A Frightfully Fun Outer Banks Halloween

By Molly Harrison | Wednesday, October 26, 2022

You don’t have to wait until October 31 to enjoy Halloween events on the Outer Banks. The fun has already begun, and there is a lot of it going on through Monday, October 31. Get your costume ready and get out there!

Haunted Trails

Wicked Woods

Friday & Saturday, October 28 & 29

If you love jump scares and terror, this one is for you. The location alone, in rural stretches of East Lake, is scary enough, and the theatrics are top quality. The last two nights are Friday, October 28 and Saturday, October 29 from dark until 11 p.m. Cost is $20, cash only. The address is 18766 U.S. Highway 64 in East Lake.

Backwoods Haunt

Friday, October 28 to Sunday, October 30

McHorney's Odditorium in Currituck County stages this super-scary haunted attraction with many actors and scare zones. It starts at 7 p.m. and ends at midnight. You can walk through once for $15 or several times for $25. The Odditorium is at 4429 Caratoke Highway in Barco.

Hatteras Village Haunted Trail

Saturday, October 29

Each year, the Sea Breeze Trail in Hatteras village becomes a haunted terror trail with stories based on local legends. Participants meet at the Hatteras Civic Center, 56658 N.C. Highway 12, and are transported to the trail. It’s held on Saturday, October 29 from 7 to 10 p.m. Cost is $5 per person.

Photo courtesy of Wicked Woods

Family Friendly

Night of 1587 Pumpkins

Saturday, October 29

Night of 1587 Pumpkins is a new event at The Elizabethan Gardens. They will attempt to light 1,587 jack-o-lanterns and have trick-or-treating, face painting, contests and other festivities. The jack-o-lanterns are provided by the event attendees, so if you visit, please bring a few carved pumpkins! This will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Pumpkin drop-off begins at 5 p.m. Trick or treating will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m., and contests begin at 6:30 p.m. Food vendors will be on site. Tickets range from $12 for adults to $4 for children ages 3 to 5 to $3 for dogs.

Island Farm Pumpkin Patch Saturdays

Saturday, October 29

Island Farm is a living history site that's known for providing family-oriented fun. Their pumpkin patch is held every Saturday in October, with the last one this weekend. Come to Island Farm, 1140 U.S. Highway 64 in Manteo, to pick out a pumpkin and enjoy activities like games, candle making, corn shuck doll crafting, photos, treats and a lot more. The cost is $10, plus the price of the pumpkin. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Halloween Blowout at Wanchese Marina

Saturday, October 29

Wanchese Marina and Landing Grill is hosting a night of Halloween fun for all ages. Kids can trick or treat along the docks at each boat, plus there’s food, a costume contest and live music. The event lasts from 4 to 7 p.m. Wanchese Marina is at 4457 Mill Landing Road in Wanchese.

Trunk or Treat at Bethany UMC

Saturday, October 29

Bethany United Methodist Church in Wanchese is hosting a trunk or treat starting at 4 p.m. Wear a costume to this free event. The church is at 101 Old Wharf Road in Wanchese.

Frisco Woods Campground Halloween Party

Saturday, October 29

Frisco Woods Campground invites campers and the whole community to their event from 12 to 8 p.m. There will be trick or treating from 4 to 5 p.m. along with food trucks, carnival games and concessions, costume contests for people and pets, and more. Proceeds will benefit the Frisco/Buxton Pathway. Frisco Woods is at 53132 N.C. Highway 12 in Frisco.

Photo courtesy of OBXE/Parade of Costumes

Outer Banks Halloween Parade of Costumes

Sunday, October 30

The Outer Banks Halloween Parade of Costumes returns to Aviation Park in Kill Devil Hills on Sunday, October 30, after a pandemic hiatus. The free, family-friendly Halloween party is open to all ages. It starts at 2 p.m. with trick or treating around the frog pond at Aviation Park provided by local nonprofit organizations. The short walking parade begins at 3 p.m., and the costumes are judged for prizes. Free public parking for parade participants, spectators, and attendees is available at the neighboring First Flight schools. Everyone, walking in the parade or not, is encouraged to wear a costume. The 2022 Outer Banks Halloween Parade is sponsored by the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau and Halloween Daily News. 

Ships & Sweets at OIFC

Sunday, October 30

Oregon Inlet Fishing Center is hosting an evening of trick or treating along the docks. Visit each for a sweet and to meet the captains, eat a free hot dog, play games, climb aboard the “haunted” Miss Oregon Inlet, shop the store for spooky sales and more. This event is free and starts at 5 p.m. The fishing center is at 8770 Oregon Inlet Road south of Nags Head.

Trunk or Treat and Fall Festival at Outer Banks Presbyterian Church

Sunday, October 30

Games, trick or treating in the parking lot and dinner will be offered at the church starting at 5 p.m. The church is at 907 S. Croatan Highway in Kill Devil Hills.

Koru Village Truck or Treat

Monday, October 31

Koru Village in Avon on Hatteras Island opens up the Beach Klub parking lot for trick or treating in a safe space. Volunteer to hand out candy or bring the kids in their costumes to trick or treat. This event is free and held from 5 to 7 p.m. 

