It’s fall y’all. Time to wrap the sleeves of your chunky sweater around a steamy mug of white pumpkin chai and live out your favorite seasonal stereotype.
Local festivals, events and more:
Ongoing / Multi-Day:
Thursday, Oct. 28 through Sunday, Oct. 31: James Creek Cider House will host an ongoing family friendly celebration, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic cider, food trucks, pumpkin decorating, hot cider, cider doughnuts, games and treats. See current offerings here.
Friday, Oct. 1 through Sunday, Oct. 31: David and Katrina Loller light up their yard for their annual Holly Jolly Lights Halloween light show display. It runs from 6-10 p.m. Monday through Sunday at 135 Fox Run Road, Pinehurst. Idle your car out front and tune your radio station to 98.9 FM.
Saturday, Oct. 23 to Sunday, Oct. 31, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.: Weymouth Woods – Sandhills Nature Preserve hosts a self-guided activity along its 0.3-mile Bower’s Bog Trail — the Creepy Critter Crawl. Geared for ages 3-10.
Friday-Saturday, Oct. 22 and 23, 29 and 30: Watch local actors in “The Innocents,” a play based on classic ghost story The Turn of the Screw, at the Encore Center Theatre in downtown Southern Pines. Opening night VIP tickets include a pre-show, charcuterie board, and a bottle of wine. The play is suggested for ages 18+. Tickets here.
Saturday, Oct. 23 & 30: The Sycamore Lodge Haunted Forest returns to Sycamore Lodge resort. Not recommended for small children or sensitive adults. Price: $12 / $10 with military ID. This annual event raises thousands for the Lymphoma Society. Here’s a flyer. Here’s the Facebook page. Here are reviews from NorthCarolinaHauntedHouses.com.
This Week:
Thursday, Oct. 28, 8-11 p.m.: Feel better about your investment in this year’s costume by winning $100 in The Jefferson Inn’s costume contest during Scary-Oke. Info.
Friday, Oct. 29, 5:30 p.m.: Bring a blanket or lawn chair for Aberdeen Lake Park for Frights and Pints: an outdoor showing of the R-rated movie Freaky, with beer and concessions for purchase and yard games to enjoy.
Friday, Oct. 29, 6-8 p.m.: Get a parent’s night out thanks to the Town of Southern Pines, which is throwing a Halloween Boo Bash for kids aged 5-13 at the Southern Pines Train House. The cost is $20 for residents; $40 for non-residents.
Saturday, Oct. 30:
8:30-10:30ish: FORTE Fitness hosts a Halloween Extravaganza — from an 8:30 a.m. HIIT Class to a 9:45 a.m. DANCE*FIT, 8:30 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. kids’ fitness classes, and a free kids’ Halloween party and costume parade at 9:15 a.m. Sign up on MINDBODY, and wear a costume!
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Pull a pup-corn costume on your pooch and pose for a picture at Splash and Dash Southern Pines’ Howlloween Spooktacular. Each dog will receive a $10 coupon, the winner of an online voting process will win three months of unlimited baths. Info.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Join in a trunk-or-treat at the Festival D’Avion in Carthage, sponsored by the Children of Fallen Heroes. It includes a costume contest, scavenger hunts, honor jumps for first responders and military heroes, and skydiving demos. Admission to the festival is free for 12 and under. More info here.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Come to Boo and the Aloha Safari Rescue Zoo, featuring a costume contest, scavenger hunt, candy and more. Info.
2-4 p.m.: Visit Grace Church Southern Pines for a Trunk or Treat. If you want to host, register by Oct. 26.
2-5 p.m.: Hitch up your country jeans and join New Covenant Fellowship Church in Carthage for its annual Family Fall Festival with games, hayrides, candy and a chili cook-off. More info here.
3-5 p.m.: Karefree Produce hosts a Trunk-or-Treat at its produce and ice-cream stand, 4690 U.S. 15-501, Carthage. For questions, call 910-947-3825.
