From pumpkin-picking to hayrides: Your 2023 guide to fall fun in Raleigh NC

RALEIGH, N.C. — Looking for fall fun in Raleigh? The fall season is almost here, and that means pumpkin patches, haunted houses, hayrides, corn mazes and more.

WRAL's guide to fall fun in Raleigh and across the state features a database of more than 50 farms, venues, pumpkin patches and events across the region.

Most pumpkin patches and corn mazes open the weekend of Sept. 22. Check out our list of family-friendly events and frightful scares or a complete list of fall fun.

Page Farms, 6100 Mt. Herman Road, Raleigh: Pick your own pumpkin, corn maze, hayride, corn crib, hay stack slide, cow train, farm animals and more. Open Tuesday-Thursday (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) Sunday (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.). Closed Mondays.

Naylor Family Farm and Corn Maze, Fuquay-Varina: Corn maze, gem mining, jump pad, farm animals, pumpkin patch, hayrides, corn crib play barn, farm tower fort, barrel train and more. October hours: Monday-Friday (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), Saturday (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.).

Oct: 7: Falling for Local Festival at Dix Park: Local makers and vendors, craft beer and cider, food trucks, live music, kids zone and free pumpkins! Event runs 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Ken's Korny Corn Maze, Garner: Corn maze, adventure zone, wooden playground equipment, hayrides and more.

Phillips Farms Corn Maze, Cary: Corn maze, corn cannon, pumpkin launcher, tube swing, hay mountain, big slide and more.

Porter Farms and Nursery, in Raleigh and Willow Spring: Farm stand, pumpkins and homemade ice cream.

Boo at the NC Zoo in Asheboro: Dress up your little ones to enter fun costume contests, enjoy trick or treating, and have a howling good time with festive games. Saturdays and Sundays: Oct. 21-22 and Oct. 28-29. Cost is $10 for non-members.

Pumpkin Patch Express, Museum of Life and Science, Durham: A Halloween train ride at the museum along with special games, crafts and more. Every Saturday and Sunday in October (starting Sept. 30). Kids 2 and under free. Museum admission not included.

Marbles Kooky Spooky Halloween Party, 201 E. Hargett St., Raleigh: Come in costume for a ghoulish good time! Experience the magic of Marbles after dark at this family-friendly Halloween spooktacular. Event is Oct. 27 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Phillips Farms Haunted Farm, Cary: Come wander through the Field of Lost Souls and Rebellion Trail, The Gore House and Big Top Terror.

Haunted Trolley, Mordecai Historic Park, Raleigh: Hop on board the Haunted Trolley, if you dare, for a special late night tour of downtown Raleigh's most haunted places. 2023 tours: Oct. 27-28, 6:45 p.m., 7:45 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. Cost is $15.

Clayton Fear Farm, 1620 Loop Road: Scary haunted attractions, including haunted houses, hayride and a spinning vortex (not haunted, a terrifying experience). Open Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 6-28. Open Oct. 29-31 from 7 to 9 p.m.

Scare-olina Skies, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, Chapel Hill: A Halloween-themed version of Morehead's classic star show. Come learn about stars, constellations and celestial events through legends from ancient cultures, featuring monsters, mayhem and madness! Oct. 28: Family-friendly edition is at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 29: Adult program at 6 p.m.

Oct. 21: Morrisville's Trick or Treat the Trail at Morrisville Community Park: Children can wear their costumes and walk along the decorated trail, trick-or-treating for candy and other treats between 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Oct. 27: Carrboro's Halloween Carnival at Carrboro Town Commons: Carnival games for all ages and a wickedly good prize bag. Popcorn, sodas, hot chocolate, apple cider and coffee will be sold at the concession booth. Event runs 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Oct. 27: Fuquay-Varina Trick or Treat, North Main Street: Visit merchants that display a Trick or Treat poster in their windows from 2 to 5 p.m.

Oct. 27: Witches' Night Out, Salem Street, Apex: Wear your witches' hats for special discounts and treats at downtown shops. Event begins at 5 p.m.

Oct. 31: Garner's Trick-or-Treat the Trails at White Deer Park: Local businesses will be passing out treats around the trail, a creepy crawlies exhibit will be featured in the Nature Center, and food trucks will be available for purchase. The event runs from 3 to 6 p.m.

Oct. 31: Downtown Clayton Trick or Treat: Costumed kids 12 and under load up on goodies from participating Clayton merchants between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Then stop by Town Square to snap a festive picture and play some games!

Oct. 26: Wake Forest Halloween Boo Bash, E. Carroll Joyner Park: This year’s festivities will include balloon animals, inflatable slides, and a variety of other ghostly games and activities. Small pumpkins will be available to the first 300 children. Event runs from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Check out the full database of fall events here.