Preview: Knoxville Halloween events

The Knoxville area is spreading the Halloween spirit with numerous events for less than $10. From classic Halloween movies to ghost tours, festivities are happening on and off of the University of Tennessee campus this month. Grab a friend and explore the city’s offerings during this festive time of the year.

A lot of Hocus Pocus

This year is the 25^th anniversary of the classic Halloween film, Hocus Pocus. The Bijou Theatre in downtown Knoxville will offer a special showing of the film on Oct. 27. The doors will open at 1 p.m. with the show beginning at 2 p.m. Tickets are $6 per person, and the event is in partnership with Feral Feline Friends, an organization aimed to end the overpopulation of cats. The Bijou Theatre is located at 803 S. Gay St. Check out the theatre’s website to learn more.

Boo! at the Knoxville Zoo

Boo! at the Zoo is an annual, family friendly event at Zoo Knoxville featuring trick or treating along the Boo! Trail. As the sun sets, event goers can fill their bags with candy as they travel through the park. The zoo is located at 3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive, only 15 minutes away from campus. The Boo! Trail will be open on the following dates: Oct. 11-14, Oct. 18-21 and Oct. 25-28 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. each evening. Tickets cost $9 per person on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Tickets are $10 per person on Saturdays. More information is available on the Zoo Knoxville website.

Ghosts of Knoxville

Knoxville’s oldest ghost tour, The Hearth Scares Tour, consists of a tour of downtown Knoxville’s scariest landmarks. The tours will take place at James White’s Fort, located at 205 E. Hill Ave. The tours will take place on Oct. 18, 19, 22, 23, 29 and 30. They will depart promptly at 7 p.m., so plan to arrive 15 minutes early to get checked in. The tours are one and a half miles long and will last about two hours. Tickets are $10 per person including a marshmallow roast to conclude the tour. Learn more about the event here.

What’s that in the sky?

It’s a bird, It’s a plane, it’s a… pumpkin? The annual Pumpkin Drop is hosted by the Society of Physics students on campus. The event includes a student organization fair, free costume contest and the pumpkin drop. The event, open to everyone, will be located on the University of Tennessee campus at the McClung Tower and Plaza, 1115 Volunteer Blvd. Check out the pumpkin drop after you finish your last class of the day! It will take place on Oct. 26 from 4-6:30 p.m. and is free to attend. Check out more here.

Treats in Trunks

The National Residence Hall Honorary will host a “Trunk or Treat” event, a safer way to trick or treat. Snacks and activities will be available to the Knoxville community and campus. Both local and on campus organizations will set up tables for students to visit. The event will take place on Oct. 29 from 5:30-8 p.m in Circle Park at the University of Tennessee. This event is free to attend. Learn more on their website.

VOLoween

The Student Athlete Advisory Committee and University of Tennessee Athletics will host VOLoween, a free event for UT students, faculty and staff and families. Costumes are welcome to the event which will include trick or treating and various games and activities. It will take place on Oct. 29, from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Anderson Training Center, Indoor Field, at 1551 Lake Loudoun Blvd. More information can be found here.

Spooky Music Opportunity

The University of Tennessee Piano Area will present a scary concert for all music lovers called the Halloween Spooktacular. Faculty, students and a guest artist will perform. Attendees are encouraged to wear their best costumes. The event will take place on Oct. 31, from 6- 7:45 p.m. at the Natalie Haslam Music Center, located at 1741 Volunteer Blvd. The recital will take place in the Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall. This event is free to attend. Check out more here.

Featured Photo by Creative Commons

Edited by Ainsley Kelso and Lauren Claxton