By Kristen Schrum
Every fall, a quiet kind of magic rolls into the Triangle’s farmland—rows of rustling corn, tractor engines humming to life, and families spilling into pumpkin fields with boots and an apple cider in hand. But behind the hayrides and corn mazes are local families who’ve worked the same soil for generations, neighbors who turned their land into gathering places, and simple traditions that keep people coming back year after year.
Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes
Crossroads Corn Maze
5712 Watkins Road, Wendell
crossroadscornmaze.com
Tucked between Knightdale and Rolesville, Crossroads Corn Maze offers a quieter kind of magic. Lee and Paula Perry started the maze in 2017 with their two children, Charlie and Kaylee, hoping to create a place where families could unplug, play, and make memories close to home. Eight seasons later, the experience remains deeply personal—and intentionally small. “We don’t want to get any bigger,” says Paula. “The families that come love the uniqueness of our size.” On any October weekend, guests can expect a warm fire, hot cider (or cold, if that’s your thing), s’mores, and simple, well-loved attractions: hayrides, pumpkins, lawn games, and the fan-favorite scavenger hunt. “Everybody raves over the scavenger hunt,” Paula says. And when the sun goes down, the stalks stay open—night mazes are a Crossroads tradition. Bring a flashlight and a sense of adventure. What stands out most, though, is what’s missing. “What’s so fun for me as an owner is watching families not on their phones,” Paula says. “They’re constantly playing and enjoying making memories. And that is so amazing to see.”
Fall Season: Oct. 3–31
Daytime Hours:
Friday: 1–9:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
Sunday: 1–7:00 p.m.
Night Maze (When the Stalks Go Dark) Hours:
Friday–Sunday: 7–9 p.m.
DJ’s Berry Patch
1223 Salem Church Road, Apex
djsberrypatch.com
Monday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Shop for North Carolina’s autumn favorite—pumpkins! In addition, shop for fall’s most sought-after flower … mums!
The Family Farm on Avent Ferry
1719 Avent Ferry Road, Holly Springs
thefamilyfarmonaventferry.com
Monday–Friday, 3 p.m.–7 p.m; Saturday 10 a.m–7 p.m.; Sunday 1–6 p.m. Shop for specialty pumpkins and gourds, and take advantage of family photo opportunities on a vintage John Deere tractor.
Gross Farms Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch
1606 Pickett Road, Sanford
grossfarms.com
Open September 13–November 2; visit the website for operating hours and ticket information. Enjoy a corn maze, pumpkin patch, Tom’s Tunnel slide, hayrides, and various playgrounds.
Hill Ridge Farms Fall Pumpkin Festival
703 Tarboro Road, Youngsville
hillridgefarms.com
When the Hill family first welcomed visitors to their farm in 1968, it was one of the area’s first “pick-your-own” destinations. What started as a small local offering has grown into a full-scale fall festival, drawing more than 10,000 guests each weekend—all still managed by the same family with the same neighborly spirit. “There’s so much to do,” says owner Jennifer Garry. “We have jumping pillows, a huge jumping pad, giant slides, train rides, carousels—it’s really a full day.” A standout feature is the Country Store, packed with nostalgic charm—barrels of candy, farm-themed toys, and seasonal gifts. But it’s the fresh doughnuts that leave the biggest impression. Don’t leave without trying the Apple Cider Glazed or Apple Cinnamon Sugar, and if you’re lucky, a slab of homemade fudge for the road.
Fall Festival: Sept. 24–Nov. 7
Farm Hours:
Wednesday–Sunday: 9:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays
Holder Hill Farm
4822 Holder Road, Durham
holderhillfarmllc.com
Fall fun starts Friday, September 19. Open Monday–Saturday at 9 a.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m. Navigate a corn maze, jump on a hayride, visit farm animals, hike a nature trail, experience a play area and explore a pumpkin patch. Admission is $16 per person and includes a you-pick pumpkin.
Huckleberry Trail Farm
143 Pleasant Hill Church Road, Siler City
huckleberrytrailfarm.com
Open weekends September 27 through October 26; visit the website for operating hours and ticket information. Jump on a hayride, visit a pumpkin patch, and navigate a corn maze.
