Asheville Parks & Recreation brings back creepy customs and new ghoulish greetings during its annual Festival of Frights in October. The series of events includes costume parties, creepy climbing, a murder mystery, arts and crafts, and more. Browse the list below and check out APR’s program guide and search programs online for more opportunities to explore, connect, and discover throughout the month.
Frights & Festivities for All
Barktoberfest on October 4 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Riverbend Park (100 Bleachery Blvd.)
Free | All ages (humans under 14 must be with adult)
Bring your best buds to the dog park for canine costumes, interactive fun, contests, and special treats.
Día de Muertos on October 24 from 2-4 p.m.
Stephens-Lee Center (30 George Washington Carver Blvd.)
Free | All ages (under 14 must be with adult)
Ditch the frights for fun and celebrate family with traditional Día de Muertos crafts, food, music, face painting, and an ofrenda.
Drive Thru Candy Grab on October 31 from 4-5:30 p.m.
Stephens-Lee Center (30 George Washington Carver Blvd.)
Free | All ages (under 14 must be with adult)
Meet ghosts and ghouls and visions of things that go bump in the night at this drive-through candy collecting experience that offers just the right touch of spooky surprises.
Halloween Bingo on October 31 from 6-8 p.m.
Burton Street Center (134 Burton St.)
Free | All ages (under 14 must be with adult)
Prizes, tasty snacks, and fun await as you play for great prizes in your costume.
Tricks & Treats for Adorable Monsters
Toddler Spooky Crafting on Wednesday from 5:30-6:15 p.m.
Tempie Avery Montford Center (34 Pearson Dr.)
$5 | Ages 2-5 with an adult
Unleash ultimate creativity at a Halloween-themed craft time for your favorite tikes each Wednesday in October.
Kooky Spooky Toddler Fun on October 28 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Stephens-Lee Center (30 George Washington Carver Blvd.)
$5 | Ages 2-5 with an adult
Join the costume parade as the gym turns into a festive, playful, and safe trick-or-treat experience.
Halloween Creepy Climb on October 29 from 6-7:30 p.m.
Tempie Avery Montford Center (34 Pearson Dr.)
$7 | Ages 6-12 with an adult
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.
Trunk or Treat Fest on October 31 from 6-8 p.m.
Linwood Crump Shiloh Center (121 Shiloh Rd.)
Free | Ages 12 and under with an adult
It’s mostly treats – and a few tricks – at this family-friendly festival with great music, amazing community vibes, and lots and lots of candy.
Fiendish Fun for Grown-up Ghouls
Grove Street Fall Festival on October 9 from 12:30-3 p.m.
Grove Street Center (36 Grove St.)
Free | Ages 18+
Connect and create with friends over seasonal crafts, food, and more!
A Small Town Murder Mystery on October 21 from 3-6 p.m.
Harvest House Center (205 Kenilworth Rd.)
$5 | Ages 18+
Step into a small town with quirky characters (including yours) as something goes awry at this murder mystery party.
Five Day Boo Bash on October 26-30 from 1-3 p.m.
Grove Street Center (36 Grove St.)
Free | Ages 18+
Delightful and frightful fun are the themes of the week with a series of engaging afternoons filled with spooky spirit and friendly cheer including Halloween bingo, scary sensory boxes, and an escape room.
Pumpkin Power Carving on October 27 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Harvest House Center (205 Kenilworth Rd.)
$10 | Ages 18+
Create intricate, detailed designs with rotary tools and expert instruction.
Your Final Word: Horror Movie Trivia on October 28 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Tempie Avery Montford Center (34 Pearson Dr.)
$5 | Ages 18+
Wear a costume for a trivia night testing horror cinema knowledge with challenging questions and visual clues.
Explore More with Asheville Parks & Recreation
Festival of Frights events are just a few of the many programs and activities taking place in Asheville parks and community centers! Programs fill up fast and many require advance registration, so it’s worth spending some time planning which activities and events to attend. Use these resources to discover additional opportunities:
- View APR’s free program guide online or pick up a copy at community center locations
- Search programs online, available in multiple languages via Google Translate’s Website Translator
- Follow APR on Facebook and Instagram
- Discover parks, greenways, playgrounds, and recreation locations throughout Asheville