Candy, Costumes & Community Fun — Fright Night Returns Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026

Together, we can sweeten Fright Night!

Every October, Downtown Waxhaw transforms into a Halloween wonderland for Fright Night, our annual trick-or-treating event where downtown businesses decorate, dress up, and pass out candy to thousands of excited kids.

It’s one of the community’s favorite traditions — and you can help make it possible.

Each business receives two large bags of candy from the Downtown Waxhaw Association and Town of Waxhaw, but with thousands of trick-or-treaters, that candy disappears quickly.

Businesses generously supply additional candy out of pocket so kids can enjoy two full hours of trick-or-treating.

This year, we’re asking the community to join our candy drive and help us ease the burden on our small businesses.

How to help.

‍ DONATE ‍

Donate bags of store-bought, individually wrapped candy.

Non-candy treats are also welcome!

Drop-off Location:
Duncan McDonald House
115 McDonald St., Waxhaw, NC 28173
(Look for the “Boo Bin” on the porch for anytime drop-offs.)

‍ GIVE ‍

Want to help but don’t have time to shop + drop? Give $10, and we’ll purchase candy on your behalf!

$10.00

3% Cover the Fee

The Downtown Waxhaw Association is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Donations may be tax deductible.

‍ SWEET BONUS ‍

All candy donors will be entered into a raffle to win two free tickets to our Waxhaw After Dark: Haunted History Tour (details coming soon!).

Thank you for helping us fill candy buckets (and hearts!), support our small businesses, and make this the sweetest Fright Night yet.

Dress up in your spookiest, silliest, or most creative costume and bring the family for a frightfully fun night in Downtown Waxhaw.

From 4–6 p.m., downtown businesses will be handing out candy to all the little ghosts & goblins.

Local shops decorate their storefronts and join in the fun to make this one of Waxhaw’s favorite family traditions.

See what’s brewing:

Join us for a spooktacular trick-or-treating event in Downtown Waxhaw on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026 from 4-6 p.m.
Downtown businesses will welcome costumed visitors with open doors & candy bowls.
This free, family-friendly event offers a safe Halloween experience for ghouls & goblins of all ages.
Each year during Fright Night, our downtown businesses transform their storefronts into spooktacular works of art — and you get to decide who reigns supreme.
Vote online Oct. 24-31, 2026 for your favorite boo-tiful, creepy-cool, or fang-tastically festive storefront.
The winner of the coveted Pumpkin King Trophy and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes will be announced on Nov. 3.
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Thanks to Fright Night sponsor Comporium, this year's Business Decorating Contest winners will take home $500, $250, and $100 cash prizes, along with the coveted Pumpkin King Trophy!
📍 NEW Location: 113 E. North Main St. (near the pedestrian bridge)
🕓 Time: 4–6 p.m. (categories by time slot)
Compete for the title of Best-Dressed Creature of the Night at Staci Howell State Farm Insurance’s annual Community Costume Contest!
Schedule:
- 4:00–4:30 PM: Ages 5 & under
- 4:30–5:00 PM: Ages 6–10
- 5:00–5:30 PM: Ages 11+
- 5:30–6:00 PM: Group & family
🏆 Winners announced at the end of each time slot.
✨ NEW location this year with more space and easier access — don’t miss it!
4–6 PM | W. North Main & N. Church Street
More treats are waiting just around the corner! Waxhaw United Methodist Church is bringing Trunk or Treat right into the heart of Fright Night this year.
Stop by their setup along W. North Main and N. Church Street for even more candy, decorated trunks, and Halloween fun before continuing your trick-or-treating adventure through Downtown Waxhaw.
It’s just one more sweet stop to add to your Fright Night route!
After trick-or-treating, stick around for a bloody good time on E. North Main Street:
- Live music & entertainment
- Food trucks
- Halloween cheer
Discover Waxhaw’s haunted past on a guided walking tour through 135+ years of spooky legends and lore.
- Tours at 7 PM, 7:30 PM, 8:30 PM, and 9 PM
- $20 per ticket | Space limited to 16 per tour
- Ticket sales launch Oct. 10
Step right up...if you dare!
New to this year’s Fright Night, Carnival of Shadows invites you to take a walk on the spooky side with a short, family-friendly scare trail filled with eerie sights, unexpected surprises, and live scare actors along the way.
Designed with Fright Night’s younger crowd in mind, the experience will keep the scares fun and PG while still offering plenty of thrills for those brave enough to enter.
Saturday, October 24 | 4:30–7:00 p.m.
Downtown Waxhaw
FREE Admission | Donations Welcome
Carnival of Shadows is presented by Action For Good, a nonprofit organization focused on empowering individuals through volunteer service, leadership, and meaningful community impact.
While admission is completely free, guests who would like to support the cause are invited to make an optional donation.
All donations from Carnival of Shadows will benefit Action For Good’s The Market, an initiative working to establish a free grocery store serving senior veterans in need.
Come for the scares. Help support a good cause. And see if you’re brave enough to make it through the Carnival of Shadows!