Happy Halloween! Tonight's party list

Today is the big day! I've been waiting all year to dress up and now I can. Whether you're barhopping in costume or hitting one of the parties below, be safe and have fun. Happy Halloween!

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From Ghostbusters to Hip-hop: Tonight's Halloween Parties

A few pre-Halloween events to get you ready for the big party tomorrow. This is also your last weekend to get spooked at a Haunted House. Not sure where to go tomorrow? Here's my list of Saturday parties. I can't wait!

Carving starts at 3:30 p.m. Details.

The Gender Fusion: Monster’s Ball is an LGBTQ-friendly Halloween party featuring Tarot card readings, a lip-sync battle, costume contest and more. 7 p.m. Petra’s,  1919 Commonwealth Ave. $10.

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Halloween Party List

This is one of my favorite party weekends ever! It's time to unveil your costumes and have fun. If you need some last minute ideas, try Stash Pad in Plaza-Midwood. It's a thrift store, but they have a make up artist doing Halloween stuff. Real cool spot.

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Monday

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Weekend Preview: Plaza-Midwood low country boil, pre-Halloween parties and Bachtoberfest

It's time for a weekly weekend preview. Johnson C. Smith University and UNC Charlotte celebrate homecoming this weekend. Look for my homecoming party list on Thursday. Here's a peek at a few non-homecoming events this week.

Tonight
Beerhopping Up North - The Cornelius Drafthouse and Bottle Shop is bringing some local and regional breweries together for Free Fall into the Cornelius Drafthouse.  Meet brewery reps and sample some of their beer! Benford Brewing Co. (Lancaster, SC), Ass Clown Brewing Company (Cornelius) and D9 Brewing Company (Cornelius) will be there. 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Cornelius Drafthouse, 19818-c North Cove Rd Cornelius.

Thursday
Food and Art - Experience pairings of small plates and beverages from Halcyon, Flavors from the Earth, and Mimosa Grill at Taste of the Mint: Project Ten Ten Ten. The menus are customized. Participants will also enjoy a guided tour of Project Ten Ten Ten.  Tasters will view and learn about the NEW sculptural installation Thicket, by world renowned artist Tom Joyce. 4 p.m.




Friday
Costume Party - The 7th Annual Nightmare on Morehead features costume contests and music by DJ Spooky. 8 p.m. Dilworth Neighborhood Grille, 911 East Morehead St. $5, $10.

OktoberFest Symphony Style - The Charlotte Symphony presents KnightSounds Bachtoberfest III: Bach & Beer for symphony novices each Friday night. This month’s Oktoberfest theme features beer tastings, a roaming accordionists, and a live “oompa” band in the lobby after the show. The symphony will perform works of Johann Sebastian Bach and his son, W. F. Bach, plus Mozart’s Overture to The Marriage of Figaro, and selections from Brahms and Wagner. Local breweries, including NoDa Brewing Company and Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, will provide beer samplings, and the FestzeltMusik Oktoberfest Band will keep the party going after the concert.
7:30 p.m., Knight Theater, 430 S Tryon St. $29 includes a drink voucher. Drinks are permitted in the theater! Oops. It really is this Friday!  Details.

Bachtoberfest preview with Young Affiliates of the Mint and CSO Pulse. 6:30 p.m. Conversations begin at 7:00 p.m. and last about 25 minutes. Concertgoers are invited to drop in anytime during the conversation featuring the Charlotte Symphony presents the "Musically Speaking Chat," informative and engaging pre-concert conversations.

Saturday
The Halloween Party - Flo Rida headlines this year’s Grave Diggers Ball. It's a screamfest with the largest costume contest, DJs and live music performances. 6 p.m. Grave Diggers Parking Lot, 500 North College St.

Art & Fitness - This is an odd pairing, but I’m all about fitness. The Gantt center is hosting its Inaugural Art of Living Fit + Well celebration. It’s a full day featuring healthy eating cooking demonstrations, interactive dance classes, fitness and wellness expert advice, Zumba, yoga and more. There will also be guest appearances. Register and learn more. 10 a.m - 3 p.m. Gantt Center, 551 S. Tryon St. Details.

