Fall is here, and it's time to start brainstorming about one of the most popular holidays of the year! Yup, Halloween! Stores already have the costume aisles stocked and ready, as well as the candy shelves with the enormous bags of goodies that we promise ourselves are solely for the trick-or-treaters.
So we thought it would be a good time to let all of our Halloween enthusiasts know what you can expect while visiting the Outer Banks during Allhallows Eve and the days leading to.
We have tons of events the whole family can enjoy, from pumpkin patches to creepy-themed attractions... read on!
Ghostly Legends of the Outer Banks
If you’re into ghost stories, we recommend checking out "Twilight Time" by Beth P. Storie on Outerbanksthisweek.com, full of haunting tales from the Outer Banks. For a mapped-out experience, the Dare County "OBX Folklore" Map, lets you explore ghostly accounts and their locations across the area. And, for Halloween fun, enjoy our own Halloween video revealing another haunting tale from the OBX — just for a bit of extra seasonal spirit!
Watch the Video Now... If You Dare!
Life on the Farm
You can't vacation in North Carolina and not experience being pulled behind a tractor or, better yet, a mule! We recommend visiting all three of these farms during your stay. Two are located along Caratoke Highway and are a great place to stop if you are heading from the North, either on your way into town or back home.
First up, in Barco is Morris Farm Market, where you can grab some fresh produce, snacks, and a bathroom break (the restrooms here are clean and plentiful!). Throughout October, every Saturday and Sunday, the farm has music, food, hayrides, bounce houses, and much, much more. A bit further south, along the way, Grandy's Greenhouse and Farm Market, located just 20 minutes north of the Wright Memorial Bridge, is also a wonderful place to grab fresh produce and farm market goods. Also, in the fall, Grandy's offers hayrides out to their pumpkin patch. After you pick out your pumpkin, head back for a hot apple cider, a fresh frozen yogurt treat, or a peach milkshake. The kind folks at Grandy's will have you coming back; that's a promise!
If you would like to spend more time on the farm, we highly recommend Island Farm on Roanoke Island, just south of Nags Head. Not only can you hop on a mule-drawn wagon out to the pumpkin patch, but you can also meander through the farm, visit the animals, and tour the historical buildings with live demonstrations taking you back in time to experience what life was like in the 1800s. The pumpkin patch is open only on Saturdays throughout October, from 9 am to 3 pm.
Trick-or-Treat
Saturday, October 18th: Staying in Duck? Head to Duck Town Hall for some games, a movie, trunk-or-treating, and more at their annual Trunk-or-Treat event!
Saturday, October 25th: Put on those costumes and head to the Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo for the Night of 1587 Pumpkins event to celebrate the year English colonists came to Roanoke Island. Along with the lighting of hundreds of jack-o-lanterns, garden visitors can also carve their own and Trick-or-Treat prior to the event to add along the pumpkin path, then stop by the bonfire for hot chocolate, apple cider, and s'mores. Yum!
Sunday, October 26th: Head to Aviation Park in Kill Devil Hills for the Annual Halloween Parade of Costumes! This free event begins at 2:00 pm. Awards for the best costume will follow the parade.
Thursday, October 31st (TBD): In past years, Historic Whalehead Park in Corolla has hosted the Creepy in Corolla Trunk or Treat from 6–8 PM. Families filled their buckets with candy while catching views of the Whalehead mansion and even the “haunted” Currituck Beach Lighthouse, open for evening climbs if you dared. While ghost tours only run in summer, the Trunk or Treat was all about safe, family-friendly fun. We’ll keep an eye out to see if this tradition returns for 2025.
But if you are up for a good thrill, that is sure to
There are also options available for you. If you want to kick things up a notch and get those arm hairs raised, here are a few more events that are sure to do just that!
The Outer Banks is rich in history, and with its history come tales of lore filled with mystery and, well, creepiness. As you spend some time in the graveyard of the Atlantic, you are certain to hear a pirate tale or two, in addition to the stories that tell us how towns such as Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head got their name and why unsolved mysteries of The Lost Colony still remain, well unsolved. We wouldn't want to spoil the fun, so we will let you do some fact-digging while you're here. You are sure to find plenty of locals ready to tell you the story behind their town's namesake.
One great way to hear a tale or two is on a guided Ghost Walking Tour through historic Manteo. These tours are also happening in the spring and summer, so you don't have to wait until October to get your scare on.
If a bigger scare is in order, we have two popular Halloween season attractions that are not for the faint of heart. The Wicked Woods (originating in Wanchese and formally known as 'Wanchese Woods") is now relocated to East Lake, a bit further south, but well worth it if you're up for a good thrill! The other is Historical Mchorneys Odditorium Backwoods Haunt, 30 minutes north of the Wright Memorial Bridge in Barco, NC. Depending on which way you are venturing to the Outer Banks, both are great places to stop in for a good old-fashioned thrill, either on your way here or on the way home. Both are close enough during your stay as well, and both are equally frightening. Good luck!
Getting Into the Spirit
So, as you can see, we know how to celebrate the spooky season here on the OBX. We even have several restaurants that go all out for the season. For the two weeks leading up to Halloween you can take the whole family out for a bite to eat, at several participating restaurants that are ready to thrill, wine, and dine.
Ghostly Gallies
First up, experience the Ghostly Gallies of the Outer Banks, where four popular eateries in Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head transform into spooky Halloween pop-up bars! Each venue gets a haunting makeover with eerie decor, unique themes, and even spine-chilling name changes. For example, Bonzer Shack morphs into the ‘Shack of Shadows,’ Lucky 12 becomes ‘Spooky 12,‘ Goombays turns into ‘Gloombays,‘ and Mama Kwans transforms into the ominous ‘Monster Kwan's.’ Get ready for a frightfully fun time at these Halloween hot spots!
Even if you're not hungry, it's worth the visit; grab yourself a drink and get ready to be impressed. Not only is their laid-back beach décor super fun, but they take the holidays very seriously, and Halloween is no different. Get ready to dine among flying ghosts and cackling witches. If you startle easily, you may want to let the hostess know before you're seated.
Halloween Island
In October Halloween this month-long celebration features 13 pop-up Halloween bars, 13 eerie inns, 13 spooky shops, and 13 themed events, with proceeds supporting 13 local charities through the Outer Banks Community Foundation.
Festivities kick off with a sneak preview party at the Pioneer Theater, and continue every Thursday–Saturday in October. Adults can complete the Halloween Island Passport Challenge by collecting stamps at all 13 bars for rewards and raffle entries, while kids can take part in the Kids’ Quest at participating shops to earn their own prizes.
Roanoke Island transforms into a Halloween destination like no other — part street party, part trick-or-treating, and full of seasonal fun.
Speaking of Manteo, we double-dog dare you to stop into The Christmas Shop and General Store. Yes, we know. Don't let the name fool you! Even if you aren't quite ready for some Christmas cheer while searching for Halloween fear, trust us, you can find both here! Hidden towards the back of the building, tucked between the ornaments and home goods, past the twinkling lights, is the Halloween Room, or rooms rather. Yes, it's creepy. Yes, we warned you.
When you are ready for that Christmas cheer, downtown Manteo will be ready to welcome you back! It’s hard to believe that the same quiet streets that so easily hosted such a spooky ambiance for Halloween, can so easily transform into a magical winter wonderland full of warm holiday spirit. But that's Manteo for you, and that's why we wrote a blog post about Magestic Manteo. Give it a read!
We hope you will plan to join us and check out some of these fun-filled activities. Stay tuned for more Halloween events as we update our Holiday Events calendar! You never know what may crop up!