Compiled by Kay Whatley, Editor
This week’s list may include events from North Carolina counties of Edgecombe, Franklin, Nash, Johnston, Wake, Wayne, Wilson, and beyond — occasionally including unique coastal or mountain events. While most listed events are free, ticketed or fee-for-entry events may be included.
Events may be rescheduled/delayed or locations changed. Contact an event’s organizer directly. To suggest an event for a future list, email the editor.
Note: Check out this things-to-do article listing “spooky” activities and storytimes at local libraries.
Thursday, October 24, 2019
Halloween Spooktacular
Thursday, October 24, 2019 @ 4:30-8pm
This Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (PRCR) Department annual event will be held at the new Joyner Park Community Center, 701 Harris Road, Wake Forest, NC. Includes a costume contest, balloon artist, cupcake walk, and more. See our article for more details or visit www.wakeforestnc.gov/citizen-engagement/community-calendar/halloween-spooktacular.
Historical Ghost Walk
Thursday, October 24, 2019 @ 6:30-8:30pm
Organized by the Johnston County Heritage Center, tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for children, and free for age 6 and under with accompanying adult. The walk begins next to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 218 S 2nd Street, Smithfield, NC. See our article and Follow here for updates.
Wilson County Genealogical Society meeting
Tuesday, October 24, 2019 @ 7pm
Traci Thompson, Local History and Genealogy Librarian at Braswell Memorial Library and Brenda Dorsett, Wilson County Genealogical Society President, will present a Case Study of Proving Ancestors using DNA. Traci Thompson will explain how testing the Y-DNA of a direct male line can help focus traditional research, and often help solve genealogical problems, by eliminating unrelated lineages and identifying related ones. Examples from the Gardner and Godwin families will be used. Brenda Dorsett will discuss autosomal DNA, and the difficulty of proving the entire line without DNA from all generations, using the Eatmon family as an example. All are welcome. No registration required. Held in the Main Library Assembly Room, 249 Nash Street N, Wilson, NC. The library website is www.youseemore.com/wilsoncountypl.
Friday, October 25, 2019
Franklin County Farmers Market
Fridays, October 25, 2019 @ 9am-1pm
Come and pick up locally grown food from local farms, fresh eggs, and more. Check with market directly for any schedule changes related to weather and other factors. Market is also open Tuesdays and Saturdays. The market is located in the parking lot at 137 Shannon Village, Louisburg, NC. Follow their Facebook page for updates, closings, and produce available at this year-round farmers market.
Friday Afternoon Popcorn and A Movie at The Nash Senior Center
Friday, October 25, 2019 @ 2pm
Senior citizens, come and enjoy popcorn and a movie. The movie showing is free and popcorn is 25 cents a bag. Movies shown in Room 112 at the Nash County Senior Center, 103 N Alston Street, Nashville, NC. With questions or to register, call 252.459.7681. Pre-registering is recommended and helps the facility to plan seating and refreshments for those attending. Movie showings are held on the fourth Friday of each month. Movies planned are:
- Friday, October 25, 2019 @ 2pm: The Biggest Little Farm (2019)
- Friday, November 22, 2019 @ 2pm: La La Land (2016)
- Friday, December 27, 2019 @ 2pm: Jack Frost (1998)
For this and other senior happenings, follow Nash County senior center updates on Facebook or check out their quarterly newsletter via the county web page.
Fun Filled Fall Friday
Friday, October 25, 2019 @ 4-5pm
All ages are welcome at the library for stories, games, and more. Held at the Lucama Public Library, 103 E Spring Street, Lucama, NC. See event here.
Zebulon Trunk-or-Treat
Friday, October 25, 2019 @ 5-7pm
Bring children for this safer alternative to Trick or Treating. There will be a DJ playing music, free walking tacos, snacks for sales, and goodies for the kids. Presented by the Zebulon Parks & Recreation Department, this event will be held at the Community Center, 301 S Arendell Avenue, Zebulon, NC. Follow Parks and Rec on Facebook.