Costume Cruise - Pre-Halloween festivities continue with the Inaugural Costume Cruise. Ticket includes party bus to and from Lake Norman with drinks, drink specials on the 90’ two-story Ragin’ Uptown Party Yacht. There will be DJ, costume contest, and free cover afterward at Prohibition. 6:45-7:45 - Check-In at Prohibition, 200 N Tryon St. Details.

Farmer’s Market On Fleek - The #SustainableSaturday - Local Produce & Artist Market is more than farmer's market. It will feature produce from Windcrest Farms, Bush-n-Vine & more. Not Just Coffee will be crafting pour over & espressos. Joe's Doughnuts is on site making your favorites! 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., The Barn @ Pure Pizza , 1911 Central Ave.

Seafood Boil - Catch On Seafood and Pizza Peel are teaming up for another   Lowcountry Boil and Oyster Roast. Enjoy fresh South Carolina Shrimp and all the usual fixings in a Low Country Boil. There will be oysters, beer and more. There will be live music and art. 3 p.m. Pure Pizza, corner of Thomas Ave and Central Ave. $30. Details.

Sunday

Farm Family Fun - Yes, there is a such thing. This is a Panthers’ themed event on to celebrate the Panthers’ Sunday night game. There will be football drills and prizes. Green Go Taco (locally-sourced food truck) will be on site and refreshments will be sold in the barn.  4 p.m. 8 p.m. Wise Acres Farm, 4701 Hartis Road, Indian Trail

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Gay pride pageant, brunch and Halloween prep

It's never too early to get ready for Halloween. It's a low-key day, but the fun doesn't end.

Charlotte Pride Event - Gay Pride is here! Charlotte Pride Week continues with Miss & Mr. Charlotte Pride Pageant following the theme of show girls. Come out to see who will be this year’s Mr. Miss Pride Pageant. Two pageants, one night. 7 p.m. The Scorpio, 2301 Freedom Dr. Details.

Don't Forget

Get Your Fill - Enjoy bottomless mimosas and bellinis, a brunch, big games and more at Prive Brunch. Music by Power 98s DJ LP. 11 a.m., Slate Billiards/Oak Room, 200 E. Bland St.


Get Dressed Up - Think you have what it takes to scare the crap out of people? Take your talents to Carowinds for Scarowinds Haunt auditions. Must be age 16 and up. Auditions are Sundays and Thursdays from 5 – 8 p.m. through October 15. Must apply online before attending an audition. Carowinds Employment Office 14523 Carowinds Blvd. 

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A 5k party in Freemore and it's halfway to Halloween!

Oh yeah, it's Friday and the fun begins. There are several events to celebrate this beautiful spring weather so be ready to hang outdoors. There's even an evening 5K!

Paint Party - Support local artists at the "Now Is Fireworks" exhibition and sale. Proceeds from the art sale and raffle will go towards the painting of a mural that includes the poem “Now is Fireworks” on the side of the Studio K building. Featured Artists: Nancy Albert, Amy Bagwell, Byron Bagwell, Graham Carew, Stephanie Chesson, John Eft, Rebecca Jones, Matthew Myers, Terry Shipley, Kris Solow, Karen Thoune, Kate Vasseur, Christina Welsh, Amy Wyckoff. 6 p.m. Studio K, 2024 E 7th St.

Get Running - The 3rd Annual FreeMoreWest 5K on the Greenway benefits Classroom Central. Experience the burgeoning FreeMoreWest (named for Freedom, Morehead and West Side) which has a great skyline view. After the race, enjoy  food trucks and beer. 6 p.m., Uptown Cycles, 1432 W. Morehead. Details.


Don't Miss

Get Your Costume - Break out your masks, capes and whatnots for the 1/2 Way to Halloween Costume Party. 9:30 p.m., On The Roxx Cornelius, One Norman Boulevard.



















Patio Fun - The Peculiar Rabbit and OMB are celebrating the official opening of Peculiar Rabbit’s two patios at the Patio Party. It's also the release of OMB's Hornets Nest Hefewiezen. Enjoy $4 OMB Drafts, food and live music. 4 p.m., The Peculiar Rabbit, 1212 Pecan Ave.

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