by UP Staff

It’s Halloween Week and Charlotte is ready to celebrate with costume parties (including one for your fur babies), themed menus, late-night DJs, horror screenings, and the kind of contests that encourage people to go a little overboard on fake blood and fabric glue. From full-on campy spectacles to more curated culinary gatherings and from the eerily playful to the socially festive, here are the events worth knowing. No tricks. All treats.

Wednesday, Oct. 29

Spooky Buzzed Spelling Bee, Vaulted Oak Brewing Company.
How well can you spell after a beer (or two)? Register to participate before the 7 p.m. start. Free to enter (you pay for the beer) Prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.

Thursday, Oct. 30

Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Pawty, Town Brewing Co.
5:30-8:30 p.m. Dog costume contest (begins 6:45 p.m.), mini pumpkin painting (first come, first serve), pet bandanas, pet caricatures, and live music.

Murder Mystery Dinner, Whiskey Warehouse
There’s been an increase in social events held at restaurants, including whodunit events popping up around town. Just in time for Halloween, Whiskey Warehouse invites guests to solve a murder mystery with dinner. $77. Tickets.

Ozzy Tribute Dinner, Counter-
Enjoy music from The Prince of Darkness paired with a tasting menu in this limited-run Ozzy Osborne menu. $225, runs all week through Nov. 1. Reservations.

Mystic and Oddity Festival, NoDa Brewing Co.
Tarot card readings and classic horror and monster films combined with a Halloween night market. Free to attend.

Dilworth Tasting Room, multiple locations
All three locations of the local wine bar will host themed partys, with decorations, cocktails, and costume contests. Plaza Midwood will be Totally Rad ’80s, SouthPark will be Gatsby Glam, and Dilworth Nostalgic ’90s. Takes place on Oct. 30 and 31.

Friday, Oct. 31

Boo Bash, Coyote Joe’s
Costume party, $1800 in overall cash prizes. Live music. $13 admission. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.

Haunted Rooftop Halloween Party, Fahrenheit
Enjoy a dance floor and live DJ, as well as drink specials and a costume contest with cash prizes, 9 p.m. until 2 a.m.

Free Kids’ Meal, Haberdish
Say “Boo” to your server to get a free kids’ Habby Meal during lunch or dinner service on Halloween with a purchase of more than $25. Kids’ options include mac and cheese, grilled cheese, and chicken tenders.

Seoul Halloween Party, Seoul Food Meat Co.
Costume contest (prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd), private karaoke rooms, live DJ, plus food and drink specials, 9 p.m. until 2 a.m.