SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Li’l Friday showcases plenty of ways to enjoy the weekend via theater, music, art, culinary happenings and more.
This weekend is packed with plenty of spooky vibes, as Halloween takes place Friday. Costume parties abound, but there are also a lot of films, pumpkin-inspired events and even a “Thriller” flash mob planned.
Aside from All Hallow’s Eve, there are also Day of the Dead celebrations on Nov. 1, plus the Polish Festival, N.C. Spot Festival, Taste of Wrightsville Beach and Pawz in the Park.
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. 30
‘Night of the Living Dead/Day of the Dead’ Double Feature
Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. • Tickets: $15
There is a double feature planned at Thalian Hall’s main stage as part of its horror cinema series.
Back-to-back screenings featuring “Night of the Living Dead” at 7:30 p.m. and “Day of the Dead” at 9:30 p.m. from director George A. Romero will screen. The first film features the 1960s classic as a group of strangers find themselves trapped in a farmhouse to fend off zombies.
The followup from 1985 picks up with a group of scientists and soldiers who take refuge in an underground missile silo while struggling to control the flesh-eating horror that walks the earth above. It’s also the 40-year anniversary of the film.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
Pumpkin Carving Party — Fermental is welcoming folks to show off their best pumpkin-carving skills on Friday at 6 p.m. Limited pumpkins are provided and carving utensil, though folks are also welcome to bring their own. The carved pumpkin can be taken home for the holiday or left behind in Fermental’s beer garden. Fall beers will be for sale as well. Fermental is located in the Cargo District, 600 S. 17th St.
Zombies and “Thriller” Flash Mob — To get into the spirit of Halloween, head to Wrightsville Beach Park as a flash mob takes the scene to perform the ultimate spooky moves from Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” Kids, parents, friends — folks of all ages — are welcome. The event is being hosted by the Performance Club and it costs $25 to participate — a T-shirt is included to wear during the dance. The proceeds go to Performance Club Theater Club, which supports youth in the arts. Sign up is here; spectators are welcome for free.
Bad Costume Party — While everyone is celebrating the best and most creative costumes for the All Hallow’s Eve holiday, one venue is handing out prizes for the worst. The Barzarre on Castle Street is giving everyone a reason to pull out their “janky poor excuse of a costume.” There will be a DJ with a microphone calling out the great bad costumes, second-rate prizes, an unwanted candy exchange, ugly Halloween sweater judging, open mic costumed confessionals — from the POV of whoever you’re dressed as — non-scary fireside ghost stories told by “a ghost” and more. It’s free to attend.
Friday, Oct. 31
Boondocks on the Farm and Haunted Attractions
3245 Pine Level Church Road, Nakina, NC • Tickets: $29.99 and up
The southeastern NC region’s most haunted attraction is open through Saturday before closing another season.
Panic Attack! is a haunted house created by film industry pioneers, meaning the graphics, special effects, actors, and set designs are top-tier in every way and will scare the bejesus out of you — we promise.
In addition to the original haunted house, this year’s attraction also has a secondary event that takes visitors through the Irongate Penitentiary, located in the swamps of Nakina, deep into the woods of Brunswick County. For six decades, inmates told stories of ruthless guards, medical “experiments” and severe punishments. However, by the summer of 1983, the inmates revolted and all hell broke loose, including Warden Krayz issuing a final order.
Panic Attack and Irongate general admission is $29.99 singularly or bundle both for $49.99; tickets are here. But if scary isn’t your jam, then bring the family to Boondocks on the Farm, located on the same compound.
The area is dedicated to family-fun, featuring festive food and drink, spooky decor, and numerous photo opportunities. There is also a pumpkin patch, petting zoo and carnival rides — a towering slide, a modest roller coaster, and the mysterious Trick or Treat Mountain — plus a hayride around the compound with lights and displays showing the haunting effects of the season.
Costumed characters, including a skeleton, witch and a towering Frankensteinwalk the grounds, interacting with patrons, and culminates in a show, featuring music and dance, topped off by a fireworks display.
