Create your ultimate Halloween itinerary in Durham! Our guide has all the frightful fun covered. Our Halloween handbook charts the emotional landscape of Durham's spirits for empathic mediums and feeling-focused visitors.
Popular Events: This Halloween season, explore the spooky scenes of the Haunted Forest at Panic Point, featuring chilling trails and eerie encounters that will send shivers down your spine. Alternatively, immerse yourself in the haunting atmosphere at the Woods of Terror, known for its impressive set designs and immersive scare experiences. And the Great HALL-oween Haunt is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a unique twist on traditional haunts with engaging storytelling and interactive elements. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Halloween Events In and Around Durham
- Haunted Forest at Panic Point (Youngsville)
- Woods of Terror (Greensboro)
- Bull City Boos Fest
- Durham Halloween Bar Crawl
- The Great HALL-oween Haunt (Omaha)
- Hollerin Haunts Hayride (Clinton)
- BooFest at the Museum of Life and Science
- Rocky Horror Picture Show: Halloween Ball
- DPR Fright Night (excluding haunted trails)
- Myrtle Grove Haunted Barn (Hillsborough)
See these and even more events listed below!
Durham Area Haunted Experiences
Woods of Terror
What to Expect:
Woods of Terror offers a variety of themed haunted attractions and activities, including 3D experiences and sensory overload zones, making it one of the most immersive haunted houses in the country.
Description:
Woods of Terror is a legendary haunted house in Greensboro, North Carolina, offering over 16 terrifying haunted attractions. The event features a Monster Midway with games, food, and fun, as well as various themed attractions like Baba Yaga, Phobia House, and Sensory Overload. With different ticket options including General Admission, Fast Pass, and All Access Pass, visitors can enjoy a night filled with scares and entertainment.
Where: Greensboro | More Info: Woods of Terror
Hollerin Haunts Hayride
What to Expect:
The unique feature of Hollerin Haunts Hayride is its immersive 16-scene terror-fest with Hollywood-level sets, providing an unforgettable experience for all attendees.
Description:
Hollerin Haunts Hayride offers a spine-tingling experience with 16 scenes and Hollywood-level sets. This haunted hayride features monstrous beasts, ghouls, and terrifying surprises at every turn, making it perfect for both hardcore horror fans and families seeking Halloween fun.
Where: Clinton | More Info: Hollerin Haunts Hayride
Myrtle Grove Haunted Barn
What to Expect:
Immersive haunted barn experience with scares around every corner.
Description:
Myrtle Grove Haunt is a spooky and fun Halloween experience located in Hillsborough, NC. It features a 5,500 square foot, two-level haunted barn with scares around every corner. The event is open every Friday and Saturday from October 5th to October 31st, with No Scare Admission between 6:00-7:00 PM and Haunted Barn Admission starting at 8:00 PM.
Where: Hillsborough | More Info: Myrtle Grove Haunted Barn
Clayton Fear Farm
What to Expect:
Offers new horror features each year, including haunted houses and a haunted hayride.
Description:
Clayton Fear Farm is a haunted Halloween scream park located in Clayton, near Raleigh, featuring scary haunted attractions including several haunted houses and a haunted hayride. Each year, new horror features are added, promising an unexpected and terrifying experience.
Where: Clayton | More Info: Clayton Fear Farm
Darkside Haunted Estates
What to Expect:
Experience a mile-long haunted walking trail with dynamic special effects and new haunted attractions each season.
Description:
Darkside Haunted Estates in Middlesex, North Carolina, is a premier haunted attraction featuring a haunted walking trail over a mile long. The trail includes scenes like the Witch Doctor's Emporium, Insane Asylum, Clown Town, and The Slaughterhouse. With dynamic special effects and new haunted attractions each season, Darkside Haunted Estates offers an intense and unforgettable experience.
Where: Middlesex | More Info: Darkside Haunted Estates
Haunted Forest at Panic Point
What to Expect:
A 12-scene scream-fest with over 36 haunters to hound your every step.
Description:
Experience the eerie and thrilling Haunted Forest at Panic Point in Youngsville, NC. This half-mile trail features 12 unique scenes, including the Butcher Shop, Sawmill, Puppet Master’s Parlour, and more. With over 36 haunters and a variety of creatures, this attraction promises to deliver maximum spookiness and fright.
Where: Youngsville | More Info: Haunted Forest at Panic Point
Scream Dreams Indoor Haunted Attraction
What to Expect:
Over 50 rooms and hallways of terror and torture, featuring state-of-the-art animatronics and live actors.
Description:
Scream Dreams Indoor Haunted Attraction is a world-class indoor haunted house located in the basement of an abandoned furniture factory near Winston-Salem, NC. This massive attraction features over 50 rooms and hallways of terror and torture, spanning more than 23,000 square feet. Visitors can expect to encounter various frightening scenarios, including rooms full of clowns and desperate attempts to escape the hunter’s den. The event includes state-of-the-art animatronics and live actors, making it a truly immersive and terrifying experience.
