Communities across the Cape Fear region are preparing for Halloween celebrations on Friday, Oct. 30, and Saturday, Oct. 31, featuring family-friendly festivals, haunted attractions, and costume contests across New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender, and Columbus counties.
From haunted car washes to historic ghost tours, communities across the Cape Fear region are preparing for a weekend of Halloween celebrations. With activities spanning multiple counties, residents have almost 30 distinct events to choose from as the holiday lands on Saturday, Oct. 31.
Find Local Scares at Animal Rescue Fundraiser and Haunted Forest
For those looking for scares, All Four Cats Rescue is hosting a haunted car wash fundraiser on Friday and Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m. at Mako Express Wash in Wilmington. According to wwaytv3.com, car washes cost $25 with proceeds supporting the animal rescue, and participants can pick between a haunted experience or a scare-free wash.
Further north in Castle Hayne, the Walkerworld Organic Artist Retreat is hosting its Walkerworld’s Haunted Forest music and art festival on both Oct. 30 and Oct. 31 starting at 8 p.m., portcitydaily.com reported. The event features a haunted forest trail, live art by Zack Weaver, Brian Jones, Pat Briney, and Lacey Vilandry, a pirates-and-wenches costume contest, and live music from Heter Pan’s Murder Mystery Band, Dubtown Cosmonauts, and Dirty Dead, with tickets ranging from $26.99 to $97.01.
History and folklore also take center stage this weekend. Springbrook Farm’s Ghost Trolley offers a 30-minute narrated horse-drawn tour detailing the ghostly history of downtown Wilmington every Friday and Saturday in October from 6 to 9 p.m., according to portcitydaily.com. Tickets cost $21 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under.
Poplar Grove Historic House & Museum is hosting a full moon ghost tour on Halloween night for $25, allowing participants to use professional paranormal equipment in a home allegedly haunted by six generations of the Foy family, portcitydaily.com stated.
Family-Friendly Daytime Festivities and Trunk-or-Treats
Families seeking daytime activities can head to Wrightsville Beach Park for a free outdoor screening of Ghostbusters: Afterlife at 6:45 p.m., featuring appearances by the Ghostbusters of Cape Fear and concessions, wwaytv3.com reported. Downtown Wilmington will also host a pumpkin hunt at participating local businesses from noon to 4 p.m., giving children a chance to win prizes from local museums.
The Children’s Museum of Wilmington is holding its EEK! Festival from 9 a.m. to noon, offering pumpkin slime, Halloween crafts, games, and animal encounters where costumes are encouraged, according to wwaytv3.com.
In Pender County, downtown Burgaw is organizing its annual Halloween trunk-or-treat celebration around the Pender County Courthouse Square from 4 to 8 p.m., featuring candy, music, costumes, and family activities, wwaytv3.com reported.
Visit City Fire Stations for Safe Holiday Treats
The Wilmington Fire Department is opening all 10 city fire stations to trick-or-treaters from 5:30 to 8 p.m., wwaytv3.com noted. Officials advise families to wear visible clothing, watch for traffic, and keep the fire station bay doors clear so that emergency crews can respond without delay.
Nightlife, Live Music, and Costume Contests
Adult celebrations are rolling out across downtown Wilmington venues. Reel Cafe is running Halloween activities through Saturday, featuring live music, karaoke, and a costume contest with a $500 cash prize, along with themed food and drinks, wwaytv3.com reported.
The Eagle’s Dare is hosting Zombie Fest on Saturday starting with doors at 6 p.m. and live music at 7 p.m., alongside a cash-prize costume contest. Meanwhile, The Rusty Nail—where a scene from the horror movie Halloween Kills was filmed—will hold its Halloween celebration starting at 7 p.m. on Saturday, featuring free live music and a prize-winning costume contest.
