HAIR-RAISING HAUNTS
Dread Hollow
» Where: 321 Browns Ferry Road
» When: 7-10 p.m. today, Oct. 25; 7-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Oct. 26-27; 7-10 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, and Wednesday, Oct. 31
» Admission: $20 or $35 RIP Fast Pass
» For more information: 423-800-0566
More than a traditional haunted house, Dread Hollow is an entire haunted town. Billed as "20,000 feet of pure terror," it is not recommended for children under 12.
Visitors make their way through the ominous town built on tainted soil to the Belle Royale Hotel as a paranormal investigative team unearths evidence of supernatural activity from tormented souls.
Wander into the abandoned fairgrounds of the cursed Brine Bros. Circus to discover banished sideshow freaks beckoning visitors to join them forever in their Cirque de Fatale.
Post Mortem Haunted Trail
» Where: Tri-State Exhibition Center, 200 Natures Trail, McDonald, Tenn.
» When: 8 p.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday, Oct. 26-27
» Admission: $15 cash only
» For more information: postmortem.myfreesites.net
Tri-State Exhibition Center and Twisted Entertainment partner for an all-new haunt, where freaks and creeps dare you to take a walk in the woods. While the intense scares are all in good fun, organizers are serious when they say this is not for children under 12 or anyone with health issues.
Freddy Kruger is one of 50 costumed actors who add to the scares at The Haunted Hilltop. (Photo: thehauntedhilltop.com)The Haunted Hilltop
» Where: 8235 Highway 58, Harrison
» When: 7-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Oct. 26-27, and Halloween
» Admission: $20 for haunted house and haunted hayride, $15 for just one
» For more information: thehaunted hilltop.com
This haunted house in Harrison is even bigger this year with an addition built onto the house and remodeled interior.
It takes 50 professional actors to pull off this attraction. You'll find them not only in the house, but in the woods along the haunted hayride. The Hilltop has added new state-of-the-art animatronics, and visitors will find the longest vortex tunnel in the South.
There is a Halloween store, bonfire, newly constructed Dark Maze, a walk by the cemetery, concessions and scary movies on an outdoor TV while you wait for your group's number to be called.
FRIGHT LITE: SPOOKY, BUT FUN
Acres of Darkness
» Where: Audubon Acres
» When: 7:30-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Oct. 26-27
» Admission: $15, Chattanooga Audubon Society members get $5 discount
» For more information: 423-892-1499
Acres of Darkness offers two trails: one for families, where guests can enjoy s'mores and cocoa by a bonfire, and the Haunted Forest Trail for those who dare to journey to the depths of the forest for the fright of their lives.
This year's theme is "Toyland of Terror." Deep beneath the bed exists a land of toys without joy. These damaged, unwanted toys' despair has given way to bitterness, anger and evil. Once joyful toys wreak a terrible vengeance upon children foolish enough to venture into their realm. In this toyland they are not your playthings; you are theirs.
All proceeds benefit the Chattanooga Audubon Society.
Haunted Trail
» Where: Enterprise South Nature Park, 190 Still Hollow Loop
» When: 7-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Oct. 26-27
» Admission: $20 per car load
» For more information: parks.hamiltontn.gov
The dead are rising and they dare you to walk the 1.5-mile haunted trail featuring a bunker maze and a fog laser tunnel.
While their older siblings and parents brave the trail of undead madness, children ages 12 and under can visit the Too Cute to Spook trick-or-treat trail. Kids can wear their costumes and bring a bag to collect goodies from kid-friendly booths sponsored by local businesses and organizations. There will be read-alouds from Read 20, face painting and a Halloween music light show.
Lake WinnepeSpookah offers scares for older visitors as well as juvenile jitters for younger visitors.Lake WinnepeSpookah
» Where: Lake Winnepesaukah, 1730 Lakeview Drive, Rossville
» When: 5-11 p.m. today-Saturday, Oct. 25-27
» Admission: $26 ages 3 and up, discounts available for ages 60 and older
» For more information: 706-866-5681
The amusement park offers Halloween fun for boys and ghouls of all ages with designated scare zone areas for different ages. The entire family will enjoy an "atmosfear" of haunted rides, eerie edibles and screaming thrills. There is a new Monster Parade, a haunted train ride, hourly magic shows and the traditional Thriller parade. And don't miss the choreographed light show illuminating the lake.
Lanterns & Legends
» Where: Raccoon Mountain, 319 West Hills Drive
» When: 7 and 9 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Oct. 26-27
» Admission: $21.95 ages 13 and up, $16.95 ages 5-12
» For more information: 423-821-9403
Experience Raccoon Mountain cave like explorers of the past when the overhead lights are turned off and you carry a lantern to light your way in the cavern. Reservations required.
