Happy Halloween. We’ve put together a list of Halloween-themed events from our calendar section. Many are family friendly, but some are definitely meant for adults.
Children’s and family events
Little Explorers: Pumpkins!
When: Friday and Saturday, Oct. 20 and 21, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Where: Cape Fear Museum, 814 Market St., Wilmington
Meet in Museum Park for fun hands-on activities. Events include interactive circle time, experiments and games related to a weekly theme. Event is meant for children ages 3 to 6 and their adult helpers.
Howl at the Moon: Halloween Yin and Yang Flow (Yoga)
When: Saturday, Oct 21, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: Longwave Yoga, 203 Racine Drive, Wilmington
Grab your goblins and ghoul-friends and dress up in your favorite costume for Howl at the Moon: Halloween Yin & Yang Flow. Angela and Rebecca are back for a two-hour class that will feature a vinyasa and yin practice. Face your fears in an all-levels class that features arm balances and inversions. Then, get in touch with your lunar side and move deep within in a moonlit yin practice. The playful vinyasa class will treat you to a surprise—muuuuahahahaha—and the yin will challenge the tricks of the mind.
Yogis of all levels are welcome. Children ages 8-12 are also welcome with an adult. Children 13 and over are welcome to join without parent supervision.
Cost is $25 for early birds and $30 day of.
Trick-or-treat under the sea
When: Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 26, 27 and 28, 4:30-8 p.m.
Where: N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher, 900 Loggerhead Road, Kure Beach
Pirate skeletons, caped superheroes and fairy princesses once again will haunt the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher for three nights this October.
The annual children’s event offers a safe environment to enjoy Halloween fun, including games, magic shows, live animal encounters and spooky divers swimming among the sharks.
Tickets are valid only for night purchased. Due to increased popularity, tickets are only available in advance. Tickets will not be sold at the door.
Purchase tickets online here.
Trick or Trot for Preservation: 5K
When: Saturday, Oct. 28, 9-11 a.m.
Where: 302 Willard St., Wilmington (near the skate park and tennis courts)
The Trick or Trot for Preservation 5K and 1 Mile Candy Dash is for all ages. The 5K runs through historic Greenfield Lake Park and is followed by the Candy Dash – a 1 mile walk with Trick or Treat stops for kids big and small.
Registration for the 5K gets you into the Candy Dash for free. Or, register for the Candy Dash alone.
Prizes will be awarded for running fast and for wearing a great costume. There are 60 prizes in all. Free RISE doughnuts, Port City Java coffee and face painting will be available for registrants.
Ages 5 and under are free with a paid adult participant (one free per paid adult). The Trick or Trot for Preservation supports Historic Wilmington Foundation and the educational tour it provides for local 3rd grade children called Tar Heels Go Walking.
There are discounts for children and teams.
Hocus Pocus 5K & Monster Mile Fun Run
When: Friday, Oct. 27, 6:30-10 p.m.
Where: The New Compass Pointe Development, 8178 Compass Pointe East Wynd, Leland
Take a once-in-a-lifetime chance to run through the beautiful development Compass Pointe during the Hocus Pocus 5K. This evening run will traverse through the beautiful secluded private community of Compass Pointe, and include “spooky” parts along the way. There is something for all ages, with a planned Monster Mile Run for children.
Halloween at the Cotton Exchange
Free trick-or-treating through the shops and restaurants of the Cotton Exchange. Pets welcome. The event is Saturday, Oct. 28, from 1-4 p.m.
Ride to the Ghost Barn
Take a horse-drawn ghost ride through downtown Wilmington. Ghost stories will be tailored to young children, with no gore or violence. The trolley ride will be followed by a fun spoof in the “Ghost Barn.”
When: Friday, Oct. 27 – Tuesday, Oct. 31, 6-9 p.m.
Where: Rides start at Market and Water streets
$12 for those 12 and older, $5 under 12. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
For information, call Springbrook Farms, 910-251-8889.
