From fall festivals to the best places for the kids to get a sugar rush, here’s part one of your guide to the spooky season. As always, you’re welcome.
This weekend:
:: 6-8:30 p.m.: Lights of Halloween has a kid-friendly hayride that takes you through 30 minutes full of lights. Catch the ride: October 18, 19, 25 and 26, from 6-8:30 p.m. at Broken Plow Farm in Sanford.
Friday, Oct. 25
:: 5-8 p.m.: Pinehurst Elementary School is hosting their Fall Festival in Cannon Park. Expect games, bouncy houses, pony rides, and a costume contest! Get the pre sale ticket for $10. More information here!
:: 5-8 p.m.: Trick or Treat at the shops in downtown Southern Pines. Children ages 10 and under can trick or treat at participating businesses starting at 5 p.m. Activities will follow at the Downtown Park.
Saturday, Oct. 26
:: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Stop by the Malcom Blue Farm for the Fall-O-Ween Festival featuring inflatables, carnival games, and a climbing wall. The cost is $5 cost per child and there will be food trucks and ice cream. Don’t forget your costume!
:: 4-6 p.m.: Pinehurst will host KINDERFEST with games, face painting, and a costume contest at Tufts Memorial Park.
:: 5-7 p.m.: Free Trunk-or-Treat at Our Saviour Lutheran Church
:: Saturday, 10.26 and Sunday, 10.27, all day: The Asheville Zoo hosts NC Boo at the Zoo, with a costume contest, special animal shows and more.
Sunday, Oct. 27
:: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Equestrians can join the Walthour-Moss Foundation for a Trick or Treat Trail Ride at Lyell’s Meadow. Ride on a marked trail that is decorated for the season.
:: 2:15-4:15 p.m.: See if you can bowl in costume at the Sandhills Bowling Center’s Halloween Party. Participate in 2 hours of cosmic bowling, with pizza, soda and rental shoes all for $14.
:: 2-4 p.m.: See if you can find your way at Weymouth Wood’s Trick or Treat Trail. Do yourself a favor and beat the crowd by becoming a member of the Friends of Weymouth Woods ($15 annually for a family), because you’ll get a special early access pass.
:: 3-5 p.m.: Get more treats out of trunks and Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church’s Trunk or Treat! It’s free and open to the public.
Tuesday, Oct. 29
:: 5-6 p.m.: Stop by the Moore County Library for a Halloween Spooktacular. Take part in games, face painting, and a visit from Clara the Witch.
Thursday, Oct. 31
:: 3:30-6:30 p.m.: Have your kids pregame their trick or treat night from planes at the Moore County Airport. Walk the airfield in costume and get treats from local pilots who have their planes decorated for the occasion.
:: Starting just before dusk: Trick or Treat in your neighborhood! Yes, it’s always on Halloween night.