Pumpkin carvers and costume connoisseurs rejoice because it’s that spooky time of year and we have your guide for all things Halloween.
From costume contests to trick-or-treating, there are a variety of family-friendly events being hosted throughout the county.
Here’s your guide to Eddy County’s pumpkin patches and Halloween events.
Pumpkin pickin’
Heirloom Acres Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch
When: Fridays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: 1706 E. Main St. in Artesia
Balzano Vineyard & Pumpkin Patch
When: Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: 5230 Seven Rivers Hwy in Carlsbad
The St. Peter Pumpkin Patch
When: Monday through Thursday from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: 1302 W. Pierce St. in Carlsbad
More: First responders celebrated at downtown event
Tricks or Treats?
Sunset Church of Christ Trunk-or-Treat
When: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 30
Where: 1308 W. Blodgett St.
Carlsbad First Assembly’s Annual Trunk-or-Treat
When: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 31
Where: 1502 W. Mermod St. in Carlsbad
Trick-or-Treat Mainstreet-Artesia
When: 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Oct 30
Where: Artesia Mainstreet
More: Carlsbad Public Library has great resources for Carlsbad students
Catalyst Church Trunk-or-Treat
When: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 31
Where: 1302 W. Hermosa Dr. in Artesia
Goulish gatherings
Haunted House brought to you by Loving High School Seniors
When: 7 p.m. to midnight
Where: 2797 Pecos Hwy in Carlsbad
$5 entry. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.
Carlsbad Pride Fest
When: 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 16
Where: Beach Bandshell, E. Riverside Dr. in Carlsbad
Pride’s fabulous fits come together with Halloween’s ghoulish garments for Carlsbad’s Pride Festival. Join and stand together with Carlsbad’s growing LGBTQ community. Enjoy and evening dancing, giveaways, vendors and networking with community support. Kick off the night with the Hallowqueen Drag Show featuring Lady Shug from HBO’s “We’re Here,” then head to the Carlsbad Pride’s after-party at Cal’s Shade Western.
Family-friendly frights
Carlsbad Fall Festival
When: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 29
Where: Carlsbad Main Street
Prepare your costumes and grab those candy buckets because the 26th annual Carlsbad Fall Festival is back. The costume contest, sponsored by the Nuclear Waste Partnership, will offer first, second and third place prizes for each age group. DJ Kool Arrow will provide entertainment and kids will get the chance to trick-or-treat on main street.
Bat Flight & Fest
When: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 30
Where: Beach Bandshell, E. Riverside Dr. in Carlsbad
Dawn your wings and take flight for a bat-themed 5-k run along the Pecos River. Runners can dress up and compete for the titles of best bat runner and most festive bat. Participants can create their own bat-inspired outfits and costumes and strut their stuff down a spooky runway for the Batty Fashion Show at 4 p.m. Prizes will be offered for Best Bats 10 and under, 11 to 18 and 19 and over, most festive bat, crowd favorite and best in show. End the night with Trick-or-Treat at the Beach from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. or while supplies last. The festival is sponsored by the City of Carlsbad, Intrepid and Sleep Inn, and is supported by the lodger’s tax. Registration is $35 for adults and $25 for anyone 18 and under.
Halloween Market
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 30
Where: 2797 Pecos Hwy
Join 25 local vendors and artists at the Halloween Market. Take part in a costume contest and trick-or-treat at the various booths. Some activities include Zia Axe Throwing, face painting and a cakewalk. The event will be hosted by DJ Alpine with performances by the Just Dance Studio.
Spook-Tacular RC Drag Races
When: Registration starts at 4 p.m., race starts at 6 p.m. Oct. 23
Where: Carlsbad Beach tennis court parking lot
Registration ranges from $10 to $30.
Autumn Festival
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 23
Where: 1502 W. Mermod St. in Carlsbad
Bring the family and shop with local vendors at the Carlsbad First Assembly Autumn Festival. Lunch will be sold by OTM & Grizzly Bear Lemonade and music will be provided by W3R1 and other Christian artists.
Claudia Silva is a reporter from the UNM Local Reporting Fellowship. She can be reached at [email protected], by phone at 575-628-5506 or on Twitter @thewatchpup.