Wendell Treat Trail
Friday, October 25, 2019 @ 5-8pm
Local businesses and oganizations will be handing out candy and treats for children alongside business materials for adults. Walk the trail through the park. Non-scary costumes are encouraged. The trail runs through Wendell Community Park, 601 W Third Street, Wendell NC. Parking is available by the community center. Follow the town Facebook page, the Wendell Parks and Rec Facebook page, and visit the town website.
Thriller Night
Friday, October 25, 2019 @ 5-8pm
Costume contest, food trucks, trick-or-treat, and more. The live Thriller performance by Legacy Dance Project begins at 7pm at the Mulberry/Center Street roundabout by 200 N Center Street, Goldsboro, NC. Read our Thriller Night article for more details.
Knightdale Trunk-or-Treat PLUS Movie
Friday, October 25, 2019 @ 5:30-9pm
Join Knightdale Parks and Recreation for this family-friendly event with goodies, food trucks, and a movie showing at 7pm. Held at Knightdale Station Park, 810 N First Avenue, Knightdale, NC. Children can visit trunks 5:30-7pm. See flyer and details here.
Johnston County Writers Group “Open Mic”
Friday, October 25, 2019 @ 6:30pm
Step up to the mic! Writers and poets share their works. Open Mic events are held, on the fourth Friday of each month, at the Max G. Creech Selma Historical Museum, 104 W Anderson Street, Selma, NC. Future dates: November 22 and December 27, 2019. Join their Facebook group for updates.
Halloween Phantasmagoria
Friday, October 25, 2019 @ 6:30-9pm
Ticket-holders can wander the Duke Homestead property by flashlight. Tickets are $15 for adults, 5 for children 12 and under. Duke Homestead State Historic Site is located at 2828 Duke Homestead Road, Durham, NC. Read more here.
Halloween with The Rhine
Friday, October 25, 2019 @ 7-9pm
Join the fun with a costume contest, ESP games, “spooky” author readings, dramatic readings, and more. The party location is the Episcopal Center at Duke University, 505 Alexander Avenue, Durham, NC. Admission is $20 per person, with some discounts available. Register via the Halloween event page. (Article)
Wilson Movies In The Park
Friday, October 25, 2019 @ 7:30-10:30pm TIME CHANGE to 7pm
Held at the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, 301 Goldsboro Street S, Wilson, NC. Movie starts at sunset. Before the movie, the Wilson Police Department’s Police Athletic League’s Food Truck will have hot dogs, burgers, popcorn, and drinks available for purchase. Bring a blanket/lawn chair for comfort. Made possible by Cucalorus Pop-up Cinema, Gig East, and the city. See this and other events in our Whirligig Park article.
Saturday, October 26, 2019
Ed. Note: The Zebulon Farm Fresh Market has closed for the season.
Wake Forest Farmers Market
Saturdays, October 26, 2019 @ 8am-noon
Weekly offerings from farms, artisans, and crafters at this year-round farmers’ market. Check with market directly for any schedule changes related to weather and other factors. Located at 235 S Taylor Street, Wake Forest, NC. (Starting in November, hours are 10am-noon.) The Wake Forest Farmers Market website is www.wakeforestmarket.org.
Wilson Farmers and Artisan Market
Saturdays, October 26, 2019 @ 8am-1pm
Local farm offerings and handmade/homemade goods. Open Saturdays through October 2019. Held in the Pavilion at Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, 301 Goldsboro Street S, Wilson, NC. See details here. Updates may be posted via the market’s Facebook page.
Farmers Market Rocky Mount
Saturdays, October 26, 2019 @ 8am-1pm
Check out local farm and craft offerings at this weekly market. Held at 1006 Peachtree Street, Rocky Mount, NC. Updates may be posted to the market Facebook page.
