SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — It’s the spookiest weekend of the year as All Hallow’s Eve draws near on Tuesday, Oct. 31.
Plenty of happenings are taking place to start the costume parties early and Li’l Friday has them listed below — events in art, music, theater, comedy, pop-up markets and more.
All events featured were scheduled as of Thursday; however, it’s wise to check in ahead of attending any one. Inclement weather, changes in schedules and unforeseen circumstances may shift for organizers at the last minute.
Thursday Oct. 26
‘Dracula’
UNCW Cultural Arts Building, 5270 Randall Drive • Tickets: $6-$15
Bram Stoker’s classic novel, “Dracula,” about a character who wreaks havoc on London, will be making its way to a local stage beginning this weekend.
The UNCW theatre department will host the play, written by American playwright Steven Dietz in 1997. The production brings to life the suspense and horror of the literary classic.
The story follows Count Dracula, who lives in a castle in Transylvania but makes his way to Victorian London to terrorize the townsfolk. It leads Abraham Van Helsing on a quest to slay the vampire, making him enemy number one of Dracula.
This production is being directed by UNCW professor Christopher Marino, who has 25 years of experience in the theater industry. Marino has also been teaching theater classes at UNCW for the last decade. He has summoned the help of guest artist and magician Matthew Holtzclaw (featured on the TV show “Penn & Teller: Fool Us!”)
as a consultant on the special effects and blood work.
The production will run Oct. 26-29, Nov. 2-5, and Nov. 9-12 with evening performances at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $6 to $15, available here.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
‘Portrait of Aretha’ — The Queen of Soul will be celebrated at Wilson Center (703 N. Third St.) at 7 p.m. Starring Cece Teneal, “Portrait of Aretha” features the icon’s catalog of music — “Think,” “Respect,” “Ain’t No Way,” “Say a Little Prayer.” Teneal brings personalized interpretations of both popular and lesser-known songs from Aretha Franklin’s 50-year career. Audiences can expect to hear “Chain of Fools,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” “Rock Steady,” and “Until You Come Back to Me (That’s What I’m Gonna Do).” Before her death in 2018, Franklin was honored with multiple awards and recognitions, including 18 Grammys and multiple American Music Awards, Kennedy Center Honors, Pulitzer Prize, and the Presidential Medal Of Freedom. Tickets start at $28.
Halloween at Barzarre — A venue on Castle Street within the Cargo District, Barzarre (1610 Castle St.) is celebrating the season of All Hallow’s Eve with six days of music, 13 bands and multiple DJs. It kicked off Wednesday and continues through Monday, with Thursday highlighting ‘90s techno, featuring trance and rave; the dance party is free. The weekend features almost a dozen bands, including Jiha, Neuro Farm, Cyanbaal, Biocarbon 13 and Severed Skies on Friday; tickets are $10 and show starts at 8 p.m. Gothic Lizard, Mark Sinnis, IIOIOIOII, Solemn Shapes, and Seraphin System will play on Saturday; tickets are $10 and show starts at 8 p.m. Sunday is Goth Night, featuring dark music from synth pop to cold wave, dark medieval folk tunes to contemporary dark metal; it’s free. Monday is Doomer Night, featuring DJ Straftanz spinning Eastern European post-punk; it’s free.
‘The Color Purple’ — Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about Black women overcoming oppression, misogyny, racism and abuse has had various incarnations of success beyond the page. It became a Steven Spielberg’-directed film in 1985 and 20 years later a Tony Award-winning musical. A new movie-musical is slated for a Christmas Day release this year, directed by Blitz Bazawule and produced by Spielberg as well as Oprah Winfrey, who starred in the first film. Locally, however, Techmoja Dance and Theater Company is staging “The Color Purple” at Thalian Hall for one more weekend. The story centers on Celia and the women who are part of her life, including Nettie, Sofia, and Shug Avery. Through numerous hardships and heartaches — rape, abuse, incest — the story follows Celia’s resilience and rise to triumph in the turn-of-the-20th-century South. Directed and choreographed by Kevin Lee-y Green, it stars Adrienne DeBouse, Denise Jackson, Rayana D. Briggs and Diedre Parker. The score includes ragtime, jazz, gospel and blues, with choreography featuring Lindy Hop and African dance. The show runs at 7:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, with Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $37.
