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The witching hour is soon upon us, and it is time for some spooky fun, ghostly activities, or ghoulish terror, depending on the type of Halloween experience you are seeking.
Photo by Deposit Photos
Are you looking for kids’ costumed trick-or-treating, some celebratory Halloween festivities, or an adult-only party or scare? Whatever it is, we have it all! Browse through our Winston-Salem Halloween Happenings and find some boo-filled adventures for you and your family.
Kids And Family Halloween Fun
Pumpkins After Dark Greensboro – October 2 – 31
Enter a glowing world where 10,000 hand-carved pumpkins light the night with dragons, dinosaurs, and pop culture icons. Walk the magical path filled with spooky sounds, live pumpkin carving, a Monster Maze, and roaming performers. Enjoy fall treats from food trucks, and capture memories at the photo spots. It’s a fun family experience with no jump scares on October 2-31, Thursdays through Saturdays, from 6:30pm – 11pm at Wet & Wild Emerald Park Waterpark, 3910 S Holden Road, Greensboro. Visit this website for more information and to purchase tickets.
Treat Trail At Bolton Park – October 11
Come in costume to this free event hosted by Winston-Salem Parks & Recreation on October 11 from 4:30 – 6:3pm at Bolton Park, 1590 Bolton Street, Winston-Salem. Enjoy family fun with games, prizes, and candy from local vendors.
“Wigtober” And Trick-Or-Treat – October 17
ART CRUSH is hosting a special Halloween edition of their monthly event on October 17 from 7pm – 10pm on Trade and 6th Street in the heart of Winston-Salem’s Arts District. ART CRUSH features live music, artists, vendors, and family-friendly activities. Wear your costume and trick-or-treat at shops, galleries, and vendors along Trade Street. Attendees can also participate in the “Wigtober” contest and compete for prizes for the best, spookiest, and most creative wigs. See this website for more information.
Harvest Nights: Not-So-Spooky Halloween Event & Hayride! – October 17 & 18
Climb aboard a festive hayride and journey through 65 acres of enchanted woods, where lanterns glow and autumn magic fills the night. Along the way, meet the Revolution Rider—a friendly Revolutionary War hero brought to life through stories shared by our own Revolution Academy students and teachers. The 30-minute adventure, perfect for families with young children, takes place on October 17 & 18 from 6pm – 9pm at Revolution Academy, Upper School Campus, 5322 Bunch Road, Summerfield. Early Bird admission tickets must be purchased by October 11, 11:50pm, and include hayride**, s’mores kit, hot dog, chips, and drink. **An adult must be present with children aged 11 or in 5th grade and under. For information and tickets, visit this site.
Garden Sprouts: Pumpkin Patch Hayride At Reynolda – October 18
Ages 2-10 and an adult caretaker will enjoy a festive hayride through Reynolda’s meadow, hands-on pumpkin STEM activities, and nature-based play on October 18 from 10:30am – 12pm at Reynolda Gardens, 2250 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem. Children will choose a pumpkin from the field and decorate it using natural materials gathered from the gardens and grounds. Rain date is scheduled for Sunday, October 27. Visit Reynolda’s website for more information and to register.
Flow Mini W-S Halloween Trunk Or Treat – October 18
Celebrate Halloween at this family-friendly event on October 18, from 2pm-4pm at Flow Mini, 2575 Peters Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem. Come in costume for the 5th Annual Truck and Treat, where the dealership lot will transform into a festive Halloween gathering spot, featuring an afternoon of games, prizes, candy, and fun surprises. Pets are welcome, too, so feel free to bring your furry friend. The event is free, but registration is required. Trick or treaters can RSVP here. For those wishing to be Trunk participants: If you plan to decorate a vehicle, please arrive by 1:00p.m. to set up before the event begins. There will be a vote for the best decorated trunk, so be creative! RSVP using this form. Participants Should Arrive at 1:00pm. Saturday, October 18, with attendees, Trunk or Treating from 2pm-4pm. Visit this website for more information.
Boo At The North Carolina Zoo – October 18 & 19, 25 & 26
Two weekends to celebrate family and enjoy Halloween fun at the North Carolina Zoo. The event serves sweet treats and more, making it perfect for kids aged 4-12. Dress up your little ones to enter fun costume contests, enjoy trick or treating, and have a howling good time with festive games. The event incurs an extra cost in addition to zoo admission and takes place on Saturdays & Sundays, 9am – 3pm, at the North Carolina Zoo, 4401 Zoo Parkway, Asheboro. For more information, see here.