Ken’s Korny Corn Maze (Garner)
Where Getting Lost Is the Whole Point
3175 Benson Road, Garner
kenskornycornmaze.com
Back in 1999, Ken Walker plowed six acres of corn into a maze. “From the very beginning, Ken’s goal was to create a maze that brought families and friends together to enjoy the outdoors and see agriculture in a different way: from the middle of a sea of corn.” says Amy Woolard, manager of Ken’s Produce and Garden Center. More than two decades later, Ken’s Korny Corn Maze is still a fall staple in the Triangle, known for its winding trails and cheerful wordplay. “I love seeing the smiles, hearing the laughter, and watching people get corn-fused,” Walker is known to say. In addition to the maze, there is a 2-acre Adventure Zone with slides, games, cattle lassoing, and even soccer billiards. Then there’s Ken’s Pumpkin House—three greenhouses bursting with 27 varieties of pumpkins, squash, and gourds, plus mums, fall flowers, fresh North Carolina apples, and plenty of front porch–worthy décor. It all connects back to Walker’s first idea: Fall fun could be rooted in farming, and the best traditions start with a simple walk through a field of corn.
Corn Maze Season: Sept. 20–Nov. 9
Maze Hours:
Friday: 4–9 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
Sunday: 12–8 p.m.
Garden Center Hours: Monday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
McKee Cornfield Maze
5011 Kiger Road, Rougemont
mckeecornfieldmaze.com
Open weekends September 27–November 1; Friday, 3–7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.; Sunday, 1–6 p.m. This 12-acre corn maze also features hayrides, a pumpkin patch, sunflower field, play areas, and farm animals.
Naylor Family Farm & Giant Maze
6016 U.S. Hwy 401, Fuquay-Varina
naylorfamilyfarm.com
Open September 13–November 2; visit the website for operating hours and rates. Enjoy a hayride, farm animals, pumpkin patch, barrel train, and more.
Page Farms
6100 Mount Herman Road, Raleigh
pagefarmsraleigh.com
Explore a 5-acre corn maze, hayride, cow train, farm animals, and pumpkins. Admission is $12–$18 per person. Tucked just outside the city, Page Farms has been in the same family for over a century—four generations working the same hundred acres since 1922. Fall at Page Farms is one of the most anticipated times of year. “Our hay ride takes you through the cow pastures, so you have a good chance of seeing animals,” says Justin Page. “It drops families right off at our pumpkin patch, where they can pick their pumpkin right off the vine.” In addition to the unique pumpkin patch, guests can enjoy a corn maze, a hay maze for little ones, slides, swings, duck races, and plenty of wide-open space for kids to explore.
Fall Season: Sept. 20–Nov. 2
Farm Hours:
Tuesday–Thursday: 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Friday–Sunday: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Porter Farms & Nursery (Raleigh)
7615 Ten-Ten Road, Raleigh
porterfarmsandnursery.com
With two locations (Ten Ten Road and Highway 42), Porter Farms has been a trusted name in local produce since 1997. Known for its friendly staff, exceptional quality, and freshly picked vegetables, the farm has built a loyal following, with many customers claiming its corn and tomatoes rival their own home gardens. Come fall, Porter shifts focus to what they do best: pumpkins. “Our pumpkins have won ribbons at the [North Carolina] State Fair,” says nursery manager Gylian Morris. “And we have a huge variety.” At the nursery, visitors will find the largest selection of pumpkins and ornamental gourds in Raleigh. Alongside the pumpkins, the farm offers colorful mums, dried corn stalks, ornamental gourds, and fall décor—all grown or sourced with care. There’s even a small photo stop for families looking to mark the season.
Pumpkin Season Begins: Early September
Farm & Nursery Hours:
Daily: 8:30 a.m.–9 p.m.
Museum of Life & Science Pumpkin Patch Express
433 W. Murray Avenue, Durham
lifeandscience.org
Visit the website for hours. Celebrate fall with science activities, games, pumpkin decorating, and a ride on the Ellerbe Creek Railway at the Museum of Life & Science. Tickets are $15 per person; free for ages 2 and younger. Museum admission is not included with the ticket purchase.
Ragan & Holly’s Pumpkin Patch
38 Lewter Shop Road, Apex
jeansberrypatch.com
Open daily, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Mums, pumpkins, and fall produce.
Scarecrow Row
2200 Laura Duncan Road, Apex
apexnc.org/1419/stay-play
October 23–31. See community-decorated scarecrows at Apex Community Park. Take a flashlight after sunset. Families can take part in the scarecrow decorating event on October 22; decorating is free but requires online registration. The town provides a post, hay, and head for scarecrows; participants only need to bring the decorating materials.
Fall Festivals
BooFest
433 W. Murray Avenue, Durham
lifeandscience.org
October 26, 27, and 31, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Don a costume for hands-on activities in the lab, a pumpkin party station with take-home goodies, and themed enrichment and encounters around the Museum of Life & Science. Activities are included with museum admission.