Town of Farmville’s Pumpkin Chunkin’ Festival
Saturday, October 26, 2019 @ 8am-4pm
At this first-annual event, “Pumpkin hurling is going to be taken to a whole new level,” according to the Farmville Parks & Recreation Department. Location will be at the soccer field, 4240 West Horne Avenue, Farmville, NC. If signing up, competitor/vendor applications deadline may be Friday, September 6, 2019 at noon. See details at www.farmvillencparks.com/first-annual-pumpkin-chunkin-festival.html. Follow updates via the town’s Parks and Rec Facebook.
Clayton Farm and Community Market
Saturdays, October 26, 2019 @ 9am-1pm
The market will be open every Saturday for its regular season through the last Saturday in October 2019. The Clayton Farm and Community Market is located at 348 E Main Street, Clayton, NC. Contact information may be found at www.cfcmnc.org/contact. Follow this market’s Facebook page for updates.
Wendell Farmers Market
Saturdays, October 26, 2019 @ 9am-1pm
Market is scheduled for every Saturday through October 2019. Held at W Campen and Main Streets, Wendell, NC. See details at www.townofwendell.com/living/farmers-market or follow the market on Facebook.
Operation Medicine Drop
Saturday, October 26, 2019 @ 9am-1pm
The Wake Forest Police Department will host this medicine drop inside the ground floor meeting room of the Wake Forest Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks Street, Wake Forest, NC. See more here.
Trail of Candy at Stoney Point
Saturday, October 26, 2019, noon-2pm
For children, a Trail of Candy will take place at the Stoney Point Trail of Terror on this one afternoon. The cost is $5 per child. Costumes welcome. Held at Stoney Point Fire Department Station 13, 7221 Stoney Point Road, Fayetteville, NC.
Note that the Trail of Terror is open later this same night. See details at undeadfd.com.
Celebrate Owl-o-ween with CLAWS, Inc.
Saturday, October 26, 2019 @ noon-4pm
Join CLAWS, Inc. at Wild Birds Unlimited, 1806 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Chapel Hill, NC, learn a bit, and take a selfie with a Raven. Costumes are encouraged. This event is free and open to the public. Donations will be accepted. Find event and updates here.
Halloween Hoopla
Saturday, October 26, 2019 @ 3-4:30pm
Bring school-aged kids to the library for the “Halloween Hoopla” Halloween-themed party. Drop-in for games, craft, and other fun. There will be a trick-or-treat parade starting at 4:15pm and costumes are encouraged. The East Regional Library is located at 946 Steeple Square Court, Knightdale, NC. Library information may be found at www.wakegov.com/libraries/locations/erl, including their events.
Downtown Beats & Eats PLUS Movie
Saturday, October 26, 2019 @ 4-8pm
Head downtown for live music, food trucks, and more in the Vollis Simpson Whirigig Park, 301 Goldsboro Street S, Wilson NC. Entry is free. Food and drinks will be on sale; no outside food/beverages allowed. On October 26, a movie will be shown after dark. Follow Downtown Beats & Eats on Facebook here. (Article w/ movie title)
Food Truck Invasion
Saturday, October 26, 2019 @ 4-9pm
A wide variety of food trucks will be parked in downtown, near NE Main Street, Rocky Mount, NC, between Thomas and Goldleaf Streets, in front of the Rocky Mount Event Center, and on the historic Douglas Block. Children’s activities will be happening inside the Rocky Mount Event Center. Read more here.
Trunk-or-Treat Party
Saturday, October 26, 2019 @ 5-8pm
Come for this free party at Wakefield Central Baptist Church, 308 Proctor Street, Zebulon, NC, includes hot dogs, s’mores, games, hot chocolate, and candy. See event here.
Chamber Annual Oyster Roast and More
Saturday, October 26, 2019 @ 5-8pm (CANCELED)
Returning for the second year, the Greater Franklin County Chamber of Commerce will be holding its Oyster Roast & More feast at a new location, Strickland Farms, 3502 NC-39 Hwy South, Louisburg, NC. Tickets are $45 per person. Read our article here. See details on the Chamber website, and follow the Greater Franklin County Chamber of Commerce on Facebook.
