Celtober
This is no mere Oktoberfest. It’s Celtober (and, for some participants, kiltober), and it’s back for a second year. The festival includes three days of Celtic, tribal, rock and fusion music at two venues. And two towns. Both locations, White Horse Black Mountain and Asheville’s Highland Brewing, offer up live music from Uncle Hamish & the Hooligans, Rathkeltair and Albannach (pictured), food vendors and more. The “and more” includes the Celtober costume contest. Friday-Sunday, Oct. 25-27. Tickets are $35 in advance for all three days, $20 in advance for Saturday and Sunday, or $25 at the gate. http://avl.mx/020.
Osktoberfest
While we’re dancing around the Oktoberfest theme, Oscar Blues Brewery in Brevard gears up for Osktoberfest. That event, part of the Halloween happenings in Transylvania County, showcases craft beer, locally made brats and live music. Dress up (read: spooky, not fancy) for a chance to dominate the costume contest: Cash prizes are up for grabs. And work off the suds and sausage to sets by Soldier’s Heart, Faded Jade and headliners Leigh Glass and the Hazards (pictured). A portion of the proceeds from beer sales benefits the Oskar Blues Brewery’s CAN’d AID Colorado Flood Relief Fund. Saturday, Oct. 26, in downtown Brevard. 6-10 p.m. brevardnc.org.
Fright Night at Pack’s Tavern and Highland’s Haunted Trail
Since Halloween falls on a Thursday this year, look for ghoulish festivities to start early — as in this weekend. Pack's Tavern is throwing a Fright Night Halloween Costume Bash on Saturday, Oct. 26. As always, there are three floors, three bars and live music. Cash prizes will be given out for best costume, with winners announced at 11 p.m. Vinyl Brothers Big Band plays from 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. upstairs, while DJ MoTo plays the lower bar from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. $5 cover. packstavern.com.
Looking for a family-friendly alternative? Highland Brewing hosts The Haunted Trail Monday-Wednesday, Oct. 28-30, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Check out crafts, games and food trucks, and amble down the not-too-spooky trail. Benefits Children First/ Communities in Schools. $6 ages 4-9, $8 ages 10-plus. $8/$10 at the door. hauntedtrailWNC.com.
Haunted Grove House Inferno
Not that there’s a contest for best local Halloween party, but if there was, The Grove House would certainly be in the running. This year’s extravaganza is the seventh annual and it’s only grown bigger. The event website promises terrifying monsters lurking around every corner, $1000 in costume-contest prizes and entertainment on each floor. The Grove House is home to three venues: Scandals, The Boiler Room and Eleven on Grove, which between them will feature DJs Stratos, Louis Armando, Nicodemus and Crennan. Saturday, Oct. 26, 9 p.m.-3 a.m. $20 for all three venues ($5 discount to members in costume). http://thegrovehouse.com.
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