Village Of Clemmons Monster Dash And Goblin Hop – October 19
Calling all costumed kids! This free event, taking place on October 19 from 2pm – 4pm, provides a safe opportunity for kids to trick-or-treat along an approximate one-mile trail lined with over 50 businesses, churches, and other organizations. There will be kids’ activities along the way, such as hammering golf tees in pumpkins, crafting a mummy apple, shooting some hoops, tossing bean bags, spoon racing, and learning new dance moves. Parking is available at Morgan Elementary School, 3210 Village Point Drive, Clemmons. Rain date is October 26. Visit this site for more information.
Halloween SPOOKtacular: Winston-Salem Symphony – October 19
Wear your costumes and enjoy spooky tunes, preconcert lobby activities, friendly-spooky treats, and maybe a few tricks at the Winston-Salem Symphony’s Halloween SPOOKtacular on October 19, at 3pm at Brendle Recital Hall, Scale Fine Arts Center, Wake Forest University, 2629 Wake Forest Road, Winston-Salem. You will thrill to music from Wicked and Three Portraits of a Witch, as well as scores from Harry Potter and the Star Wars saga. Preconcert Lobby Activities begin at 2pm and include storytelling, an instrument petting zoo, and fun crafts from Kaleideum and the Sawtooth Center for Visual Art. Visit this Winston-Salem Symphony website for tickets.
Witch Hat Decoration Station – October 21
Drop in for a spellbinding Make and Take Witch Hat Decorating event on October 21 from 12pm – 5pm at CasaShanti, 545 N Trade Street, Unit 100, Winston-Salem, and be ready for the Annual Witches Walk on October 24. Bring your imagination and step into an enchanting space where cauldrons bubble with creativity and tables overflow with mystical trimmings, including velvet ribbons, shimmering stones, glittering charms, and silken feathers. The cost is $13 and includes supplies. Visit this website for information.
Photo by Alexander Novikov, Deposit Photos
2nd Annual Downtown Witches Walk – October 24
Dress up in your favorite witchy garb, bring your friends, family, and pets, and join the Annual Witches Walk on October 24 from 6pm – 10pm, beginning at CasaShanti, 545 N Trade Street, Unit 100, Winston-Salem. Stroll down Trade Street, visit participating shops and locations, and collect letters to unveil a secret Magikcal word. Receive one letter at each stop, unscramble them, and once you figure out the secret word, return to CasaShanti, turn in your card, and unlock the chance to win a spooktacular gift with your raffle ticket! The event is entirely FREE, and every participant who completes the word will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win! Plus, if you decide to make any purchases at the participating shoppes along the way, you’ll earn an extra raffle ticket. In addition, Winston “the Other” Salem Night Market will debut, featuring vendors, activities, trick-or-treating, music, and more. Visit the Witches Walk Facebook page for more information.
Boo At Bethabara – October 25
Gather under a tent to hear Ghost Stories, listen to spooky songs in the 1788 Gemeinhaus, and meet a few “spirits” of Bethabara’s past while walking through God’s Acre. Then watch a magic show, make a corn husk doll, play colonial games, and get your face painted during this free fall event on October 25, from 1:30pm – 4:30pm at Historic Bethabara Park, 2147 Bethabara Road, Winston-Salem. See Historic Bethabara’s Website for more information.
Ghoul Times At Kaleideum – October 25
Wear your Halloween costume and enjoy a frightfully fun day of tricks, treats, and happy haunts on Saturday, October 25, from 12pm – 5 pm at Kaleideum, 120 W 3rd Street, Winston-Salem. Transform your look with creepy-cool face painting, create spooktacular Halloween crafts, experience weird and wacky science experiments, and trick-or-treat your way through Liberty Plaza and the museum’s exhibits. Don’t miss the haunted hallway and spooky obstacle course, then make your way to the Rooftop Adventure for a ghoulishly good costume party. Outside on 3rd Street, you’ll find food trucks, extra treats, and additional activities. Receive a discount if you purchase your ticket online before the event. Visit Kaleideum’s Website for information and tickets.
Ghoul Moon Festival 3 – October 25
The West Salem Art Hotel will host this magical event on October 25, from 4pm-10pm at the Art Hotel, 330 S Green Street, Winston-Salem. The event features a collection of over 40 art, maker, vintage, and wellness vendors, live musicians, visual and performing art, and demonstrations led by local artists and non-profit organizations. There will also be Spooky Fun and Contests with big prizes, including costume contests for kids, adults, and dogs. So, wear your favorite costume and dress up your pup, too. An assortment of food, beer, and beverages will be available from food trucks and pop-ups. See the Ghoul Moon Festival 3 website for details about vendors, performers, contests, and a schedule of events.
Candlelight: A Haunted Evening Of Halloween Classics – October 30
The glow of hundreds of candles creates an eerie atmosphere for these Haunted Halloween Classics in this awe-inspiring, multi-sensory musical experience, brought to you by Candlelight on October 30, from 8:45pm-10pm at the Millennium Center, 101 W 5th Street, Winston-Salem. This one-hour concert is for adults and children 8 years of age and older (an adult must accompany anyone under the age of 16), and features Halloween-themed music by the Listeso String Quartet, including Thriller, the themes from Beetlejuice, The Adams Family, and Ghostbusters, and Time Warp from The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Doors open 45 minutes before the show and close 5 minutes before the start. Late arrivals will not be permitted. Visit this site for more information and to purchase tickets.
Winston-Salem Spooky Halloween: A Family Ghost Hunt – October 30 – November 2
Gather your family and go out for a Halloween fun night full of adventure, laughter, & spooky surprises, because Ghosts haunt Winston-Salem from October 30 to November 2, from 4pm to midnight. Your family will be the ghosthunters as you walk along the streets, collecting hidden clues and hunting ghosts who are hiding all around the city. You will explore, solve puzzles, and discover mysteries behind haunted places. The ghosts are virtual, so there are no real jump scares or creepy horror frights. The 90-minute hunt (walking distance: approximately 1.5 miles) is suitable for all ages, but an adult must accompany children under 12 years old. The event is hosted by Questo – City Exploration Games. See this website for more details and to purchase tickets.
Downtown Kernersville Trick Or Treat – October 31
Kernersville’s 30th Annual Downtown Trick or Treat will be on October 31st from 6pm to 8pm, so don your costumes, grab your trick-or-treat bag, and head to Downtown Kernersville. Safely walk the sidewalks of downtown, visiting businesses and filling your bag with yummy treats. The event is hosted by the Kernersville Chamber, the Town of Kernersville Parks & Recreation, and the Kernersville Police Department.
Halloween Superstitions
Halloween is the spooky part of Fall, and the time is ripe with superstitions. Here are a few interesting ones:
- Thin veil between worlds – Fall, especially Halloween, was believed to be when the veil between the living and the dead was thinnest, making spirits more active
- Jack-o’-lanterns – Carving faces into pumpkins was believed to ward off evil spirits or trick them into thinking the home was already haunted
- Black cats – Particularly in autumn, seeing one cross your path was thought unlucky (though in some cultures, it was the opposite—good luck)
- Owls hooting – An owl calling nearby in autumn was believed to foretell death or bad luck
- Falling leaves – Catching a falling leaf before it touches the ground was said to bring good luck
- Acorns – Carrying an acorn in your pocket during the fall was thought to bring protection and longevity
- Candles in windows – Families lit candles to guide lost souls or deceased loved ones home
- Covering mirrors – Some believed mirrors should be covered on Halloween so spirits wouldn’t get trapped inside
- Dressing in disguise – Wearing costumes was originally meant to confuse or hide from spirits roaming the earth
- Spiders – Seeing a spider on Halloween was considered a sign that a deceased loved one was watching over you.
- Cinnamon Brooms – Having cinnamon brooms in the home or sweeping the porch with them was thought to ward off evil
- Bats flying close – If a bat flew around your house on Halloween, it meant spirits were nearby
Scary Stuff For Adults
Spookywoods – Now – November 1
Halloween is a fall favorite, and Kersey Valley Spookywoods, 6948 Cecil Farm Road, Archdale, is one of America’s most thrilling and haunted experiences! It is the ultimate scare for those brave enough to dare to enter. The Midway may send shivers down your spine, but it offers refreshments to tantalize your taste buds. Be sure to bring your ID. Club Spooky has a DJ to set the tempo for the night, and a quick trip through the original haunted farmhouse begins your trek. ICONS is R-rated. To bypass this section, Do Not Board The Wagon, which will take you to a place where horror themes come to life like never before. The final haunted complex is in the pine forest, home of local legends and nightmares. Tickets are available for general admission, VIP, and Immediate access. The wait time for general admission is approximately 1 hour from when you enter the line. Cash is required for parking, which is $10 per car and $20 for large vehicles. Small purses only are allowed. Cash is accepted at the ticket booth, but throughout the park, only credit/debit cards or mobile payments are accepted. You can exchange cash for a Kersey Valley gift card at the Gotcha Covered location at the farm and use that as well. Be sure to see the FAQ on the website. Parking opens at 6:30pm; tickets are available from 8pm – 10 or 11pm. Purchase tickets and see more information at the Kersey Valley Spookywoods Website.