The Haunted Depot
» Where: Ringgold, Ga., train depot, 155 Depot St.
» When: 7-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Oct. 26-27
» Admission: $10 Haunted Depot, $7 ghost tour, $3 hayride, $15 combo ticket
» For more information: www.facebook.com/hauntedringgold
The Haunted Depot is put on annually by the Ringgold Downtown Development Authority. Proceeds help fund RDDA improvements throughout the Ringgold community.
Although the haunted house is filled with plenty of hair-raising fun, the overall event is family-friendly with ghost tours, live music, face painting, hayrides and bonfires.
FRIGHTENING FILMS
The Frightening Ass Film Festival
» Where: Improv Chattanooga, 1800 Rossville Ave., Suite 106
» When: 10 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 27-28
» Admission: $40-$75
» For more information: 423-843-1775
Curated selection of horror films both classic and new. New this year: special screening of TV episodes from "Channel Zero: The Dream Door," with series creator Nick Atosca on hand.
More weekend fun includes the first Are You Afraid of the Dark-athon with four episodes of the classic Nickelodeon horror anthology series, a costume contest, levitation, a seance with a spirit guide and horror art exhibition.
"The Phantom Carriage" film screening
» Where: Heritage House, 1428 Jenkins Road
» When: 2 and 7 p.m. today, Oct. 25
» Admission: Free
» For more information: 423-855-9474
The last person to die on New Year's Eve before the clock strikes midnight is doomed to take the reins of Death's chariot and work tirelessly collecting fresh souls for the next year. So says the legend that drives "The Phantom Carriage."
CEMETERY WALKS
Chattanooga Ghost Tours
» Where: 57 E. Fifth St.
» When: 8:30 p.m. nightly by reservation
» Admission: $17.95 adults, $11 ages 12 and younger
» For more information: 423-800-5998
Guided tour through Citizens Cemetery.
Fort Hill Cemetery Walk
» Where: Fort Hill Cemetery, 92 Oak St. at South Ocoee Street, Cleveland, Tenn.
» When: 4-6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28
» Admission: $5, $2 for students with valid ID
» For more information: www.leeuniversity.edu/acadeis/arts-sciences/hps
Lee University history majors and volunteers lead tours of historic cemetery where participants will meet several of its famous residents: Joseph and Maggie Harle, Clarence Johnson, Nena Howard, Lon Shiflet and the Rev. T.E. Stevens.
Proceeds benefit the William Snell Scholarship fund at Lee University. Park at Cleveland Christian Fellowship, 695 S. Ocoee St., or the Boys and Girls Club, 385 Third St., to catch a shuttle.
NONSCARY FUN: GIGGLES AND GRINS
The four-night Boo in the Zoo event combines Halloween spirit with family fun at Chattanooga Zoo. (Chattanooga Zoo contributed photo)Boo in the Zoo
» Where: Chattanooga Zoo, 301 N. Holtzclaw Ave.
» When: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Oct. 26-27
» Admission: $10 members, $15 nonmembers
» For more information: www.chattzoo.org
Children are invited to come costumed to the zoo's Halloween party. There will be costumed characters for photo-ops, a scavenger hunt through the zoo, animal enrichment activities, games, bounce house and hayrides.
Eerie Express
» Where: Tennessee Valley Railroad, 4119 Cromwell Road
» When: 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26; 3:30 and 7:30 Saturday, Oct. 27
» Admission: $23 ages 2 and up
»' For more information: www.tvrail.com
All aboard the Halloween Eerie Express vintage train for a family-friendly, round-trip ride to the Fun House Station. During the 1.5-hour journey, riders will be entertained with storytelling, hot cider, blacklight mini golf, games, temporary tattoos, coloring pages, costume contest, petting zoo, pony rides, bags of treats for children and tours through the Eerie Fun House, a 20-room, 2,000-square-foot fun house (not a haunted house.)
Children are encouraged to wear their costumes and enter the costume contest.
Festival of the Jack O'Lanterns
» Where: Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center, 400 Garden Road
» When: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27
» Admission: $15 per car, $10 per car Hunter Museum members, free for RRANC members
» For more information: www.reflectionriding.org
Bring a pumpkin or purchase one there to paint with staff from Hunter Museum of Art from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. See a red wolf feeding at 12:15 p.m. and enjoy music from Spinster and fall colors on the 317-acre preserve.
