Costumes, Candy & Family Fun Around the Lake
Get those costumes ready! This weekend brings Halloween celebrations to Davidson, Cornelius, and Huntersville, an outdoor movie in Mooresville, and Celtic music at the Carolina Renaissance Festival. Here are our top three picks—plus two bonus adventures for your family.
Friday, October 23
Location: Downtown Davidson and the Town Green
Davidson’s Halloween March brings families together for a festive evening of costumes, creativity, and small-town charm. Trick-or-treating along Main Street and carving pumpkins on the Town Green make a great combination.
Children can dress in their favorite costumes and join the annual Halloween March, collecting treats along Main Street. Before or after the march, visit the pumpkin carving party on the Town Green. Tools and simple patterns will be available, and the first 25 carvers receive a free pumpkin.
Families can leave their creations for the community’s Jack-O’-Lantern Walk, with pumpkins displayed through October 30.
Contact Information:
Town of Davidson
Phone: 704-892-7591
Website: Davidson Halloweekend
Saturday, October 24 | 5:30–8 p.m.
Location: Bailey Road Park, 11536 Bailey Road, Cornelius
This celebration turns a candy trail into an evening of family entertainment. With hayrides, crafts, stories, and a Halloween movie, there’s plenty to enjoy together.
Costumed children can collect candy from local businesses along the Treat Trail. Other activities include pumpkin chucking, tractor-pulled hayrides, campfire stories, games, and crafts.
Toy Story of Terror will play repeatedly beginning around 6:30 p.m. through 8 p.m. Concessions will be available for purchase from Lulu’s Hotdog Stand.
Contact Information:
Cornelius Parks & Recreation — Shelby Cruse
Phone: 704-892-6031, ext. 169
Email: scruse@cornelius.org
Website: Event Details and Registration
Sunday, October 25 | 4–7 p.m.
Location: Huntersville Athletic Park
Halloween in Huntersville combines familiar favorites—costumes, candy, and live entertainment—with a memorable attraction overhead: a 300-drone Halloween show.
Families can visit trick-or-treat booths, enjoy live music and entertainment, and take part in a costume contest with prizes. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.
Plan to stay for the Halloween drone show and watch the evening sky become part of the celebration.
Contact Information:
Town of Huntersville — Parks & Recreation
Website: Halloween in Huntersville
Friday, October 23 | Food trucks: 6:30 p.m. | Movie: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Liberty Park, Downtown Mooresville
A free outdoor movie makes for an easy family outing. Add dinner from a food truck, a few blankets, and a Halloween favorite, and Friday night is planned.
Mooresville Movie Nights presents Hocus Pocus under the stars. Arrive early to purchase food, find a comfortable spot, and settle in before the movie begins.
Contact Information:
Town of Mooresville — Arts & Events
Website: Mooresville Movie Nights
Saturday and Sunday, October 24–25 | 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. daily
Location: Carolina Renaissance Festival, 16445 Poplar Tent Road, Huntersville
For families looking for a full-day adventure, the Renaissance Festival offers a change of pace. This weekend’s Celtic music theme adds another reason to explore the village and enjoy its performers.
Special performances by CRAIC, Magnus & Maggie, and The Reelin Rogues join the festival’s lineup of jousting, entertainers, artisan demonstrations, shopping, games, and food.
Costumes add to the atmosphere, and there’s plenty to see while strolling through the festival grounds.
Contact Information:
Carolina Renaissance Festival
Phone: 704-896-5555
Website: Celtic Music Weekend
Make a little time for family fun this weekend. Whether you’re carving pumpkins, following a candy trail, or watching the sky light up, there are plenty of reasons to get out and enjoy Lake Norman together.
Event schedules and availability can change. Check with the organizer before leaving home for registration, tickets, and weather updates.
Want more choices? Visit the LKNConnect Comprehensive Events Calendar for concerts, performances, community gatherings and other happenings throughout the Lake Norman region.
LKNConnect makes it easy to create your own perfect weekend with local guides throughout the Lake Norman region.
Explore our guides for:
You’ll also find:
Our LKNConnect Weekend Suggestions highlight just a few of the experiences we think are especially worth your time this weekend. But they’re only the beginning.
Below you’ll find our Complete Guide to Family Activities Around Lake Norman—a comprehensive listing of festivals, concerts, community events, outdoor adventures, museums, parks, attractions, and family-friendly activities taking place throughout the region.
Whether you’re planning a full weekend itinerary or simply looking for one more great idea, we hope this guide helps you discover something new and make the most of your time around Lake Norman.