Photo source: Woods of Terror website
Woods Of Terror – Now – November 8
Woods of Terror, on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, features 17 terrifying haunted attractions, including Jack’s Revenge, Neon Nightmare, The Mortuary, and Pirates Cove. There is also a Monster Midway, full of food and fun. The average wait time for general admission is 1-1.5 hours. You get your ticket, answer some questions, and you can enjoy the concessions, bootique, and DJ while waiting for a text to line up. With Fast Pass, the wait is 10 to 30 minutes, and an All Access Pass offers immediate entry, plus many other perks. There is also a Golden Ticket Meet & Greet available. Woods of Terror is located at 5601 N Church Street, Greensboro, NC. See hours, information, and ticket costs on this site.
Innovation & Cinema: Little Shop Of Horrors – October 10
Just in time for Halloween, a still-music-focused yet slightly spooky film, the 1986 hit Little Shop of Horrors, will be playing on October 10, beginning at sunset, at the lower lawn in Bailey Park, 445 Paterson Avenue, Winston-Salem. Innovation Quarter and a/perature cinema present this event, which, if you have seen it, you know you will want to see it again. If you haven’t seen it, you won’t want to miss it! Bring your blankets and low-slung chairs, pets on a leash are welcome, too. Food and drink will be available in the Food Truck Court beginning at 7pm, or you can purchase food from one of Innovation Quarter’s restaurants. Drinks from Incendiary Brewing will also be available for purchase. No outside alcohol permitted. Free event. See this website for more information.
8th Annual Horror Movie Freaks Film Festival – October 17 & 18
The Horror Movie Freaks Film Fest returns to The Palmetto Theatre, 329 N Main Street, Walnut Cove, on October 17 & 18 from 5pm – 12am for two nights of independent horror on the big screen. From local nightmares to international frights, it showcases the very best in indie horror — twisted shorts, haunting features, and the raw creativity that defines the genre. Visit this site for tickets.
Night Watchman Tours, Halloween 2025 – October 17, 18, 24, 25 & 30
Groups of 12 people ages 10+ will join the Night Watchmen in Old Salem on their lantern-lit rounds, hear of the mysteries and tragedies that took place in the very buildings you enter, and learn about Salem’s most famous ghost. Grab your lantern and experience the chilling truths and ghostly legends that once haunted the streets of Salem. Tours leave every 15 minutes from 6:30-7:45pm. This is a partially outdoor walking tour that involves walking on uneven roads and navigating through buildings with stairs, so wear comfortable shoes. All tours may be held regardless of weather conditions, so dress accordingly. A ticketed adult must accompany those under 18 in the same group. All parties are expected to arrive 15 minutes before their scheduled time at The Boys School, 3 East Academy Street, Winston Salem. Visit this website for more information and to purchase tickets.
8th Annual Day Of The Dead At Fiddlin Fish – October 18
The 8th Annual Day of the Dead, hosted by Fiddlin’ Fish Brewing Company at 772 Trade Street NW, Winston-Salem, will take place on October 18 from 2:30pm to 11pm, featuring Terra-String, who will kick things off at 2:30pm with a little afternoon jam-grass, followed by Sam Robinson of Marvelous Funkshun at 5:45pm. Cosmic Charlie, a Grateful Dead tribute band, will take the stage for two sets at 8:00pm. There will be a tie-dye station, face painting, and Davey D’s Smash Burger Truck. In addition, a fantastic lineup of vendors will be set up on the lot, offering everything from tie-dye items to cookies, ceramics, and more. Visit the Fiddlin’ Fish event’s website.
Halloween Bingo Bash At The Nash – October 23
The Junior League of Winston-Salem presents the second annual Halloween Bingo event! Enjoy a fun and spooky evening on October 23 from 6pm – 9pm at The Nash, 840 N. Liberty St, Winston-Salem, for a night of bingo, food, drinks, music, costumes, and a silent auction! Tickets include dinner, catered by Honky Tonk Steakhouse, a bingo pack, and more, depending on the package you purchase. Tables are available. See the Junior League Website for more information and tickets.
