A High Point Halloween: The best spooky events to attend this year

October 31, 2023

The spooky season is upon us again. Skeleton and pumpkin decor is everywhere and bats are in the air. However, for some people, such as the freshman at High Point University, this is their first Halloween spent in High Point. Maybe their first ever Halloween away from home. 

I remember my first Halloween here. I almost missed the holiday season because I didn’t know what to do. However, I was lucky enough to have great friends who made the holiday special and introduced me to these Halloween traditions. 

This year I am sharing with you my favorite spots to celebrate Halloween. 

WOODS OF TERROR: 

Woods of Terror is the most critically acclaimed of these options. It’s a little over a 30 minute drive from HPU. It has 16 attractions/haunted houses, each with a unique theme. There are Stranger Things and The Purge themed haunted houses. As well as a 3D haunted house. Plus it comes with access to their Monster Midway, which has games and food. 

It is open until November 4, Friday-Sunday and on Halloween. The base ticket is $37, but it does increase on Saturdays. There are also more expensive ticketing options for more fun and parking tickets are separate. 

THE ORIGINAL HOLLYWOOD HORROR SHOW: 

Another great option is The Original Hollywood Horror Show, which has 5 shows showcasing their top notch special and practical effects. One of their shows is based off of American Horror Story. This is the furthest option on our list at about 45-50 minute drive all the way to Snow Camp, North Carolina. 

If you are an actor looking for work, it is a great option to get a gig. For those who are afraid of  jumpscares then this show may be for you, The Original Hollywood Horror Show scare factor is less reliant on jumpscares and more about using high end hollywood quality makeup and special effects to tell terrifying tales in chilling atmospheres. 

It is open Friday-Sunday, but its ticket is only $35. If the weather is bad, then this is your ideal spot as it is the only indoor location on this list, but it is also the shortest attraction at about 40 minutes per show. 

TRUNK OR TREAT: 

For those looking for activities that are cheaper or less scary try looking for a Trunk or Treat, which is a common type of volunteer drive to give candy to little kids. There are many events like this in High Point. On Halloween night D-Up, a children's center, does a trunk or treat event. It is a very short drive from campus and is located at 613 Washington Street. The event is going to be from 3:30-5:00. You can register here.

TRIVIA AND MOVIES: 

Trivia is always a good option for a night out, those who are 21+ can visit a local bar and enjoy a night of Halloween trivia and spooky drinks. 

Theaters are filled with scary movies this year, including “A Haunting in Venice,” “Saw X,” “The Exorcist: Believer,” “Five Nights at Freddy's,” and “Thanksgiving.” 

If you are someone who does not want to leave campus, then HPU’s Culp Planetarium will have a special Halloween themed show on every Fulldome Friday in October.

SPOOKY WOODS: 

My favorite Halloween activity is Spooky Woods. I go every year to this event. It is unbelievably well done, especially for its price and proximity to campus. This site has the most variation among its attractions when compared to all of the other locations on this list. 

Like Woods of Terror, it also has a midway with a DJ, but its main attractions are the hayride, the cornfield maze, and 15 haunted houses, each with an original theme. There are also actors in costume roaming the whole 50,000 acres trying to scare you. Even while you are in line you are not safe, which really helps to make the wait much more fun. 

Depending on the day prices for tickets can vary from $25- $45 depending on the date. You can upgrade your ticket to cut out lines. The only con is that this place is cashless. If you have a military ID, then you can get one free base ticket.

From haunted houses to hollywood shows and movies this list has everything to make your Halloween or Halloweek special. Happy Halloween!