Here's a frightening list of places to get your boo on in the Chattanooga area

Costumes are part of the fun at Boo in the Zoo, a Halloween celebration the next two weekends at Chattanooga Zoo.
Costumes are part of the fun at Boo in the Zoo, a Halloween celebration the next two weekends at Chattanooga Zoo.

Festivals

New festival launches in Red Bank and more regional events

HARD-CORE HAUNTS

* The Haunted Barn: 5017 McDonald Road, McDonald, Tenn. This 16-room walk-through spook house overtakes a rural barn each season. Other activities include a dark maze, bonfire, live entertainment and giant monsters as greeters. Open 7 p.m.-midnight Fridays and Saturdays in October. $20. 423-396-9790, www.thehauntedbarnchattanooga.com.

* The Haunted Cavern: Ruby Falls, 1720 S. Scenic Highway. This subterranean Flesh Farm is a brutal society, torn by infection and chaos and ruled by a matron who thrives on the madness. Open 8-10:30 p.m. today, Oct. 20; 8-11:30 p.m. Fridays, Oct. 21 and 28; 8 p.m.-midnight Saturdays, Oct. 22 and 29; 8-10:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23; 8-11 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30; 8-10:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31. Freak parade through the parking lot at 7:30 p.m. $25 Fridays, $30 Saturdays, $20 Sundays, Thursdays and Halloween; 10 percent discount on tickets purchased online. 423-800-0566, www.hauntedcavern.com.

* Haunted Depot: Ringgold Depot, 155 Depot St., Ringgold, Ga. Tenth annual haunted attraction, with musical entertainment while you wait, plus other activities for those who'd rather forgo the frights. Open 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays in October. $8 Haunted Depot, $7 ghost tours through downtown, $3 hayride and bonfire, $15 combo. 706-935-3061, www.cityofringgold.com.

* The Haunted Hilltop: 8235 Highway 58. More than 50 live actors, state-of-the-art animatronics, vortex tunnel, dark maze, haunted hayride through woods and a cornfield, cemetery walk and scary movies on the big screen. Open 7 p.m.-1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays in October, plus 7 p.m.-midnight (or until last person goes through) Halloween night, Oct. 31. $20. 423-488-3956, thehauntedhilltop.com.

COMMUNITY FESTIVALS

* Chickamauga Pumpkin Fest: Downtown Chickamauga, Ga. Third annual event, sponsored by Chickamauga Merchants Association, includes craft vendors, kids games, live music, pumpkin carving and recipe contests, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22. Proceeds benefit Al Millard Stocking Full of Love Fund. www.cityofchickamauga.org.

* PumpkinFest: Downtown, Dayton, Tenn. Alternative to traditional Halloween activities includes food and craft vendors, Punkin Chunkin, Scary-Oke, movie in the park, hay rides, car show, pie-eating contest, costume contest, chili cook-off and trick-or-treating, 5-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, and 3-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29. www.mainstreetdayton.org/Events.html.

* Halloween Block Party: Courthouse square, Cleveland, Tenn. This trick-or-treat alternative, scheduled 5-10 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31, includes food booths, two stages of music, costume contests, games, inflatables and a Treat Street (open 6-9 p.m.) sponsored by M&M/Mars. 423-472-6587.

* Scare on the Square: Downtown LaFayette, Ga. This alternative to door-to-door trick-or-treating will have merchants passing out candy, 5:30-7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31. 706-639-1519.

MORE FAMILY FUN

* Chattanooga Ghost Tours: Meet at The Little Curiosity Shoppe, 138 Market St., for walking tours and ghost hunts, 7:30 nightly. $15.95 adults, $10 ages 12 and younger. 423-821-7125.

* Halloween Eerie Express: Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, 4119 Cromwell Road. These 90-minute excursions from Grand Junction Station stop at a "gentle thrills" funhouse for storytelling, blacklight mini golf, coloring pages, hot cider, goody bag and costume contest. Departures at 5:45 and 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Oct. 21 and 28; 3:35, 5:45 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, Oct. 22 and 29. $22 ages 2 and older. 423-894-8028, www.tvrail.com.

* Acres of Darkness: Audubon Acres, 900 N. Sanctuary Road. New cast of characters and surprises at haunted trail; children's activities include kiddie trail, hayride, blacklight maze, s'mores by the bonfire, Fridays and Saturdays in October. Family area open 7:30-9:30 p.m., haunted trails 8-11 p.m. $15 (get $5 off coupons at office). Proceeds benefit conservation and education programs. 423-892-1499.

* Boo in the Zoo: Chattanooga Zoo, 301 N. Holtzclaw Ave. Non-scary family event includes animal enrichment, costume contest, trick-or-treat stations and photos with costumed characters, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Oct. 21-23 and 28-30. Some activities included in regular admission: $9.95 adults, $7.95 seniors 65+, $6.95 children 3-12. A $10 wristband grants unlimited visits to bounce houses, games, crafts, pony rides, maze and hay rides. www.chattzoo.org/events/boo.

