We brought you our annual Halloween Guide a little early this year, so you've got plenty of time and plenty of options to go get spooked, whether that means going on a bender, taking the kiddos to a family-friendly event or participating in an orgy in a hotel ... just try to keep the three separate.
'Shaun of the Dead' Outdoor Screening
Go down to the Winchester, have a pint and wait for the Halloween season to blow over. Except, just do it at Canvas Tattoo for their big screen screening of Shaun of the Dead, which is arguably the best zombie comedy movie of all time. Food, beverages and fun will be available, so bring yourself and your favorite zombie apocalypse team to wonder how long you'll survive when the horde comes. Unfortunately, no zombies were harmed in the making of this event.
When: Oct. 18, 9 p.m.
Where: Canvas Tattoo, 3012 N. Davidson St.
More: Free; tinyurl.com/CanvasTattooMovieNight
- Photo courtesy of GLOW: Charlotte
The GLOW: Charlotte
GLOW: Charlotte is the Alice in Wonderland/Halloween mash up you never knew you needed. Get your pumpkin carving fix at Charlotte's largest jack-o'-lantern collection, where they're cranking out more than just your crappy DIY poke-and-carve pumpkins. The family-friendly grounds will feature over 5,000 carvings of movie and TV characters to gawk at, along with a psychedelic landscape that'll have you hypnotized until the very end. Just make sure you don't lose your kid along the way.
When: Oct. 18-28, times vary
Where: Rock City Campgrounds; Charlotte Motor Speedway, 7004 Bruton Smith Blvd., Concord
More: $10.99 and up; theglowjackolantern.com
Science on the Rocks: Nightmare on Tryon Street
It's adult-only science-based fun at the Discovery Place. With cocktails pouring all night, make sure you don't fall asleep or the most terrible Mr. Kruger will come for you. It's Nightmare on Tryon Street, but also with a costume contest. Go from "door" to "door" for adult trick-or-treating, but we all know the real treat is in the drinks they'll sling out to the masses at this 21-and-up event. Leave the little ones at home and have your own Halloween fun with Discovery Place.
When: Oct. 19, 5-9 p.m.
Where: Discovery Place, 301 N. Tryon St.
More: $10 and up; science.discoveryplace.org
Great Pumpkin Fest
Scarowinds gives way to Carowinds as the amusement park puts the "Wee!" in Halloween with family-friendly fun all day. The Great Pumpkin Fest brings back all the nostalgia of the Peanuts crew, featuring our all-time favorite cartoon canine, Snoopy. Hay bale mazes, the foam zone and kid-sized scares are all there amongst the roller coasters to keep everyone entertained with an afternoon of good-ol' clean Halloween fun. All fun, no fear for the whole family.
When: Oct. 20-21, Oct. 27-28, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Carowinds, 14523 Carowinds Blvd.
More: $29.99 and up; carowinds.com
- (Photo courtesy of Elite Bar Crawls)
Halloween Bar Crawl
Don't get shitfaced, get spook-faced. If you're into college-esque shit shows, then Elite Bar Crawl's Halloween Bar Crawl starting at the Epicentre is your best bet. Use your originality and dress up as a slutty nurse or three-hole punch Jim. You can really go out there and show up as a Southern gothic witch. Whatever you do, responsibly enjoy the copious amounts of alcohol and live entertainment.
When: Oct. 20, 2 p.m.
Where: Whiskey River, 210 E. Trade St.
More: $39.99; tinyurl.com/OfficialEliteHalloween
- (Photo courtesy of Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden)
Bootanical
Another garden party is happening at Daniel Stowe, so come in your favorite costume and bring the kids (they get in free if they're in a costume). Let them march around the garden in a kids costume parade. Don't want to bring the kids or don't have any? There's live music and a beer garden to hang out at while basking in the crisp fall air. The not-so-frightening activities in this Bootanical festival lineup include making s'mores, games and "Pumpkin Chunkin'." We're not entirely sure what that means, but go check it out and report back to us.
When: Oct. 20-21, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Rd., Belmont
More: General admission; dsbg.org
Howl-o-ween Dog Costume Contest
North Mecklenburg Animal Rescue is taking over Birdsong Brewing for an evening of pup-tacular charity. Dress your precious fur-baby up for a chance to win Best Dog Costume. Pair up and don matching garments to win best owner/dog costume of the night. Don't have a little pup to bring? NMAR will have adoptable dogs there for you to play and hang with. Who knows, you might find yourself a new friend "fur" life.
When: Oct. 21; 4-7 p.m.
Where: Birdsong Brewing Co., 1016 N. Davidson St.
More: Free; tinyurl.com/NMARHowloween
Canvas Tattoo Presents 'RHPS'
It's just a jump to the left and a step to the right on down to Canvas Tattoo for another Halloween season screening. This time warp, it's Rocky Horror Picture Show. Complete with callbacks and a sexy, fun cast. Damn it, Janet, we love you.
When: Oct. 25, 9 p.m.
Where: Canvass Tattoo & Art Gallery, 3012 N. Davidson St.
More: Free; tinyurl.com/CanvasTattooRHPS
Masquerade Party
It's like Phantom of the Opera, without the phantom. Charlotte Cirque and Dance Center's Halloween masquerade party at Lenny Boy Brewing Company is the perfect opportunity to dig out that mask you bought at the local craft fair 10 years ago. Charlotte's only non-profit dance and cirque company Caroline Calouche and Company will be there with live performances and drinks to top you off for a bourgeois, boozy good time.
When: Oct. 26, 8-11 p.m.
Where: Lenny Boy Brewing Co., 3000 South Tryon St.
