Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) brings ghoulish greetings with its annual Festival of Frights starting on October 5. The series of events includes costume parties, creepy climbing, a murder mystery, arts and crafts, trails of treats, and more.
While Ashevillains can stop in for a spell at these events, APR offers many additional ways to explore, connect, and discover throughout the month without chilling frights. Browse the current program guide in English and en espanol and search classes and events online.
Barktoberfest – October 5, 10am-1pm
Riverbend Park (100 Bleachery Blvd.)
FREE | All ages (humans under 14 must be with adult)
Dress up your furry friends for canine contests like Best Costume, Best Trick, and Best Doppelgänger – and meet local pet vendors with special treats and get a caricature of your dog. Human companions must remain on leash unless their dogs are inside the fenced dog park.
Lego Halloween Build-Off – October 11, 1-4pm
Burton Street Community Center (134 Burton St.)
$5 per team | Ages 10 and above (under 14 must be with an adult)
Compete as a team of three to create Halloween scenes. Winners receive fabulous prizes and all contestants take home their Lego creations!
Halloween Creepy Climbing – October 17, 6-7:30pm
Tempie Avery Montford Community Center (34 Pearson Ave.)
$5 per person | Ages 6-17 with adult, advance registration required
Show off your costume, climb for candy on the indoor rock climbing wall, play ghoulish games, and enjoy spooky snacks during a night of fiendish family fun.
Pumpkin Patch Toddler Discovery Time – October 21, 10-10:45am
Stephens-Lee Community Center (30 George Washington Carver Ave.)
$5 per child | Ages 2-6 with adult
Little ones can explore a pumpkin patch full of games, crafts, activity stations, and friends for big time fun.
Kooky Spooky Toddler Day – October 24, 10am-12pm
Stephens-Lee Community Center (30 George Washington Carver Ave.)
$5 per child | Ages 4 and under with adult
The historic gym turns into an orange and black fun fest with inflatables, toys, arts and crafts, and snacks. Dress up and join the costume parade!
Forks After Dark: Twilight Saga Viewing Party – October 24, 5:30-8pm
Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center (285 Livingston St.)
FREE | Ages 13+
Grab some snacks, get comfy, and watch the saga unfold with friends. Vampires, werewolves, and all the drama make for the perfect Friday night hangout.
Spooky Spikes Volleyball Open Play – October 25, 5-9pm
Tempie Avery Montford Community Center (34 Pearson Ave.)
FREE | All ages (under 14 must be with adult)
Wear a costume to enjoy open play volleyball for all levels (and learn about the upcoming winter league) and win raffle prizes while spooky tunes fill the gym as the darkness of night sets in.
Grove Street Spooktacular – October 27-31, various times
Grove Street Community Center (36 Grove St.)
FREE | All ages (under 14 must be with adult)
Delightful and frightful fun are the themes of the week with a series of engaging afternoons filled with spooky spirit and friendly cheer.
- October 27, 2:30-4:30pm: Sip and Carve Pumpkin Decorations
- October 28, 12:30-2:30pm: Create and Take Scary Sensory Boxes
- October 29, 12:30-2:30pm: Boo Bingo
- October 30, 12:30-2:30pm: Halloween Movie and Creepy Crawly Snacks
- October 31, 3-7pm: Boo Bash Party and Dance
Murder Mystery Party: Jazz Age Jeopardy – October 29, 4-6pm
Harvest House Community Center (205 Kenilworth Rd.)
$5 | Ages 18 and above, advance registration required
Step into the height of the Jazz Age with bootleggers, flappers, musicians, socialites, artists, and gangsters enjoying a private party…until things go horribly wrong. Take on a new persona as a character or join the audience as a member of the investigator team.
A Night of Intrigue – October 30, 6:30-8pm
Tempie Avery Montford Community Center (34 Pearson Ave.)
FREE | Ages 18+
Do you have what it takes to crack a cold case? Step into the shoes of a master detective for a collaborative challenge where you and your fellow investigators pore over authentic clues, documents, and evidence to unravel a decades-old mystery.
Booville Halloween Party – October 31, 5-8 p.m.
Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center (285 Livingston St.)
FREE | All ages (under 14 must be with adult)
Put on your costume and make memories with games, spooky tunes, a photobooth, supernatural snacks, costume contests, and more!
Shiloh Trunk or Treat – October 31, 6-8pm
Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center (121 Shiloh Rd.)
FREE | All ages (under 14 must be with adult)
It’s mostly treats – and a few tricks – at this family-friendly festival with great music, community vibes, and lots and lots of candy.
Haunted Parking Lot on the Hill – October 31, 6:15-8pm
Stephens-Lee Community Center (30 George Washington Carver Ave.)
FREE | Ages 4-13 with adult
Looking for a spooky fright? Meet ghosts and ghouls and visions of things that go bump in the night at the Haunted Castle on the Hill. This drive-through candy collecting experience offers just the right touch of spooky surprises.
Halloween Spooky Bingo – October 31, 6:30-8pm
Burton Street Community Center (134 Burton St.)
FREE | All ages (under 14 must be with adult)
Treasures and fun await as you play for great prizes in your costume.
Carolina Renaissance Festival – November 1, 8am-6pm
Transportation from Harvest House Community Center (205 Kenilworth Rd.) to Huntersville, NC
$5 for transportation, participants purchase their own admission, food, and souvenirs | Ages 18+
Take an autumn stroll through the wooded Village of Fairhaven where history comes alive with nonstop, immersive, and interactive entertainment including games and rides, valiant jousting knights on horseback, majestic falconry, beautiful mermaids and fairies, friendly dragons, feasting, artisan markets, and so much more!
Día de los Muertos Teen Outdoor Movie Night – November 1, 6-8:30pm
Stephens-Lee Community Center (30 George Washington Carver Ave.)
FREE | Ages 13+
Bring a blanket or chair and settle in for traditional Día de los Muertos crafts and snacks while enjoying a special viewing of the Disney Pixar classic film Coco in the parking lot.
APR has plenty more in store outside of Festival of Frights including upcoming holiday events, weekly clubs and classes, and more. Check out these resources: