Matthews Playhouse's Haunted Trail

Matthews Playhouse is bringing back its Haunted Trail for three nights this October, running Friday the 23rd, Saturday the 24th, and Sunday the 25th. It's an outdoor walk through the woods on the Four Mile Creek Trail, which sits right behind the Matthews Community Center at 100 McDowell Street in Matthews.

What makes this one a bit different from your usual haunt is that it changes as the sun goes down. From 5:30 to 7 PM, it's the 'Not So Spooky' trail—a light-hearted walk through the woods before dark, geared toward kids ages 6 and up. Costumes and interacting with the characters are encouraged here, so it's a good one to bring the younger ones along for. Once the sun sets, it transforms into the 'Full Fright' trail from 7:30 to 9:30 PM, a darker walk through the woods where a tour guide is recommended and the target age is 10 and up.

If you go for the Not So Spooky walk, you also get access to a free Halloween Fun Zone, which opens when you buy your ticket. It's got Trunk-or-Treat, face painting, a DJ, and games, so it's more of a full evening out than just a quick walk through the trail. Between the two versions, you can pick the level of scare that works for your group.

Beyond the costumes and the trail, there's a reason the Playhouse puts this on. The Haunted Trail is a fundraiser for their Sponsor-A-Student and Scholarship Funds, which go toward making performing arts more accessible to people in the community. Tickets are $10, and you'll find the trail on the Four Mile Creek Trail behind the Matthews Community Center, 100 McDowell Street, on October 23, 24, and 25.