When it comes to spooky things to do this October, Charlotte has a frightful amount of haunted houses, horror movies, and more waiting around the corner. If you’re looking for your next scare, look no further because we’ve rounded up a list of the best activities to give you a fearfully fun Halloween season.
The 13th Acre
3718 Plyler Mill Rd, Monroe, NC
Hours: September 20th through Halloween, Fridays/Saturdays 7:00 – 11:00 PM
The Spooky Scoop: The 13th Acre features two terrifyingly haunted attractions this season: Coffin Creek and the Forbidden Acre – both offer a different horror inducing experience for those daring enough to adventure in. After you’ve had your fair share of screams, head to the Monster Midway to experience an 1880’s train car with signature drinks and grab a souvenir from old-fashioned general store.
Haunted by Black Lagoon at BackStage
2433 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC
Hours: October 2 – November 3
The Spooky Scoop: Located behind SouthBound restaurant, this speakeasy will be serving themed cocktails from their spellbound pop-up menu and decked out in all the spooky decorations. No reservations are accepted, so arrive early to fully experience the fright-night ahead.
Scarowinds
14523 Carowinds Blvd, Charlotte, NC
Hours: Select Nights, September 13 – October 27, 2024
The Spooky Scoop: No one does spooky better than Scarowinds, where “the nightmare never ends”. The theme park turned scare-fest boasts bewitching bites and brews, rides, mazes, scare zones, live shows, and more. Take your bravery to the next level by entering into one of the five mazes where you will be scared by various monsters or opt out with a “No Boo” necklace for all the fun minus the fear. Head to Carowinds for three festive October events – Oktoberfest, Tricks and Treats, and SCarowinds — and NEW IN 2024: Three events, one ticket. SCarowinds is no longer a separately ticketed event. Guests already at the park for our daytime activities can continue the fun into a frightful night without leaving the park.
Nightly Spirits Charlotte Ghost Tours
Hours: Select dates and times based on tour
The Spooky Scoop: If you are looking for an original ghost tour experience, Nightly Spirits is the place for you. Known for their “Haunted Booze and Boos Tour”, learn about ghosts, explore the QC, and explore 3 haunted bars. Your 2-hour walking journey will take you past haunted theaters, museums, cemeteries, and another bar or two!
Ayrsley Retro Horror Cinema
9110 Kings Parade Blvd, Charlotte, NC
Hours: October 4 – 10th, 11th – 17th, 18 – 24th, & 25 – 31st, 7:00 – 9:30 PM
The Spooky Scoop: Ayrsley Grand Cinema is bringing back another year of retro-themed horror for horror-movie lovers and those just looking for a good scare. Not only are they featuring an array of classic horror films sure to get you feeling spooky, tickets are only $5.
Matthews Playhouse Haunted Trail
Hours: October 25 – 27th. “Not So Spooky” Trail Hours – 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Halloween Fun Zone – 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
“Full Fright” Trail Hours – 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
The Spooky Scoop: With varying levels of scariness, Matthews Playhouse Haunted Trails offer options for kids, adults, and everyone in between to come enjoy the thrills and frights. Kids can also enjoy the Halloween Fun Zone where you will find Trunk-or-Treat, photo booths, face painting, DJ, and of course, costumes are encouraged.
Great Elizabeth Pumpkin Wall
2023 Greenway Ave, Charlotte, NC
Hours: October 27th – November 1st
The Spooky Scoop: The annual lighting ceremony of the Great Elizabeth Pumpkin Wall will commence on October 27th, 2024. Whether you come as a tradition every year or it’s your first visit, this 60-foot lined wall of jack-o’lanterns is sure to get you in a spooky mood.
Camp North End Crossroads Cinema
300 Camp Rd, Charlotte, NC
Hours: October 24th and October 31st, starting at 8:00 PM
The Spooky Scoop: Besides Crossroads Cinema’s regular screenings, they are featuring two halloween-inspired movies this October, with a vampire movie night on the 24th screening Twilight and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone on the 31st. This is a free event that takes place rain or shine, with adult-beverages and classic movie concessions.
Queen City Ghosts
Hours: Select times and dates based on tours
The Spooky Scoop: Filled with both history and frights, the Queen City Ghosts tours specialize in taking you around the most haunted places in Charlotte, from cemeteries to the infamously haunted Barringer Hotel.
Rich & Bennett’s 23rd Annual Halloween Pub Crawl
Hours: Saturday, October 26th, 1:00 to 10:00 PM
The Spooky Scoop: Charlotte’s Original Halloween Crawl is back on Saturday, October 26th and better than ever. This spooky crawl will sprawl across 20+ locations throughout Uptown Charlotte while featuring a festive list of drink specials. Plus, come prepared to win some amazing prizes by dressing up and entering into the costume contest.
Northlake Mall’s Outdoor Spooky Movie Series
Hours: October 5, 11, and 19th. Starting at 7:00 PM.
The Spooky Scoop: Northlake Mall is hosting a Halloween themed outdoor movie series for select dates that you don’t want to miss. The line up will consist of Hocus Pocus (10/7), Ghostbusters (10/11), and Nightmare Before Christmas (10/17). All movies are free, just bring a seat to sit in.
Hickory Grove Haunted Trail
4064 Mountain View St, Gastonia, NC
Hours: Fridays and Saturdays, Open Dark – 12:00 AM. Sundays and Thursdays, Open Dark – 10:00 PM
The Spooky Scoop: Now a tradition in Gaston county, the Hickory Grove Haunted Trail is one of the oldest haunted attractions in Charlotte, NC. If you are brave enough to venture into the dark and deep woods, you can expect all real frights – no aliens, monsters, or theme park attractions.
Ghosts of Davidson Tour
19 S. Main St, Davidson, NC
Hours: September 27 – 29, October 3 – 6, October 10 – 13, October 17 – 20, October 24. Starting at 7:00 & 7:30 PM.
The Spooky Scoop: If you are searching for the perfect combination of history and spookiness, then this 90 minute Ghosts of Davidson tour full of local legends, history and hauntings is the ideal autumn night for you. If you are looking to add a little sweetness to your ghosty tour, check out their Scoops and Screams tour for only $15 a ticket.
Forbidden Forest Horror Trail
14210 Old Beatty Ford Rd, Rockwell, NC
Hours: October 25th and 26th, November 1st and 2nd. 7:00 – Midnight
The Spooky Scoop: This limited experience at the Forbidden Forest Horror Trail is worth the wait, offering personalized and special character interactions that have been notoriously scary for the last 30 years. This Horror Trail does not offer pre-sale tickets, so plan to arrive early and check their facebook page to make sure they aren’t sold out for the night.
Tweetsie Railroad Ghost Train
300 Tweetsie Railroad Ln, Blowing Rock, NC
Hours: September 20 – October 26 | Friday & Saturday nights. Park opens at 7:30 pm with the first train scheduled for 8:00 p.m. 7:30 – 11:00 PM.
The Spooky Scoop: Watch the Tweetsie Railroad transform from the Wild West by day to a Ghost Train by night every Friday and Saturday night this September and October. This Halloween experience brings fun for the whole family with costumed characters, creepy carnival attractions, trick-or-treat stations and more.