3-6 p.m.: Downtown Aberdeen hosts a Halloween Bash, with vendors, music and food trucks on South and Tarbell Streets. Costumes are encouraged for trick-or-treating, which runs from 4-5 p.m. Info.
5-8 p.m.: The town of Robbins hosts train depot tours, movies, a trunk or treat and free food. The depot is at 100 S Middleton St, Robbins.
4-5:30 p.m.: The Racquet Club at Seven Lakes is hosting a Trunk or Treat: Address is 116 Edgewater Drive, Seven Lakes North. Info here.
4-6 p.m.: Southern Pines Pool Park hosts a Trunk-or-Treat, with a prize for the best display. Reserve your space by calling 910-723-4454 or 910-261-8633.
5-6:30 p.m.: First Baptist Church of Pinehurst hosts a Trunk or Treat. For more info, text 910-541-8867. Here’s a post about it.
5:30-7:30 p.m.: First Baptist Church Carthage holds a trunk or treat drive-thru. Info here.
6-9 p.m.: Whether you prefer the tricks or the treats of spooky season, the National Athletic Village has your back at this year’s Nightmare at The NAV. Make it a night of fright with the Haunted Trail or enjoy fun for the whole family with pumpkin carving and painting, s’more packages and ghost busters. Who ya gonna call?
8 p.m.: Study up on your scares for Scary Move Trivia at 715 Bar & Grill’s Halloween Party, plus a scavenger hunt and other games. Winners get prizes.
8 p.m.: Enter the costume contest at Neville’s Club in downtown Southern Pines, with drink specials, a photo booth, and live music by The Stone Dolls. Info.
9 p.m. to 1 a.m.: O’Donnell’s Pub hosts a costume party with a $5 cash cover. Watch for more info
All Night Long: Divine Lounge in downtown Southern Pines hosts a costume contest and will post costumes to social media to determine Best Costume, Best Group Costume and Funniest Costume. Cash prizes to be won after voting closes.
9-10 p.m.: Hatchet Brewing Co. hosts a costume contests for kids and dogs. Be there by 9 p.m. to sign up — judging happens at 10 p.m. The winner will receive a $20 Hatchet gift card and bragging rights.
Starting at 8 p.m.: An annual Halloween bar crawl makes its way through Downtown Southern Pines. Stops include Retro Studio Bar and The Leadmine — stay tuned for more info.
Sunday, Oct. 31:
11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Get more use out of that costume with a Mardi-Gras theme during the Come Sunday Jazz Brunch at the Weymouth Center, with a box lunch from Baton Rouge Cuisine and a second-line costume parade. Cash bar available. Info here.
Now, have some fun on the farm:
EAGLE SPRINGS: Kalawi Farm, Oct. 1-31: Enjoy the annual Corn Maze and Fall Fun at Kalawi Farm every Friday, Saturday and Sunday this October from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. What else you can expect: Hay Ride, Pumpkin Patch, Jump Pillow, Super Slide, Barrel Train, Playground and seasonal Homemade Ice Cream Flavors! $10/person ages 3 and up. Reserve your time slot.
SANFORD: Saturday, Sept. 18 – Nov. 7: Friday-Sundays, navigate your way through Gross Farm’s 20th annual corn maze and pumpkin patch. Purchase your tickets online.
HOPE MILLS: Gallberry Corn Maze, Sept. 18 – Nov. 7: 12-acres of down and dirty family fun on the farm with more than 20 fall attractions from pig racing, to farm animals, a fire pit, corn hole and more. Open to the public every Friday, Saturday & Sunday through November 7th. Cash only. Carve out some time.
And get your road trip playlist ready for these farm destinations:
CLINTON: Hubbs Farms, Sept. 25 – Nov. 7: Farm animal encounters, a corn maze and pumpkin picking. You’re the pick of the patch.
CHAPEL HILL: Spring Haven Farm: These goats heard you like to party. Celebrate fall on the farm with their annual “Carving with Goats” event. You’ll meet other animals, too, get a chance to ride a tractor train and get lost in a haunted maze. Carving ain’t yo thing? Join SHF for a Paint and Sip October 5-7. More info here.
