Say goodbye to one of the hottest North Carolina summers on record and hello to cooler weather as Apex and nearby towns offer plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy this season. Now’s the time to pick a perfect pumpkin, race in a 5K, navigate a corn maze, outrun ghosts at a haunted house, or simply enjoy nature’s spectacular colors. Here’s our robust selection of fall activities and, while it’s not possible to print them all, more can be found online. Be sure to check organizers’ websites and social media sites as events may change. Happy fall y’all!
Corn Mazes and Pumpkin Patches
DJ’s Berry Patch
DJ’s features a wide variety of pumpkins, North Carolina apples and other fall produce through October 31.
Monday–Saturday 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
1223 Salem Church Road, Apex
djsberrypatch.com
The Family Farm on Avent Ferry
Visit with farm animals, take family photos on a vintage pickup truck and tractor, and shop for pumpkins and gourds. Visit the farm’s website or Facebook page for operating hours.
1719 Avent Ferry Road, Holly Springs
thefamilyfarmonaventferry.com
Naylor Family Farm & Corn Maze
Enjoy a 10-acre corn maze, hayrides, a pumpkin patch and gem mining. Open through November 6. Visit the website for operating hours. $20/person.
6016 US 401 North, Fuquay-Varina
naylorfamilyfarm.com
Phillips Farms: Family Fun Park
Proudly owned by the Phillips family for over 100 years, this farm features a corn maze, sunflower field, wagon rides and fall produce. Open through October 30.
Friday 3 p.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m.-6 p.m.; $15-$17 for ages 2 and older.
6701 Good Hope Church Road, Cary
phillipsfarmsofcary.com
Ragan & Holly’s Pumpkin Patch
Ragan & Holly’s operates seasonally as part of Jean’s Neighborhood Market, a family-owned establishment open year-round offering seasonal fruits, vegetables, homemade ice cream and more.
Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m.-6 p.m.
38 Lewter Shop Road, Apex
facebook.com/jeansmarketapex
Fall Festivals
Triangle Oktoberfest
German culture comes alive in this annual festival showcasing live music, authentic cuisine, dachshund races, contests, a car show and KinderPlatz at Koka Booth Amphitheatre. Tickets are $20-$25 per person; free for ages 15 and younger.
September 30, 5 p.m.-10 p.m.; October 1, noon-8:30 p.m.
8003 Regency Parkway, Cary
triangleoktoberfest.org
NC Japan Festival
The Nippon Club of the Triangle and the Town of Apex host this indoor/outdoor festival that features authentic Japanese cuisine, cultural displays and traditional crafts at Town Campus.
October 1, noon-5 p.m.
73 Hunter Street, Apex
apexnc.org/1709/NC-Japan-Fall-Festival
Touch-A-Truck and Apex Night Out
Kids can touch, climb on and ask questions about their favorite trucks and cars – emergency, construction, landscaping, military and more – in a safe and supervised environment at Town Campus. This event coincides with Apex Night Out, which enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community.
October 4, 5 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
73 Hunter Street, Apex
apexnc.org/959/Touch-a-Truck
Apex Oktoberfest
Enjoy German-inspired cuisine, live tunes by Peak City Music, a car show, a kids’ zone and craft beer at this event hosted by the Town of Apex and American Legion Post 124 at Town Campus.
October 8, noon-8 p.m.
73 Hunter Street, Apex
apexlegionpost124.org
North Carolina State Fair
Nothing could be finer than this annual 10-day state fair that attracts a million visitors and showcases rides, music, live entertainment, festival foods, livestock competitions and an agricultural exposition the North Carolina State Fairgrounds.
October 13-23; visit the website for hours and ticket prices.
4285 Trinity Road, Raleigh
ncstatefair.org
HollyFest
This annual celebration of Holly Springs features local entertainment, food vendors, children’s activities at Sugg Farm.
October 29, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
2401 Grigsby Avenue, Holly Springs
hollyspringsnc.us/356/HollyFest
Halloween Happenings
Raleigh Area’s Best Halloween Decorations
Using the Built Story app available for iOS and Android, tour takers can purchase access to the best Halloween decorations throughout Raleigh, Apex, Cary and beyond with turn-by-turn driving directions. Tour purchase is $10 via the app.
app.builtstory.com
Triangle Train’s Track or Treat Halloween Express
View scenes of flying witches, smoking cauldrons, Count Dracula and other creatures on an open-car train journey through New Hill’s spooky woods. Play Mummy Mayhem, a game where riders search for 13 mummies hidden along the tracks. Advance ticket purchase is recommended as this event typically sells out; $14/person.
