by 
By Mark A Leon
From spooky adventures and neighborhood festivals to costume parties and trick-or-treating, Charleston and the surrounding Lowcountry are ready for a Halloween weekend packed with local traditions.
Halloween is almost here, and the Lowcountry is offering plenty of ways to celebrate. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly afternoon, a haunted attraction after dark, a community trunk-or-treat or a costume party in downtown Charleston, there’s still time to make plans for the final days of spooky season.
With Halloween falling on Saturday, October 31, this year’s festivities stretch across the week, giving residents opportunities to enjoy everything from small-town celebrations to some of the region’s more elaborate Halloween experiences.
Here are some events to put on your calendar.
Wednesday, October 28: Halloween in Moncks Corner
Moncks Corner Halloween Trunk-or-Treat Festival
Location: Main Street and Unity Park, Moncks Corner
Time: 5:30–8 p.m.
Moncks Corner is hosting its 15th annual Trunk-or-Treat, bringing decorated vehicles, candy and community spirit to a historically haunted setting near the town’s downtown area.
The free event includes a costume contest and offers families an opportunity to celebrate Halloween in a community atmosphere.
Event details and additional information
Thursday, October 29: Spooky Season Continues
Heritage Haunt
Location: Dorchester Heritage Center, Ridgeville
Time: 5–10 p.m. Thursday and Friday; additional hours Saturday
The Dorchester Heritage Center is bringing Halloween festivities to Ridgeville with Heritage Haunt, a seasonal attraction running October 29–31.
The event offers a Halloween outing beyond downtown Charleston, with activities suited to those looking to explore the Lowcountry’s smaller communities during the holiday weekend.
General admission is listed as free, with parking priced at $20 per vehicle. Visitors should confirm event details before traveling.
Full Halloween event calendar
Friday, October 30: Family Festivals and Halloween Nightlife
Mount Pleasant Trunk-or-Treat
Location: Carolina Park Sports Fields, 1620 Recreation Way, Mount Pleasant
Time: 4:30–7 p.m.
Mount Pleasant families can enjoy an evening of costumes, candy and community activities at the town’s Trunk-or-Treat celebration.
The event is scheduled to include a DJ, photo booth, petting zoo, touch-a-truck activities featuring public safety vehicles and food available for purchase. Costumes are encouraged.
It’s a good option for families who want a structured Halloween celebration before the big night on Saturday.
Halloween in the Swamp
Location: Cypress Gardens, Moncks Corner
For those who prefer their Halloween adventures a little more atmospheric, Cypress Gardens has hosted its seasonal Halloween in the Swamp experience, combining the natural surroundings with after-dark Halloween entertainment.
The main event dates listed for 2026 are October 23 and 24, so check the organizer’s calendar before making plans; it is not listed as a Friday, October 30 event.
Saturday, October 31: Halloween Day Across the Lowcountry
Halloween at the South Carolina Aquarium
Location: South Carolina Aquarium, 100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston
The South Carolina Aquarium is welcoming Halloween with its annual Halloween at the A-Scary-um event.
Visitors can explore the aquarium’s galleries in costume while enjoying seasonal activities, including pumpkin carving in the Great Ocean Tank at 1:30 p.m. and animal enrichment activities throughout the habitats.
It is a distinctive way to celebrate Halloween in downtown Charleston while combining holiday fun with a visit to one of the city’s most recognizable attractions.
When: Saturday, October 31
Trick, Treat & Trail Fun Run and Festival
Location: Wannamaker County Park, 8888 University Boulevard, North Charleston
Time: 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Families who prefer to get moving before the evening festivities can head to Wannamaker County Park for the Trick, Treat & Trail Fun Run and Festival.
The event is among the Halloween-day activities listed for North Charleston, offering an outdoor option for those looking to combine exercise and seasonal fun.
Isle of Palms Halloween Golf Cart Parade and Carnival
Location: Isle of Palms Recreation Center, 24 28th Avenue
Time: 4–6 p.m.
The Isle of Palms is bringing its own coastal twist to Halloween with a golf cart parade and carnival.
Expect decorated golf carts, costumes and a festive community atmosphere. It’s a fitting celebration for a beach community where golf carts are a familiar part of the local lifestyle.
Families should check the event organizer’s information for any participation requirements and schedule updates.
Southern Screams Trick-or-Treat Night
Location: 1021 Aragon Avenue, North Charleston
Time: 5–6 p.m.
Not every Halloween attraction needs to be terrifying.
Southern Screams is offering a special lights-on Trick-or-Treat Night for younger children, first-time haunted-house visitors and families who want to experience the atmosphere without the full intensity of a traditional haunted attraction.
The experience includes a lights-on walkthrough, friendly characters, treat stops and photo opportunities. Each trick-or-treater also receives a Halloween bucket.
It is a useful option for families who want a little spooky scenery without overwhelming the youngest members of the group.
Official Southern Screams schedule and tickets
Halloween at Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch
Location: 2434 North Highway 17, Mount Pleasant
For families who want to extend their fall traditions through Halloween itself, Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch is scheduled to operate on October 31.
The seasonal attraction features a corn maze, farm activities and a family-friendly Halloween tractor tour, along with entertainment and opportunities for seasonal photographs.
Check Boone Hall’s official website for admission, operating hours and any activity-specific charges before heading out.
Trick or Treat at The Joe
Friday, October 30 | 4–6 p.m.