Cary Harvest Fest
1580 Morrisville Carpenter Road, Cary
carync.gov
October 18 and November 15, noon–4 p.m. Located at Good Hope Farm, the Harvest Fest returns with eco-friendly vendors, farm tours, live music, food and drink, and family activities. Set on a historic organic farm, the event blends community, sustainability, and seasonal fun for all ages.
Downtown Cary Farmer’s Fall Festival
Downtown Cary Park
caryfarmersmarket.com
September 20, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. This lively harvest festival features live music, a children’s village, games, local food and crafts, interactive exhibits, and a mid-day pie-eating contest.
Clayton Harvest Festival
Downtown Clayton
claytonharvestfestival.com
October 23–26; visit the website for hours. This 4-day festival features carnival rides, a talent showcase, kids activities, and car and tractor shows.
Falling for Local
101 Blair Drive, Raleigh
shoplocalraleigh.org/slr-events/falling-for-local-dix-park
October 4, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Take the family for hayrides, inflatables, lawn games, kids activities, and a free pumpkin patch on the Big Field at Dorothea Dix Park.
Festifall Arts Markets
Downtown Chapel Hill
chapelhillarts.org/calendar/festifall-arts-market-carolina-day
October 18, noon–5 p.m. Chapel Hill’s annual fall arts festival features two separate markets offering interactive art experiences, entertainment, and artisan vendors.
North Carolina State Fair
4285 Trinity Road, Raleigh
ncstatefair.org
October 16–26; visit the website for hours and rates. Rides, music, live entertainment, livestock competitions, and every fried food you can imagine highlight this annual fair and agricultural exposition at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds.
Oktoberfest at Lafayette Village
8450 Honeycutt Road, Raleigh
lafayettevillageraleigh.com
September 20th, 1–5 p.m. Enjoy German-inspired foods, fall brews, live music, and wiener dog races at Raleigh’s Lafayette Village shopping center.
PoeFest
224 Sunnybrook Road, Raleigh
poehealth.org
October 11, 1–4 p.m. The Alice Aycock Poe Center for Health Education hosts PoeFest, a free community festival to celebrate healthy choices. Enjoy food and prizes, interactive theaters, local entertainment, and more. Free books and produce will be available.
Triangle Oktoberfest
8003 Regency Parkway, Cary
triangleoktoberfest.org
October 3, 5–10 p.m.; October 4, noon–8 p.m. Celebrate all things Bavarian with live music, authentic cuisine, beer sampling, wiener dog races, a German car show, and a KinderPlatz Zone at Koka Booth Amphitheatre. Tickets are $15–$25 per person; free for ages 15 and younger.
Wendell Harvest Festival
115 N. Pine Street, Wendell
wendellchamber.com
October 4, 9 a.m.–9 p.m. Usher in fall’s arrival in downtown Wendell with a parade, stage performances, vendors, food trucks, and an evening concert.
Family-Friendly Halloween Events
Downtown Clayton Trick-or-Treat
Downtown Clayton
townofclaytonnc.org
October 31, 1 p.m. Preschool-aged kids trick-or-treat at participating merchants on Main Street and play games in Town Square.
Fuquay-Varina Haunted Trails
301 Wagstaff Road, Fuquay-Varina
fuquay-varina.org
October 18, 5–6 p.m. and 7–9 p.m. Wear a costume and interact with characters along the sunlit Family Trail, 5–6 p.m. The Full Fright Trail, 7–9 p.m., is a scary journey through the nighttime woods and is not recommended for children under the age of 10. Children between the ages of 10–12 should be accompanied by an adult. Park at the Fuquay-Varina Community Center and take the shuttle bus to Carroll Howard Johnson Environmental Education Park.
Goblin’s Groove Family Dance
237 N. Salem Street, Apex
thehalle.org
October 25, 5–7 p.m. Costume contests, cool games, dance contests, and a haunted gallery await kids and their parents at The Halle Cultural Arts Center. Admission is $5; $2 for ages 2 and younger. Purchase tickets online.
Halloween Boo Bash
Downtown Wake Forest
wakeforestnc.gov
October 18, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Attractions in downtown Wake Forest include inflatable slides, live music, food trucks, and ghostly games and activities for kids 12 and younger.
Halloween Food Truck Rodeo
501 Foster Street, Durham
durhamcentralpark.org
November 2, noon–4 p.m. Enjoy family fun, more than 35 food and beverage trucks, and cuisine from all over the world for the ultimate Sunday Funday at Durham Central Park.
