Pumpkin patches, fall and Halloween events in NC

Explore the best fall and Halloween events in Raleigh, NC, from family-friendly pumpkin patches and corn mazes to thrilling haunted houses and Halloween festivities.

Looking for fall fun in Raleigh? The fall season is almost here, and that means pumpkin patches, haunted houses, hayrides, corn mazes and more.

Check out our list of family-friendly events and frightful scares.

Corn mazes, pumpkins: Fall fun for families

Page Farms, Raleigh - Pick your own pumpkin, corn maze, hayride, corn crib, hay stack slide, cow train, farm animals and more. The fall season begins Saturday, Sept. 19. Check the Page Farms Facebook page for daily updates.

DJ's Berry Patch - Shop pumpkins and mums at this popular Apex destination.

Naylor Family Farm and Corn Maze, Fuquay-Varina - Corn maze, gem mining, jump pad, farm animals, pumpkin patch, hayrides, corn crib play barn, farm tower fort, barrel train and more. There are 20+ attractions available on the farm and take home a free pumpkin with the purchase of a farm pass. The fall season runs Sept. 19 through Nov. 1.

Ken's Korny Corn Maze, Garner - Corn maze, adventure zone, wooden playground equipment, hayrides and more. The corn maze opens Sept. 27. Ken's is more than just a corn maze; it is a one stop shop for all things fall. Check out fall flowers, seasonal decor, jams, apples, specialty chesses and more.

Lee's Garden Center, Clayton - Enjoy a corn pit, mums, pumpkins and North Carolina apple cider slushies. Open seven days a week.

Phillips Farms Corn Maze, Cary - Corn maze, corn cannon, pumpkin launcher, tube swing, hay mountain, big slide and more. Check out the grand reopening weekend on Sept. 19-20. The haunted farm opens on Sept. 25 for some spooky fun.

Grasshopper Farms, Knightdale - Enjoy a 4-acre corn maze, country store, ice cream and cider, fun park, pumpkins and more.

Porter Farms and Nursery- There are two locations on Ten-Ten Road in Raleigh and on Hwy 42 in Willow Spring. Check out the farm stands, pumpkin patch, mums, colored corn cobs, gourds and other fall decor. While you're there make sure to grab some of their homemade ice craem.

Ragan & Holly's Pumpkin Patch - Get pumpkins and spooky decorations and enjoy photo opportunities at Jean's Neighborhood Market in Apex.

Halloween fun at NC Zoo and museums

Boo at the NC Zoo, Asheboro - Dress up your little ones to enter fun costume contests, enjoy trick or treating around the Africa loop, and have a howling good time with festive games. The event is aimed for children ages 4-12.
Saturdays and Sundays: Oct. 17-18 and Oct. 24-25. Cost is $10 for non-members.

Pumpkin Patch Express, Museum of Life and Science, Durham - A Halloween train ride at the museum along with maze scavenger hunts, fall games, fresh popcorn, fall science explorations, and take home a complimentary pumpkin.
Every Saturday and Sunday in October (starting Sept. 26). Tickets range between $13.50 and $16 per ride. Kids 2 and under free. Lower-priced tickets are from 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. Museum admission not included.

Marbles Kooky Spooky Halloween Party, Raleigh: Come in costume for a ghoulish good time! Experience the magic of Marbles after dark at this family-friendly Halloween spooktacular. Dig into light snacks and get ready for some monstrous fun like mad Scientist Experiments, Franken Toys, Kooky Creations, Camp Kooky, Haunted Hideaway and more.
The party is on Oct. 23 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. All attendees will need a ticket, general public tickets are $22.

Spooky and scary

Phillips Farms Haunted Farm, Cary - Come wander through three scare houses: The Field of Lost Souls and Rebellion Trail, The Gore House and Big Top Terror.
The haunted farm opens on Sept. 25 for some spooky fun. Take a haunted wagon ride and look out for ghosts and ghouls roaming free. Catch the haunted farm on Fridays 8-11 p.m.

Haunted Trolley Tour, Raleigh - A special late-night tour of downtown Raleigh’s most haunted places. The trolley departs from Mordecai Park. Oct. 16-17, Oct. 23-24 at 7p.m., 8 p.m., and 9 p.m., ages 6+, the cost is $15. Advanced registration is recommended.

Clayton Fear Farm, Clayton - Scary haunted attractions, including haunted houses, hayride and a spinning vortex (not haunted, a terrifying experience). Each year there is a new horror added, what will it be this year?
Open every Friday and Saturday in October from 7-10 p.m. Bonus nights: Oct. 25, 7-9 p.m., October 29, 7-9 p.m. Entry tickets are $25.

