It’s Halloweekend! Here’s what’s happening around town

WILMINGTON, N.C. (CAPE FEAR WEEKEND) - The weekend we’ve all been waiting for... Halloween weekend! Many events taking place are themed around the spooky season and costumes are encouraged. Enjoy everything from a classic Dracula production at UNCW to Spooktacular Halloween Bash’s at several locations. Another must do this weekend is to ride the Downtown Wilmington Trolley, which has transformed into a ghost trolley for this weekend only.

To see what else is happening this month, here’s a full list of our October events.

October 26th

UNCW Dracula

UNCW Mainstage Theatre | 5270 Randall Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403 | 7:30 p.m.

The UNCW Department of Theatre presents an adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic novel. As Count Dracula begins to exert his will upon the residents of London, they try to piece together the clues of his appearances in a valiant attempt to save themselves from a hideous fate. Rich with humor and horror, the play paints a wickedly theatrical picture of Stoker’s famous vampire.

Battleship Yoga

Battleship North Carolina 1 Battleship Road, Wilmington, NC 28401 | 6:00 – 7:15 p.m.

Join Yoga Village for an all-levels practice featuring a stunning backdrop of the storied Wilmington skyline with the beautiful setting sun on the deck of the historic Battleship North Carolina. This individually ticketed drop-in yoga series offers a unique place to practice with a never to be forgotten view. Experience zen like never before. Bring your own mat or towel and online registration is required.

Halloween Ghost Trolley (10/26, 10/27, 10/28, 10/31)

Market and Water Streets, Wilmington, NC 28401 | 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Listen to ghost stories tailored for young children while riding past the historic homes in lovely downtown Wilmington. The horses and drivers will both be in costume, with the driver telling ghost stories without the gore and violence of today’s Halloween to let your little ones enjoy Halloween the way it used to be. Free treats for children, no reservation required. Tickets are $16 for adults and $8 for children 12 and under.

October 27th

Garden Bros Nuclear Circus (10/26-10/29)

Haw Hill Raceway | 374 Bell Swamp Connection NE, Winnabow, NC 28479 | 4:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

If you’ve attended a Garden Brothers Nuclear Circus event before, you know the excitement and energy of the crowd makes for a truly unforgettable experience. This circus has been entertaining families for over 100 years and takes place under the world’s largest big top arena.

Fourth Friday Gallery Nights

ACES Gallery | 221 N Front St, Suite 101, Wilmington, NC 28401 | 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Enjoy a Fourth Friday evening when select galleries and studios open their doors for an after-hours celebration of art and culture. On the Fourth Friday of each month, take a self-guided tour to view exhibitions of various artistic genres including oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, metals, ceramics, music, mixed media and more. Many galleries have featured artists available for discussion of their craft. Maps are available at all participating locations including the Arts Council of Wilmington.

Friday Monster Movie Madness at the Mansion

Bellamy Mansion Museum | 503 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28401 | 6:30 p.m.

Enjoy Halloween Monster Movie Madness with an outdoor creature double feature:Little Shop of Horrors and Night of the Living Deadon the historic Bellamy Mansion back lawn. An inflatable movie screen will be set up with ghoulish goodies concessions available for purchase. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets with costumes encouraged. These intense and gory classics are definitely not for children but are sure to be a spine tingling for adults. Come in costume...Come with lawn chairs...Come if you dare!

Ghostbusters Movie in the Park

Wrightsville Beach Parks & Recreation | 321 Causeway Drive, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480 | 6:45 p.m.

It’s time for a spooky outdoor movie at Movies in the Park. After being kicked out of their university, three parapsychology professors decide to go into business for themselves by trapping and removing ghosts from haunted houses. After some initial skepticism, business is soon booming as the original Ghostbusters rid New York of its not quite dead. When a downtown skyscraper becomes the focal point of spirit activity linked to the ancient god Gozer, however, the problem may be more than the team can handle. Bring your chairs, blankets and picnic and find a spot on the lawn where everyone can enjoy this Halloween movie treat for the whole family! The movie is free and there will be concessions available for purchase.

Port City Taste Taco Week

A weeklong event at participating restaurants

Who needs just Taco Tuesday? Wilmington’s flavorful varieties need Port City Taste Taco Week to celebrate this Mexican inspired tasty treat. Sample the simple pleasures of these crispy or soft handhelds stuffed with well-seasoned proteins or veggies, creamy cheeses, brightly colored salsas, wrapped in all manners of tortillas, dressed in thick avocado and chilled sour cream. Experience inventive creations from the area’s favorite chefs with each participating establishment creating a special taco menu. Additional details and locations to be announced closer to the event.

Voracious Rare Beer & Wine Festival

Live Oak Bank Pavilion at Riverfront Park | 10 Cowan St, Wilmington, NC 28401 | 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

If you’re constantly searching for the ultimate ale experience, this event was tailor made for you. Take advantage of the rare opportunity to try the private reserves of 50 of your favorite breweries featuring limited release beers you’ve never had (and some you’ve never heard of) and 20 hand selected wines riverside at the Live Oak Bank Pavilion at Riverfront Park. There will also be light appetizers, live music and brewers on hand to answer all your questions. Come see why this has been called the ultimate beer date night experience. Tickets are $80 with a designated driver at $30. This is a 21+ adult event.

