Quick Summary

• Halloween falls on Saturday so expect a lively Halloween weekend downtown on Friday, October 30, and Saturday, October 31.
• Ghost tours run all season, including Haunted Asheville Tours, the LaZoom Ghosted Comedy Tour, and a haunted trolley tour.
• Costume-friendly events range from the Wicked Spooky 5K to horror movie trivia and a Halloween bar crawl.
• Off The Wagon welcomes costumes, spooky song requests, and a friendly resident ghost named Frank.
• Plan your night with a safe ride home, your ID, and a meet-up spot for your crew.

Why Halloween in Asheville Hits Different

Asheville has a way of making spooky feel cozy. Crisp air, turning leaves, and downtown's historic architecture give every ghost story a perfect backdrop, and on Halloween weekend, costumed crowds fill the streets between bars and music venues. If you're new to the area, our guide to spooky season in Asheville is a great companion to this one.

Halloween Events in Asheville

Dates below reflect what organizers have announced. Events can change, so confirm details with each organizer before you go.

Haunted Tours and Spooky History

• Haunted Asheville Tours: Created by paranormal expert and TV personality Joshua P. Warren, these two-hour walking tours explore the city's haunted past and explain how paranormal investigation works. Bonus: show your Haunted Asheville tour email confirmation at our door for free admission to Off The Wagon.
• LaZoom Ghosted Comedy Tour: Hop on the big purple bus for a funny, guided ride through Asheville's ghostliest tales.
• Haunted History and Murder Mystery Trolley Ghost Tour: Gray Line Trolley offers more than an hour of eerie stories from its iconic red trolley.
• Self-Guided Haunted Driving Trail: The Asheville Museum of History created a 22.5-mile driving tour covering 11 spooky sites around town.

Costume Contests and Costume-Friendly Events

• Wicked Spooky 5K (October 31): This race starts and ends at Wicked Weed's Funkatorium on the South Slope, with prizes for the most creative, terrifying, and quirky costumes.
• Costume Swap & Creative Reuse Workshop (October 17): Still need a costume? Take one, leave one, or craft something creepy from recycled materials at the Stephens-Lee Center.
• Horror Movie Trivia (October 28): Wear a costume and test your horror film knowledge at the Tempie Avery Montford Center (ages 18+).

Halloween Parties Downtown and Beyond

• Official Halloween Bar Crawl (October 31): A ticketed crawl runs from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. across multiple Asheville venues.
• The Haunting at Golden Pineapple (October 1-31): A Halloween cocktail pop-up with dark décor on Haywood Road in West Asheville.
• Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics (October 24): The Opal String Quartet performs spooky favorites at the historic Asheville Masonic Temple.
• Billy Strings Halloween Run (October 29-31): Three nights of shows at the downtown arena.
• Misery at NC Stage (October 14 to November 1): Stephen King's thriller takes the stage downtown, just in time for spooky season.

When the crawl wraps up, the night is far from over. Check out our roundup of the best bars of downtown Asheville for more places to haunt.

Halloween Parade for Family Fun

For little monsters, Asheville Parks & Recreation's Festival of Frights offers costume parades and trick-or-treating. The Kooky Spooky Toddler Fun event on October 28 includes a costume parade, and the Trunk or Treat Fest on October 31 promises music and plenty of candy. Many programs require advance registration, so sign up early.

Halloween Weekend at Off The Wagon

Once the tours are done, the grown-ups head to 22 North Market Street. Off The Wagon is a 21-and-over dueling piano bar, and Halloween weekend is one of the most fun times of year to join the show.

Costumes Are Encouraged

Come as a vampire, a pop star, or your favorite horror villain. Costumes are encouraged all Halloween weekend. Our only real dress code is that you wear clothes and shoes, so the creative possibilities are wide open.

Don't forget to snap a pic at our selfie station. It's the perfect spot to capture your group costume before the singing starts.