Friday Oct. 27
Victorian Visions of Death
Latimer House, 126 S. Third St. • Tickets: $20
Ever wanted to know more about the funerary rituals of the Victorian ages? Wilmington’s historic Latimer House is hosting an interactive exhibit every hour from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. through Oct. 28 and on Halloween, Oct. 31, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Guests will learn about customs and rituals, such as the morticians’ secrets of the era. An exhibit on post-mortem photography will be set up, and there will be funerary attire. There also will be attempts to reach the spirit world. Costumed enactors will be on site.
Tickets are $20 and the event is recommended for ages 12 and up.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
‘Ghostbusters’ Movie in the Park — Wrightsville Beach Parks and Rec is hosting a movie night in the park to celebrate Halloween weekend. “Ghostbusters” will be premiered on the big screen under the stars, beginning at 6:45 p.m. “Ghostbusters” is a supernatural comedy released in 1984, which tells the tale of three professors who get into the business of removing ghosts from haunted houses in New York City. Movie goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and picnics; no dogs or alcohol. The event is free with concessions available for purchase.
Monster Movie Madness — Also screening a selection of spooky features will be Bellamy Mansion (503 Market St.). Monster Movie Madness will take place Oct. 27, 6:30 p.m. It will have a double feature, showing “Little Shop of Horrors” and then “Night of the Living Dead.” It’s a $5 suggested donation, and blankets and chairs are welcome. Concessions are sold onsite and costumes are encouraged.
‘Chapel of Horrors’ — It’s the final weekend to catch Port City Fear Factory’s “Chapel of Horrors.” An immersive haunted attraction, PCFF creates a cult-like experience where visitors enter an abandoned chapel, where the congregation once fell ill and died. PCFF is a collaboration between Opera House Theatre Company and Bearded Skulls MUFX group, who does the special effects makeup and helped create the set design and creatures. The final weekend takes place Friday Oct. 27 and runs through Monday Oct. 30, beginning at 6 p.m. nightly. Tickets are $25-$45, available here.
Halloween Horse-Drawn Haunted Trolley Tours — Springbrook Farms Inc. is bringing back its haunted horse-drawn trolley in downtown Wilmington to celebrate Halloween weekend. The horses and drivers will be dressed in costumes, as guides tell family-friendly ghost stories about the area. The tours will run on Oct. 27, 28, and 31, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. nightly. Tickets are $8-$16, with childrens tickets including free halloween treats. The tours are weather permitting.
Lantern and Lore Walking Tours — Wilmington is rife with history, meaning it also has plenty of tales — ghostly or otherwise — entrenched in local lore. Historic Wilmington Foundation is delving into the past and its dark alleyways and hidden corners for a spooky walking tour in honor of the upcoming Halloween holiday. The tours, hosted by HWF executive director Travis Gilbert, will take place Friday through Sunday and cost $20. He’ll trace back local legends to the source, such as 18th century pirates or the yellow fever outbreak that happened in Wilmington in the mid-19th century. The tours are a mile long and start and end at HWF headquarters, 211 Orange St.
Voracious Beer Festival — Lighthouse Beer and Wine will host its annual event ahead of the Carousel Center Beer and Wine Fest. Voracious Beer Festival takes place Oct. 27, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Riverfront Park. It will feature the latest, greatest beers, yet to be discovered by connoisseurs, from 50 select breweries. Appetizers are included in the ticket price and live music from The Midatlantic will be played. Tickets are $30-$80.
Saturday Oct. 28
Carousel Center Beer and Wine Festival
Live Oak Bank Pavilion, 10 Cowan St. • Tickets: $35 – $90
One of the most desirable local fests in the region returns to Riverfront Park in downtown Wilmington. Ticket holders to Carousel Center Beer and Wine Fest will sip through more 250 beers, seltzers and ciders — including many of Wilmington’s very own.
