This Is Halloween, Durham Style

What are your plans for Halloween? This October, explore all things Halloween across the Bull City! Whether you’re in the mood for a good scare or just want to enjoy some festive treats, Durham has something for everyone in the weeks leading up to October 31 st . Bring your costumed kiddos, celebrate the season over an adult beverage at a 21+ establishment, or anything in between at these events for each age group.

Toddlers:

Toddler Story Time Cooks: Night Before Halloween

Sat, Oct. 29 th , 11am-12:30pm

Food Vibez, 916 Lamond Ave, Durham, NC 27701

Cost: $20

Want to explore reading AND cooking with your toddler, all in the theme of Halloween fun? Check out Story Time Cooks with Food Vibez Way. This cooking school for folks with disabilities and kids was established in March 2020 by Chef Mo as a way to teach cooking skills to everyone. Her Story Time Cooks event will start with a group reading of The Night Before Halloween and then set your little goblins loose on creating monster cookies. For ages 2-5.

BooFest at Museum of Life and Science

Sun, Oct. 30 th , 10am-3pm

Museum of Life and Science, 433 W. Murray Ave, Durham, NC 27704

Cost: Included with museum admission

Bring your little ones in their Halloween best for a spooky celebration at MLS. Exhibits throughout the museum will host Halloween-themed enrichment for animals and engaging activities for guests. Create BooBubbles in the Lab or listen to a Not So Scary Story, perfect ways to get your kiddos in the spirit.

Young Kids:

Hallow-Eno

Mon, Oct. 31 st , 5:30-8:30pm

West Point on the Eno Park, 5101 N Roxboro St, Durham, NC 27704

Cost: Free

On Halloween night, Durham Parks & Recreation presents kids with a chance to celebrate safely at West Point on the Eno. This special event for kids 12 and under will delight the whole family with Fall staples like campfire stories and hayrides, plus Halloween treats, games, and crafts. No registration needed to partake in these festivities.

Durham YMCA Trunk or Treat

Thurs, Oct. 27 th , 5:30-7:30pm

Durham Central Park, 501 Foster St, Durham, NC 27701

Cost: Free

Kids have the opportunity to visit decorated car trunks to collect treats, build Halloween crafts, and play spooky games. Taking place at Durham Central Park, the Durham Y’s Trunk or Treat event allows kids to dress up and enjoy the holiday haul without having to hit up the entire neighborhood. The Y is still looking for families to volunteer as trunk hosts or activity attendants, so see how you can participate.

Teens/Adults:

Xtreme Haunt

Fri, Oct 21 st , Sat, Oct. 22 nd , Fri, Oct. 28 th , Sat, Oct. 29 th ; all 7-11pm

Xtreme Park Adventures, 7460 Highway 98/Wake Forest Rd, Durham, NC 27703

Cost: $25/$45 VIP

Put your fears to the ultimate test with the Xtreme Haunt. Part of Xtreme Park Adventures near Falls Lake, Xtreme Haunt combines several terrifying attractions, like Phobia House: being trapped in a room with critters crawling over you; or Black Maze: a pitch black labyrinth with only your touch senses to guide you. Get your tickets for one of their four nights of horror, if you dare!

Duke Homestead Halloween Phantasmagoria

Fri, Oct. 28 th , 6:30-9:30pm

Duke Homestead, 2828 Duke Homestead Rd, Durham, NC 27705

Cost: $10 in advance/$15 at the door

Words used to describe this annual event at Duke Homestead: magical, dreamlike, and bizarre. Explore this historic site in a way only allowed once a year. Bring your own flashlight to wander the property and experience the spooky, fantastic encounters. Buy your tickets for a specific entrance time and stay as long as you like.

Adults Only:

Rocky Horror Picture Show Halloween Ball

Fri, Oct. 28 th and Sat, Oct. 29 th , both 7:30pm

Carolina Theatre, 309 West Morgan St, Durham, NC 27701

Cost: $12

Does Halloween have you shivering with antici…pation? If you’re a fan of Rocky Horror Picture Show, or if you’re a RHPS virgin, you must experience the full theatrical, costumed, callback event of the Carolina Theatre’s 5 th Annual Halloween Ball. I can’t say too much for fear of spoiling it for newbies, but know that if you participate in this event, it will surely be a Halloween weekend to remember.

Mystic Halloween & Birthday Party

Sat, Oct. 29 th , 6pm-midnight

Mystic Farm & Distillery, 1212 N. Mineral Springs Rd, Durham, NC 27703

Cost: $10/$20

The first bourbon distillery in the Triangle since prohibition is hosting a Halloween party to celebrate the holiday and its 9 th birthday! Dress up to participate in the costume contest, bob for apples, and test your strength by chunkin’ a punkin. Mystic knows how to party and that’s providing folks with cocktails, a limited release of their gin and vodka, and a food truck to ensure there’s no BOOzing on an empty stomach.

Pets:

Pup-O-Ween

Thurs, Oct. 27 th , 6:30-8:30pm

Hi-Wire Brewing, 800 Taylor St, Durham, NC 27701

Do you have the perfect Halloween costume for your pooch and nowhere to show it off? Come out to Hi-Wire Brewing for a free Halloween costume contest for dogs. There are several costume categories up for grabs and $1 of flagship pints will be donated to The Animal Protection Society of Durham. And if you’re looking to add a furry friend to your home, there will be adoptable pups looking precious as ever in their Halloween get-ups, so come prepared to have your heart melted.

Barktoberfest

Sat, Oct. 29 th , 3:30-6:30pm

Durham Central Park, 501 Foster St, Durham, NC 27701

Cost: Free

An annual extravaganza of all things canine, Barktoberfest is a partnership between Durham Parks & Recreation and Beyond Fences, a nonprofit that connects under-served neighborhoods with basic pet care resources. So not only can you support a wonderful cause, but you get to experience dogs in costume (where there are prizes up for grabs)! Plus enjoy musical performances, food and beer vendors, and a photo booth with Fido. No tickets needed for this rain or shine event.

If you’re still in need of your Fall pumpkin or apple fix, be sure to check out my previous blog Apples, Pumpkins, and Fall, Oh My! For a list of other upcoming events or spooky spots in Durham for the Halloween season, take a look at Discover Durham’s Boo City list. Happy haunting!