RAMSEUR: Millstone Creek Orchards: While there is still time to get in a few days of apple picking, you can also plan to go on your own Pumpkin Pickin’ Adventure every weekend this October. Grab your tickets here.
:: See something we missed? Send details our way at hello@itsthesway.com
Previous Events:
Saturday, Oct. 2, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Join the 43rd annual Autumnfest in downtown Southern Pines, including a 5k race, 1-mile fun run/walk, live music, arts and crafts, youth sprint races and tons of vendors. Register for the races here.
Saturday, Oct. 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Take a break from Autumnfest and walk down to Harbour Place for fall activities fit for the littlest kids. Paint rocks with Piggy + Co., craft with Maddox Avenue, scale obstacles with My Gym Sandhills and enjoy treats from Goosies Ice. Popups from Crunchi and Kataphora Boutique will be on site, as will treats from Butter Bar Bakery and Scott’s Table. Add it to your calendar.
Thursday, Oct. 7, 6-8 p.m.: Watch Hocus Pocus while crafting with seasonal stencils or 3-D designs at The Bull Room in downtown Aberdeen. Don’t light the black flamed candle.
Saturday, Oct. 9, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Karefree Produce holds its customer appreciation day, with fall decor, music, vendors, 50 cent hotdogs and sodas. The fall / holiday baked goods menu will be live, so be ready to place orders.
Saturday, Oct. 9, 1-9 p.m.: Downtown Sanford hosts its fourth annual StreetFest & Fireworks Festival, with music on two stages, food truck rodeo, craft market, dance party and, of course, fireworks. Info here.
Saturday, Oct. 9, 5-9 p.m.: Join Triangle Wine Co.’s Oktoberfest, a celebration of German Heritage with food, beer and games. Follow the business on Insta for updates.
Saturday, Oct. 2, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Join the 43rd annual Autumnfest in downtown Southern Pines, including a 5k race, 1-mile fun run/walk, live music, arts and crafts, youth sprint races and tons of vendors. Register for the races here.
Saturday, Oct. 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Take a break from Autumnfest and walk down to Harbour Place for fall activities fit for the littlest kids. Paint rocks with Piggy + Co., craft with Maddox Avenue, scale obstacles with My Gym Sandhills and enjoy treats from Goosies Ice. Popups from Crunchi and Kataphora Boutique will be on site, as will treats from Butter Bar Bakery and Scott’s Table. Add it to your calendar.
Thursday, Oct. 7, 6-8 p.m.: Watch Hocus Pocus while crafting with seasonal stencils or 3-D designs at The Bull Room in downtown Aberdeen. Don’t light the black flamed candle.
Saturday, Oct. 9, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Karefree Produce holds its customer appreciation day, with fall decor, music, vendors, 50 cent hotdogs and sodas. The fall / holiday baked goods menu will be live, so be ready to place orders.
Saturday, Oct. 9, 1-9 p.m.: Downtown Sanford hosts its fourth annual StreetFest & Fireworks Festival, with music on two stages, food truck rodeo, craft market, dance party and, of course, fireworks. Info here.
Saturday, Oct. 9, 5-9 p.m.: Join Triangle Wine Co.’s Oktoberfest, a celebration of German Heritage with food, beer and games. Follow the business on Insta for updates.
Saturday, Oct. 9, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: This family ostrich farm hosts its fall open house. Meet the birds, find out about the farm’s sustainable practices, meet ostrich babies, and celebrate the circle of life with an ostrich taco. Info.
Thursday, Oct. 14 through Saturday, Oct. 16: Downtown Sanford hosts a Boo & Brew Ghost Tour with six stops along a trail that begins at The Chocolate Cellar and ends at Local Joe’s. Here’s the route.
Friday, Oct. 15 and Saturday, Oct. 16: The Graveyard Getdown Music & Haunt Fest goes down at the Jive Hive in Carthage with more than 10 performances, a haunted trail and more. Info.