Location: Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park, 360 Fishburne Street, Charleston
Families can kick off Halloween weekend at The Joe with a free, family-friendly Trick or Treat event hosted by the City of Charleston Recreation Department and the Charleston RiverDogs.
Children are encouraged to arrive in costume and visit participating vendors for candy and surprises. The afternoon will also feature games, inflatables, face painting and additional activities designed to make the event fun for the whole family.
The event offers a chance for Charleston families to enjoy Halloween festivities in a familiar local setting without the expense of a ticketed attraction.
Admission: Free.
Parking is available in the VIP parking lot at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park, with additional parking at Brittlebank Park and Stoney Field.
Trick or Treat in Historic Downtown Summerville
Saturday, October 31 | 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Location: Historic downtown Summerville
Historic downtown Summerville will transform into a Halloween destination for families during its Trick or Treat celebration on Saturday morning.
The event invites children and families to dress up, explore downtown and enjoy a festive community trick-or-treating experience. With its historic streets and locally owned businesses, Summerville offers a charming backdrop for a Halloween morning out.
The event is presented with support from Dream and the Summerville Farmers Market, bringing local community organizations into the Halloween festivities.
For parents looking to start Halloween with a daytime activity before the evening’s neighborhood trick-or-treating, this is one to consider.
Haunted Ghost Ship: Charleston’s On-Board Ghost Hunt
Friday, October 30 | 9:30 p.m.
Location: 10 Wharfside Street, Charleston, SC 29401
For those who prefer their Halloween with a little more mystery, the Haunted Ghost Ship promises a different kind of nighttime experience on the Charleston waterfront.
Promoted by Blueberry Walking Tours, Charleston SC, the attraction is advertised as Charleston’s only on-board ghost hunt. The experience combines the atmosphere of a haunted ship with the city’s reputation for ghost stories, historic waterfront settings and supernatural legends.
The promotional materials feature The Grey Lady and the Charleston Ghost Ship Experience, inviting guests to explore a spooky maritime setting after dark.
The late-night start makes this an option better suited to adults and older teens looking for something different from traditional Halloween parties and family activities.
When: Friday, October 30, at 9:30 p.m.
Where: 10 Wharfside Street, Charleston.
Advance booking is encouraged, as the event’s promotional materials indicate that spots are limited.
For Those Who Want a Real Scare
The Lowcountry has no shortage of options for adults, teenagers and horror fans looking for something more intense than a neighborhood costume party.
Southern Screams Haunted House
Located in North Charleston, Southern Screams offers an immersive haunted attraction for visitors seeking a more frightening Halloween experience. Its special early-evening trick-or-treat event provides a gentler alternative for younger visitors.
Charleston’s Haunted History Tours
Charleston’s centuries-old streets, historic buildings and burial grounds provide a natural setting for ghost stories.
Several tour operators offer nighttime walks that blend local history, folklore and tales of the supernatural. Options include the Original Ghostwalk of Charleston and Bulldog Tours.
These experiences are worth considering for visitors who want to experience Charleston’s haunted reputation while learning more about its past. Tour schedules, age recommendations and availability vary, so advance reservations are advisable.
Halloween Nightlife and Costume Parties
For adults, Saturday night offers another side of Halloween, with costume parties, DJs, themed entertainment and events across downtown Charleston and North Charleston.
Options listed in the regional calendar include the Boogieman Halloween Festival at The Royal American, a Halloween bar crawl beginning at Uptown Social, and the Haunted Fest electronic music event at Building 64 in North Charleston.
Other events include themed parties at downtown venues and a Halloween emo karaoke night in North Charleston.
These events can have different age restrictions, admission prices and ticket requirements. Check the individual event listings before making plans.
Explore the 2026 Charleston Halloween calendar
Make the Most of Halloween in the Lowcountry
Halloween is one of those holidays that brings communities together in a way few others can. Across the Lowcountry, the celebrations range from decorated golf carts and neighborhood candy walks to elaborate haunted attractions and late-night costume parties.
For families, the key is choosing activities that suit the ages and interests of everyone involved. For adults, Charleston’s historic setting offers a natural backdrop for an evening of ghost stories, costumes and entertainment.
Before heading out, confirm times, ticket availability, parking arrangements and weather-related changes directly with event organizers. Some events may sell out or change their schedules.
Whatever your plans, there is still time to find a little Halloween magic — or a few good scares — somewhere in the Lowcountry.
Have a Halloween event happening in Charleston, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Summerville or another Lowcountry community? Share it with Charleston Daily so we can help spread the word.
Make a Halloween Weekend of It
These three events offer distinctly different ways to celebrate Halloween across the Lowcountry: a free afternoon of family activities at The Joe, a Saturday morning of trick-or-treating in historic Summerville and a late-night ghost hunt on Charleston’s waterfront.
Families can plan around daytime festivities, while those looking for something more atmospheric can explore Charleston’s haunted history after dark.
As always, check with event organizers for final details, parking instructions, availability and any changes to schedules before heading out.
Whether your Halloween plans involve candy buckets, elaborate costumes or a search for the supernatural, the Lowcountry has plenty of ways to make the final weekend of October memorable.
Have another Halloween event happening in Charleston, Summerville, Mount Pleasant, North Charleston or elsewhere in the Lowcountry? Share it with Charleston Daily and help spread the word.
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