Halloween events around Wilmington to take the grandkids in 2026

Halloween around Wilmington doesn’t have to mean haunted houses and big scares. Throughout October 2026, families can find plenty of ways to celebrate with younger kids, from costume contests and trick-or-treating to crafts, games and fall festivals.

If the grandkids are visiting this spooky season, these Wilmington-area events offer ways to get into the Halloween spirit without making things too scary.

Key takeaways

• The bigger picture: Wilmington has several family-friendly Halloween events throughout October 2026, including festivals, trick-or-treating and hands-on activities.
• The details: Events range from free community celebrations to ticketed activities, with options throughout the month.
• Why it matters: Grandparents can find Halloween activities that focus more on costumes, candy and seasonal fun than big scares.
• The more you know: Some events require tickets or registration, so check availability and event details before heading out.

Fall Fest at Maides Park

Kick off the Halloween fun with the City of Wilmington’s annual Fall Fest at Maides Park. The family-focused community celebration includes games, hayrides, piñatas and bounce houses for an early October evening with the grandkids.

• Address: 1101 Manly Ave., Wilmington
• Date: 5-8 p.m. Oct. 9
• Cost: Free
• Good to know: Costumes are encouraged for this family-friendly community event.

Trunk or Treat

Bring the grandkids in costume for an afternoon of trick-or-treating at this community Trunk or Treat, hosted by ISI Elite Training in Wilmington. Decorated cars will hand out candy, and a vendor market will also be part of the afternoon’s Halloween fun.

• Address: 404 51st St., Wilmington
• Date: 3-5 p.m. Oct. 17
• Cost: Free
• Good to know: Local vendors and community members can register in advance to participate in the market or decorate a trunk and hand out candy.

YMCA Fall Festival

The Midtown YMCA is hosting a free community fall festival with plenty for younger grandkids to do. Activities include inflatable bounce houses, carnival games, a family-friendly indoor haunted house, free popcorn and a costume contest, plus activity stations where kids can collect stamps to earn a fall-themed goody bag.

• Address: 709 George Anderson Drive, Wilmington
• Date: 5:30-7 p.m. Oct. 23
• Cost: Free
• Good to know: The costume contest begins at 6:30 p.m.

Halloween Story Time by the Sea

Head to Kure Beach for a Halloween-themed morning of stories and fun at Ocean Front Park. Favorite characters will help host the annual Story Time by the Sea, and kids are encouraged to come dressed in their Halloween costumes for the free event.

• Address: 105 Atlantic Ave., Kure Beach
• Date: 10-11 a.m. Oct. 24
• Cost: Free
• Good to know: No RSVP is required, but larger groups are asked to notify Kure Beach Parks and Recreation in advance.

Trick Or Treat Fest

Kids can trick-or-treat their way through a different kind of Halloween event at the third annual Trick Or Treat Fest from Collectors Crusade United. The pop culture convention includes comics, collectible toys, Pokémon and other trading cards, anime, retro video games, crafts and local artists, with participating vendors handing out candy to young trick-or-treaters.

• Address: 5102 Oleander Drive, Wilmington
• Date: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 24
• Cost: $5; children 12 and younger are free with a paying adult
• Good to know: Costumes fit right in, with a cosplay contest also planned for this year’s event.

Eek! Week Festival at The Children’s Museum of Wilmington

Dress the grandkids in their costumes for a Halloween morning at The Children’s Museum of Wilmington. The Eek! Week Festival returns on Halloween with treats, crafts and hands-on experiments, while additional festive programming is planned throughout the week leading up to the event.

• Address: 116 Orange St., Wilmington
• Date: 9 a.m.-noon Oct. 31
• Cost: $5 for members; $15 general admission
• Good to know: Member tickets went on sale Sept. 26, followed by general admission tickets Oct. 3.

Alley-Ween

Celebrate Halloween by the beach at Alley-Ween, a Halloween block party hosted by The Dive in Carolina Beach. The family-friendly portion runs from 4-7 p.m. with vendors, mini golf, game booths and more before the event switches to an adults-only celebration later in the evening.

• Address: 6 N. Lake Park Blvd., Carolina Beach
• Date: 4-7 p.m. Oct. 31
• Cost: Free; food, drinks and vendor items available for purchase
• Good to know: The event becomes adults-only after 7 p.m., so plan to wrap up your visit with the grandkids before then.

FAQs

What free Halloween events can families attend around Wilmington?

Several events on this list are free, including Fall Fest at Maides Park on Oct. 9, Trunk or Treat on Oct. 17, the YMCA Fall Festival on Oct. 23, Halloween Story Time by the Sea on Oct. 24 and the family-friendly portion of Alley-Ween on Oct. 31.

Where can kids trick-or-treat around Wilmington before Halloween?

ISI's Trunk or Treat event on Oct. 17 gives kids a chance to collect candy from decorated vehicles, while Trick Or Treat Fest on Oct. 24 includes trick-or-treating with participating vendors.

Which Halloween events have costume activities?

Costumes are encouraged at several events, including Fall Fest at Maides Park, Halloween Story Time by the Sea and Eek! Week Festival. The YMCA Fall Festival also includes a costume contest, while Trick Or Treat Fest features a cosplay contest.

What Halloween events are happening on Oct. 31 around Wilmington?

Families have two options on Halloween itself. Eek! Week Festival at The Children’s Museum of Wilmington runs from 9 a.m.-noon, while the family-friendly portion of Alley-Ween in Carolina Beach runs from 4-7 p.m.

Which Halloween events are good for younger grandkids?

Halloween Story Time by the Sea centers around storytelling and favorite characters, while Eek! Week offers treats, crafts and hands-on experiments. Fall Fest at Maides Park and the YMCA Fall Festival also include activities like games and bounce houses that may appeal to younger children.