Winston-Salem Halloween Bar Crawl – October 25
Join other costume crawlers in this frightfully fun Halloween Bar Crawl on October 25, from 4pm to 11pm, to haunt the town, hopping from one eerie venue to the next in search of thrills and chills. Your ticket includes free entry into the best bars, a free after-party, generously low drink specials, select food specials, and a $ 2,000 Prize Value Social Media Costume Contest*. You will check in at 4pm on the day of the event at the location specified on your ticket and have access to the digital bar crawl map. Get your ticket early for the best rates. Visit this site for more information and to purchase tickets. *Social Media Costume Contest Rules: • You must follow @pubcrawlers on Instagram. • Post a picture at our bar crawl in your costume and tag @pubcrawlers on Instagram. • Don’t miss out on this epic event! Grab your tickets now and let’s make memories together.
Murder Is Forever – October 26
Mystery Men Productions presents an Immersive Spy-Themed Murder Mystery Experience on October 26 at 7pm at Radar Brewing Company, 216 E 9th Street, Winston-Salem. This glamorous spy‑inspired gala invites you into a night where alliances blur, gadgets gleam, and nothing is quite what it seems. Then you must interrogate, uncover alibis, and unmask the killer before the night is over. Dress in your tuxes, gowns, or spy-chic best for this fully immersive, theatrical murder mystery experience. Bao Yeah food truck will be onsite for Asian-fusion street food before the mystery begins. Visit this website for more information and tickets, which are limited.
Barks, Booze, & Boos Halloween Bash – October 26
Tucker’s Tap Yard is getting spooky on October 26 from 3pm – 6:30pm. Bring your furry friend in costume and join the fun! Enjoy some cool drinks, and Knock Out BBQ will be serving up tasty food at 3pm. Salty Paws Doggie Ice Cream will also be there for the pups to enjoy a treat, too. Desilu’s Puptrait Booth will be on hand to capture cute photos of your pets (details on advanced sign-up will be available on Tucker’s Facebook page), and there will be a costume contest for the pups! The costume contest kicks off at 4:30pm for dogs under 40 pounds and 6:00pm for dogs over 40 pounds. Entry is a donation to Unchain Winston — $10 for one dog, $15 for two. See Tucker’s Tap Yard Facebook page for more information.
Wise Man Boos, Brews, And Booze Halloween Bash – October 31 & November 1
Join Wise Man Brewing’s Boos, Brews, and Booze Halloween Bash, October 31 & November 1, starting at 8am for two nights of frightfully fun Halloween festivities featuring Special Beer Releases, Voodoo Doll Making Class (ticketed event), Food Trucks, Fire Spinning, Face Painting, and Live Music. Come dressed in your favorite costume, as there will be Costume Contests, too. Visit this site for more information and to purchase tickets for the Voodoo Doll Making Class.
Spirited Halloween Ball At Körner’s Folly – October 31
Experience a spooky Halloween bash complete with Victorian-Era-inspired snacks, drinks, costumes, and mysterious entertainment on October 31 from 6pm – 11pm at Körner’s Folly, 401 S Main Street, Kernersville. The ball is inside the John & Bobbie Wolfe Visitors Center. It features seasonal brews as well as cocktails and mocktails, delightful hors d’oeuvres, music, and a spooky-season popup by Badkat Beadworks to shop. The Ghost Girls will offer guided paranormal investigations of Jule Körner’s circa 1880 historic home, beginning at 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, and 10:00 pm, and limited to 15 people per group. You can also explore Victorian Spiritualism and learn about the various uses and tools of paranormal investigation, receive a Tarot Card reading (free with admission), and experience aura photography for an additional fee. Doors open at 6pm. See Körner’s Folly Facebook page for more details and tickets.
Strong Medicine: A Hypnotic, Shamanic, Sound Journey – October 31
Are you looking for something unique and different for Halloween? Strong Medicine is not a gentle sound bath – it is a ritual of rhythm and resonance, created for those who dare to meet themselves in the shadows. This immersive journey combines ancient shamanic drumming techniques, deep hypnotic rhythms, and tones that pulse through the body and mind, creating a profound experience. This is a night of courage, initiation, and transformation. Come prepared to journey inward and face yourself on October 31, from 7:30pm – 9pm at vyb studio, 5009 Country Club Road, Winston-Salem. Visit this website for more information and to register.
Do You Have Your Halloween Jack-O’-Lantern?
You can’t celebrate Halloween without a Jack-o’-lantern! Fortunately, Winston-Salem has many great places for you to find the perfect pumpkin to transform into a scary one. Read all about where to go in our pumpkin patch article.
How do you celebrate Halloween? Tell us about it in the comments.