Note that Louisburg is the place to be this weekend with: OkTARberfest, River of Yesteryear.
Victorian Mourning Practices
Saturday, October 26, 2019 @ 6-9pm
Presented by the Wayne County Historical Association, the evening immerses ticketed guests in a historical Victorian era home, complete with era-appropriate foods, live demonstrations, and artifact displays. Tickets are $15 per person. Held at the Weil House, 200 W Chestnut Street, Goldsboro, NC. A tin-type photographer will be on hand for those who want this unique photo of themselves ($40). Read our article for more details.
Washington Haunts’ Historic Ghost Walk
Saturday, October 26 and Thursday, October 31, 2019 @ 7:30-9:30pm
Purchase tickets at 7:30pm on-site, then starting at 8pm follow guide Terry Rollins along the streets of Washington as he points out spirited locations and shares tales of the city’s past. Tickets are $15 per person (cash only). The starting address is 1 Harding Square, Washington, NC (adjacent to the Washington Visitors Center). Follow their Facebook page for updates. (Article)
Sunday, October 27, 2019
Wave Church Trunk-or-Treat
Sunday, October 27, 2019 @ noon-2pm
Enjoy the city’s biggest trunk-or-treat plus food trucks, inflatables, music, a car show, and more. All the fun starts after the morning service. Wave Church is located at 5334 Lamm Road, Wilson, NC. Follow the Church’s Facebook page.
4th-annual Pig and Pie Party
Sunday, October 27, 2019 @ 4-8pm
This farm-to-fork event by Chickadee Farms and Triple R Farm includes a pig picking, pie contest, music, crafts, farm tours and more. Chickadee Farms is located at 980 McLemore Road, Clayton, NC. Farm tours too. Tickets ($25 adults, $5 kids) are available in the farm’s online store here. Follow the farm on Facebook.
Coming Soon
Braswell Library “Boo Bash”
Tuesday, October 29, 2019 @ 6-7pm
Bring the kids for “yummy treats, fun games and a special spooky story time.” This children’s event will be hlepd in several areas inside Braswell Memorial Library, 727 N Grace Street, Rocky Mount, NC. Visit their website, braswell-library.libguides.com, for more information and events.
Rocky Horror Picture Show Halloween Ball
October 30-31, 2019 @ 7:30pm (both dates)
Attend this 2nd-annual fun film event presented by Retro Film Series / The Carolina Theatre of Durham. Movie screening with fog, light show, and more. Held in The Carolina Theatre of Durham, 309 W Morgan Street, Durham, NC. Tickets are $12, available via TicketMaster.com.
Cooley Library “Fall Fest” PLUS Movie
Thursday, October 31, 2019 @ 4-5:30pm
The library hosts trick-or-treating and fun activities at this event on Halloween. The Fall Fest will have food and non-food prizes available at different station in support of the Teal Pumpkin Project, which raises awareness of food allergies during the Halloween season. After Fall Fest, families can trick-or-treat in the Historic District and then return to the library for an outdoor movie showing (Hocus Pocus). The Harold D. Cooley Library is located at 114 W Church Street, Nashville, NC. Event updates may be shared via the library’s Facebook page.
First Friday Flix
Friday, November 1, 2019 @ 7-9pm
Held the first Friday of each month, this movie showing is free and open to the public. “Feature a variety of film favorites and genres, including comedies, dramas, thrillers and more, often with a seasonal or historical theme.” Held at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S Brooks Street, Wake Forest, NC. See this event and more on the Wake Forest Renaissance Center calendar.
NC Whirligig Festival
November 2-3, 2019
The Whirligig Festival is held in and around the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, 301 Goldsboro Street S, Wilson, NC, and is a weekend of celebrating the life of local folk artist Vollis Simpson and his whirligig creations. See details at whirligigfestivalnc.org.