Silent Disco

Hi-Wire Brewing | 1020 Princess St, Wilmington, NC 28401 | 7:30 – 11:30 p.m.

You might remember the epic Taylor Swift silent disco that was a sell-out… now it’s time to boo-gie with Halloween silent disco. If you’ve never experienced it before, then here’s a quick rundown. Three separate DJs play different songs through headphones, which you’re given, and you can switch through the different channels. If you’re not feeling what’s on one channel, then you can switch to the next! Grab your boos and ghouls and head down to the taproom for a spooky good time. Costumes are encouraged and don’t worry about singing off key, no one else can hear you…

October 28th

GooseBumps in the Grove

Poplar Grove Plantation | 10200 US Highway 17 North, Wilmington, NC 28411 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Spend a spooky weekend daytime Halloween Festival at Poplar Grove. This will be fun for the young and young at heart. Featuring tricks and treats for the kids, carnival games and prizes, and a little spooktacular fun. Get ready for fun treats and e-e-e-ks! Don’t forget, your admission includes vintage carnival games, trick or treating with the 75+ vendors, Poplar Grove Witches Candy Chute, Halloween Vignette Photo Ops, Mr. Twister and his fabulous balloon creations and more. This is sure to be a fall festival filled with family fun. The event starts on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Festival admission for ages 2+ is $5, under 2 is free and it’s an additional $5 charge to enter the Haunted Mansion.

Halloween Story Time by the Sea

Kure Beach Ocean Front Park & Pavilion | 105 Atlantic Ave, Kure Beach, NC 28449 | 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Join this magical morning for the annual Halloween Story Time by the Sea. Several of your favorite characters will be hosting storytelling and crafts at the Kure Beach Ocean Front Park. This is a free event that requires no RSVP, but larger groups are asked to notify Kure Beach Parks and Recreation. Be sure to bring your camera and don’t forget to dress up in your favorite Halloween costume!

King of the Island Pro/Am Tournament

Trinity Disc Golf Course | Good Hops Brewing, 811 Harper Road, Carolina Beach, NC 28428 | 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Join the friendly fun of Pro/Am Disc Golf at Joe Eakes Park in Kure Beach on Saturday with the next day at the Good Hops’ Trinity course in Carolina Beach to decide who will be crowned Royalty of Pleasure Island! Both Professional Disc Golf Course Association (PDGA) registered courses are near each other as well as both beaches and historic downtown for plenty of Halloween fun before and after the tournament!

Lighthouse Beer & Wine Festival

Live Oak Bank Pavilion at Riverfront Park | 10 Cowan St, Wilmington, NC 28401 | 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Spend the weekend exploring the world of hops, grapes and grain. For the true beer aficionados, the Voracious Rare Beer Festival is a ‘must attend’ on Friday evening. Then on Saturday, the Lighthouse Beer & Wine Festival opens with more breweries wielding more delights than you can possibly sample. Along with live music and delicious food, all in one amazing venue. Admission is $55 and $30 for designated drivers and includes entrance and a sampling glass.

Seaside Shuffle 5k

Wrightsville Beach Park | 321 Causeway Drive, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480 | 7:00 a.m.

Join the fun with a classic race that starts and ends at Wrightsville Beach Park! This blazing fast, flat course is good for both those who run for speed and those who run for fun. Organized by the Wilmington Road Runners, this long-standing race added an additional award for the largest team of runners. So, get your all friends together, sign up, and get ready to run!

SPOOKtacular Halloween Bash

SeaWitch Café & Tiki Bar | 227 Carolina Beach Ave N, Carolina Beach, NC 28428 | 8:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.

Get ready for a SPOOKtacular Halloween Bash! This favorite festive night of music, friends, bewitching beverages and spooktacular food features live music with one of the best cash prize costume contests in the area for the top 20 costumes announced at 11:00 p.m. Come in your scariest or funniest outfit for this Carolina Beach Halloween tradition, which happens the Saturday before Halloween. There are no tickets necessary, but there’s a $5 cover charge at the door.

Zombiefest

The Eagle’s Dare | 420 N Third St, Wilmington, NC 28401 | 5:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Celebrate the return of a huge Zombie filled Halloween party! An exciting Wilmington tradition for over a decade, this is the place to find the most outrageous zombies and more with costume contests, food trucks and the phenomenally hard rocking bands Los Straitjackets, The Phantom Playboys and The Dew Drops! Don’t miss the triumphant return of Zombiefest! Tickets are required.

October 30th

Night of the Living Dead

Thalian Hall | 310 Chestnut St, Wilmington, NC 28401 | 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Experience Halloween thrills and chills with the classic Horror Film Night of the Living Dead, an epic tale that pits a group of strangers trapped in a farmhouse against an army of slow-moving ghouls who try to eat them. This 1968 American independent horror film written, directed, photographed and edited by George A. Romero is considered by many to be his most influential work. This Horror/Thriller Film is Not Rated: best for mature audiences. Please plan ahead to secure advance tickets for this popular sell-out event, which is a two night show on the 30th and 31st.