CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Halloween is fast approaching, and many families are looking for ways to get out of the house and celebrate. Whether you're putting the final touches on your Halloween costume or just want to explore the Queen City, it's time to see what's happening.
Here are some of your options.
Wednesday, Oct. 27
NoDa Candy Crawl
Multiple businesses in Charlotte's NoDa neighborhood are coming together to support the 'candy crawl.' As part of the crawl, families in costume are encouraged to trick or treat around the neighborhood, visiting local businesses and getting candy in return.
Participating businesses include The Goodyear House, the Exchange at 36th, Bargarita, Four Dog Pet Supplies, Haberdish, Reigning Doughnuts, F45 Training NoDa, Heist Brewery, Cabo Fish Taco, Growlers Pub, Fu’s Custom Tattoos, Summit Coffee, Local Loaf, Mac Tabby Cat Café, Mimosas Nail Bar, and Crepe Cellar.
Friday, Oct. 29
Goblins and Ghouls Candy Crawl + Monster Market
Charlotte merchants will provide trick-or-treating as well as entertainment for the whole family at Camp North End on Friday. From 6 to 8 p.m., kids and adults alike are invited to come in costume and collect treats, and potentially knock out some holiday shopping early.
Food Truck Friday
Come out for good eats, live music and fun for the whole family at various Food Truck Friday events happening all over the Queen City. Come out to get your grub on at Food Truck Friday at Cabarrus Brewing Company, Black Food Truck Friday at Julius Chambers High School, University City Food Truck Friday, or Food Truck Friday at Sycamore Brewing. Times vary by location.
Saturday, Oct. 30
Morrison Family YMCA Trunk or Treat
The Morrison Family YMCA is partnering with Forest Hill to host this year's Halloween Trunk or Treat event. The event takes place from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and includes a costume contest, trunk contest, games, food, and more.
Trick-or-Treating @ Birkdale Village
All the witches and warlocks of the surrounding areas are invited to take part in Birkdale Village’s inaugural trick-or-treating experience. From 10 a.m. to noon, the Birkdale Village boo crew will host a spooktacular Halloween activation full of ghostly surprises from onsite retailers and restaurants. Guests can register at check-in near Starbucks to grab goodies and a map highlighting candy stops around the village. This free event goes down Saturday, Oct. 30. Find more information here.
Rich & Bennett’s 20th Annual Halloween Pub Crawl
A Halloween tradition in its own right, the Rich & Bennett Halloween Pub Crawl returns to the Queen City. This Saturday, bring your best friends out for a weekend of spirits, fears and frights as you crawl to your favorite spots as well as discover new ones. Check-in for the event is between 1 and 3 p.m. at the Pub Crawl Party Lot at 300 N. Brevard Street. Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased here.
Sunday, Oct. 31
Trick-Or-Treat Spooktacular
Tanger Outlets Blowing Rock is hosting a Halloween Trick-or-Treat Spooktacular on Halloween from 5 to 7 p.m. There will be trick-or-treating, a pumpkin painting contest, hayrides, a fire pit, and more.
HBCU Culture Homecoming Fest @ Bojangles Coliseum
HBCU Culture Homecoming Fest and Battle of the Bands returns to the Queen City. See some of the baddest bands in the land battle it out at Bojangles Coliseum. The festivities also include Fan Fest from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. hosted by Bluz and Chirl Girl featuring live music. Doors open at 4 p.m. Sunday and the event starts at 5 p.m. Tickets start at $14.95 and can be purchased here.
Happening all weekend:
Hall-Oh-Ween Weekend @ Optimist Hall
What better way to spend your Halloween weekend than at Optimist Hall. Bring your friends and family out for spooky events, specials and activities happening all weekend long, including a comedy show, costume parties, candy sales, a mad tea party, and more. Entry to Optimist Hall is free, and events are happening the whole weekend. Find more information here.
Charlotte Black Restaurant Week
This weekend is your last chance to feed your face with at some of the best Black-owned eateries the Queen City has to offer. Discover some new spots and visit some of your favorites. You’ve got plenty of time to fill your face, as the celebration is going on this weekend, up until Sunday, Oct. 31. See participating restaurants here.
Carolina Renaissance Festival
Get medieval with your friends and family as you head out to the opening weekend of the Carolina Renaissance Festival. Enjoy non-stop, day-long, immersive and interactive activities as well as the open-air Artisan Market with arts and crafts, games, rides, jousting knights on horseback, falconry, and food options you’re sure to love. This season-long event runs every Saturday and Sunday until Nov. 21. Tickets start at $17 for kids and $27 for adults and can be purchased here.
Live Under The Oaks @ Birkdale Village
Kick your weekend off with a little shopping and live music at the Grove at Birkdale Village every Friday evening from April to October this year. This is the last Friday of Live Under the Oaks of the year, as Flashback the Party Band takes the stage from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. As always, the event will feature an onsite bar provided by Red Rocks Cafe. Get ready to party and feel free to dress up in your Halloween costume. Find more information about this free event here.
SCarowinds
This is the last weekend you can face your darkest fears at SCarowinds. Hoards of hungry zombies, jaw-dropping mazes, and epic coaster thrills await your arrival at the ultimate fright fest of the Carolinas. Open now through Sunday, you can visit all weekend long starting at $40. Tickets are available for purchase here.
Immersive Van Gogh @ Camp North End
Come out to experience the lauded Immersive Van Gogh exhibit at Camp North End. The exhibit features 500,000 cubic feet of monumental projections animating Vincent van Gogh’s oeuvre. The Immersive Van Gogh exhibit has been extended through Nov. 21 by popular demand, so you can enjoy it all season long. Tickets start at $39 and can be purchased here.
Did we miss something? Text us at 704-329-3600 and let us know what we should add to the list.