* Lake WinnepeSpookah: Lake Winnepesaukah, 1730 Lakeview Drive, Rossville. New light show, costumed ghouls and ghosts, eerie edibles and thrills as amusement park dresses up for Halloween, 6-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 5-10 p.m. Sundays through October. $24 online at www.lakewinnie.com, $26 on-site. Guests ages 1-2 and 55+ must buy tickets at gate.

* Halloween Storytime: Barnes & Noble, 2100 Hamilton Place Blvd. Readings of "Little Blue Truck's Halloween" and "I Need My Monster," 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22. 423-893-0186.

* Chattanooga Storytelling Circle: Spooky, but still family-friendly, fare at local storytellers' monthly meeting, 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, at Northgate Public Library, Hixson. 423-779-4466, 423-875-4341.

* Cleveland Storytelling Guild: Spirits, Legends & Lore, a history and mystery storytelling event (formerly An Evening of Cleveland Mystery and Folklore), 6 and 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, in Lee University's Communication Arts Building, 345 Church St. NE, Cleveland, Tenn. $10 adults, $5 children (suitable for ages 5 and older).

* AquaScarium IX: Tennessee Aquarium, 1 Broad St. Come in costume to see spooky critters, dance at the Monster Mash, watch costumed divers in the tanks and collect candy, 4-8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28. The Nat Geo Wild "Monster Fish" exhibit will be open next door. $8 members (children and adults); $25 (children) and $35 (adults) for member guests; $30 and $40 for nonmembers. www.tnaqua.org.

* Hogwarts Masquerade Ball: Barnes & Noble, 2100 Hamilton Place Blvd. Harry Potter-themed costume contests, games and pumpkin juice, 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28. 423-893-0186.

* Harvest Moon Storyland Maze: Tennessee Riverpark, 4301 Amnicola Highway. Come as a favorite storybook character for this Read 20 and Hamilton County Parks and Recreation event with costumed characters, stories, magic and balloon art, 6-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Oct. 28-29. $3 children 2-10, $5 children 11 and up and adults; additional $1 per visit for inflatables, cow train and critter corral. 423-208-6190.

* Pumpkin Party: Eastgate Public Library, 5705 Marlin Road, Suite 1500, 5900 Building. Second annual event includes crafts for all ages and games for younger kids, 2-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29. Free screening of "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" at 3 p.m. Costumes welcome. 423-855-2689.

* Zombie 5K, Fun Run and Halloween Festival: McCoy Farm, 1715 Anderson Pike, Signal Mountain. Inaugural event benefiting Signal Mountain Middle/High School Sports Boosters includes 5K trail run, 1-mile not-so-scary fun run and festival, 5-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29. www.signalzombierun.com.

* Trunk-or-Treat: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 822 Belvoir Ave. One-stop candy collection, 6:30-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29. 423-629-4661.

* Halloween Bike Ride: Walnut Bridge Market, 204 Walnut St. Dress in costume for a bike ride around downtown Chattanooga and a chance to win $50 cash, 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29. Meet at 6:30 p.m. 423-708-5051.

* Haunted Market at Chattanooga Market: First Tennessee Pavilion, 1829 Carter St. Trick-or-treating for the kids and costume parades for all ages at noon, 1:30 and 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30. Choose a pumpkin from vendors on-site. www.chattanoogamarket.com.

* Halloween Costume Pet Parade: Walnut Bridge Market, 204 Walnut St. Inaugural pet parade will go across the Walnut Street Bridge and around the North Shore, 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30. Costumed pets should arrive by 1:30 p.m. 423-708-5051.

* Monster Bash: Bessie Smith Cultural Center, 200 E. M.L. King Blvd. Candy and costume contests for children 14 and younger, 3-7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30.

* Trunk-or-Treat: Toyota of Cleveland, 3560 Village North Blvd. SW, McDonald, Tenn. Candy giveaways, live music, face painting and special guests, 4-8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31. 423-664-9715.

* Halloween Fall Festival: Bradley Square Mall, 200 Paul Huff Parkway, Cleveland, Tenn. Annual event sponsored by Westwood Baptist Church, River Hills Church of God and Westmore Church of God features games, crafts and trick-or-treating at participating stores, 6-8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31. Fall photos at Noerr Halloween photo set starting at 5 p.m. (next to Bath & Body Works).

* Malloween: Trick-or-treating for children 12 and younger at participating stores, 6-7 p.m. (or while supplies last) Monday, Oct. 31, at Hamilton Place in Chattanooga, Northgate Mall in Hixson and Walnut Square Mall in Dalton, Ga. Children must be in costume and accompanied by an adult; adults should not wear masks. www.visitnorthgatemall.

ADULTS-ONLY

* Cocktails & Costumes in Color: Dress up as a favorite character from a painting for gallery tour with spooky cocktail from Flying Squirrel bartenders, 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27. Cash bar. $15 members, $20 nonmembers. Buy tickets online at www.huntermuseum.org through Wednesday, Oct. 26.