Spooky Song Requests Welcome

Our show is 100% request-driven with no set list, which means you pick the soundtrack. Our entertainers know thousands of songs, and Halloween weekend is the perfect excuse to go full spooky. Here are a few requests we love hearing this time of year:

1. "Thriller" by Michael Jackson: Zombie dance moves are strongly encouraged.
2. "Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker Jr.: You already know who you're gonna call.
3. "Monster Mash" by Bobby "Boris" Pickett: The ultimate graveyard smash.
4. "Werewolves of London" by Warren Zevon: Howling along is required.
5. "Superstition" by Stevie Wonder: Funky, a little ominous, and always a crowd-pleaser.
6. "Highway to Hell" by AC/DC: For the devils in the room.
7. Scary movie themes: From Halloween to Jaws, throw us a classic horror theme and see what happens.

Making a request is easy. Scan the QR code at your table to request through the rqstly app and track your song in the queue, or grab a request slip and bring it to the stage with a tip. You can also put shoutouts on the big screens or get a friend (or a ghost) called up on stage.

Drinks With a Spooky Streak

Our menu includes the Fearsome Frank, a drink created in honor of our resident ghost. We also run a different drink special every night of the week. Browse our drink list before you arrive, and follow our social media for the latest specials.

Check out our roundup of the best bars of downtown Asheville and our cocktail favorites guide.

Meet Frank, Off The Wagon's Resident Ghost

Here's some Halloween trivia: Off The Wagon is haunted. Our building dates to the early 1920s and was originally home to the Asheville Chamber of Commerce. Somewhere along the way, a few guests decided to stay for good.

Our most famous resident is a friendly ghost we affectionately call Frank. And we have more than stories to back him up.

• The investigation: On March 5, 2019, M & D Paranormal and Cryptid Research, LLC, along with CreepGeeks, conducted a ten-hour ghost investigation at Off The Wagon.
• The findings: The investigation confirmed our building is haunted by numerous entities.
• The TV moment: In 2021, Off The Wagon was featured on the first episode of season one of Fright Club, starring Jack Osbourne and the Ghost Brothers.

Don't worry, Frank is the friendly type. Ask our staff about their own experiences, and learn more about our history on our About page.

Halloween Night Safety Tips for Downtown Asheville

Halloween weekend brings big crowds downtown, especially with the holiday on a Saturday. A little planning keeps the fun rolling:

1. Bring your ID. Off The Wagon is 21 and over with no exceptions, costume or not.
2. Plan your ride home. Schedule a rideshare, pick a designated driver, or book a nearby stay before the night begins.
3. Park smart. If you park in the lots near Off The Wagon on a weekend, grab a parking pass from us so you don't get towed.
4. Choose a wearable costume. Pick shoes you can walk in and avoid anything that blocks your vision on busy sidewalks.
5. Stick with your crew. Set a meet-up spot in case phones die or groups get separated.
6. Pace yourself. Alternate drinks with water, and remember that we offer non-alcoholic selections too.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Off The Wagon open on Halloween?

Saturday is normally one of our dueling piano show nights. For current hours, cover details, and any holiday updates, visit our FAQ page.

Can I wear a costume to Off The Wagon?

Absolutely. Costumes are encouraged all Halloween weekend.

Can I bring my kids?

No. Off The Wagon is 21 and over only, with no exceptions. For kid-friendly fun, check out Asheville Parks & Recreation's Festival of Frights events.

Can I request scary movie themes?

Yes! Our show is all requests, so feel free to ask for your favorite horror theme or Halloween anthem.

Is Off The Wagon really haunted?

A 2019 professional investigation confirmed multiple entities in our building, and we were featured on Fright Club in 2021. Our resident ghost, Frank, is friendly.

Your Asheville Halloween Starts Here

Asheville in October is made for people who love a little fright with their fun. Take a ghost tour, run a costume 5K, hit the bar crawl, and then end your night singing "Monster Mash" with a room full of new friends (and at least one ghost).

Ready to plan your Halloween weekend? Get directions to Off The Wagon, check out our Halloween fun in Asheville page for more ideas, and sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop. See you downtown, costume and all!