Wineries also will be represented with more than 100 varieties, and festival-goers will be able to enjoy live music from The Swellians, Billy Heathan, and Red Dress Amy. An acoustic stage also is set up in 2023 to feature Tyler Mckaig and other acts.
Tickets are $60 to $80 and proceeds from the event help the Carousel Center continue serving 450 children annually, ages birth to 19, from the tri-county region.
The center aids children working through physical and sexual abuse. Since opening in January 2000, Carousel Center has provided certified medical exams to almost 5,000 kids and helped with almost 10,000 child-trauma therapy sessions.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
‘Ofrenda: A Dia de Los Muertos Celebration’ — While Americans plan to celebrate Halloween on Oct. 31, come Nov. 1, Mexican tradition pays homage to deceased loved ones as part of Dia de los Muertos — or Day of the Dead. An ofrenda — or altar — is often built in the home and stacked with objects of remembrance, candles, marigold flowers and holy ephemera. At Wilson Center, Ballet Folklórico de Los Angeles presents “Ofrenda: A Dia de los Muertos Celebration” on Oct. 28, 7 p.m., featuring costumed dancers and musicians representing various regions across Mexico, from Veracruz to Nayarit. The show also includes tributes to Mexican artists Juan Gabriel, Selena, Jose Infante, and Alejandro Fernandez with a live Mariachi band. The event is family friendly and includes music from Disney’s “Coco.” Tickets start at $34.
Shark Aid Masquerade — Kipo’s Hellenic Cuisine in Lumina Station is partnering with Wrightsville Beach’s Blue Shark Vodka for a masquerade event, 9 p.m. to midnight. It will take place in the Mykonos Garden — the outdoor gazebo area beside the restaurant — with a DJ, adult masquerade contest with more than $1,000 in prizes and a special Blue Shark cocktail created for the evening. A donation from the sales of the drink will be made to the Atlantic Shark Institute, a nonprofit that provides resources for critical shark research.
Wally Baram — A Mexican-Syrian stand-up comedian, writer, and actress from Los Angeles will be performing at Dead Crow Comedy Room on Oct. 27, at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Her comedy homes in on her multi-cultural background as well as coming into adulthood and all of its strangeness. “Hi, I’m Wally, I’m Mexican and Syrian or as Fox would call me, ‘a very lazy terrorist’” she said on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” Baram wrote for Apple’s 2022 show “Shrinking,” FX and Hulu’s “What We do in the Shadows” and Amazon’s “Sprung,” plus the upcoming Netflix series, “NEON.” Ticket proceeds from her Dead Crow show go to the American Cancer Society; $18-$28.
‘Willy Wonka the Musical’ — Snow Productions is presenting Roald Dahl’s story of the kooky and colorful candy man, on the hunt for an heir to run his chocolate factory. A group of five kids draw the exclusive and limited golden tickets for a tour of the factory and a lifetime supply of chocolate, unknowingly playing into Wonka’s plan to test their character. The show features songs, including “The Oompah Loompah Song,” “Pure Imagination,” and “The Candy Man.” Tickets are $22 and the show is held at N. Front Street Theater, 21 N. Front St.
Wilmington Dark History — A two-hour walking tour will take place with local historian Chris Fonvielle, professor emeritus of history at UNCW. He is covering “Curious Tales From Old Wilmington and the Lower Cape Fear: The Truth Behind the Legends” by visiting multiple spots, including St. James Episcopal Church to chat about Samuel R. Jocelyn Jr. Legend goes he was buried alive in the graveyard after being killed on horseback. He’ll also discuss the legend behind the Maco Light, where a tragic train accident decapitated the conductor. Tickets are $22 to $25 and the tour starts at 5 p.m.; meet at 1 Water St.
Wilmington Vampire’s Ball — It’s the weekend where the ghouls, goblins, witches and warlocks come out in full force. At the Lookout at Iron Front downtown the annual Vampire’s Ball takes place from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. There will be live music from DJ Hunnid Trails and a costume contest with prizes. Tickets are $25-$35.
