On the Outer Banks, Halloween Isn't Just for the Kids

I don’t know why people often brush off Halloween as a juvenile holiday. In fact, I’d make the case that it’s all the more fun for adults: Halloween as an adult means you get to pick out what candy you have on hand (imagine, all the Reese’s your heart desires); you partake in the fun frequently deemed “too scary” for youngsters (did you attempt the Wanchese Woods haunted trail?) and you can debut your alter ego’s costume for handing out candy (or just to wear during the day if you’re really feeling it). Plenty of Halloween happenings always will accentuate the fun this year on the Outer Banks. No matter where you’re spending All Hallow’s Eve, check out some of these spooky shenanigans offered throughout the towns.

For coastal costume ideas, try dressing as Poseidon. 

Creepy in Corolla

Historic Corolla celebrates Halloween with a nod to residents and traditions of years past. Visit the ghosts of the keepers of the Currituck Beach Lighthouse and make your way along the haunted path to see if any treats (or tricks) await inside the festively dressed Whalehead mansion. This one offers appeal for both the adults and the kids: Kids bring the costumes and buckets to collect their booty, and adults park their decorated vehicles between the lighthouse and the Center for Wildlife Education and provide candy and spooky spirits for the event. The trunk-or-treat activities will last between 6 and 8 p.m.

Flights & Fortunes

Also scheduled for earlier in the evening, the Lost Colony Brewery hosts Flights & Fortunes. New to the brewery’s regular events calendar, it's an opportunity to head to their pub on Thursday nights for $10 beer or wine flights and card readings from Heather Demarest, professional reader of Sunstone Readings. Connect with metaphysical forces on Halloween night, and indulge in some adult treats when you pair your fortune with a flight of their craft brews or wine. The event lasts from 5 to 8 p.m. in downtown Manteo.

Scary-Okie

For some people, it doesn’t get much scarier than performing in front of people. And for others, listening and seeing people perform can be pretty scary too. Find such scares at the Froggy Dog in Avon’s annual Halloween tradition, Scary-Okie. Not only is this your chance to dress like your favorite musician and belt out their number one hit, but it’s also the last of Froggy Dog’s karaoke nights for the season. Dressing in costume is expected for this Halloween event. Karaoke begins at 8 p.m., followed by the costume contest at 9:30 p.m. Since the youngsters get trick-or-treating, this Halloween activity is open only to those ages 18 and older.

Halloween Parties

The late-night fun continues with parties in the central part of the beach. Start with the time-honored Exotic Erotic Halloween Ball at the Outer Banks Brewing Station. Dr. Bacon, a funk-rock group from Asheville, will travel in to help everyone get their monster mash going. Don your finest costume – scary, sexy, silly, however you feel inspired – and strut your stuff during the costume contest with the opportunity to win cash prizes. The evening begins at 9:30 p.m. and goes until 2 a.m.

Nearby in Nags Head, New York Pizza Pub’s beloved summer tradition, Mug Night, takes on a decidedly spooky vibe in the season’s finale. Familiar elements, such as $1.50 drafts and music from DJ Styles and DJ Lex, will be present at this Halloween Bash. Two buck slices of pizza and drink specials will also be available. If you don’t win in the Brewing Station’s costume contest, try your luck here. There will be up to $600 in cash prizes for titles of the Best Costume contest. The Halloween Bash lasts from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

What are your plans for Halloween? Will you be handing out candy, taking the kids trick-or-treating or hitting the town? If you’re still looking for a Halloween costume idea, why not dress as your favorite Outer Banks character? Think Blackbeard, Andy Griffith, Richard Etheridge, Orville or Wilbur Wright …. For more things to do on Halloween, check out our Nightlife page. And if you’re looking for everything going on around the beach, be sure to browse our calendar of Daytime Events.