Saturday, Oct. 16, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Browse more than 100 vendors with hand-crafted wares from woodworking to glass, art and lawn ornaments, hand-crafted jewelry and metal sculptures at Holly Arts Festival. Downtown shops and restaurants will have sales and specials, and food trucks will be parked at Tufts Memorial Park. Bring your Christmas shopping fund.
Friday, Oct. 22, 9:30 a.m.: SLAM (Sweat Like a Mother) Southern Pines hosts its annual costume contest at First Baptist Church, Southern Pines. The winner will go on to compete across SLAM’s national network. Info.
Friday, Oct. 22, 5 p.m.: Trick-or-Treat at downtown Southern Pines businesses during the town’s annual Halloween Haunt, until 5:30 p.m. or candy runs out. Following trick-or-treating, there will be a low-key carnival run by Recreation and Parks staffers in Downtown Park, including a dog costume contest and a pumpkin carving test. An outdoor movie, Scoob, will show at the park at 7 p.m. The rain date is Oct. 29. Here’s a flyer.
Friday, Oct. 22, 5-8 p.m.: Pull on your costume for a Meet & Treat at Twigg and Co., with sales, music, $3 beer and wine, food trucks and treats from vendors. Free admission.
Saturday, Oct. 23, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Malcolm Blue Farm holds its annual Fall-O-Ween with fun carnival games, inflatables, a petting zoo, climbing wall and more for ages 15 and under. There will be food vendors and ice cream. Costumes are encouraged, but full-face masks and looks that would scare children are discouraged. The event is free for kids under 2; everyone else is $5.
Saturday, Oct. 23, 3-9 p.m.: The Moore County Agricultural Fair hosts an annual Trunk or Treat, the second presented by Paytons Promise Foundation of Hope. Here’s a flyer.
Saturday, Oct. 23, 4-9 p.m.: Oktoberfest returns to Tufts Memorial Park in Pinehurst, with a family friendly Kinderfest from 4-6 p.m. followed by fun crafts and a Halloween costume showoff. Traditional Oktoberfest activities follow, featuring German music by The Mountain Top Polka Band. Info.
Saturday, Oct. 23, 5-9 p.m.: Fun. Fundraiser. Farm Fest. We like the sound of those F words. Gear up for music and BBQ to raise funds for the Mira Foundation USA. Gates open at 4 p.m. Bring your own chair or blanket and snag your tickets here.
Monday, Oct. 25, 8 p.m.: Find a safe outlet for the sharp arts during a Pumpkin Carving Contest at Neville’s Club in downtown Southern Pines. Your $10 entry fee covers a pumpkin, carving kit and PumpKing Ale. Winner gets a prize. Open mic at 9 p.m. Info.
Tuesday, Oct. 26, 8 p.m.: Pinehurst Brewing Co. hosts Halloween trivia, with a costume contest starting at 7:30 p.m. Winners will be awarded with a ~surprise~.
Tuesday, Oct. 26, 9 p.m.: Scare a friend with your hidden talents (or lack thereof) during Halloween Karaoke at Neville’s Club in downtown Southern Pines. Free cover and a costume contest. Info.
Wednesday, Oct. 27, 6 p.m.: First Baptist Church in Southern Pines hosts a candy-filled Trunk or Treat. Park in the grassy lot at 200 East New York Avenue; enter the event at the lower parking lot off of Ashe Street. Here’s the flyer.
Wednesday, Oct. 27, 6:30 p.m.: RIOT Southern Pines and the Southern Pines Run Crew host a poker run — get a card for each mile lap you complete. Best hand wins. It’s free, but donations are accepted here.
Wednesday, Oct. 27, 6-8:45 p.m.: Get out your cookie tin sewing kit, because Southern Pines Growler Co. is hosting a Voodoo Love Doll Workshop. Select from provided fabrics or secure a shirt from your victim love interest. Reserve by Monday, Oct. 25. Info.
