‘Tis the season in Western Wake, of ghosts and goblins and haunted everything.
Here’s a guide to the fun, for kids of all ages!
Saturday, Oct. 22
Creepy Crabtree
Lake Crabtree County Park, Morrisville, 2 p.m.
Cost: Free
More info: (919) 460-3355 or wakegov.com/parks
Investigate the darker side of nature with scary scavenger hunts, creepy crafts, and gruesome games. Costumes welcome!
Saturday, Oct. 22
Costume Dance Party
Cary Arts Center, 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Cost: $1 per person
More info: (919) 469-4069 or townofcary.org
Kids ages K5 to 12 are invited, with a caregiver. Dress up in your favorite costume to enjoy light refreshments, an art activity, dancing and costume awards.
Tuesday, Oct. 25
Exploring Cary-Area Cemeteries
Page-Walker Arts & History Center, Cary, 7:30 to 9 p.m.
Cost: Free
More info: (919) 460-4963 or friendsofpagewalker.org
Join the Friends of Page-Walker for an exploration of the mysteries and secrets held by local cemeteries, identify the resting places of historic figures, and learn interesting local history tidbits. Refreshments follow.
Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 27-29
A Reel-y Scary Cary
Booth Amphitheatre, Cary, 6 p.m. nightly
Cost: $10 for ages 13 and older; includes movie and haunted house visit
More info: (919) 462-2025 or boothamphitheatre.com
Scary movies like Young Frankenstein, Goosebumps, and The Conjuring 2 on the big screen, a haunted house that will scare your socks off, plus costume and pumpkin carving contests. Food and beverage stands will be open.
Friday, Oct. 28
Trick or Treat Downtown
Downtown Fuquay-Varina, 2 to 5 p.m.
Cost: Free
More info: (919) 552-0848 or fuquay-varinadowntown.com
Parents, dress up your ghosts and goblins, grab a bag and visit the merchants displaying the sign, “Trick or Treat Here!”
Friday, October 28
Zombiepalooza
The Cary Theater, 7 p.m.
Cost: Free
More info: townofcary.org
The first-ever Zombiepalooza features local filmmakers’ own zombie films, cosplay zombies, and classic scary films, plus eats and treats served up by Brew at The Cary and Crosstown Pub and Grill.
Costume contests, scary face painting, and a showing of the 1968 classic, “The Night of the Living Dead.”
Friday, Oct. 28
Witches on Salem Street
Downtown Apex, 5 to 9 p.m.
Cost: Free
More info: facebook.com/apexdba
Shop, eat, and have fun on Salem Street, with special discounts from merchants. Come down early with the family, from 5 to 7, or stay late with the witches, from 7 to 9.
Saturday, Oct. 29
Businesses Treat the Kids
Downtown Apex, 4 to 6 p.m.
Cost: Free
More info: facebook.com/apexdba
Salem Street will be closed to traffic for trick-or-treating in your favorite costume. Cotton candy, popcorn and inflatables will be in front of the Apex Chamber of Commerce, and teal pumpkin stations will offer allergy-free treats.
Saturday, Oct. 29
Haunted Hayride
Sugg Farm Park at Bass Lake, Holly Springs, 7 p.m. to midnight
Cost: $5 per person; recommended for ages 10 and older
More info: (919) 557-2906 or hollysprings.nc.us
Monsters abound, from zombies to scary clowns; this hayride is not for the faint of heart!
Saturday, Oct. 29
Hollyfest 2016
Sugg Farm Park at Bass Lake, Holly Springs, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: Free
More info: hollysprings.nc.us
The Town of Holly Springs joins with churches, civic organizations and businesses for this annual community celebration featuring live entertainment, arts and crafts vendors, children’s activities and games, inflatables and rides, the Cornhole Cup ’16, food, and fire truck on display.
Saturday, Oct. 29
Trick-or-Treat the Trail
Hatcher Creek Trail at Morrisville Community Park, 4 to 7 p.m.
Cost: Free
More info: ci.morrisville.nc.us
Collect goodies from costumed characters, play on the bounce houses and grab a bite to eat from local food trucks. Don’t forget to wear your costume! New this year is the addition of Trunk or Treat; local businesses and organizations will decorate a police car or fire truck, as they vie for the Tricked Out Trunk award.
Saturday, Oct, 29
Goblin’s Groove Family Dance
Halle Cultural Arts Center, Apex, 7 p.m.
Cost: $5 per couple, $2 per additional child
More info: thehalle.org
This parent/child dance offers music from the ‘80s and ‘90s plus the hip-hop of today, along with costume and dance contests, games, treats and a haunted art gallery. Costumes encouraged.
Saturday, October 29
Cary’s Great Pumpkin Carve
135 W. Chatham St., in downtown Cary, 2 to 8 p.m.
Cost: Free; small charge for pumpkins
More info: (919) 469-4061 or townofcary.org
Stop by the Pumpkin Patch or bring your own to carve. Pumpkins will be lit for display and judged in a variety of categories. Stay for family-friendly Halloween specials shown outdoors, including “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!”
Sign-up required for 3D carving instructional, for ages 13 and up.
Saturday, Oct. 29
Haunted Tales of Yesteryear
Page-Walker Arts & History Center, Cary, 7 and 9 p.m.
Cost: $17
More info: (919) 460-4963 or friendsofpagewalker.org
Designed for ages 12 and up, these spooky stories and ghostly legends are sure to send chills up your spine, as dramatized by the Cary Players, in the haunted halls of the old hotel that saw it all.
Saturday, Oct. 29
Herbert’s Haunted House
Herbert C. Young Community Center, Cary, 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Cost: $2
More info: (919) 460-4965 or townofcary.org
The Cary Teen Council will take you on a spooky walk through their house of horrors. All ages welcome, but parental discretion is advised!
Saturday, Oct. 29
Halloween Mall Crawl
Cary Towne Center, 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
More info: shopcarytownecentermall.com
Dress in your best Halloween costume and enjoy an afternoon of trick-or-treating, storytelling, and a magic show.
Sunday, October 30
Pumpkin Flotilla
Bond Park Boathouse, Cary, 4 to 7 p.m.
Cost: Free
More info: townofcary.org
Bring your carved pumpkin and join in this first-ever Pumpkin Flotilla! Enjoy a discounted boat ride and snack on the deck while you see your pumpkin float on the lake at twilight.