Clayton Harvest Festival/Latin American Festival
November 2 & 3, 2019
This annual festival by the Clayton Chamber of Commerce offers entertainment, attractions, food, cars, barbecue competition, vendors, and more. The event is broken into components:
- Clayton Harvest Festival Vendor Fair, Saturday, November 2, 2019, 10am-5pm (on Main Street, Clayton, NC)
- Latin American Festival Vendor Fair, Sunday, November 3, 2019, noon-5pm (in Town Square, Clayton, NC)
For more details, visit www.claytonharvestfestival.com.
Family Art Sundays
Sundays, November 3, 17, and 24, 2019 @ 2-4pm
Drop-in event, meaning family registration is not required. Event is free. All ages welcome with accompanying adults. Join in art making, interactive play, gallery sketching, or go on your own exhibition tour. Materials are provided. Held at the art gallery at Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences, 270 Gay Street, Rocky Mount, NC. Future Dates: December 1, 8, and 15, 2019 See event here.
Selma Saturdays Arts and Crafts Market
Saturday, November 9, 2019 @ 9am-1pm
Held monthly. Browse a variety of local vendors for arts and crafts, handmade items, and more. Live entertainment too. Held at the Uptown Gazebo, 100 block of E Anderson Street, Selma, NC (parking lot behind Town Hall). For information including vendor booth reservations, contact Melissa Dooley at 919.965.9841 x.8003 or via email.
Marketing Know-How (For Writers)
Sunday, November 10, 2019 @ 2-4pm
Join this group of writers for “Toe-tag Chronicles” with Forensics expert Jacque Perkins presenting true-crime cases she has encountered while working in the NC Medical Examiner’s office. Murder We Write monthly writing events are held at the High Point Public Library, 901 N Main Street, High Point, NC. All writers are welcome. See www.murderwewrite.org.
Johnston County Writers Group Meeting
Thursday, November 14, 2019 @ 6-7:45pm
Writers of all experience levels are invited to this monthly meeting of JoCo Writers and hear a guest author. Held at the Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield, 305 E Market Street, Smithfield, NC. This group meets on the second Thursday of the month. Join the group on Facebook here.
Around the Tables
Saturday, November 16, 2019 @ 10am-noon
This monthly event by Dream Coat Ministries provides free clothing for kids and adults, plus lunch (11:30am) at no charge provided by Now Faith Community Baptist Church. The address is 8933 Buffaloe Road, Knightdale, NC. Future Date: December 21, 2019. Follow www.facebook.com/Dreamcoatknightdale.
Wake Forest Holiday Artisans’ Market
Saturday, December 7, 2019 @ 9am-3pm
Artisans and craftspeople will have their wares on sale at this annual Wake Forest Holiday Artisans’ Market. The Market location is inside Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S Brooks Street, Wake Forest NC. The Holiday Artisans’ Market showcases a wide variety of handmade items, featuring many types of crafts in a wide range of prices. Visit Wake Forest Arts.
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To request inclusion of a free or low-fee event, email details to the Editor. Sponsors and logos are not included in Things To Do in NC When You’re Bored listings. Events are added at the editor’s discretion.
Event organizers: News site display advertising is available month-to-month.
Event information may be gathered from various sources. While attempts are made to verify data, for most events contact details are included. If you’re planning to attend an event, use contact information or event links to confirm, check for updates or changes, or verify space is available.
These events are publicized by The Grey Area News, but are not events overseen by this news site or staff. Any highlighted events are selected by staff, generally due to prior experience with the event, knowledge of offerings, or relation to a recent article on this news site.
Why are the day, date, and year included, repetitively, under each dated heading? The better for visitors to cut-and-paste complete event information to share with others… Though sharing of this full list’s link is encouraged, so readers may see all upcoming events.
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