Local Halloween Celebrations

Still trying to decide how to spend this Halloween night? Here are some fun local Halloween celebrations for costumed kids of all ages!

Halloween in Chapel Hill is always something I look forward to all year, especially now that I am a parent of a little one. Chapelhillians are a festive bunch that really know how to enjoy any holiday to the fullest, especially this particular spooky one. Whether you stick to your neighborhood for trick-or-treating, or take advantage of the many Halloween-themed activities around town, you are sure to have a great evening! The biggest challenge is deciding which one!

Growing up in Chapel Hill, I experienced trick-or-treating in both apartments and bigger neighborhoods, and while in college at UNC-Chapel Hill, I never missed a Franklin Street celebration. It was all such fun! Read more about my “Halloween in the Hill” here.

Now that I am the mother of a 5-year-old, I take my daughter “Zoomer” trick-or-treating at the old mill houses of Carrboro with a huge pack of kids from the neighborhood. The houses are very close together, which makes it really easy on the little ones going door-to-door, and there are very few non-participatory “lights-off” houses. Going in a big group is also safer because cars can see you much easier. (The flashing light I attach to my daughter’s costume helps, too!) Once we hit all the houses, we are within walking distance to the Carrboro Halloween Carnival, which is a blast! There are lots of “everyone wins” carnival games and family fun. We always stay there until they shut down around 8:30 pm. Then we walk back home, loaded down with candy and prizes, completely wiped out but happy.

Here is a list of local Halloween celebrations for tonight, and links to more information. Enjoy your evening, and be safe!

	Acme Food & Beverage Company, located at 110 East Main Street in Carrboro, is closed on Halloween night. However, they are hosting a Spooky Halloween Bash tonight, October 31, 2014 in the back parking lot starting at 6:00 pm. There is a $10 entry, with all proceeds going to the Be Loud! Sophie Foundation. Have a fun Halloween night, and help a great local cause that supports teens with cancer! http://acmecarrboro.com/home/
	The Town of Chapel Hill is hosting Homegrown Halloween on Franklin Street tonight, October 31, 2014 from 9:00 pm – 12:00 am. All it basically entails is walking up and down Franklin Street in costume, admiring others in costume. This is a tradition that has been a part of Chapel Hill for decades. It began as a small-town, family-friendly event, joining with UNC students, just in the 100 block of Franklin Street. In recent years, it has grown tremendously, attracting visitors from all over the Southeast, peaking at 80,000 participants in 2007. In 2008, the Town of Chapel Hill put forth specific policies that deliberately tried to curb these numbers, and they were able to reduce the numbers down to 35,000 that year. Since then, they have continued to keep crowd numbers down which makes the event much more manageable. Nevertheless, this is not a child-friendly event, and definitely not for those who dislike like big crowds. The costumes, however, are always spectacular! It is free and open to the public. http://t.co/8INtv2FDmd.
	The Town of Carrboro is hosting their Halloween Carnival tonight, October 31, 2014 from 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm at the Carrboro Town Commons, located at 301 West Main Street in Carrboro. This event features all kinds of games and fun for folks of all ages, so it is a great time for the whole family. There is also a cake walk —  well, a cookie walk. There are also refreshments like cider and popcorn for sale. It is free and open to the public. http://carrboro.com/halloween/
	Johnny’s, located at 901 West Main Street in Carrboro, is hosting a Halloween Party from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm tonight, October 31, 2014. They will have a costume contest, some of the best Halloween music around, a jam session, treats, and seasonal cafe drinks that will knock your Halloween socks off. The backyard will also be lit up for outdoor activities. It is free and open to the public. http://www.johnnysgonefishing.com/halloween-at-johnnys.html
	For those looking for a calmer, more sophisticated, and much yummier Halloween celebration, this is your best bet. Local Ghosts and goblins are welcome at Crossroads Restaurant at the Carolina Inn tonight, October 31, 2014 for a tempting Halloween dinner. Reservations are recommended. http://t.co/n2xR2ECBXc
	Southern Village is hosting a Halloween Fest tonight, October 31, 2014 from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm, with magic, live music, pumpkin painting, candy apples, cornhole, witch hat toss, and more activities. This is wonderful family-fun event you can fit in before trick-or-treating or other evening Halloween plans! It is free and open to the public.  http://www.southernvillage.com/events/
	University Mall is hosting a Halloween Spooktacular evening of trick-or-treating and a costume contest tonight, October 31, 2014 from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm. Trick-or-Treating will begin at the main entrance of the mall from 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm. Children 12 and under are invited to haunt the mall to collect various treats from various stores and restaurants. Then show off your unique costume on stage and win great prizes. Age groups are 4 and under, 5-8, 9-12. Participating children must be at the stage by 6:00 pm to enter. It is free and open to the public. http://www.universitymallnc.com/event/university-mall-spooktacular/2145445717

Category: Arts & Entertainment