Holly Springs Haunted Trail
2401 Grigsby Avenue, Holly Springs
hollyspringsnc.gov
October 10, 7–10:45 p.m. Take a spooky walk in the dark and encounter zombies, scary clowns, and more at Jefferson L. Sugg Farm Park. Recommended for ages 14 and older; younger children should be accompanied by an adult.
“Wait Until Dark”
107 Pullen Road, Raleigh
theatreinthepark.com
October 9–11, 16–18 at 7:30 p.m.; October 12 and 19 at 3 p.m.; visit the website for tickets. Theater in the Park at Pullen Park will perform Jeffrey Hatcher’s version of Frederick Knott’s 1966 suspenseful thriller.
Magic and Mischief, A Wizard’s Market
820 Clay Street, Raleigh
paperandstarsstudio.com/rsvp
November 15; 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Young wizards and witches enjoy activities, crafts, music, handmade goods, and magical food and drink at Fred Fletcher Park. Admission is free, but participants are encouraged to register online.
Marbles’ Kooky Spooky Halloween Party
201 E. Hargett Street, Raleigh
marbleskidsmuseum.org
October 24, 6–8:30 p.m.; $20 for members and $22 for nonmembers. Experience the magic of Marbles Kids Museum after dark with activities like ghost games, spooky science, a dance party, and more. Advance ticket purchase is required online.
Morrisville Boo Bash
1520 Morrisville Parkway, Morrisville
morrisvillenc.gov
October 18, 3–6 p.m. Venture down a trail and trick-or-treat for candy, vouchers, and coupons from local businesses at Morrisville Community Park.
Halloween Storytime on the Roof at The Durham
315 E. Chapel Hill Street, Durham
thedurham.com
October 29, 10:30 a.m. The Durham partners with the Durham County Library for a free Halloween-themed story time. Children can wear a Halloween costume and enjoy complimentary hot chocolate.
Pumpkin Flotilla
801 High House Road, Cary
carync.gov
October 24, 4–7 p.m. Enjoy live music, food trucks, and boat rentals from 4–6 p.m. at Bond Park Boathouse. At twilight, watch as carved jack-o’-lanterns set sail across Bond Park Lake. Drop off a carved pumpkin at the boathouse from 4–6 p.m. the day before the event. Pumpkins are left floating and relit the next evening to be viewed from the waterfront at the boathouse.
Spellbound at Mordecai
1 Mimosa Street, Raleigh
paperandstarsstudio.com/rsvp
October 25, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Encounter mysterious creatures, magicians, fortune tellers, and vendors selling handmade items and treats at Mordecai Historic Park. Wear your best Halloween finery to enter the costume contest and parade. Admission is free.
Family Spooktacular
2401 Grigsby Avenue, Holly Springs
hollyspringsnc.gov
October 11, 1–4 p.m. Bring the kids to Jefferson L. Sugg Farm Park at Bass Lake for this fun event featuring candy stations, slime-making, a costume contest, and s’mores. This event is geared for ages 3–11.
Track or Treat Halloween Express
3900 Bonsal Road, New Hill
triangletrain.com
October 11, 15, 18 and 25; rides depart at 2:15, 3:30, 4:45, 6:30, and 7:45 p.m.; visit the website for rates and to purchase tickets. Take a ride on the New Hope Valley Railway to view scenes of flying witches, smoking cauldrons, Count Dracula, and other friendly creatures on a train ride through the New Hill woods. Passengers can play Mummy Mayhem, a game where riders search for 13 mummies hidden along the train tracks. Listen to songs by the singing pumpkins in the rail yard and watch model trains zip around the Garden Railway.
Trick-or-Treat Downtown
Downtown Fuquay-Varina
fuquay-varina.com
October 24, 2–5 p.m. Trick-or-treat in costume at participating businesses in both downtown districts.
Trick-or-Treat the Trail
2400 Aversboro Road, Garner
garnernc.gov
October 31, 3–5:30 p.m. Trick-or-treat along a 1-mile trail at White Deer Park in costume and enjoy creepy crawlies in an exhibit in the nature center. Food trucks will be available.
The Witch’s Haunted Barn & Pumpkin Patch
4911 Hunt Road, Hillsborough
fireflyfarmnc.com
Saturdays in October; noon–7 p.m.; visit the website for rates and to purchase tickets. A witch and other Halloween creatures delight children at Firefly Farm’s haunted barn.
Witches Night Out
Downtown Apex
apexnc.org
October 24, 3–7 p.m. Dust off your broomsticks and pointy hats and head to participating businesses along Salem Street for Witches Night Out, featuring magic potions and spellbinding discounts.