Where: Thomasville | More Info: Scream Dreams Indoor Haunted Attraction
Durham Dark & Mysterious Ghost Walk
What to Expect:
A 1.5-mile walking tour that explores six haunted locations in downtown Durham, combining local ghost stories and historical context.
Description:
The Durham Dark & Mysterious Ghost Walk is a family-friendly 1.5-mile walking tour that delves into Durham's rich and eerie history. This tour combines local ghost stories, folklore, and local history, taking participants to six different paranormal sites, including the Bull Durham Factory and the Kress Store Building. The tour is designed for adults and children aged 8 and older, offering a unique and thrilling experience through Durham's dark past.
Where: Durham | More Info: Durham Dark & Mysterious Ghost Walk
Spooky Woods
What to Expect:
Immersive and terrifying haunted attraction with over 22 custom-designed sets and special effects.
Description:
Kersey Valley Spooky Woods is a nationally recognized haunted attraction in Archdale, NC, celebrating 40 years of spine-tingling fear. With over 22 sets to experience on one ticket, it offers an immersive and terrifying journey through custom-designed sets, monsters, and special effects. The event includes a Midway with treats and drinks, a live DJ at Club Spooky, and various attractions like the Kersey Valley Zipline and Maize Adventure. This year promises to be the most electrifying season yet with new renovations and improvements.
Where: Archdale | More Info: Spooky Woods
Family-Friendly Fall Activities Near Durham
The Great HALL-oween Haunt
What to Expect:
Trick-or-treating with historical characters and a performance by dancing zombies.
Description:
The Great HALL-oween Haunt at The Durham Museum in 2024 promises to be another spooktacular event for families. The event will feature trick-or-treating with historical characters, ghostly games, creepy crafts, and a visit to the Haunted Train and Cobweb Caboose. The crowd-favorite dancing zombies from UNO’s The Moving Company are expected to return for their 11th year, performing during the event. The museum will likely close at 4 PM and reopen at 5 PM for the event, which will run from 5 PM to 8 PM on a designated date in October 2024.
Where: Omaha | More Info: The Great HALL-oween Haunt
Bull City Boos Fest
What to Expect:
A Halloween celebration with a variety of performances, food, and activities for all ages.
Description:
Bull City BOOs Fest is a family-friendly Halloween festival held at Durham Central Park. The event features a variety of activities, including performances by aerial acrobats, stilt walkers, and fire performers. There will be a range of food trucks, breweries, and vendors offering Halloween-themed treats and drinks. The festival also includes a kids' zone with activities like mermaid bubble parties and magic shows.
Where: Durham | More Info: Bull City Boos Fest
BooFest at the Museum of Life and Science
What to Expect:
Hands-on Halloween activities and themed enrichment encounters around the campus.
Description:
BooFest at the Museum of Life and Science is a family-friendly Halloween celebration where guests can enjoy hands-on activities in the Lab, participate in a pumpkin-party station, and take part in themed enrichment encounters around the campus. Don your costumes for a spooky yet fun-filled experience. The event is included with general admission, making it an exciting addition to your Halloween festivities.
Where: Durham | More Info: BooFest at the Museum of Life and Science
Carrboro Music Festival
What to Expect:
The festival features over 100 bands and performers at multiple venues around Downtown Carrboro.
Description:
The Carrboro Music Festival is a free, one-day event that takes place in Downtown Carrboro on Sunday, September 29, 2024. It features over 100 bands and performers at multiple venues, showcasing a variety of musical styles. The festival is a product of a coordinated effort by the Carrboro Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Resources Department and the Carrboro Music Festival Planning Committee. This event aims to make all genres of music more accessible to the public through free concerts where performers donate their time or receive paid compensation as an honorarium.
Where: Carrboro | More Info: Carrboro Music Festival
Pepperfest
What to Expect:
The unique feature of Pepperfest is its focus on showcasing locally grown peppers and supporting sustainable agriculture through various pepper-related activities and contests.
Description:
The 17th Annual Pepperfest is a celebration of sustainable agriculture and local flavors. Held at The Plant in Pittsboro, North Carolina, this event features peppers grown onsite in the Pepper Patch, a hot sauce contest, and a variety of pepper-based food and drinks. Pop-up vendors, live music, and pepper activities make this a festive day out. With no ticket required, visitors can tour the pepper patch, enjoy local dishes, and explore the Plant's eclectic campus.
Where: Pittsboro | More Info: Pepperfest
DPR Fright Night (non-haunted activities)
What to Expect:
A Halloween celebration with carnival games, costume parades, and activities for all ages.
Description:
Join us for DPR Fright Night, a Halloween extravaganza featuring carnival games, costume parades, and activities for all ages. Embark on a hair-raising adventure along a haunted trail where creepy creatures lurk at every turn. Enjoy a plethora of spooky surprises, making this event a ghoulishly delightful experience for all.