Trunk Or Treats — If the kids are itching to wear their costumes before the big day — Tuesday, Oct. 31 — and want to maximize their candy bounty, plenty of trunk or treat events take place throughout the community Saturday. Plenty of churches are hosting the events, including Windermere Presbyterian Church (104 Windemere Road) and Pine Valley Baptist Church (3940 Shipyard Blvd.). The latter will have an allergy friendly section as well. Grace Baptist Church (2037 Wrightsville Ave.) congregation will pass out candy from their decorated vehicles in the grassy lot at 6 p.m. Local businesses are also getting into the game, such as Pelican’s Snoballs (4802 Market St.). It’s open the final weekend until next spring and is sending off with a family day trunk or treat, with games to play and candy for the kids. In neighboring Pender County at Oval and Ale in Hampstead, folks will be set up in the parking lot to pass out sweet treats to the little munchkins. There will be a DJ on site spinning tunes and the event takes place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (candy-giving stops at 7 p.m.). Over the bridge into Brunswick County, Brunswick Village Town Center also will have local businesses and organizations passing out candy from decorated vehicles.
Fright Fest — Varnish and Hi-Wire are pairing up for a weekend of live music, costumes and frightful fun. Fright Fest takes place at 1020 Princess St. in the Soda Pop District. The block party is presented by Varnish and Hi-Wire Brewing, and open to ages 18 and older. There will be two stages, featuring 10 DJs and five bands, with costume contests, scare stations, a Zombie flash mob, and $5,000 in prizes. Featured on the Varnish stage is Snowah, Bobby Zee, Jah B2B Von, Matt Lloyd, Froggy P, DJ Zookz, D3lagate, DJ Danny, Lotako, while the PCE stage will have Ridgewood, John Wood and Local Noise, Modern Alibi, and Strangers in Public. Tickets start at $9 and festivities kick off at 2 p.m.
Costume Party on the Farm — Old McFaye’s Farm, located at 2814 Peter Springs Drive in Castle Hayne, is inviting the family out to pet and feed the animals, which will be dressed in their Halloween best. Attendees can enjoy a hayride and play games as well. Kids are encouraged to dress up as well for one of two time slots, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets are $5-$20.
Fire in the Pines — Rescheduled from Oct. 14, Fire in the Pines takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for free at Halyburton Park. The family-fun event is aimed at teaching the community about the importance of controlled burns, specifically in longleaf pine ecosystems. Events throughout the day include a hay-ride, live music by Folkstone Stringband, face-painting, arts and crafts, live animals, antique fire equipment displays, vendor booths and food trucks. A live controlled burn — a low-intensity fire — takes place at the end of the event. The demonstration Saturday will give details about the burn’s importance and aftereffects, including how it ensures a forest remains open enough so sunlight can penetrate to its floor and reduce buildup of fuel loads. It also protects habitats and wildlife. A scavenger hunt, to do at your own pace through Oct. 16, is also taking place and will educate on Venus flytraps as well as other areas of biodiversity in the region. Prizes will be given; learn more here. Parking for the festival itself will not be allowed at Halyburton Park; attendees can park at Lifepoint Church on College Road and 17th Street and take a free trolley to the event.
Goth Night at The Opera Room — A group of musicians will come through downtown’s Opera Room at 8 p.m., featuring the electronic goth of local band Dead Cool, featuring husband-and-wife duo, Johnny and Angela Yeagher. They blend darkwave, post-punk and synth pop, have released eight singles to date and were rated in the Top 50 Goth Bands of 2022 by Goths World Wide. Fall Shock consists of Francesco Kay and Markus O leaning into dark-synth wave, while the solo electronic project from Charlotte, Tenderlash, plays vintage horror sounds with synth pop and coldwave.
LGBTQ Center’s Halloween Spooky Soiree — The local LGBTQ Center of the Cape Fear Coast (14 S. 5th St.) is donning the skulls, spider webs and orange and purple lights for Halloween. The center will be decked out for its soiree to take place from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are $25 and include live music, a costume contest, beer, wine and snacks. Plus, there will be tarot card readings.
