Leaves and pumpkins and treats galore - Top things to do in WNC this week – Oct. 27
It’s like living in a postcard this week – fall leaves, trick-or-treating, pumpkins and so much more, including a chance to make sure your child’s favorite stuffed animal is healthy for the holiday season. Read through this week’s long list of family fun and then follow along for more events, news to help you on your parenting journey and words of wisdom (or commiseration) from other parents at wncparent.com.
Does your organization or business offer family-friendly events? Let us know! Stay in touch on social media @wncparent and get your events on our calendar by emailing chris@worthyplace.com.
Wee Naturalists, a nature exploration program for ages 2 – 5 and their parents or guardians, is 9:30 – 11 a.m. or noon – 1:30 p.m. Fridays, Oct. 27 – Dec. 1 at the North Carolina Arboretum. To register, visit, ncarboretum.org/education-programs/youth-family-programs/wee-naturalist-2.
Autumn Amble Leaf Tours are 4 – 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays in October at Highlands Nature Center. Tours are free and are weather dependent. No registration necessary. Visit highlandsbiological.org.
2023 Pumpkin Fest at Silvermont Park continues 27 – 28 in Brevard, North Carolina. The event benefits the Friends of Silvermont and includes a pumpkin trail, music, tours, a white squirrel search and much more. For details, visit silvermont.org.
The 11th Annual Haunted Trail at the Adventure Center of Asheville continues Oct. 27 –30. Created for families with kids ages 3 – 12, the event includes spooky scenes with live actors, music, games and more, plus Treetops Adventure Park turns into a Glow Trail with 15,00 lights for a fun night climb. For details and tickets, visit ashevilletreetopsadventurepark.com/asheville-haunted-trail.
Dollywood’s Harvest Festival presented by Humana continues through Oct. 30. Dollywood is open 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. each day of operation during the Harvest Festival. For more information and the park operating calendar, visit Dollywood.com or download the Dollywood app.
Halloween with the Owls is 6 – 8 p.m. Oct. 27 at DeVries Athletic Center in Swannanoa. Join the Warren Wilson College Athletics Department for free Halloween activities including an inflatable, face painting, trick or treating, and more. Guests are welcome to dress up and vote in the athletic door decoration contest. For more information, contact Becky Stanford at bstanford@warren-wilson.edu.
Star Wars Reads is all day Oct. 28 at the Oakley/South Asheville Library. Make a craft, check out books about your favorite Star Wars characters, and complete a scavenger hunt to win a special prize. Call 828-250-4754 or email oakley.library@buncombecounty.org.
Halloweenfest 2023 is 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Oct. 28 in downtown Brevard. The event includes free family activities, a costume competition and parade, the Magic Book Bus and more. For details, visit brevardnc.org/community/halloweenfest.
The Junior League of Asheville’s Touch-A-Truck Family Festival is 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Oct. 28 at Asheville Outlets. This is a community-wide event where both kids and kids at heart have the opportunity to see, touch, climb, and learn about vehicles. Children will also be able to “Truck-Or-Treat.” Family-friendly costumes are encouraged but not required. Tickets are $5 each for ages 3 and older. This event is rain or shine. For tickets, visit juniorleagueofasheville.org or pay with cash or card at the gate (exact change is appreciated). If you purchase tickets online, check in at Will Call with the credit card holder’s name to redeem your ticket(s). Proceeds from this event fund the Be The Change Grant Program.
An anniversary celebration and free open house are Oct. 28 at PARI – Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute. The event includes activities for the whole family. For details, visit pari.edu.
ACT’s Community Costume Carnival is noon – 4 p.m. Oct. 28 at Asheville Community Theatre. The event includes carnival games, not-so-spooky prizes, face painting, trick-or-treating and more. A costume contest is at 3 p.m. For details, visit ashevilletheatre.org.
Blue Ridge Orchestra’s “The Well-Tempered Wizard” is presented at 3 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Charles Beall Auditorium at Haywood Community College. Tickets are $25 each for general admission, $15 each for students, and free for children under age 5. For tickets and details, visit blueridgeorchestra.org/well-tempered-wizard-oct-23. It is also presented at 3 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Lipinsky Auditorium at UNC Asheville. Tickets are $20 each for general admission, $15 each for Friends, $5 each for students, and free for ages 6 and younger. For tickets and details, visit blueridgeorchestra.org/well-tempered-wizard-oct-23.
Terror on Tanglewood Street featuring the Tanglewood Teens: A Halloween Showcase for Families is at 7 p.m. Oct. 29 at Asheville Community Theatre. For details, visit ashevilletheatre.org.
A Happy Halloween Celebration is 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Oct. 31 at Hands On! Children’s Museum Visitors (adults and children) are encouraged to come dressed in their Halloween costume. Halloween Story Time is at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. For more information, call 828-697-8333, ext. 224, ext. or email info@handsonwnc.org.
The Treat Street Carnival is 5 – 8 p.m. Oct. 31 along Main Street in downtown Hendersonville. The event includes trick-or-treating, a costume contest, inflatables and more. Visit downtownhendersonville.org.
Looking ahead:
Tickets on sale Nov. 1 – A Critter Checkup is 10 a.m. – noon Dec. 9 at WNC Nature Center. Sign up for a vet checkup for your child and their favorite stuffed animal. Vet techs and veterinarians will be present to examine stuffies and issue a special health certificate. Children, parents, and plushies are then free to explore the WNC Nature Center. Tickets are $10 – $15. For details, visit wildwnc.org/events.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Leaves and pumpkins and treats galore - Top things to do in WNC this week – Oct. 27
