Spooky Halloween events across Burke and Caldwell

With only a week until Halloween, towns, churches, and other organizations across Burke and Caldwell counties are getting ready to finish Spooky Season strong with trick-or-treating and other events.

Below is a list of free, family-friendly Halloween events. Please note this is not a comprehensive list.

BURKE COUNTY

Downtown Morganton’s annual Halloween Spooktacular starts at 3 p.m. on Oct. 30.

Kids can trick-or-treat at participating downtown businesses between 3 and 5 p.m.

Young trick-or-treaters can also enjoy free hayrides and inflatables provided by Summit Community Church between 3 and 6 p.m.

A flash mob of witches will take to the street at 4:15 p.m. for their annual dance on East Union Street, followed by a performance from the Sanderson Sisters from “Hocus Pocus” on the Historic Courthouse Square Stage at 4:30 p.m.

There will also be a costume contest for kids between the ages of 0 and 10 and their families. First, second, and third place winners in each age category will be announced and awarded prizes at 5 p.m.

Valdese’s Treats in the Streets kicks off at 4 p.m. on Oct. 30, taking place on a stretch of Main Street between Church Street and Carolina Street.

Participating local businesses will hand out candy between 4 and 6 p.m. while supplies last and trick-or-treaters are encouraged to enter the costume contest. Winners will receive either a medal or trophy.

The Silver Sneakers & Dance Tyme Dancers will also put on a live show in front of the Town Parking Lot on Main Street.

“This is a safe and fun event for the entire family,” said Community Affairs Director Morrissa Angi. “It’s always a joy to see the creativity in costumes and feel the excitement in the air.”

For more information and a map of participating businesses, visit www.visitvaldese.com/events/treats-in-the-streets/2026-10-30.

Another Halloween event, Twilight Tales on the Trail, will be at Valdese Lakeside Park on Oct. 29 from 6-8 p.m.

Admission is free and the event promises an evening of legends, lore, and storytelling from Friends of the Valdese Rec, Old Colony Players Guild, Old Colony Players, Valdese Recreation Department, and Burke River Trail Association.

A handful of lantern-lit stations will be scattered across a segment of trail less than a mile long. At each stop, storytellers will regale those strolling down the trail with scary classics, spooky folklore, and local legends.

The event is family-friendly. There are no jump scares or gore.

At 6 p.m., participants can gather and share hot apple cider and make a “build-your-own” treat bag. The stories begin at 6:30 p.m., and at 7:30, the event wraps up with participants roasting marshmallows over a fire.

For more information, check out the event on discoverburkecounty.com or look it up on Friends of the Valdese Rec’s Facebook page.

Drexel First Church of God will host a trunk-or-treat tomorrow from 6:30-8 p.m. It is free and open to the community. There will be free hot dogs, chips, and drinks.

CALDWELL COUNTY

Lenoir will hold its annual Downtown Spooktacular Trick-or-Treating event on Halloween from 4-6 p.m. Families can trick-or-treat downtown at this event.

Gamewell Methodist Church is hosting a trunk-or-treat on Halloween from 6-8 p.m. and invites the community to bring their kids for free candy, hotdogs, chips, and canned drinks. If weather permits, there will also be a free hayride.

Granite Falls will have Halloween in Space on Halloween from 3:30-6 p.m.

The event, taking place on the 100 and 200 blocks of South Granite Avenue, will feature a costume parade, candy, games, prizes, a haunted house and a friendly haunted house for Halloween fun minus the scares.

Hudson will have a Trick-or-Treat Boo(k) Bash event on Oct. 28 at The HUB Station.

From 3-7 p.m., families are encouraged to stop by the HUB’s back parking lot for an event full of candy and costumes. Children are encouraged to come in their favorite Halloween costumes and will receive a free book.

The HUB Station will also have a Halloween-themed outdoor movie night on Oct. 29 where families watch “Ghostbusters” at 7 p.m.

The movie is free and children and adults alike are invited to wear costumes. There will be a food truck on-site and adults can grab drinks from 3 Drinks Down Beverage Co.

The HUB asks that those interested let them know by responding to their Facebook event.