at dusk.
Galloway Farm Maze Craze
The 2022 season celebrates the hit Netflix show “Outer Banks,” with the series logo engraved into its 13-acre sorghum maze; a VW bus and “P4L” (Pogues for life) makes up the 3-acre kid’s maze. Galloway’s opens every weekend, 3 p.m. – 9 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday (reservations can be made Tuesday through Thursday) for the community to enjoy the mazes, as well as farm games, an augmented reality scavenger hunt, tractor and barrel train rides, live animals and more. Tickets are $12 online or $14.50 in person. Read more about the farm from coverage in 2021 here.
‘The Office’ Halloween Episodes Trivia Night
Next door to Satellite at New Anthem Beer Project, a special trivia night will be dedicated all to “The Office” Halloween episodes. Gather your friends — teams of six welcome — to answer all you know about Three Hole Punch Jim, Olive Oil Pam and Katy Perry Kelly. It starts at 6:30 p.m. Free registration is here.
Goosebumps in the Grove
On Saturday, Oct. 29, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 30, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Poplar Grove has 75 artisan vendors lining the plantation grounds, along with food trucks, trick-or-treating, carnival games and prizes. There will be a “Monster Mash,” vintage Halloween photos ops and balloon creations by Mr. Twister. singalong, Admission is $5.
Halloween Story Time by the Sea
Halloween Storytime By the Sea will be featured at Kure Beach Oceanfront Park on Oct. 29, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Families are welcome to dress up for the free programming, sponsored by the recreation department. The event is hosted as part of Fairytales and Dreams by the Sea, so the princesses slated to arrive will be announced one week prior to the event. After the 30-minute reading, there will be time for crafts and photo opportunities.
Halloween is for the Birds
Skywatch Bird Rescue is hosting a festival Sunday, Oct. 30, 1 p.m., at 3600 Lynn Ave. in Castle Hayne. There will be a costume contest with prizes for kids — event the emus, donkeys and friendly sulcatas may don the best threads of the season. There will be a golden egg treasure hunt and raffle, Halloween treats and drinks for sale, candy, and plenty of opportunities for Halloween pictures. Entry is $8 for adults, $6 for kids and free for children 2 and under.
Oak Island Spooktacular
Taking place at Middleton Park on Oct. 29, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., the event will feature costumer contests, live music, games, and carnival style activities. Children 13 and under will receive candy! Free to attend.
Carolina Beach Monster Splash
Standup paddleboarders can get into the spirit of the season during a costumed fundraiser, with proceeds benefiting NC Coastal Land Trust. The nonprofit’s goal is to educate and preserve land through conservation of natural areas and working landscapes. All the witches and ghouls who wish to take to the sea will meet at Stoked on Oct. 29 at Carolina Beach to ride up the basin, with an afterparty featuring live music, food, tarot card reading, games, and more. Paddle begins at 11 a.m. with afterparty at Stoked for ages 21 and up. Tickets are $30-$35.
Haunted Illusions
David Caserta will present “Haunted Illusions” at Thalian Hall, Oct. 27, 7:30 p.m. The magic show includes levitation, disappearing and reappearing acts, as well as comedy. Caserta has been seen on “America’s Got Talent,” “Penn and Teller Fool Us,” and other international shows. His performance includes state-of-the-art lighting, pyro and smoke effects, and cutting-edge illusion technology. Tickets are $26.
Torment Laser Tag
Smoky passageways and high-energy music will elevate the laser tag experience at Jungle Rapids. The Halloween edition includes questionable characters lurking behind the corners and quite a few cobwebs players can get entangled in. Cost is $20 a game, which takes place Fridays only, 7 p.m. – 11 p.m., this fall.
Ghost Trolley
Every Halloween, Springbrook Farm’s Ghost Trolley takes riders through historic downtown Wilmington to listen to ghost stories. The tales are tailored for youngsters, as the horses and rivers are decked out in costumes. There are free treats for children and reservations are not required. Tickets are $6-$14, and the Halloween stroll takes place Oct. 28-31; treats will be available for children.
Wilmington Latin Dance Halloween Social and Costume Contest
The monthly Wilmington Latin Dance social club will be more spirited at Brunches on Randall Parkway come Saturday, Oct. 29, as attendees are encouraged to dress up in their All Hallows Eve best. Cash prizes will be awarded in the costume contest. There is a $15 cover and a lesson will start at 9 p.m., with social dancing beginning at 9:30 p.m. A 10 p.m. performance will take place showcasing the salsa, merengue, bachata and cha-cha. Full bar will be open.
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