Haunted Family Skate
» Where: Hamilton Skate Place, 7414 Goodwin Road
» When: 10 a.m.-noon Boo Skate; 1-5 p.m. Family Skate, Saturday, Oct. 27
» Admission: $5 and $3 skate rental, nonskating parents are free at Boo Skate; $6 and $3 skate rental for Family Skate
» For more information: 423-899-1788
Boo Skate is a skating party for ages 8 and younger, which will include a candy drop, games and costume contest. Skate to Halloween music.
Saturday afternoon Family Skate repeats the candy drop and costume contest, and everyone will roll home with a treat.
Haunted Market
» Where: First Tennessee Pavilion, 1829 Carter St.
» When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28
» Admission: Free
» For more information: 423-648-2496
Chattanooga Market takes on a Halloween theme offering trick-or-treating from market vendors, children's Halloween costume contests at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Local artists will show their skill at pumpkin portraiture in a pumpkin-carving contest. The carved pumpkins will be sold in a silent auction, with proceeds benefiting Make-a-Wish Foundation.
Scare on the Square
» Where: Main Street in LaFayette, Ga.
» When: 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31
» Admission: Free
» For more information: 706-639-1550
This block party is a safe trick-or-treating alternative to going door-to-door. Business owners will give out candy to children.
ODDS & ENDS
Grand Opening and Halloween Celebration
» Where: Chattanooga Event Center, 2193 Park Drive
» When: 5-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27
» Admission: Free
» For more information: 423-414-2815
New event venue hosts open house to see facility. Activities include face painting, pumpkin bean-bag toss, cornhole, Halloween Bingo and SEC football on big-screen TVs. An optional food-and-drink ticket is $5 for ages 13 and older.
Halloween Makeup: Monster Edition
» Where: Chattanooga Workspace, 302 W. Sixth St.
» When: 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27
» Admission: $20 includes supplies
» For more information: 423-413-8978
Learn how to apply makeup to become the monster of your dreams or nightmares.
Muddy Pumpkin 5K
» Where: Rhea County Courthouse, 1475 Market St., Dayton, Tenn.
» When: 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Oct. 27
» Admission: $40-$45
» For more information: 423-775-0019
This run in downtown Dayton benefits The Care Center, which provides pregnancy testing, ultrasound, parenting and material support at no cost to anyone in an unexpected pregnancy situation.
Nerd Nite Halloween
» Where: Barley Chattanooga, 235 E. M.L. King Blvd.
» When: 6:30-8:30 p.m. today, Oct. 25
» Admission: Free
» For more information: 208-757-9875
What makes us afraid? What makes us behave the way we do when we're afraid?
Ethan Mills, UTC assistant professor of philosophy, will discuss this during "Why Do Horror Fans Like to Be Scared? - On the Philosophy of Horror." Devori Kimbro, UTC English lecturer, will follow-up with "The Devil's Marks: The Politics of Witch-Hunting in Early Modern England."
Enjoy a night of thrills and chills - with a little learning and drinking thrown into the mix.
TRICK-OR-TREAT, TRUNK-OR-TREAT
Saturday, Oct. 27
» Abba's House: 5208 Hixson Pike, 6 p.m., inflatables, pony rides, fireworks finale. 423-877-6462
» Good Shepherd Lutheran Church: 822 Belvoir Ave., 7-8:30 p.m. 423-629-4661
» The Lantern at Morning Pointe: 7620 Shallowford Road, 2-3 p.m. 423-238-5330
» Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church: 6314 E. Brainerd Road, 5-7 p.m. 423-987-6621
Sunday, Oct. 28
» Anglican Church of the Redeemer: 104 McBrien Road, 4:30-6:30 p.m. www.redeemerchattanooga.org
» Hickory Valley Baptist Church: 2320 Hickory Valley Road, 6-7 p.m. 423-892-1916
Tuesday, Oct. 30
» Mountain City Club: 729 Chestnut St., 6-7:30 p.m., raffle prize for kids who come dressed in costume, food trucks on-site, held rain or shine. 423-756-5584
Wednesday, Oct. 31
» Grace United Methodist Church: 9833 Hixson Pike, Soddy-Daisy, 6-7:30 p.m., inflatables, hot chocolate and apple cider. graceumcsd.org
» Keith Baptist Church: 1573 Keith Road, Ringgold, Ga., 7-8 p.m. 706-450-0963
» Middle Cross Baptist Church: 4009 Norcross Road, 6:30-7:30 p.m., costumes welcome, free chili, soup, chips and drink while supplies last. www.middlecrossbaptistchurch.com
» Tyner-East Brainerd Recreation Center: 6900 Ty-Hi Drive, 5:30-6:30 p.m., community children's party sponsored by Silverdale Baptist Church with candy, inflatables, games and free food. www.silverdalebc.com