Boondocks Adventure Farm is located at 3183 Pine Level Church Rd, in Nakina. It is open to the public from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $24.99 here, with $10 parking.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
‘The Phantom of the Opera’ — The 1925 silent film will screen at Thalian Hall with organist Cameron Carpenter scoring the flick live. Carpenter is considered a revolutionary force in classical music, honoring traditions and pushing boundaries on the pipe organ. He will perform the famed story of young opera singer Christine whose mysterious admirer is intent on helping her rise to stardom. Known as the Phantom, who lives underneath the opera house, he keeps Christine prisoner and demands her devotion and affection, as her suitor, Vicomte Raoul de Chagny, sets out to rescue her. Tickets start at $48.
Zombie Fest — Annually, Zombie Fest has been the hot ticket for Halloween for years, welcoming rock-n-rollers and rockabilly performers alike for a romp of live music and thrills, with lots of costumed shenanigans. This year’s lineup includes The Phantom AD, The Phantom Playboys and Mark Sinnis & 825. Come dressed to impress as well, as a costume contest will take place with a $200 cash prize. Doors are at 6 p.m. but the show begins at 7 p.m. at The Eagle’s Dare, 420 N. Third St. Tickets are $19.
Schtick or Treat — Dead Crow Comedy Room will host comedians who perform as other comedians, both dead and alive, in a fun Halloween performance, otherwise dubbed “Schtick or Treat.” The show includes the 2023 Port City Top Comic Winner Steve Marcinowski and Andy Kauffman Award Finalist Chad Fogland as they dress-up in costume and perform as famous and infamous comics alike. The show starts at 7 p.m. and tickets are $20.
Slash Back Halloween — Tavern 14 (6309 Market St.) is throwing back to the 1980s and 1990s with a Slash Back Halloween Party, happening Friday, Oct. 31, 8 p.m. Come dressed to impress, whether it’s a favorite character, horror villain or iconic ‘80s/’90s legend. The costume contest will include prizes for Best Duo/Couple, Most Creative, and Best Overall. The Rhythm Connection will be spinning ‘80s and ‘90s tunes all night.
Romantasy Masquerade Ball — A Romantasy Masquerade Ball, hosted by Burning Pages Bookstore, is taking place in the Cargo District’s Azalea Station from 9 p.m. to midnight. The theme is a Fantasy Night to Remember and will include photo-op spaces, moody fantastical decor, dragons, and a queen and king of the ball, light bites and sweet treats, one drink ticket, DJ entertainment, themed actors, book(ish) vendors, indie romantasy authors, and more. Tickets are $160 for general admission and $225 for VIP, open to ages 21 and up here.
Salsa Ween — At Bonita Latin Fusion (5 Brunswick St.), a Halloween party will get underway, welcoming folks to show off their best moves in salsa, bachata, cumbia, reggaeton and more. The DJ spins the tunes starting at 7 p.m. and costumes are welcome on the dance floor, with a contest offering $50 and $100 in prizes.
Villaween One Tree Hill Style —The filming location of the wildly popular “One Tree Hill” young adult drama is turning into a Halloween party at the original TRIC nightclub from the series. Villaween is a combination of “OTH” villains and villainesses, so come dressed to the nines. Autographs and photo ops are also available with actors from the show including Paul Johansson, Tyler Hilton, Torrey DeVitto, Matt Barr, Emmanuelle Vaugier, Devin McGee and Kate French. The event takes place all day Friday, Oct. 31, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., 1121 S. Front St. Tickets start at $150 here.
Mall-o-Ween — Independence Mall at 3500 Oleander Drive is hosting a trick-or-treat fest for the kiddos from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 31. Bring them dressed as their fave witches, ghouls and goblins and participating stores will hand out candy.
