Asheville Parks & Recreation hosts Halloween happenings with more programs on the horizon

spooky pumpkins in leaves

After postponing programs and events during the initial emergency response to Tropical Storm Helene, Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) today announced a series of events for kids, families, and community members to celebrate Halloween with additional programs in November. All events are free and do not require registration.

“APR’s annual Festival of Frights series has become a tradition for many in our community,” according to APR Director D. Tyrell McGirt. “While our programming team had to replace pumpkin carving, canine trick or treat, and murder mystery parties with an abbreviated schedule, we can’t wait to welcome everyone back to celebrate the spooky season and Asheville’s resilience, unity, and mountain spirit. We can’t wait to announce more programs and events as the city rebounds.”

Asheville Halloween Events

October 26, 4-6pm – Haunted Parking Lot on the Hill

Stephens-Lee Community Center on 30 George Washington Carver Ave.

Night calls as families explore animated creatures and creepy inflatables in the parking lot, collecting bags of candy at the end.

October 27, 2-4pm – Boo Bash

Tanger Outlets on 800 Brevard Rd.

Stop by the APR Rec N Roll van for creepy activities and projects among strolling magic, pumpkin crafts, music, entertainment, giveaways, and trick-or-treating.

October 30, 6-9pm – Movies in the Park

Pack Square Park on 80 Court Plaza

A spooky twist on the long-running Movies in the Park summer series. Dress in costumes and enjoy Insidious, a fun and frightening horror film that takes place in a haunted house. Rated PG-13 for frightening images, brief strong language, terror, thematic material, and violence.

October 31, 12-1pm – Halloween Zumba Goldyoung girl in pink spider costume

Stephens-Lee Community Center on 30 George Washington Carver Ave.

Get moving in costume as Liz leads a Zumba class in the parking lot.

October 31, 5-8pm – Booville Community Halloween Party

Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center

Southside families are invited to dress as their favorite characters to trick-or-treat and dig into candy stations as the parking lot becomes a vibrant catwalk of zombies, superheroes, vampires, and more with themed stations and live DJ performances.

October 31, 6-8pm – Shiloh Trunk or Treatspooky clown high five with two girls in costume

Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center on 121 Shiloh Rd.

Join neighborhood families as costumed kids go from station to station to collect candy and other treats.

October 31, 6-8pm – Montford Haunted Tent

Tempie Avery Montford Community Center on 34 Pearson Dr.

It’s mostly delicious treats (and some special tricks) for Montford families under the haunted big top!

After Halloween

November 1, 12-1pm – Beginner Line Dance in the Parking Lot

Stephens-Lee Community Center on 30 George Washington Carver Ave.

Learn two choreographed line dances moving in unison as a group in the parking lot.

November 1, 4-6pm – Día de Muertos Loteríafamilies at outside event with movie screen

Burton Street Community Center on 134 Burton St.

Celebrate the traditional Mexican holiday by learning Spanish vocabulary and symbols of Día de Muertos, from La Catrina to pozole.

November 2, 1-3pm – Garden in the Lot

Stephens-Lee Community Center on 30 George Washington Carver Ave.

Help clean up Dr. George Washington Carver Edible Park and paint a pot to take home with a plant.

Asheville Parks & Recreation: Explore, Connect, Discover!

Driven by the promise that Asheville is a better and safer place when everyone from infants to retirees has the opportunity to be supported, healthy, and successful, Asheville Parks & Recreation manages a unique collection of public parks, playgrounds, and open spaces throughout the city in a system that also includes full-complex recreation centers, swimming pools, Riverside Cemetery, sports fields and courts, and community centers that offer a variety of wellness-, education-, and culture-related programs for Ashevillians of all ages. With 10 miles of paved greenways and numerous natural surface trails, its complete portfolio acts as the foundation of a vibrant hub for the people of Asheville to connect with their neighbors and explore the natural beauty of a livable and walkable city.

For latest updates, sign up for Asheville Parks & Recreation’s monthly newsletter, follow the department on Facebook (@aprca) and Instagram (@ashevilleparksandrecreation), or visit  www.ashevillenc.gov/parks.