“Witch”
raleighlittletheatre.org
October 24–November 9; visit website for tickets and showtimes. In this dark comedy, a devil arrives in a small village to trade souls for desires—but when he targets an outcast woman branded a witch, he finds resistance that sparks unexpected alliances and a sharp, darkly comic battle over hope, power, and the price of a soul.
Zombiepalooza
327 S. Academy Street, Cary
thecarytheater.com/zombiepalooza
October 24, beginning 6 p.m. Wear a costume and enjoy zombie-themed and family-friendly movies outdoors at Downtown Cary Park’s Great Lawn & Pavilion. Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes prior to the film screenings. Admission is free.
Haunted Adventures
Clayton Fear Farm
1620 Loop Road, Clayton
claytonfearfarm.com
Beginning October 3, Fridays and Saturdays from 7 p.m.–10 p.m.. Creatures of the night haunt this farm in Clayton, which adds new horror features each year.
Creepy Crabtree
1400 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville
wakegov.com
October 25, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Visit Lake Crabtree County Park to combine Halloween thrills with hands-on learning about the natural world’s spookiest aspects.
Darkside Haunted Estates
11959 NC Hwy 222 W., Middlesex
darksidehauntedestates.com
Fridays and Saturdays from September 19–November 8, 7–10 p.m. Bring your nightmares to life in an insane asylum, haunted hotel, slaughter house, spooky cemetery, and more. Admission fees vary depending on the date.
Edward’s Battle Haunted House
9401 S. Mere Court, Raleigh
facebook.com/edwardsbattlehauntedhouse
October 18, 19, 25, 26, and 31, 7–9 p.m. Drive past a haunted yard in Raleigh filled with ghosts, goblins, vampires, and other ghouls created by a Raleigh teen who has battled cancer. Donations are accepted, and benefit Cancer For College.
Ghostly Legends at the Old Hotel
119 Ambassador Loop, Cary
carync.gov
October 26, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Feel the presence of the past at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center, formerly Cary’s grand hotel, with ghostly legends and haunted tales.
Granville Haunt Farm Drive-Thru Drive-In
4534 US Hwy 15, Oxford
granvillehauntfarm.com
Open Fridays and Saturdays, October 3–November 1; visit website for times. Enjoy thrills and chills from the safety of your car. Admission is per vehicle: $25–$35 for up to 4 passengers, $45–$55 for 5–8 passengers, and $65–$75 for 9 or more passengers. Children ages 5 and under are free.
Haunted Forest at Panic Point
2808 Cedar Creek Road, Youngsville
raleighhauntedhouse.com
Opens September 20; visit website for more dates and admission fees. Explore haunted attractions including a haunted forest, creepy corn maze, and ominous farm. Purchase tickets online or at the gate.
Haunted History with Darci VanderSlik
1610 Automotive Way, Raleigh
greatraleightrolley.com
September 12, October 4 and 18, and November 1, 7–8:30 p.m. Learn about the history of some of downtown Raleigh’s most important landmarks as tour guides tell a ghost story at each stop. Admission is $25, and online registration is required. Tour departs from Tap Yard Raleigh.
The Haunting Hour
Downtown Hillsborough
visithillsboroughnc.com
October 18; performances at 2, 3:30, 5, and 6:30 p.m.; tickets are $20. Join the Orange Community Players for an immersive evening of storytelling. Tales from the Grave, a moonlit cemetery stroll, can be added for an additional $10. Visit website for more information.
Legendary Cary: Living History Meets Paranormal Investigations
facebook.com/groups/thecitydoctorproductions
Tours in October; visit the website for times and tickets. Take an immersive journey to the very places where chilling events occurred, with exclusive access to a new historic location in downtown Cary.
Myrtle Grove Haunt
3510 N.C. Hwy 86 N., Hillsborough
myrtlegrovehaunt.com
Visit the website for dates, hours and rates. Face your fears in this haunted barn and trail experience.
Raleigh Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour
tobaccoroadtours.com
Operates year-round Thursday–Sunday; tours depart at 7:30 p.m. Ghost stories, history, and folklore are interwoven in a 1.5-mile walking tour that stops at several ghost and paranormal sites. Suitable for ages 8 and older. Admission is $22 for adults, $18 for ages 8–14; tickets must be purchased online. Ninety-minute tours depart Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh (exact meeting location provided after ticket purchase).
Spirits of Wake Forest
301 S. Brooks Street, Wake Forest
wakeforestnc.gov
September 25–October 30, Thursdays–Saturdays; visit the website for times. Learn about the restless spirits that make up a small piece of downtown Wake Forest’s haunted history. Walking tours last 75 minutes.
