Spooky things to do around Wilmington this Halloween in 2026

Wilmington’s historic streets, old homes and waterfront already provide a fitting backdrop for ghost stories, but October 2026 brings even more ways to embrace the spooky season.

Around Wilmington, Halloween fans can putt through a haunted mini golf course, walk through the historic district after dark, investigate reportedly haunted properties or head onto the water for ghost stories as the sun goes down. Whether you prefer lighthearted Halloween fun or something that might actually make you jump, here are some spooky things to do around Wilmington this season.

Key takeaways

• The bigger picture: Wilmington offers spooky experiences ranging from lighthearted Halloween attractions to ghost tours and paranormal investigations.
• The details: Some activities are available throughout October, while others take place on select dates or only on Halloween weekend.
• Why it matters: There are options for different scare levels, whether you want Halloween atmosphere, local ghost stories or a full haunted attraction.
• The more you know: Many seasonal tours and attractions have limited capacity, so check availability and age recommendations before making plans.

Play a round at The 13th Hole Halloween Mini Golf

Halloween lasts all year at The 13th Hole, an indoor Wilmington mini golf course with 13 spooky holes featuring ghosts, witches, pumpkins, haunted graveyards, creepy carnivals and other themed details. Black lights, fog effects, spooky sounds and interactive props add to the atmosphere, but the experience is designed to keep the scares lighthearted rather than terrifying.

• Address: 6506 Market St., Suite B, Wilmington
• Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday 
• Cost: $13 for adults; $11 for children
• Good to know: The course is indoors, making this an option even when October weather doesn’t cooperate.

Take the Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington

Explore downtown after dark with the Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington, a 90-minute walking tour through some of the historic district’s reportedly haunted locations. Costumed guides share researched stories of ghostly occurrences connected to locations including St. James Graveyard, Bellamy Mansion, the Latimer House and Gallows Hill.

• Address: 8 Market St., Wilmington
• Hours: March 1-Oct. 31: Nightly at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.; Nov. 1-30: Nightly at 6:30 p.m.; Dec. 1-Feb. 29: Thursday-Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
• Cost: Check current ticket prices when booking
• Good to know: October tours can sell out, and advance tickets are recommended.

Try Torment Haunted Laser Tag at Jungle Rapids

For something with more of a scare factor, Jungle Rapids transforms its laser tag arena into Torment every Friday night in October. Players make their way through a dark, fog-filled arena filled with monsters, eerie scenes and Halloween surprises while still competing in an extended game of laser tag.

• Address: 5320 Oleander Drive, Wilmington
• Date: 7-11 p.m. Fridays in October
• Cost: $25 per person, including a $4 arcade card
• Good to know: Torment is recommended for ages 10 and older.

Go ghost hunting at Poplar Grove

Take paranormal exploring beyond ghost stories with one of Poplar Grove’s October experiences. The historic site offers paranormal ghost tours around its manor house, tenant house and grounds, along with longer ghost hunts that give participants more time to investigate the property. For 2026, paranormal tours are scheduled for Oct. 10 and 31, while ghost hunts are scheduled for Oct. 17 and 24.

• Address: 10200 U.S. 17, Wilmington
• Dates: Paranormal ghost tours Oct. 10 and 31; ghost hunts Oct. 17 and 24
• Cost: Varies by experience
• Good to know: Cameras and paranormal equipment are permitted, but paranormal activity is never guaranteed.

Explore the Museum of the Bizarre

For spooky without committing to a nighttime tour, head downtown to the Museum of the Bizarre. The oddities museum features unusual exhibits and horror-related memorabilia, including movie props connected to Wilmington’s film history, along with a mirror maze and plenty of strange finds to explore.

• Address: 201 S. Water St., Wilmington
• Hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. daily
• Cost: Check current admission prices before visiting
• Good to know: Horror fans can look for a Michael Myers mannequin from “Halloween” and the Annabelle doll from “The Conjuring.”

Take a spooky Halloween paddle at Greenfield Lake

Watch daylight disappear over Greenfield Lake during Wilmington Outdoor Adventures’ Halloween Spooky Paddle. The one-hour Halloween night excursion travels beneath the lake’s cypress trees and Spanish moss while guides share ghost stories, local legends and a few spooky surprises as the group paddles from sunset into darkness.

• Address: 1818 E. Lake Shore Drive, Wilmington
• Date: 6-7 p.m. Oct. 31
• Cost: $64 plus ticket service fee
• Good to know: Kayak, paddle, life jacket and guides are included, and guests who arrive in costume receive credit toward a future Wilmington Outdoor Adventures event or tour.

Brave the Phobia Haunted Trail

Those looking for a more traditional Halloween scare can head outside Wilmington to Phobia Haunted Trail in Leland. The seasonal attraction sends visitors through dark wooded trails filled with themed scenes and live scare actors, making this one better suited to people who actually want some jump scares rather than a history-focused ghost story.

• Address: 2859 Maco Road NE, Leland
• Dates: 8-11 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Oct. 2-Nov. 1 
• Cost: $27 general admission
• Good to know: This attraction has a higher scare factor than many of the other experiences on this list.