Downtown Manteo Halloween

Monday, October 31

Manteo has long been an absolute favorite for trick or treaters. In addition to friendly neighbors passing out candy, local churches offer walk-through fun houses with tons of activities for children. Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church on Ananias Dare Street is offering a trunk or treat event from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Coastal Family Church is once again hosting Children's Fest on Queen Elizabeth Avenue. They'll have games, activities, candy and more from 6 to 9 p.m. Source Church on Budleigh Street offers Light Up the Night, which includes a chili cookoff and trick or treating opportunities for the kids, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Theater

Rocky Horror Show

Friday October 28 to Monday, October 31

Theatre of Dare presents this humorous tribute to the science fiction and horror B-movies of the 1950s through the 70s. The musical tells the story of a newly engaged couple getting caught in a storm and coming to the home of mad scientist Dr. Frank N. Furter. The doctor then unveils his new creation, a sort of Frankenstein-style monster in the form of an artificially made, fully grown, physically perfect muscle man named Rocky Horror. Tickets cost $20, and the show is not suitable for children. If you know how to dress and act for the Rocky Horror Picture Show movie, you know what to do for this one too. The show is held at 7:30 p.m. nightly. Theatre of Dare’s theater is at 38348 N. Croatan Highway in Kitty Hawk. 

OB-Xscape Room Rest in Peace Motel

Nightly

Consider this interactive theater. This set at the escape room experience is extremely well crafted and very scary. You'll have to use your brain too. It's best if you go with up to eight people because it's a difficult escape. Book in advance online. OB-Xscape Room is at 1 Ocean Boulevard in Southern Shores.

Pet Friendly

Barks & Brews Dog Show

Saturday, October 29

Swells’a Brewing is hosting this benefit for Outer Banks SPCA on Saturday, October 29 from 4 to 7 p.m. All dogs are welcome. They’ll have dog contests, including a costume contest, plus prizes. There’s a $20 entry fee to enter you dog in the contests. Swells’a Brewing is at 1802 S. Virginia Dare Trail in Kill Devil Hills.

Nightlife

Halloween nightlife ranges from wine tastings at TRiO and Sweet T’s to Halloween trivia night at Shipwrecks to Outer Banks Brewing Station’s legendary Exotic Erotic Halloween Ball. See the full rundown on our Nightlife page.

Healthy Halloween

Harvest for Health Trunk or Treat

Friday, October 28

Outer Banks Hospital is hosting the free Harvest for Health Trunk or Treat event for all ages. There will be trunk or treating, face painting, arts and crafts, and free flu vaccines (for ages 18 to 64). There will also be food trucks on site with food and treats to purchase. There will be a costume contest so come dressed up. This event is from 5 to 7 p.m. at Outer Banks Hospital in Nags Head.

Photo courtesy of Blackbeard's Pirate Jamboree

Non-Halloween But You Get to Dress Up

Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree

Friday, October 28 & Saturday, October 29

Ocracoke celebrates its unique pirate heritage with a weekend of swashbuckling fun! The jamboree features a historically accurate pirate encampment and a reenactment of the infamous pirate Blackbeard’s last battle at Ocracoke. Three ships will re-create the last hours of Blackbeard and his crew as Lt. Robert Maynard brings them to battle with cannons blazing. Visitors are encouraged to dress like pirates. Events begin Friday evening in the Berkley Barn and will conclude at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Friday, October 28
11 a.m.: Kevin Duffus talks about the weekend on WOVV 90.1 FM
12 p.m. - 1 p.m.: Kevin Duffus book signing for "The Last Days of Black Beard" at Books to be Red
2 - 5 p.m.: Brigands Bazaar opens on the Berkley Manor Grounds
6:30 p.m.: Motley Tones performing music in the Berkley Barn
7 p.m.: Showing of the 1952 movie, "Blackbeard the Pirate"

Saturday, October 29
9 a.m.: The Colonial Village opens. A cannon blast wakes up Ocracoke
10 a.m.: Pirate Parade! 
10:30 a.m.: Motley Tones performing in the Berkley Barn
11 a.m.: Two pirate ships (MEKA II and Adventure) invade Silver Lake
11:30 a.m.: Kevin Duffus presents: "Blackbeard's Final Battle - What Really Happened"
12:30 - 1:40 p.m.: Shadow Players and Motley Tunes perform in the Berkley Barn
2 p.m.: Three-boat battle in Silver Lake
4 - 4:45 p.m.: The Sword Circle performs at the Berkley Barn
5 p.m.: 14th Annual Blackbeard Pirate and Royal Navy Memorial Service inside the Berkley Barn
6 p.m.: Conclusion of event with final cannon blast

Keep up with all the local events, Halloween and otherwise, on our Events pages.

About the Author Molly Harrison
Molly Harrison is managing editor at OneBoat, publisher of OuterBanksThisWeek.com. She moved to Nags Head in 1994 and since then has made her living writing articles and creating publications about the people, places and culture of the Outer Banks.