Fright Fest — Varnish and Hi-Wire are pairing up for a weekend of live music, costumes and frightful fun. Fright Fest takes place at 1020 Princess St. in the Soda Pop District. The block party is presented by Varnish and Hi-Wire Brewing, and open to ages 18 and older. There will be two stages, featuring 10 DJs and five bands, with costume contests, scare stations, a Zombie flash mob, and $5,000 in prizes. Featured on the Varnish stage is Snowah, Bobby Zee, Jah B2B Von, Matt Lloyd, Froggy P, DJ Zookz, D3lagate, DJ Danny, Lotako, while the PCE stage will have Ridgewood, John Wood and Local Noise, Modern Alibi, and Strangers in Public. Tickets start at $9 and festivities kick off at 2 p.m.
Costume Party on the Farm — Old McFaye’s Farm, located at 2814 Peter Springs Drive in Castle Hayne, is inviting the family out to pet and feed the animals, which will be dressed in their Halloween best. Attendees can enjoy a hayride and play games as well. Kids are encouraged to dress up as well for one of two time slots, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets are $5-$20.
Zombie Fest — Annually, Zombiefest has been the hot ticket for Halloween, welcoming rock-n-rollers and rockabilly performers alike for a romp of live music and thrills, with lots of costumed shenanigans. However, since the Covid-19 pandemic, it has yet to return to its fall’s lineup … until this year. 2023 will see the return of Zombiefest at a downtown venue, The Eagle’s Dare, at the corner of Red Cross and Third streets on Oct. 28. Three bands will perform, including Los Straitjackets, The Phantom Playboys and The Dew Drops. Food trucks will be parked and there will be a costume contest. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the doors.
Octubafest — A cacophony of tubas are coming together at 4 p.m. in Beckwith Recital Hall on UNCW’s campus. Sponsored by the UNCW Music Department, the show includes tuba teachers and high school and college students across the Cape Fear region. There will be special guest performers, solos and a tuba-euphonium playing marches, polkas, and pop music. Tickets are $9.
Sunday Oct. 29
Goosebumps in the Grove
Poplar Grove Plantation, 10200 U.S. Highway 17 N. • Tickets: $5
Poplar Grove Plantation turns its historic grounds into a festival for kids and adults alike this weekend. The fun is scheduled to take place Saturday, Oct. 28, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 29, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
There will be 75 artisan vendors on the grounds, with food trucks, trick-or-treating, carnival games and prizes. Plus, there will be a “Monster Mash” sing- and dance-a-long, vintage carnival games, Halloween photo ops and balloon creations by Mr. Twister.
It’s a $5 entry for ages 2 and up; an additional $5 is required to take a manor house tour, open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
Howl-O-Ween Yappy Hour Fundraiser — Can’t get enough of dressing up your dog in wacky ways this Halloween? Wilmington Brewing Company (800 S. Kerr Ave.) is hosting its costume contest on Oct. 29, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wheelz Pizza food truck will be on site and $1 from select beers will be donated to the New Hanover Humane Society from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Costume contest participants must be present to win and will be sent a text regarding their prize. There also will be a raffle, but one’s presence is not required to win.
Hidden Treasures: Wilmington Symphonic Winds — It’s a family-friendly event, opening the 2023-2024 season for the Wilmington Symphonic Winds. The concert starts at 3:30 p.m. and features Tam O’Shanter’s Overture by Malcolm Arnold, followed by Yo Goto, taking listeners into an enchanted forest where the Erkling lurks. The symphony will also cover John Mackey’s work about Odysseus and the immortal Kalypso and conclude with Oscar Navarro’s Gods of Olympus. A couple of pieces by film composer Danny Elfman (“The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Batman Returns”) will complete the show. Costumes are encouraged and it’s free, though tickets are still needed and available here or at UNCW Kenan Auditorium Box Office, 515 Wagoner Drive, the day of the show.
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