Halloween is a holiday that requires special planning. Here’s a list of events, activities and food specials that’ll help you rock your way through the whole month of October, Halloween week and beyond!
Time to get spooky. See you out there, and don’t forget to show us what you’re doing via #Bestofthebull.
Visit a Pumpkin Patch or Corn Maze
‘Tis the season of pumpkin everything. We’re ready for cooler weather, corn mazes, apple cider, and carving pumpkins. There’s so many great pumpkin patches, farm, and corn mazes to visit in and around Durham. Check them all out here.
Carve Pumpkins with Baby Goats
Saturday October 12th – 13th and 19th – 20th and 26th and 27th 12:00pm to 4:00pm | Buy Tickets Here
Have you ever carved pumpkins WITH BABY GOATS? Head to Spring Haven Farm to carve your pumpkins this year with baby goats jumping up on the tables around you, putting their cute little heads inside of hollowed out pumpkins, petting them, and feeding them.
Also, there’s an incredibly nice donkey, horses, ducks, free-range chickens, pigs, adult goats, a kid tractor ride, an adult tractor ride, a small concession stand, hand-washing stations, a small maze, and face painting. The animals are all so friendly, and you can buy carrots and pellets to feed them.
Tickets must be purchased online, not at the farm. All farm activities, Tractor Rides are included in the ticket price!
Get Your Fall on at a Festival
There’s a lot happening this month. All the fall feels, y’all. Here’s all the Fall Festivals, Activities, and Halloween Celebrations happening in Durham this September and October. No spooky surprises, just a good time.
Learn the Science of Beer
October 17 | Museum of Life and Science
Why you should go: Your favorite North Carolina brewers will serve up samples while scientists school you on the science behind beer making and drinking. In addition to exploring MLS’s 65,000 sq. feet of indoor hands-on exhibits, you’ll get to enjoy Gateway Park, Hideaway Woods, and Magic Wings Butterfly House.
Ride at Pumpkin Express at the Museum of Life and Science
Climb aboard the Ellerbe Creek Railway for a journey to the museum’s pumpkin patch. Pick the perfect pumpkin to decorate and take home, then enjoy crafts and a variety of carnival games before returning to the station. Trains depart every half hour. Tickets are $15 per person and includes a pumpkin, in addition to general admission to the museum. Children 2 and under free.
Watch a horror film at Carolina Theatre | Oct. 11-13
Splatterflix showcases 16 of the creepiest horror films during this weekend at Carolina Theatre. 10-Passes for Splatterflix are $80. Individual tickets are $9.50
Take on Zombies at Xtreme Combat Park | Select dates in October
Xtreme Kombat Park | 7460 Hwy. 98, Wake Forest Rd., Durham
For an extremely spooky night of taking on zombies head to Xtreme Kombat Park. You’ll ride on a 40-foot military truck with mounted paintball guns to shoot at roaming zombies in the night, enjoy a zip line in the dark and face a challenge in a mini escape room.
Open in October on select nights, 6-11 p.m. Ticket window closes at 10 p.m. Advance tickets are $10, tickets at the door are $15.
Head to Duke Homestead’s Halloween Phantasmagoria
October 25 | 6:30-9pm
Phantasmagoria, noun: a bizarre or fantastic combination, collection or assemblage; a dreamlike state where real and imagined elements blur together; a magical event at Duke Homestead on October 25.
Explore historical concepts of Spiritualism, awe, and wonder from the 19th century at Duke Homestead. You are invited to wander the property to see what wonders you can find. This will be unlike any other Halloween experience you will have!
Appropriate for all ages. (No experiences are designed to scare!)
$10 plus tax per adult in advance, $15 plus tax at the door. $5 plus tax for kids 12 and under
Bring Your Pups to Barktoberfest
October 26 | 3-6pm | Durham Central Park
Why you should go: Get in the spirit with a lineup of food trucks, breweries, live music, pet costume contests and games.
Visit the Little Shop of Horror
Stock up just in time for Halloween. A local favorite, Little Shop of Horror has an awesome selection of movies, gifts, and oddities. You can actually visit all year round!
Ticket or Treat on Ninth Street
Bring your kiddos in their best costumes on Halloween. Perfect for the little ones with an early bedtime. Hang around for the costume parade.
Celebrate Halloween at West Point on the Eno | Oct 31
Designed particularly for children ages 12 and younger, this special event features campfire stories and songs, hayrides, treats, crafts, games, and face painting. No need to register – just come out, rain or shine!
Get weird at the Rocky Horror Picture Show Halloween Ball | Oct 30 & 31
A fully-interactive, theatrical FX-driven, light show-blazing, fog-blowing, call-backing, costume-wearing, motion picture extravaganza at Carolina Theatre.
See the Moon up close at Bull Moon Rising | Oct. 31- Nov. 3
The Moon is coming to Durham! Bull Moon Rising is a free, once-in-a-lifetime four-day community event that kicks off on Halloween and runs through November 3.
Open 24 hours a day, the breathtaking exhibit will be suspended over CCB Plaza, atop the watchful eye of Major the Bull, providing the closest look at the moon our city has ever seen.
Museum of the Moon will be home to numerous free events and performances for everyone to enjoy. The lineup includes a reading of “Goodnight Moon” by Mayor Steve Schewel, Paperhand Puppets Halloween-themed performance, a Bull Moon Ball at Unscripted Hotel, and a lot more.
Be sure to check out our complete guide to Durham this Fall including festivals, pumpkin patches, and Halloween celebrations.
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