As I sit at home contemplating if it was really necessary to drink mimosas, RBVs and beer on Sunday Funday, I realize, “There is a silver lining to being hungover this Monday.” It’s finally my favorite time of year, that’s right Halloween!
While everyone else will be freaking out about Monday night football, I’ll be anxiously waiting to see the movie lineup on ABC Family’s annual 13 Nights of Halloween. And when I’m really feeling bold, I will switch it over to one of the more grown-up channels that will show the classics like A Nightmare on Elm Street and Amityville Horror. And going out is even more fun when you get to hide behind a costume.
Last year, I ended up going out three days in a row in celebration of my fave holiday. I can’t lie, it was a blur. From getting kicked out of a Panthers game, to a random run-in with a late night hotel breakfast buffet, to vomiting on my Harry Potter tie, the weekend was definitely a success!
Whether you’re new to the Queen City or a veteran, there’s lots of Halloween fun to be had in Charlotte during the month of October. Check out some of my favorite spooktacular events I’m looking forward to this month.
1. Rich and Bennett’s Halloween Pub Crawl: If you happen to peruse my archives, you’ll see that my first article ever written for Creative Loafing was on last year’s Halloween Pub Crawl. I went with my partner in crime (P.I.C.) and her entire family. Needless to say, we raged! This is one pub crawl I wouldn’t want to miss if I were you. Tickets are on sale now so get them while they’re discounted.
2. Grave Diggers Ball: Every year, KISS 95.1 puts on this massive concert in Uptown. Featuring a DJ, live performances (Flo Rida headlines this year) and the largest costume contest in the area, it definitely has a festival feel without the overnight stay. Make sure you pace yourself if you plan on doing the pub crawl first, some of us didn’t make it to the ball in time last year. (Not pointing any fingers.)
3. Scarowinds: For the record, I hate roller coasters with a passion. But seeing Carowinds, an annual destination for my family during N.C.’s hot summers, transformed into every kid’s nightmare is my idea of Halloween fun. From haunted mazes to scare zones and haunted rides, you’ll find plenty to keep you screaming at Scarowinds.
4. Pumpkin Patch and Hayrides: I’ve been trying to convince my new boo and his roommate (who I call Boyfriend No. 2) to go with me to a pumpkin patch so we can pick out our spirit pumpkins. I’m obsessed with carving pumpkins and baking the seeds once I’m done. It’s just one more way to celebrate the season. Apparently, there are plenty of farms around the city so just take your pick!
5. Zombie Paintball: On Groupon now! My mom just tipped me off to this one. For all of you Walking Dead fanatics like myself you get the chance to become your fave character — personally, I will be taking on the alter-ego of Daryl or Michonne — for a night of paintball fun. Get your Groupon today and prep yourself for the apocalypse. The closest one is in South Carolina but I think it will be worth the roadtrip.
6. Trick-or-Treat: “Trick-or-treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat. If you don’t, I don’t care, I’ll pull down your underwear.” Gotta love that one! I can’t lie, while I could care less for trick-or-treating when I was kid, it excites me now that those little creatures a.k.a. kids can finally show their true identities as monsters on Halloween night. For some reason, it seems like it would be a lot of fun to pregame with my friends who have kids as they go door-to-door begging for candy. I definitely wouldn’t mind scooting to Ballantyne and hitting up a few houses, if you catch my drift.
7. Science on the Rocks: Not interested in kid-friendly fun? There is a sanctuary for you at the monthly Science on the Rocks at the Discovery Place. Once a month, this family-fun center turns into an adults-only venue. And this month the theme is “Fright at the Museum.” Grab a costume and buy your tickets early for easy entry, this one’s definitely going to be a sell-out.
What are you witches and wizards plan on doing in the Q.C. for Halloween? Share your ideas with me and you might catch me there.
This article appears in Sep 23-30, 2015.
