Get into the Halloween spirit with these pre-Halloween weekend events in and around the Topsail area.
If you’re already starting to think about Thanksgiving and holiday plans, Stop. Right. There. These thoughts can wait. Because it’s Halloween, and our area has a ton of different things for you to do. Halloween parties, dog costume contests, trunk or treats, pumpkin patches, scary mazes, festivals, haunted houses, witchy bike rides, and haunted trails, just to name a few.
Here are a few of the highlights for pre-Halloween weekend, to get you geared up for Halloween of 2022.
Halloween Bash at Duplin Winery
October 28, 6 to 9 pm
505 N Sycamore Street, Rose Hill
(910) 289-3888
Cute kitty costumes are sweet and Spider-Man is always a hit, but why not dress like your favorite Duplin wine or the ghastly beast you become when your glass is empty? The best costumes at this party win prizes worth up to $100! Even if you don’t dress up, you might win one of six raffles. And everyone gets coupons for frighteningly good deals on wine. Jam to a live DJ, sip cold glasses of fall wines, and eat tasty food.
Tickets include 2 glasses of wine or another beverage, a Spooktacular buffet, raffle tickets, cornhole, and more games, and Coupons for wine deals. On the menu: Craggy Witch Fingers (biscuit-breaded chicken with pepper jelly), Halloweenies (mini hot dogs in muscadine BBQ sauce), Kiss of Fire (muscadine habanero cheese dip & cracker), Unidentified Specimens (yet-to-be-revealed cocktail and desserts).
Goosebumps in the Grove
October 29, 10 am to 4 pm; October 30, 11 am to 3 pm
Poplar Grove, 10200 U.S. Highway 17 N, Wilmington
(910) 398-5673
Spend a spooky day at the Halloween Festival at Poplar Grove. This is fun for all ages featuring trick and treating, carnival games, the Poplar Grove Witches Candy Chute and a Halloween Vignette for photos.
Admission: 2 and older: $5; younger than 2: free
Enter the Haunted Mansion for an additional $5 charge.
Halloween Festival – Topsail Women’s Soccer Association Fundraiser
October 29, 10 am to 2 pm
106 N. Topsail Drive, Surf City
(910) 515-9751
Hosted by Ecological Marine Adventures of Topsail Island, NC, join the Topsail High School Women’s Soccer Team for a spooky fundraising event!
The lady pirates will take over the Topsail Touch Tank Aquarium and EMA building to put on a fun Halloween festival for kids. The entire event will be planned and run by the team. All proceeds will go to the women’s soccer team for their upcoming season. Donations can also be made and are greatly appreciated. Activities will include aquarium entrance, arts and crafts, games, and more.
Tickets: $5 for adults, $8 for kids 3 and older, and free for kids younger than 2
Trunk or Treat at Oval & Ale
October 29, 5 to 8 pm
47 S. Hampstead Village, Hampstead
(910) 821-1000
Bring the family out for some Halloween fun! DJ Denny from The Rhythm Connection will be hosting and spinning the tunes. Come in costume and stay for a drink.
Adult Halloween Scavenger Hunt at Scallywags in Surf City
October 30, 5:30 pm
121 N. Shore Drive, Surf City
(910) 928-8017
The annual Adult Surf City Halloween Scavenger Hunt will benefit local Surf City Firefighter Bob Phiel, who is fighting Stage 4 Lymphoma. Registration starts at 5:30 pm. Costumes are encouraged, and there will be lots of prizes. The hunt starts promptly at 6 pm.
Tickets: $20 per person, with teams of up to 6 people. Be prepared to walk, bike ride, or drive (you must have a designated driver who they can clearly mark as such) around Surf City.
Please reach out if you would like access to a bike for this event. You can walk, but it is a timed event and biking is the recommended option.