October is here, so it's time to embrace the chill in the air. Get ready for fall festivals, spooky costumes, and lots of sweets from trunk-or-treating! Here's what's up next for the Greater Fayetteville area:
The Celebrity Shot at Archives
Oct. 1 (recurs monthly on the 1st)
723 W. Rowan St.
Enjoy a laid-back evening drinking cocktails, chitchatting, and networking at this month’s Celebrity Shot at Archives. Learn about local heroes or causes worth championing, up close and personal, with the celebrity bartender for the night. This month’s guest barkeep is Sarah Hallock, Executive Director of Cumberland County CommuniCare.
Comedy & Cocktails with Jasmine Ellis and Brian McGuinness
Oct. 2
Paddy’s Irish Public House
Time to laugh out loud at Comedy & Cocktails at Paddy’s Irish Pub! The evening’s featured comedian is NYC comedian Brian McGuinness, who’s appeared on shows like Inside Amy Schumer and the Jim Gaffigan Show. The headliner is Jasmine Ellis, who’s been featured on Dry Bar Comedy, Don’t Tell Comedy, and festivals across the country.
Backwoods Terror Ranch
Every Friday and Saturday / Oct. 3 – 18
Sweet Valley Ranch
Time to get terrified in the boonies! The Backwoods Terror Ranch at Sweet Valley Ranch returns for another year with three scary haunted attractions, including Dr. Surgeon and his spooky experiments.
Oktoberfest 2025 at Dirtbag Ales
Oct. 3
Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom
Raise a pint (or two, or three) at this year’s Dirtbag Ales Oktoberfest Weekend! Enjoy live music, exclusive beer releases, costume contests, German menu food trucks, and a farmers’ market, all while getting your drink on with friends.
Stoney Point Trail of Terror
Oct. 3 – 31 (Fridays and Saturdays)
Stoney Point Fire Department
Like to run and scream? Then the Stoney Point Trail of Terror is for you! The area’s spookiest haunted trail attraction is back for another, scarier than ever, so bring your friends or parents! You’ll support a good cause while having the daylights scared out of you!
The Vampyre’s Ball: Circo della Notte
Oct. 3
304 Williams St.
Have an extreme goth/emo/vampire fascination? Then don your darkest black attire and whitest face makeup for the annual Vampyre’s Ball! This year’s event will resemble a traveling Italian big top circus with murder, mayhem, and dark twisted characters wrapped up in a creepy mystery play!
Woofstock 2025: Rock the Rescue
Oct. 3
Cape Fear Botanical Garden
Woofstock is back and louder, livelier, and more legendary than ever! Enjoy live music, food and drink, and themed swag bags and crafts with all your furry, four-legged family members! And don’t forget the silent auction to support the Fayetteville Animal Protection Society’s cause!
FSU Homecoming Parade
Oct. 11
Hay Street
Take part in Fayetteville State University tradition by attending the FSU Homecoming Parade – this year in Downtown Fayetteville! Enjoy live marching bands, cheerleaders, and other attractions to help welcome FSU alumni home for the annual homecoming game!
Hispanic Heritage Night
Oct. 11
Paddy’s Irish Public House
Celebrate Hispanic and Latino culture by attending Hispanic Heritage Night at Paddy’s Irish Pub! Enjoy live music, food and drink, and free Latin dance lessons through Roland’s Dance Studio. Time to FIESTA!
Jubilet Deo Concert
Oct. 11
First Presbyterian Church
Experience Dan Forrest’s Jubilate Deo live and in concert with the Fayetteville Orchestra! This concert will explore each movement of this unique musical work.
Nurse John: The Short Staffed Tour
Oct. 11
Crown Complex
Stressed and burned out from work? Then, enjoy a night with Nurse John: an actual nurse turned comedian who will make you laugh out loud after hearing his personal tales about caffeine, medication, and questionable hydration practices at work. It’s therapy for the crashed out!
Clint Black: Back on the Blacktop Tour
Oct. 16
Crown Complex
Storied country singer/songwriter Clint Black performs for one night only at the Crown Complex, playing hits from his triple-platinum-selling Put Yourself in My Shoes album and others. You’ll swear songs from more than 20 million album sales never sounded so good!
Dogwood Fall Festival
Oct. 18 - 19
Festival Park
Fall is here, so it must be Dogwood Fall Festival time! Make a beeline downtown with friends and family to enjoy live concerts, tasty food, beer & wine, and local vendors! There’s something for everyone in one central location downtown.
Fayetteville Marksmen: Opening Night 2025!
Oct. 18
Crown Complex
The Marksmen are back, bigger and better than ever. Attend Opening Night against the Knoxville Ice Bears to grab a beer, buy a new jersey, and then cheer your brains out for the hometown team!
Fayetteville Fan Fest
Oct 18-19
Crown Expo Center
King of the Cage LIVE from Segra Stadium
Oct. 19
Segra Stadium
Bring friends and family to Segra Stadium’s inaugural King of the Cage MMA competition! Ten fights are scheduled, starting at 6 p.m. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Individual and group tickets both come with drink credits!
Hope Mills Annual Trunk or Treat 2025
Oct. 24
5763 Rockfish Road
Round up the kids and pile into the minivan to attend this year’s Hope Mills Annual Trunk or Treat! Get there early to grab all the sweet treats and see the coolest of cool costumes.
4th Friday 2025 - Zombie Walk
Oct. 24
Downtown Fayetteville
Zombie Walk, the granddaddy of all Fayetteville Halloween festivals, is back for another year - this time on 4th Friday. Don your scariest costume and makeup to roam around downtown Fayetteville to drink, party, and stare at all the other spooky ghouls. Don't forget the live entertainment and vendors!
Ole Mills Day Festival 2025
Oct. 25
Hope Mills Municipal Park
Celebrate Hope Mills’ past in the present by attending this year’s Ole Mills Day Festival with friends and family. Enjoy music, bouncy houses, petting zoos, food trucks, and more all day long!
