25 Halloween events in Wilmington: Haunted houses, festivals, movies, concerts and more

The spooky season is upon us, and what that means in Wilmington is an explosion of Halloween-themed festivals, concerts, movies, performances and more.

And don't forget the haunted houses, which there are least two of this year: one in the wilds of Brunswick County, and the other in the heart of downtown Wilmington. It's not all scary stuff, either, and there's plenty in here that families can enjoy.

This isn't intended to be a comprehensive guide to every single haunted happening in the Wilmington area, but it's a pretty good start. If you see any glaring omissions, let me know and I'll get it added.

Haunted houses

'Chapel of Horrors': Billed as "an immersive haunted house experience" with a back story about an evil cult taking over an old chapel, "Chapel of Horrors" was created by numerous Wilmington film industry professionals -- make-up and special effects artists, sound and lighting designers, and more -- with downtime due to the writers' and actors' strikes. It opens Sept. 29 for a month-long run in the former Coca-Cola bottling facility on Princess Street. Sept. 29-30 and Oct. 6-7, 13-15, 20-22 and 27-30. For times and tickets go to PortCityFearFactory.com.

Scary stuff Who's who of Wilmington film workers team up to create a unique haunted house

Phobia Haunted Trail: It's the sixth year for this haunted attraction, located on Maco Road in Leland, not far from where old Joe Baldwin is said to have lost his head on the train tracks back in the 1800s. Not sure if ol' Joe will be there, but you can count on seeing some creepy clowns (escaped from the "CarnEvil"), at least one psychotic doctor and maybe an escaped mental patient or two. Runs Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays Sept. 22-Oct. 29. For times and tickets got to PhobiaHaunted.com.

Movies

'Oppenheimer': If you think potential nuclear annihilation is scary, "Oppenheimer" could be the Halloween film for you. Seriously, though, if you missed Christopher Nolan's epic about the creator of the nuclear bomb at the multiplex this summer, or just want to see it again, it's screening at Thalian Hall as part of the Cinematique film series from the Hall and public radio WHQR. 7 p.m. Oct. 2-4, with an additional 3 p.m. matinee Oct. 4. 910-632-2285.

'The Lodger': Wilmington organist Dorothy Papadakos provides a live score to Alfred Hitchcock's 1927 silent thriller in the ornate sanctuary of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. It's an October tradition, with Papadakos finding a new silent film to score each year. You can't go wrong with Hitchcock, and this one, subtitled "A Story of the London Fog," stars Ivor Novello as a renter whose raises the suspicions of his landlord, who fears his lodger may be a killer on the loose. 7 p.m. Oct. 13, $10.

'The Crow': Notorious Wilmington-made 1994 movie about an avenger from beyond the grave -- played by Brandon Lee, who died during a tragic accident during filming -- is being screened as part of 3 Chambers Fest, but with a fun twist. Shaolin Jazz, a D.C.-based group that explores the intersections of hip-hop, jazz and martial arts culture, will remix the score live during the screening at Kenan Auditorium on UNCW's campus. Part of the Can I Kick It? series of martial arts films curated by Wilmington filmmaker Christopher Everett. 6 p.m. Oct. 14. Tickets are $20.

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'Night of the Living Dead': Have yourself a classic Halloween with George Romero's seminal, influential 1968 zombie flick. Screened in glorious black and white on the big screen at Thalian Hall. 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Oct. 30-31, 910-632-2285.

At the multiplex: Plenty of scary stuff in Wilmington's three movie theaters (Regal Mayfaire, AMC and The Pointe) right now. "The Nun II," "A Haunting in Venice" and "It Lives Inside" are already out, with "Saw X" (Sept. 29), "Exorcist: Believer" (Oct. 6), and "Five Nights at Freddy's" (Oct. 27) coming soon. Plus, check theater websites for special screenings, like 50th anniversary screenings of "The Exorcist" (Oct. 1 and 4 at Regal Mayfaire), 20th anniversary screenings of "House of 1000 Corpes" (Oct. 8 and 11 at Mayfaire), and 60th anniversary screenings of "The Birds" (Oct. 22 and 23 at Mayfaire).

Concerts

Alice Cooper: A '70s shock-rocker who's now part of the establishment, Alice Cooper will bring his heavily costumed, over-the-top Too Close for Comfort tour to Cape Fear Community College's Wilson Center. Expect to hear such hits as "Eighteen," "Poison" and "No More Mr. Nice Guy." 7:30 Oct. 5, tickets start at $86. 910-362-7999.

Reggie's Halloween show: One of Wilmington's most-anticipated annual concert events is the Halloween show at Reggie's 42nd Street Tavern, during which area bands dress up as and/or perform songs by better-known acts. This year's lineup is TBD but should be announced soon. Oct. 27-28, cover at the door.

