A Guide to Charlotte Halloween Parties, Haunts and Happenings
Events happening October 20 - October 31, 2022
Each year, we compile a rundown of local haunts, happenings and Halloween parties where you can show off your costume, grab some candy and throw back a few witches brews (if that’s your thing).
More than our guides of past years, 2022 includes plenty of events that focus on being active, supporting local vendors, experiencing arts and live music, getting out in nature, and doing it all while dressed as a sexy David Tepper or something (sorry for that image).
Beyond the Grave Tour
Ongoing | Times vary | Uptown Charlotte | $13-$15
On this historic, ghostly walking tour by Carolina History & Haunts, guests are guided by lantern light as they listen to stories and explore the sites where some of Uptown’s departed inhabitants are said to still linger.
Stroke Halloween Course
Ongoing through October | Times vary | Stroke | $15
Each October, Stroke turns its indoor mini-golf course into a haunted indoor mini-golf course.
‘Evil Dead: The Musical’
Now through Oct. 30 | 8 p.m. | The Barn at MoRA | $20 and up
An outdoor rock musical stage play by Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte based on the Evil Dead franchise in which five college friends go to an abandoned cabin in the woods to party but accidentally unleash an evil force that takes them out one by one. This is ATC’s final production.
On Point Picks: Retro Horror
Oct. 20 | 7-9 p.m. | VisArt Video | donations encouraged
A guaranteed great movie specifically selected to fit the theme of the night: retro horror. The only catch is attendees don’t know the title until they get there.
Crossroads Cinema: ‘The Addams Family’ & ‘Hocus Pocus’
Oct. 20 & 27 | 7:30 p.m. | Camp North End | Free
Watch The Addams Family and Hocus Pocus on a jumbo screen with surround sound and retro arcade games against the backdrop of the historic Ford building. Don’t forget to bring your own lawn chair.
IN THE DEADLY NIGHTSHADE, NO ONE CAN HEAR YOU SCREAM YOUR PURPOOSE
Oct. 20 | 7 p.m. | Petra’s | $7-$10
A live variety show featuring collaborations between the shadow cinema stylings of Night Shade and performance artist Poose The Puppet. Night Shade will bring the horror comedy while Poose The Puppet will leave audiences with a feel-good experience.
Charlotte Symphony: Symphony Spooktacular
Oct. 22 | 11 a.m. | Knight Theater | $19 and up
A frightfully fun concert by Charlotte Symphony Orchestra featuring eerie tunes like “Night on Bald Mountain” by Mussorgsky and “In the Hall of the Mountain King” by Grief. Throw in a costume contest for good measure.
Pumpkin Carving at Divine Barrel Brewing
Oct. 22 | Noon-5 p.m. | Divine Barrel Brewing | $5
A family-friendly event where supplies are provided to carve your spooktacular jack-o-lantern.
Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics
Oct. 25, 27 & 31 | 7 & 9 p.m. | The Barrel Room at Triple C Brewing Company | $40-$50
A live concert filled with multi-sensory musical experiences. The Charlotte Strings will perform songs like Micheal Jackson’s “Thriller” and theme songs from Stranger Things and Beetlejuice.
BOOllantyne
Oct. 28 | 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. | Ballantyne’s Backyard | $10 after 4 p.m.
A ghoulish graveyard, pumpkin contest, costume runway show, and spooky shorts accompanied by local pianist Marc Hoffman, plus Hocus Pocus on the big screen. Food and drink trucks will be on site.
Halloween Haunted Trail
Oct. 28-30 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. & 7-10 p.m. | Matthews Community Center | $10
A “Not So Spooky” trail and a “Full Fright” trail presented by Matthews Playhouse in the woods behind the Matthews Community Center.
Candy Crawl and Monster Market
Oct. 28 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Alley next to Snug Harbor | Free
Kids trick-or-treat from merchants and volunteers while adults shop from more than 20 local vendors. Music by Funk n Fashion, activities with Upcycle Arts and axe throwing with Axe in Motion.
‘90s Halloween Throwback Party
Oct. 28 | 7 p.m. | Amos’ Southend | $18-$20
Music by Enrage (a tribute to Rage Against the Machine) and Check Your Head (a tribute to the Beastie Boys), plus a costume contest with $100 cash prize.
Monster Mash Halloween Party
Oct. 28 | 8-11 p.m. | Legion Brewing West Morehead | Free
Costume contest, “haunted” brewery tours, dance music and spooky vibes.