* Hallowine: Georgia Winery, 6469 Battlefield Parkway, Ringgold, Ga. Ladies Night Out features music by Joe Logan, food from Catering By Alan, pampering, signature drink, wine by the glass, door prizes and costume contest, 6-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28. $20. 706-937-9463.

* Halloween Costume Wine Party: Cartecay Vineyards, 5704 Clear Creek Road, Ellijay, Ga. Music by Timothy O'Donovan and costume contest, 6-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29. No cover charge; $10 for five wine tastings and souvenir glass. 706-698-9463.

* Halloween Costume Party: Bessie Smith Cultural Center, 200 E. M.L. King Blvd. Adult party with a costume contest, live DJ, dancing, door prizes and cash bar, 7 p.m.-midnight Saturday, Oct. 29. Must be 21 or older. $10 per person, $15 per couple.

* Book signings: Barnes & Noble, 2100 Hamilton Place Blvd. Meet A.L. Gates, author of the new horror novel "Jocko," and Amy Petulla, author of the true-crime story "The Corpsewood Manor Murders in North Georgia," in separate book signings: Gates at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29; Petulla at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30. Petulla's appearance will coincide with a concert of Halloween music by the Boyd-Buchanan High School Chorus starting at 2:30 p.m. 423-893-0186.

THEATER

* "Dracula": Artistic Civic Theatre, 907 Gaston St., Dalton, Ga. Stage adaptation of Bram Stoker's vampire novel, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 21-22; 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23; 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27; 8 and midnight Friday, Oct. 28; and 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29. $11-$15 (discounts for members). 706-278-4796.

* "Dracula": Lee University's Dixon Center, 1053 Church St. NE, Cleveland, Tenn. Lee Theatre's production of Nathan Jeffrey's adaptation of Bram Stoker's classic horror tale, recommended for ages 12 and older, 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Oct. 28-29; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30; 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 3-5. $10 adults, $7 children and seniors. www.leeuniversity/edu/theatre.

ON THE BIG SCREEN

* "House on Haunted Hill": Heritage House, 1428 Jenkins Road. Free screening of director William Castle's legendary 1959 film starring Vincent Price as an eccentric millionaire, 7-9 p.m. today, Oct. 20.

* Anime Blast Matinee: Chattanooga Public Library, 1001 Broad St. Free 4th Floor screening of "Ghost Stories," 3-4:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22.

* "The Shining": Director Stanley Kubrick co-adapted this ghostly time warp of madness and murder, starring Jack Nicholson in a signature role, from a Stephen King novel, 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, and Wednesday, Oct. 26, at Hamilton Place 8, 2000 Hamilton Place Blvd.; 2 p.m. Sunday and 7 p.m Wednesday at East Ridge 18, 5080 South Terrace. Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz provides exclusive commentary. www.fathomevents.com.

* "Frankenstein": This National Theatre Live encore presentation of Danny Boyle's smash-hit stage production from London's Royal National Theatre stars Benedict Cumberbatch as the creature and Jonny Lee Miller as Victor Frankenstein, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25, at East Ridge 18, 5080 South Terrace. www.fathomevents.com.

* "Carnival of Souls": The screening of this spooky 1962 cult classic will include humorous commentary from the RiffTrax crew, live from the Belcourt Theatre in Nashville, 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, at East Ridge 18, 5080 South Terrace, and Hamilton Place 8, 2000 Hamilton Place Blvd. Rebroadcast at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31. www.fathomevents.com.

* FAFF 6: Cine-Rama, 100 W. Main St. Sixth annual Frightening Ass Film Festival includes screenings of scary movies, horror-themed art show, food trucks, comedy show, short film challenge and a FAFFter Party with Music Band, Deluxin' and DJ sets, 11 a.m.-3 a.m. Friday, Oct. 29. $35 for all-day wristband; a la carte prices vary.

MAD SKILLS

* Costume Lab With Anime Blast: Chattanooga Public Library, 1001 Broad St. Free help and advice from some of the city's best costumers, noon-3 p.m. Saturdays, Oct. 22 and 29, in the 4th Floor sewing lab.

* "How To Survive the Zombie Apocalypse": Edney Innovation Center, 1100 Market St. A Chattery class on zombie survival methods, with lessons from biology, emergency medicine and personal combat taught by Marine Corps veteran Dr. David Powers, a founding member of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26. $15. 423-413-8978, www.thechattery.org.

DANCES

* Disco of the Dead: Chattanooga Public Library, 1001 Broad St. Disco dance in the auditorium, learn about the Day of the Dead, make disco ball earrings and pearlier bead sugar skulls, 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22.

* Trick-or-Treat Dance: Grandview Community Center, 175 Emergency Road, Grandview, Tenn. Grandview Twirlers host dance with caller Mike Hoose, 6:30-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28. $7. grandview.twirlers@gmail.com, 423-802-1136.

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