Halloween hip-hop show: Wilmington rapper Sheme of Gold headlines this bill at Bourgie Nights downtown along with DJ RizzyBeats, Goldsboro rapper Halen Sykes and Fayetteville hip-hop collective The Social Contract. Costumes encouraged. 9 p.m. Oct. 27, tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door.

Wilmington ZombieFest: Longtime instrumental rock band Los Straitjackets, known for wearing lucha libre masks and for cranking out both originals and such inspired covers as a surftastic "Linus and Lucy," headline the first Wilmington Zombiefest since 2019. Opening acts are Wilmington rockabilly band The Phantom Playboys and classic country act The Dew Drops. 5 p.m. Oct. 28 at The Eagle's Dare. $15 in advance, $20 day of show.

Dead Cool: Resident Wilmington goth/darkwave duo Dead Cool will headline a sure-to-be-packed show for Halloween on Oct. 28 at the Opera Room on Grace Street. Openers are Tender Lash, DJ Dead Boy and, all the way from Italy, Fall Shock. 8 p.m. Oct. 28, cover at the door.

Dead Cool Wilmington goth duo revels in sonic darkness, even when the cops get called

Performances

'Waiting for Godot': If the scariest thing you can think of is the ultimate meaninglessness of existence, then head on down to Thalian Hall's intimate Stein Studio Theatre for a performance of Samuel Beckett's absurdist classic about two guys who are, um, waiting for Godot. Presented by Big Dawg Productions, it's the first time the play has been done in Wilmington since the 1990s, when BUMP Productions did it as pub theater at the old Bessie's club on Front Street. Oct 12-15 and 19-22, 910-632-2285.

Burlesque Nights Halloween show: Burlesque artist Puppie Buffé brings performers with names like Lextacy, Rusty Dawn, Honey Glaze and Sweet D to this Halloween-themed night of naughty fun at Bourgie Nights in downtown Wilmington. 8 p.m. Oct. 21, tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door.

'Dracula': The University of North Carolina Wilmington's Department of Theater presents a stage adaptation of the 1897 Bram Stoker novel about the famous vampire. The production, directed by UNCW prof Christopher Marino, will feature student actors, and to create the show's magical effects and illusions, the department is bringing in guest artist Matt Holtzclaw. Holtzclaw has worked with Penn and Teller, has designed special effects for Broadway and Off-Broadway, and is the resident magician at the McKittrick Hotel in New York City, which is the lounge attached to the long-running immersive production "Sleep no More." Oct. 26-29, Nov. 2-5 and 9-12 at the Mainstage Theatre in the Cultural Arts Building on campus. 910-962-3500.

Ballet Folklórico de Los Angeles: Touring dance troupe brings its show "Ofrenda: A Dia de los Muertos Celebration" to CFCC's Wilson Center. As you know if you've seen the movie "Coco," an ofrenda is an altar in the home dedicated to family members who have passed, and the show features dance and music from different regions of Mexico used to celebrate Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28, tickets start at $34. 910-362-7999.

Festivals and experiences

Crafts & Crystals Faire: Dozens of area artists, crafters, crystal sellers (!) and even bakers will be on hand, along with palm readers, psychics, tarot readers and mediums for this market of Halloween- and fall-themed creations. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. at the Elks Lodge, 5102 Oleander Drive. $3 admission, free for ages 12 and under.

Halloween Scare Fair: Live music, food trucks, a "spooky pop-up market" and face painting for the kids, noon-4 p.m. Oct. 15 at Waterline Brewing.

Maides Park Halloween Festival: Free community festival open to all will have "safe trick-or-treating," games, food, music and more. 6-8 p.m. Oct. 20 at Maides Park, 1101 Manly Ave.

Cape Fear Museum After Dark: Adults-only evening of Halloween-themed fun at the Cape Fear Museum on Market Street. Spooky cocktails, costume contest, creepy artifacts from the museum's collection, and more. 6-9 p.m. Oct. 26, tickets are $15, $12 for members, $18 day of event.

Halloween Silent Disco: Dancing like no one's watching is the scariest thing in the world for some people, one that this costumed event puts a twist on. Three DJs will play music for the crowd, except the crowd is wearing headphones while dancing (and singing?) and can switch between any of the three DJs. Should be interesting, but after a few beers it won't matter anyway. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at Hi-Wire Brewing on Princess Street, tickets are $10 and $15.

Goosebumps in the Grove: Family Halloween festival at Poplar Grove Plantation, on U.S. 17 at the New Hanover/Pender county line, has a gift show and carnival with plenty of fun kids' activities, along with "haunted manor" tours for ages 4 and up. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 28 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 29. $5 admission, plus an extra $5 to view haunted manor house, which runs 11-4 Saturday and 11-3 Sunday.

Haunted pub crawls, ghost walks and dark history tours: These events go on all year round, but they get very popular in October so you'll want to book in advance. Wilmington True History Tours runs the Dark History Tours, and you can book ghost walks and haunted pub crawls through the Black Cat Shoppe at the foot of Market Street.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: What to do for Halloween in Wilmington