Events for adults
Macabaret: An evening of gallows humor, song & dance
When: Fridays and Saturdays, beginning Oct. 13 and ended Oct. 28. Shows run until 10 p.m.
Where: TheatreNOW, 19 S. 10th St., Wilmington
If you are tired of the same old Halloween fare, join TheatreNOW for Macabaret – an irreverent evening of gallows humor, song, and dance.
This cabaret-style show will make you laugh ‘til it hurts with its outrageous look at the morbid and the macabre. Join your host, Phil Graves, and his cadaverous cohorts as they perform songs such as “Marriage is Murder,” “Grave Mistake,” and “Dead End Job,” that deal with love gone bad, obsessions, and strange things that go bump in the night.
Leave the kids at home carving pumpkins and come to Macabaret for some “fiendishly good entertainment” for the grown-ups.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students/seniors/military. Groups of ten or more are $12 each. Opening night also features a $10 special for all area actors.
Each performance offers a late night food menu and cash bar as well as a costume contest. Come dressed in your best Halloween outfit and win two tickets to an upcoming TheatreNOW show.
To purchase tickets, visit www.theatrewilmington.com or call 910-399-3669.
Burlesque Nights at Bourgie Nights: Halloween!
When: Saturday, Oct. 14, 8 – 11 p.m.
Where: Bourgie Nights, 127 Princess St., Wilmington
Join Burlesque Nights on Oct. 14 for Halloween themed performances by Magnolia Jackson Pickett Burneside, Puppie Buffé, Rusty Dawn and Barnabus Beverly Burnside
Tickets are $13 in advance and $18 at the door
Doors open at 8 p.m. Show begins at 9 p.m. Seating is limited.
Wilmington Horror Story – Mansions of Madness
When: Thursday – Sunday, Oct. 26-29, 7 p.m. – midnight.
Where: Bellamy Mansion Museum, 503 Market St., Wilmington and The Burgwin-Wright House, 224 Market St., Wilmington.
Two of downtown Wilmington’s most famous historic sites transform into immersive haunted houses, featuring all manner of ghosts, ghouls and other assorted things that go bump in the night.
The “Wilmington Horror Story,” is brought to you by The Bellamy Mansion, The Burgwin-Wright House and Pineapple-Shaped Lamps. Tickets are $37.45 (including tax) and gives access to both haunted houses.
Tickets will be for sale at the Bellamy and Burgwin-Wright and will be available at both houses on the nights of the event. The event is not recommended for small children. Beer and wine will be available for sale.
Paranormal investigative ghost tour
When: Friday, Oct. 20, 7-9 p.m.
Where: Poplar Grove Plantation, 10200 US-17 North, Wilmington
There are lots of stories of Foy family household haints to share, including a murderous crime of passion. Discover who these phantoms are, and why they’re still at Poplar Grove. The venue will share a little history, provide a scroll of the dead, and permit visitors to focus on a particular room or rooms for any paranormal activity.
Groups are limited to 15; all tickets are $15. Cameras, and other paranormal equipment is allowed.
Register online. Tours for Oct. 6 and 13 sold out.
Monster Dash 2K and 7K Trail Run
When: Saturday, Oct. 21, 8 – 11 a.m.
Where: Carolina Beach State Park, 1010 State Park Road, Carolina Beach
Join the Cape Fear Flyers Youth Running Club for the 3rd annual Monster Dash. There are two races – a 2K trail run and a 7K trail run through Carolina Beach State Park. Start and finish lines are at the Marina. Prizes for age groups and costumes are awarded as well.
Spirit Whisperers
When: Friday, Oct. 27 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Where: Expo 216, 216 N. Front St., Wilmington
Get into “All Hallows” mode. Visitors are encouraged to wear a costume, receive a message from “the other side,” and dance along to live music by David Dixon. Contemplate transcending into the cosmos via Niki Hildebrand’s 3D installation. Spirit punch and mystery morsels will be provided.
Have a Halloween themed event scheduled? Let us know at PCD@localvoicemedia.com. Submit events to our calendar here.