Zombie Prom
Oct. 28, | 9 p.m. | Skylark Social Club | Free
Grab your boos and meet at Skylark Social Club for a Halloween-themed prom with a costume contest and drag show hosted by Misster and Vegas Van Dank, featuring King Perka $exxx, Luna Rei, Molar Decay and Dragula’s Maddelynn Hatter.
Running Scared 5 Miler/5K & Monster Mile
Oct. 29 | 9 a.m. | Midnight Mulligan Brewery | $22.50 and up
A family-friendly 1-, 3- and 5-mile run around the Wesley Heights neighborhood near Uptown that starts and finishes at Midnight Mulligan Brewing. There will also be face painting, games, food trucks, beer and music.
Carolina Renaissance Festival: Halloween Daze and Spooky Knights
Oct. 29-30 | 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. | Carolina Renaissance Festival | Free-$32
Already the Carolinas’ largest costume party, the Carolina Renaissance Festival becomes the place to celebrate Halloween. Additional activities include trick-or-treating, a Halloween treasure hunt, costume contest and the Knights of the Living Dead zombie jousting challenge. Children 12 and under get in free.
Owl-O-Ween
Oct. 29 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Carolina Raptor Center | $8-$12
Meet the resident owls, trick-or-treat the Raptor Trail, learn about spooky creatures, try interactive activities and compete in a costume contest.
Plaza Midwood Fall Crawl
Oct. 29 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Midwood Park | Free
The day kicks off with a kids story time presented by Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and a costume parade for the neighborhood’s little ones, then back to the park for local music, beer, wine, bounce houses, an ’80s selfie station, axe throwing and a vendor village. Food trucks will also be on site, including a Soul Gastrolounge food truck (yes, THAT Soul Gastrolounge).
VAPtoberfest
Oct. 29 | Noon-9 p.m. | VAPA Center | Free
No it’s not a vape shop, its the VAPA Center, which we find infinitely more interesting. Wear a costume and shop an open air arts market with photography, sculpture, crafts, and bath and beauty products by local artists. Bring your own skates for the roller-skating party, plus food trucks, games and live music featuring Power 98’s No Limit Larry as emcee.
Super Abari Monster Bash: Resurrection
Oct. 29 | Noon-2 a.m. | Super Abari Game Bar | Free
All spooky games will be on free play all day. After 5 p.m., there will be a DJ, “horrifying cocktails” and a costume contest with first, second and third place receiving a bar tab and other prizes.
NoDaWeen Freaky 5K
Oct. 29 | 5 p.m. | NoDa Company Store | $40
A fun run through one of Charlotte’s most historic and spookiest neighborhoods. Halloween costumes are encouraged and prizes will be awarded during a post-run party at NoDa Company Store. Proceeds benefit NoDa Neighborhood and Business Association community projects. Register by Oct. 26.
Spooks & Selfies Costume Party
Oct. 29 | 7-10 p.m. | Picture Project CLT Selfie Museum | $50
Dress up and take pictures against special spooky themed backgrounds. Music by DJ Prestige. Adults only.
Shipwrecked Halloween Ball with Yacht Rock Revue
Oct. 29 | 6-11 p.m. | Avidxchange Music Factory | $30
Yacht Rock Revue brings soft rock hits of the ‘70s and ‘80s to the stage for what’s billed as the smoothest Halloween party in the Queen City. Costume contest with prizes and official afterparty at Bazal Gallery Nightclub. Proceeds benefit The Shaul Boys’ Toys annual toy drive.
Rich & Bennett’s 21st Annual Halloween Pub Crawl
Oct. 29 | 1-10 p.m. | Uptown Charlotte | $15 and up
Charlotte’s original Halloween bar crawl is back with over 25 participating locations throughout Uptown. A ticket gets you access into each location, drink specials, exclusive event merch, giveaways, costume contests and raffles.
Biketoberfest
Oct. 30 | Noon-4:30 p.m. | Triple C Brewing Company | $35
An annual benefit for Sustain Charlotte that includes a bike ride through South End, Uptown and Historic West End, as well as a shorter route for families and people who prefer to walk. Participants are invited to dress in costumes as they visit curated destinations and local businesses while collecting stamps in an event passport. The more stamps, the greater chance of winning prizes at the after party at Triple C Brewing.
Great Elizabeth Pumpkin Wall Lighting Ceremony
Oct. 30 | 6:30 p.m. | 2023 Greenway Ave. | Free
A giant display of pumpkins carved each year by residents in the Elizabeth neighborhood.
Petrafied Halloween Bash
Oct. 31 | 8 p.m. | Petra’s | $7-$10
Music from Invader Houses, Pheny and Solis, with sounds from DJ Monsterpiece on the back patio. Midnight costume contest with $100 cash prize.
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