October 15, 22 and 29; rides depart at 2, 3:15, 4:30, 6 and 7:15 p.m.
3900 Bonsal Road, New Hill
triangletrain.com
Goblins Groove Family Dance
Get your spook on at this annual Halloween party for kids and their parents featuring costume and dance contests, games and a haunted gallery at the Halle Cultural Arts Center. Individual tickets are $5, $2 for ages 2 and younger.
October 28, 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
237 N. Salem Street, Apex
etix.com
Pumpkin Flotilla
Watch as hundreds of pumpkins set sail across Bond Park Lake at twilight in a magical event that’s sure to get you in the Halloween spirit. Enjoy a discounted boat ride (available to those who enter a pumpkin or dress in appropriate Halloween costumes).
October 28, 4 p.m.-7 p.m.
801 High House Road, Cary
townofcary.org
Zombiepalooza
Watch short submissions from filmmakers worldwide about all things undead in this zombie-themed outdoor screening party now in its seventh year at The Cary Theater.
October 28, 7 p.m.
122 E. Chatham Street, Cary
townofcary.org
Dare to Scare 5K Run, Walk & Ruck
Law enforcement officers and fire department personnel cheer on racers in costume in a Halloween-themed 5K run, walk and ruck hosted by the Holly Springs Police Department. Proceeds benefit Special Olympics athletes and coaches of North Carolina. Register online; $30-$35/person.
October 29, 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Race begins at Holly Springs Law Enforcement Center, 750 Holly Springs Road
runsignup.com
The Great Pumpkin Carve
Pick out the perfect pumpkin from the patch, carve it at a station and put it on display at the Town of Cary’s Old Library Site. Enjoy the classic special “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.” Pumpkins are for sale; all other activities are free.
October 29, 2 p.m.-8 p.m.
310 S. Academy Street, Cary
townofcary.org
Pawsitively Spooky Run and Pet Fest
This fundraiser/community Halloween event includes a fun run, 5K, trick-or-treating, contests, food trucks and a pet festival on the American Tobacco Trail, White Oak entrance. Registration fees are $25-$100.
October 29, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
1305 White Oak Church Road, Apex
eventbrite.com
Trick or Trot 5K
Race in costume at WakeMed Soccer Park and grab a bag of candy afterward. Register online, $23–$40/person.
October 30, 9 a.m.-11 a.m.
940 E. Chatham St., Cary
trickortrot5k.itsyourrace.com
Trick-or-Treat in Apex
In Apex, kids typically trick-or-treat in neighborhoods on the day that Halloween is nationally recognized (Oct. 31), no matter what day of the week it falls on. Have plenty of candy on hand for the Peak of Good Living’s sweets-seeking vampires, princesses, superheroes and headless prom queens (predicted to be one of the Top 10 costumes this year).
October 31, 6 p.m.-8 p.m.
apexnc.org/944/Halloween
Haunted Adventures
Clayton Fear Farm
One of the Triangle’s most terrifying venues features a haunted slaughterhouse, hayride, farmhouse, fear farm academy and black hole. Online ticket purchase recommended.
Open through October 31; visit the website for hours and rates.
1620 Loop Road, Clayton
claytonfearfarm.com
Phillips Farms: Haunted Farm and Corn Maze
Four haunted attractions – Field of Lost Souls, Rebellion Trail, Big Top Terror and Gore House – bring your nightmares to life; $25-$27/person.
Open Fridays and Saturdays through October 29; 7:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m.
6701 Good Hope Church Road, Cary
phillipsfarmsofcary.com
Fuquay-Varina Haunted Trail
Come in costume and interact with friendly characters along the Family Trail, 5 p.m.-6 p.m. Braver souls can venture into the darkness for the Full Fright Trail, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., which is not recommended for children under the age of 10. Children ages 10-12 should be accompanied by an adult. Park at the Fuquay-Varina Community Center and take the shuttle bus to Carroll Howard Johnson Park.
October 15, 5 p.m.-6 p.m. and 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
301 Wagstaff Road, Fuquay-Varina
fuquay-varina.org
Herbert’s Haunted House
Explore Cary Teen Council’s House of Horrors at Herb Young Community Center, if you dare. All ages are welcome, parental discretion is advised; $5/person.
October 28-29, 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
101 Wilkinson Drive, Cary
townofcary.org
Spooky Stories at Page-Walker
Revel in its ghost lore as professional storytellers share spine-tingling tales about Page-Walker, the former hotel in downtown Cary. Suitable for ages 12 and older. Online tickets are $10/person.
October 29, 6:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.
119 Ambassador Loop, Cary
etix.com