Saturday, Nov. 1
St. Stan’s Polish Festival
St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, 4849 Castle Hayne Road • Free
The 25th annual Polish Festival is returning to the Cape Fear region this weekend at St. Stanislaus Church in Castle Hayne from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors by the thousands — upward of almost 10,000, actually — descend on the area annually during the first weekend of November to indulge in Polish foods, deserts, drinks, music and more.
The church ships in authentic kielbasa, pierogi, golabki, kruschiki, and more from Pennsylvania to sell. Homemade food prepared by parishioners will also be for sale, featuring potato pancakes, stuffed cabbage, sausage rolls, topped with homemade sauerkraut, and pastries, like chrusciki cookies and nut rolls, priced $8 and up.
Admission is free, but proceeds benefit the upkeep of the church and help subsidize its food pantry, Helping Hands.
Polish music will be played live by the Harbour Towne Fest Band, bringing pop-polka sounds, and Front Street Brewery will have its annual Polish beer for sale.
The festival will also feature crafts for purchase, a raffle with cash prizes, and will have a children’s area with games and inflatables.
OTHER SATURDAY NIGHTS
Dance Til You’re Dead — A retro Halloween party is taking place at The Eagle’s Dare on Saturday with local DJs The Beehive Blondes. Prizes are valued over $2,000 for the costume contest, with the theme being a Marie Antoinette-inspired evening and a touch of rococo romance. Jess James and Hannah Stewart — the latter is one of the original DJs visiting from England — will be spinning spooky-inspired tunes from the 1950s through the early 2000s. Tickets start at $19 here.
2025 Día de los Muertos Celebration — The Marina District in downtown Wilmington, along the the Cape Fear River, is celebrating the Day of the Dead on Saturday. A multi-day Mexican holiday celebrated from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2, the tradition honors and remembers deceased loved ones. From noon to midnight at 10 Harnett St., there will be Latin dance classes, a Los Muertos Costume Contest, trunk-or-treat style treats, food and drinks from area vendors and more. Plus, it’s free to attend.
Day of the Dead Social District — Also getting in on the seasonal celebrations, the Brooklyn Arts District is hosting a Day of the Dead Social District. The social district allows customers 21 and over to carry alcoholic beverages purchased from participating BAD businesses along public right-of-ways within a certain footprint. At the varying 20 or so participating businesses, there will be Day of the Dead activities taking place district-wide — including live music, food trucks, curated photo booth opportunities, area artisan and craft vendors, not to mention food specials.
Greenfield Park Centennial Celebration — Greenfield Park (1941 Amphitheater Drive) is celebrating 100 years of existence in Wilmington. A celebration is being hosted by the City of Wilmington’s Parks and Recreation Department on Saturday, Nov. 1, at 1941 Amphitheater Drive. A ceremony is slated for 11 a.m., with remarks from the Rotary Club, REV Credit Union, Cape Fear Garden Club, and city and county officials, plus a time capsule will be buried. Families are welcome to bring photos they have of Greenfield Park to add to the capsule, plus a bounce house will be on site, plus community vendors and food trucks. At 2 p.m. gates will open to Greenfield Lake Amphitheater for a free concert until 6 p.m. Featured performers include Frank Grant & The Feelin’ (2:15 p.m.), Anderson Ray and the Grays (3:15 p.m.), Torin Rogers (4 p.m.) and Loud Music Company (4:30 p.m.).
Monster Smash — It’s all about killer spikes and spooky volleyball vibes at Wilmington Beach Academy’s Monster Smash. The WBA is Brunswick County’s premier volley spot and is hosting a tournament at Wilmington’s Robert Strange Park on Saturday. The Grass 2s tournament begins at 10 a.m. with entry fee of $25 a player, due at the 9:30 a.m. check-in. At 5 p.m. the Sand 4s take the court, also encouraging costumed teams of four, for $25 a player with a 4:30 p.m. check-in. Athletes who wish to play both tournaments will have one admission fee waived. Prizes will be given for best costume. Registration is open here.