Where: Durham | More Info: DPR Fright Night (non-haunted activities)
DPR Fright Night (excluding haunted trails)
What to Expect:
An immersive celebration of DPR's 100-year legacy through various events and activities.
Description:
DPR 100 is an immersive celebration of Durham Parks and Recreation's 100th anniversary. The event spans the past, present, and future, featuring a variety of activities, community engagement, park projects, and planning. It aims to tell the origin story of DPR, demonstrate its growth and evolution, and set the stage for future community connections and opportunities to "Play More."
Where: Durham | More Info: DPR Fright Night (excluding haunted trails)
Trick-or-treat at White Deer Park
What to Expect:
A family-friendly Halloween event featuring a one-mile loop trail with local businesses passing out treats and a creepy crawlies exhibit.
Description:
Trick-or-treat your way around White Deer Park's one-mile loop trail, come dressed in your best costume, and don't forget your candy bucket Local businesses and organizations will be passing out treats, a creepy crawlies exhibit will be featured in the Nature Center, and food trucks will be available for purchase. Parents must accompany children at all times. Pets are not permitted. This is a free family-friendly event with no horror or gore.
Where: Garner | More Info: Trick-or-treat at White Deer Park
A Wizard's Market
What to Expect:
An immersive, magical experience where attendees can create crafts and practice spells with professors from a famous wizarding academy.
Description:
A Wizard's Market is a family-friendly event where young witches and wizards can encounter mysterious characters, create magical crafts, and practice spells with professors from a famous wizarding academy. The market features enchanting handmade items, treats, and family-friendly stage performances under the autumn moon. This event is part of the Wonderstruck Children's Festivals series, offering a unique and immersive experience for all ages.
Where: Raleigh | More Info: A Wizard's Market
Children's Halloween Market
What to Expect:
A family-friendly Halloween event with a variety of activities including costume contests, spooky crafts, and pumpkin decorating.
Description:
Join Spellbound at Mordecai for a magical Halloween celebration featuring mysterious creatures, amazing magicians, fortune telling, spooky crafts, and pumpkin decorating. Enjoy family-friendly stage performances and shop for enchanting handmade items and treats. Wear your best Halloween finery to enter the costume contest and parade.
Where: Raleigh | More Info: Children's Halloween Market
El Futuro Hispanic Heritage Kermes
What to Expect:
A community celebration honoring Latino culture with traditional food, games, and live music.
Description:
El Futuro's Hispanic Heritage Kermes is a vibrant celebration of Latino culture, marking the organization's 20th anniversary. The event features traditional food, games, raffles, dance performances, and mariachi music. It is a community gathering that promotes cultural awareness and unity, offering a rich experience for all attendees.
Where: Durham | More Info: El Futuro Hispanic Heritage Kermes
CenterFest
What to Expect:
A celebration of visual and performing arts in the heart of Durham's historic downtown.
Description:
CenterFest is Durham's signature fine arts festival, showcasing juried visual artists from across the country and featuring stand-out local performers. The event includes world-class ceramics, paintings, photography, jewelry, fiber art, woodwork, and more. It also features musicians, dancers, and unique street performers, along with a Creative Kids Zone and food vendors. The festival takes place in the heart of Durham's historic downtown, elevating the visitor experience with local businesses and eateries.
Where: Durham | More Info: CenterFest
Burwell School Fall Festival
What to Expect:
A festive celebration combining historical charm with community spirit and local vendor offerings.
Description:
Join us at the Burwell School Historic Site for an unforgettable autumn adventure The Fall Festival features a bustling marketplace with local vendors, a delectable bake sale, and a vibrant tag sale. Enjoy historic children’s games that promise laughter and joy for all ages. This event is a perfect blend of community spirit and historical charm, all while supporting the preservation of the Burwell School Historic Site.
Where: Hillsborough | More Info: Burwell School Fall Festival
Family Renaissance Fair at NC Museum of Art
What to Expect:
Enjoy thrilling combat demonstrations and medieval crafts in a festive atmosphere with free access to fall exhibitions.
Description:
The Family Renaissance Fair at NC Museum of Art is a free event on September 29, 2024, from 11 AM to 4 PM. It features thrilling combat demonstrations, medieval and Renaissance crafts, and engaging performances. Visitors can also enjoy free access to the fall exhibitions, including "Venice and the Ottoman Empire." Historical costumes are encouraged, and a medieval feast will be part of the afternoon merriment.
Where: Raleigh | More Info: Family Renaissance Fair at NC Museum of Art
Halloween Food, Drink, and Parties Near Durham
Durham Halloween Bar Crawl
What to Expect:
A night of haunted hotspots and spooky concoctions with a costume contest and live DJ entertainment.
Description:
Experience a spooky night out with the Durham Halloween Bar Crawl on October 31st, 2024. This event features a journey through haunted hotspots, offering a variety of spooky concoctions and mystical drinks. Enjoy live DJ entertainment, a costume contest with prizes valued at $2,000, and exclusive after-party access. The event promises a blood-curdling celebration with devilish delights lurking around every corner.