Scare-olina Skies, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, Chapel Hill: A Halloween-themed version of Morehead's classic star show. Come learn about stars, constellations, and celestial events through legends from ancient cultures, featuring monsters, mayhem and madness!
This event is not recommended for young children: 13+. Check out this event for two days only.
Oct. 30: 6 p.m., Oct. 31: 4:30 p.m. Plan ahead, parking at the reserved lot at the planetarium will be limited due to the UNC football game.

Fall festivals and more events

Oct. 2: Spooky First Friday: October's First Friday will feature the 1984 hit Ghostbusters. The movie will begin at 7:15 p.m. The market and food trucks will start at 5:30 p.m.

Oct. 3: Fall on First Avenue - This festival at Knightdale Station Park has pumpkin painting, hayrides, live music, a craft fair, food trucks, a mum sale, inflatables, and more. 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Oct. 3: Oktoberfest at Lafayette Village - A festive afternoon celebrating all things fall, including live music, delicious food and the annual wiener dog race. Bring your pets; there is something for everyone. 1-4 p.m.

Oct. 3: Falling for Local at Dix Park - Enjoy live music from local talent and demos from local businesses all day long as well as loads of fall fun with hayrides, inflatables, lawn games, kids' activities, photo ops and a pumpkin patch. Dine from 50+ local food trucks, sample NC craft beers and cider. Dix Park Big Field from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Oct. 8: Movies in the Garden: Hocus Pocus - Watch this Halloween classic at the Raleigh Little Theatre's Louise Stephenson Amphitheatre. Costumes are encouraged. Food trucks will be available, but guests are welcome to bring their own food. Beer and wine will be sold at the venue, but outside alcoholic drinks are prohibited. Showtime: 7 p.m. Seating and food trucks open at 6 p.m. Tickets before Oct. 1: $5, $10 after.

Oct 10: Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice - Come out for spooky STEM experiments, arts and crafts and festive games. Bring your own pumpkin for caring and panting, the city will provide the tools and paint - no cleanup necessary. 6-8 p.m. at Chavis Memorial Park.

Oct. 10: Raleigh Little Theatre Costume Sale - From stage to your closet: Shop vintage hats, costumes and accessories, just in time for Halloween. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Stephenson Amphitheatre parking lot.

Oct. 22-25: Clayton Harvest Festival - Four-day festival featuring amusement rides, food, shopping, music and more in downtown Clayton. Enjoy Clayton's largest vendor fair. Bring the kids in costume on family night for a trunk-or-treat and movie night.

Oct. 23: Zombiepalooza - Cary's annual zombie, family-friend short film festival returns for the 11th year. Submissions are open to all North Carolina filmmakers and residents. Attendees are encouraged to dress up, and there is a costume contest, for one of Cary's favorite nights of cosplay.
Zombie-themed events begin at 6 p.m. The short film competition begins at 8 p.m.

Oct. 24: Downtown Scary Park Double Feature - Enjoy Cary's double feature movie in the park. The night is all about haunted houses! Bring the whole family to the 6 p.m. showing of Disney's The Haunted Mansion. Then, the night will take a darker turn with Poltergeist, a horror classic that is sure to send chills down your spine. *Note: Poltergeist would carry a PG-13 rating by today's standards. The film contains intense, frightening scenes and disturbing visuals.

Oct. 24: Spellbound at Mordecai - Have your fortune told, decorate a pumpkin to take home, shop for enchanting handmade items, treats and enjoy family-friendly stage performances, inflatables, and more. Wear your attire and participate in the costume contest and parade. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Oct.24: Barktoberfest - This event at Durham Central Park features a fall event for you and your four-legged friends! Enjoy live music, creative activities, and local vendors. Dress up your pup in fun costumes and bring them to enjoy the agility courses. This is an event for your pup and their friends to come and mingle. 3:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

Oct.25: Día de los Muertos - Art vendors, music, performances, and more that celebrate Día de los Muertos at the 140 West Franklin Street Plaza in downtown Chapel Hill. Noon-4 p.m.

Oct. 29: Fall Festival at Park West Village - Enjoy free trick-or-treating, hayrides, an outdoor movie, costume contests, and more. There will be food trucks, including Mr. Puebla Tacos, Vic’s Pizza Truck and DonutNV, along with brews from Bond Brothers. 4-8 p.m.

Oct. 31: HollyFest - Celebrate Holly Springs with craft vendors, local artists, and entertainment at this annual event. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.