Pawz in the Park — From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Long Leaf Park on College Road, a celebration of furry four-legged friends will take place. There will be pet contests, music, a silent auction, beer, food and lots of pet-related vendors. It’s free to attend and all proceeds from the raffle and auction benefit the more than 30 local rescue groups on site Saturday.
The Great Pumpkin Blowout — Looking for a creative way to get rid of your rotting pumpkin? The North Carolina Historic Sites and Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site has just the event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For a $10 fee, participants can bring their Jack-o-lanterns to detonate with the same technology that was used during Civil War times to blow up torpedoes. According to the historic site, the gourds that don’t have as much carving will provide the best explosions. All proceeds fund educational programming at the site, 8884 Saint Philips Road SE.
Taste of Wrightsville Beach — Taste of Wrightsville Beach take place from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., under a tent in the Bluewater Grill parking lot, 4 Marina St. The festival features more than 40 local cuisine, beer, wine and spirit tasting booths; new this year are Sinful Cupcakes and Grind with Gratitude. Celebrity judges will rate their favorite dishes and participants will select the “People’s Choice Awards.” Proceeds benefit Meals on Wheels, with the event raising $78,000 last year. The majority of the Meals on Wheels clients, according to the organization, are around 75-years-old, some who are also sick or don’t have resources or the ability to prepare their meals. Tickets are $100 here.
Sunday, Nov. 2
NC Spot Festival
14221 Hwy 17, Hampstead • Admission: $5
A Hampstead tradition since 1963, the North Carolina Spot Festival will take place Saturday and Sunday at 14221 Hwy 17. Upward of 50,000 people attend over two days to enjoy food, arts and crafts vendors, kids’ bounce houses, as well as the North Carolina Spot Festival Pageant and live music.
Annually around 5,000 pounds of spot — small members of the drum family — are served at the event. The fish have been provided by Atlantic Seafood since 2008 after then-sponsor JH Lea and Sons retired — a fishery that served the Hampstead area for 90 years.
Spot plates are sold for $12, served with hushpuppies, French fries and coleslaw. For nonseafood eaters, around a dozen vendors selling cheeseburgers, barbecue, funnel cakes and other offerings. Plus, live music is performed by The Carolina Band (12:30 p.m.), Machine Gun (3:30 p.m.) and Port City Shakedown (7:30 p.m.) on Saturday, as well as The Band of Oz on Sunday at 2 p.m. Lawn chairs welcome (pets and coolers are not).
Also, there will be paid inflatable activities for $20 and craft vendors will be on site.
All proceeds go back into the community to fund Topsail schools and Pender EMS and Fire and the festival is run entirely by beneficiary volunteers. Last year, $36,000 was raised. Gates open 9 a.m. both days and close Saturday at 10:30 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m. Admission is $5.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
Mac and Cheese Festival — Yep, the most comforting comfort food will be celebrated at the brewery along the Cape Fear River, Waterline, from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Mac and cheese of all kinds will be available from Angry Lobster, Capones, A Taste of Philly. Feelin Swine BBQ, No Rules Food Truck, Tina’s Kitchen, and Hooks Hot Dogs. The event is being hosted with Lazy Day Farm and Zen Hooves, so there will also be a petting zoo, plus live music with Randy McQuay at 4 p.m.
Grissettown Haunted Trail — District 31 Fire and Rescue in Brunswick County welcomes all who dare to its scariest haunted trail at 758 Longwood Road. It promises to be the place where “nightmares walk beside you,” and takes place from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday night. Tickets are $20 here.
Phobia Haunted Trail — Across the bridge in Leland, on Maco Road, a haunted trail is returning with two trails ready to take you on a haunted Halloween journey. The theme is Freakshow, so prepare for oddities and wonders that will cause thrills and shrills and test you to question what’s real. Expect an immersive experience that will also test your biggest phobias, as clowns are ready to exact revenge across the forest in which they live. The trail opens Friday through Sunday, 8 p.m. to midnight, through Nov. 2 and reservations can be made here. The haunted trail is located at 635 Governors Road SE in Winnabow. Tickets: $25-$35
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