More: $25; tinyurl.com/masqueradeparty
Coco & The Director Horror Movie Marathon
Forget the "31 Nights of Halloween" on your cable TV guide. Coco & The Director has you covered with 21 movies over nine days. From Oct. 26 to Nov. 2, head to the bistro and catch the 5 p.m. screening of a kid-friendly spooky film or stroll in at 7:30 for the rated-R stuff like Psycho, Halloween and The Shining. On the last day of the movie marathon, they're busting out a lineup of five Halloween movies for an all-day event.
When: Oct. 26 - Nov. 3, times vary
Where: Coco & The Director, 100 W. Trade St.
More: Free; facebook.com/CocoandtheDirector/
- 'Suspiria' (Courtesy of Seda Spettacoli Production)
Ayrsley Cinema Retro Horror Series
Ayrsley Cinemas has rolled out the lineup for their annual Retro Horror Series, featuring some killer classic and throwback Halloween movies for your movie-viewing pleasure. The series runs throughout October, with two different Halloween films playing each week. Tickets are only five bucks, so if you're looking for some spooky '90s nostalgia on a cheap date or to get the shit scared out of you by a '70s gore-fest film with friends, you've found the right place. Between Oct. 19 and 25, catch Ghostbusters. Young Frankenstein, Halloween and Suspiria.
When: Oct. 18 - Nov. 1, 7 & 9 p.m. Where: Ayrsley Grand Cinemas 14, 9110 Kings Parade Blvd. More: $5; ayrsleycinemas.com
Not-So-Spooky Halloween
If you think you can resist a late-night screening of Disney's iconic Halloweentown, then you're definitely lying to yourself. Indulge in the nostalgia of Halloween at Stumptown Park with face-painting, carriage rides and the works. If that doesn't satisfy your inner child, try your luck in the annual pumpkin carving contest, where winners get two gold season passes to Carowinds and a lifetime of bragging rights. Oh yeah, it's on.
When: Oct. 27, 5-9 p.m.
Where: Stumptown Park, 200 S Trade St., Matthews
More: Free; tinyurl.com/stumptownhalloween
Get Baked: Halloween Edition
Your wallet might say no, but your sweet tooth will definitely say yes to the desserts at Lenny Boy Brewing Company. The Charlotte brewery will host Get Baked, a Halloween hotspot for local bakeries and dessert shops to sell you all — we repeat, all — the Halloween treats, vegan and gluten-free options included. Eat your treats on the spot with a locally crafted brew, or take them home for a hauntingly good late-night snack.
When: Oct. 27, 1-5 p.m.
Where: Lenny Boy Brewing Co., 3000 South Tryon St.
More: Free; tinyurl.com/GetBakedHalloween
- (Photo courtesy of iStock)
2nd Annual Pug-o-ween
Lucky Dog Bark and Brew has hit the jackpot with their trifecta of dogs, drinks, and delicious food with Lucky Dog's 2nd Annual Pug-O-Ween contest. It's the perfect place for you and your pup to mingle, bob for beer (people only, of course), grab your food truck grub and watch the good-est dogs compete for the best Halloween costume. The event will feature some scary good drink deals, and 10 percent of bar sales will be donated to the Mid-Atlantic Pug Rescue. Ahh ... guilt-free Halloween drinking at its finest.
When: Oct. 27, 4-9 p.m.
Where: Lucky Dog Bark & Brew, 2220 Thrift Rd.
More: Free; luckydogbarkandbrew.com
Swingers Halloween Party
Scary to some, fun as hell for others. Swing by the good ol' Comfort Inn for the annual Q.C. swingers Halloween party, featuring an afternoon meet and greet with other couples, a costume contest, and a late night party where things get, you know, dirty. Snacks will be provided of course, but you'll probably want to bring your own latex.
When: Oct. 27, 8 p.m.
Where: Comfort Inn, 1718 Windsor Crossing Dr.
More: Free; tinyurl.com/halloweenswingers
Mandyland Presents Devil's Night
- Martin the Evil Clown (Artwork by Dana Vindigni)
Get your freak flag ready, counterculture entertainment group Mandyland is getting weird at The Rabbit Hole for Halloween, fake blood and all. Emcee Martin the Evil Clown will host for a night of live music, erotic performances, all the fiery kinky mischief you can manage. DJ Harkonnen will also be there helping you get down and dirty with that token dude dressed as Freddy Krueger, if you're into that sort of thing.
When: Oct. 27, 9 p.m.
Where: The Rabbit Hole, 1801 Commonwealth Ave.
More: $10-15; tinyurl.com/MandylandDevilsNight
Plaza Midwood Halloween Bar Crawl
Charlotte's hottest bar crawl is Plaza Midwood Heroes versus Villains, and this bar crawl has everything: heroes, villains and hipsters dressed as heroes and villains. But seriously, this crawl is basically the day party of your college dreams. Start your descent into Hallo-weekend debauchery at The Rabbit Hole, and work your way through the Plaza until you eventually get lost and end up where everyone else is.
When: Oct. 27, 8 p.m.
Where: The Rabbit Hole, 1801 Commonwealth Ave.
More: $10-30, tinyurl.com/PlazaBarCrawl
Halloween Spooktacular
If Charlie Brown threw a rager, it would probably be something close to Halloween Spooktacular at Petra's. Grab your friends and encourage bad decisions with The Great Pumpkin Drinking Game, a live interactive reading of the Peanut's classic (with a twist), or stay for stories, comedy, prizes and some sensual soundtracks all provided by your favorite Charlotte swing musicians, The World Famous Tampones.
When: Oct. 28, 8 p.m.
Where: Petra's, 1919 Commonwealth Ave.
More: $10; tinyurl.com/PetrasSpooktacular
