Halloween is not just for kids, and it's not limited to just trick-or-treating or finding the right scary, clever or “hot” costume to wear for the night.
From a horror fest to scary movies, séances, songs from “Psycho,” bar crawling downtown and a Halloween ball on the dancefloor, Knoxville has plenty of ways for grown-ups to get in on the Halloween fun. There are also spooky ghost stories to hear and creepy vendors to check out.
If you’re looking for more adult things to do for Halloween, here are some options worth putting on your calendar in October. Even a late night at Dollywood might be a fun treat!
Halloween Escape Room | Now-Oct. 31
Can you escape the asylum?! The Final Evaluation is a 75-minute asylum-themed escape room where you and your group will undergo a series of psychological
and physical trials designed to measure your cognitive stability, problem-solving ability and willingness to comply.
Escape Game Knoxville also has spooky murder mystery board games and detective-themed escape room games. Even the creepy lobby sets the mood from the moment you walk in. Stop by to browse the games or make an evening of it with an escape room experience.
- Tickets: 10% off The Final Evaluation with code WICKED10 when booking online. Reservations required.
- Address: 107 Main St. (Corner of Central and Main Street, third level, rear side of building)
Appalachian HorrorFest | Oct. 10
Appalachian HorrorFest offers a journey into the heart of horror, forklore and imagination deeply rooted in Appalachian identity. This day-long gathering brings together storytelling, music, vendors and panels.
- Tickets: $15-$75
- Time: Noon-8 p.m. Oct. 10
- Address: 9134 Executive Park Drive (Holiday Inn Cedar Bluff Conference Center)
Dollywood's Harvey's Boo Bash | Oct. 16, 23 and 30
It isn’t just for adults, but Harvey’s Boo Bash is a new after-hours Halloween option for grown-ups who don’t mind sharing the celebration with families. The bashes feature dance parties, themed snacks, character encounters and rides. The event is family-friendly but offers a unique opportunity to experience Dollywood late into the night.
- Tickets: $129.99
- Hours: 4 p.m.-midnight Oct. 16, 23 and 30
- Address: 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd.
Halloween Ball by Social Dance Knoxville | Oct. 17
Dance the night away at Social Dance Knoxville’s fifth annual Halloween Ball. The night begins with all-levels dance class. The ball will start after, featuring non-alcoholic drinks, snacks and spooky atmosphere. You might even chat with ghosts in the 100-year-old building through a Ouija board. Costumes are encouraged, but not required.
- Cost: $25
- Time: 6-9 p.m. Oct. 17
- Address: 706 N. Broadway (Broadway Academy of Performing Arts)
Knoxville Horror Film Fest | Oct. 21-25
This year’s horror film fest features five days of “soul-rattling scares,” according to the festival website. The 2026 film lineup includes:
- “The Exorcist”
- “The Omen”
- “Hellraiser”
- “Prince of Darkness”
- “The Exorcist III”
The festival also includes feature film and short film competitions.
Full festival passes and some standalone tickets are sold out, but ticket options were still available as of Oct. 9. Check Knoxhorrorfest.com for more details and to purchase tickets.
- Tickets: $20-$150
- Address: 1205 N. Central St. (Central Cinema); 2909 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville (Parkway Drive-In)
Candlelight: Halloween Classics | Oct. 22
Listeso String Quartet performs a concert of Halloween-related music, including tunes from “The Exorcist,” “Halloween,” “Psycho,” “Beetlejuice” and “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” And, of course, there’s Michael Jackson’s “Thriller."
- Tickets: $33+
- Time: 6:30 p.m. Oct. 22
- Address: 1050 World’s Fair Park Drive (Knoxville Museum of Art)
‘Practical Magic’ tea party and movie | Oct. 23
Grab your favorite book besties and join Literary Legends Knoxville for an enchanting evening inspired by books, witches, sisterhood and “Practical Magic.” And come dressed in your favorite witchy-inspired outfit.
Along with a showing of “Practical Magic,” the event features a book swap, tea party, themed drinks, vendors and more.
- Tickets: $54
- Time: 6-10 p.m. Oct. 23
- Address: 2620 Willow Point Way (Hardin Valley Event Center)
Festival of Phantasmagoria at Mabry-Hazen House | Oct. 28-Nov. 1
Nothing can go wrong during a séance in a historic house museum, right? Festival of Phantasmagoria is five evenings of historical frights with tarot, silent films, speakers, storytelling and vendors.
The Victorian séance is a separate ticketed experience if you want the full Mabry-Hazen spooky special.
- Tickets: Entry is free; $15-$25 for séance show (ages 10+)
- Time: 6-9 p.m. Oct. 28-29 and Nov. 1; 6-10 p.m. Oct. 30-31
- Address: 1711 Dandridge Ave.
'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' | Oct. 30
The campy, R-rated cult classic starring Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick and Meatloaf will be shown at the Tennessee Theatre on Halloween Eve. (Note that items including rice, candles, confetti, glitter and real food such as toast, hot dogs, and prunes will not be allowed in the historic downtown theater; viewers should refrain from throwing anything at the screen.)
- Tickets: $18.50 for adults and $16.45 for age 60 and older. Available through Ticketmaster
- Time: 11 p.m. Oct. 30
- Address: 604 S. Gay St.
Get your tickets to 'Rocky Horror' at the Tennessee Theatre
Knoxville Halloween bar crawl | Oct. 31
Eight downtown bars, drink vouchers, a mid-party and an afterparty with mandatory costumes! What more could you ask for during a Halloween bar crawl?
The crawl kicks off at Mirage or Skybox Sports Bar and Grill and your crawl badge gets you into participating bars around downtown for free, including Tern Club and the Local Smokey.
- Tickets: $20-$40
- Time: Crawl is 4-10 p.m Oct. 31; afterparty is 10 p.m.-midnight at Bernadette’s Crystal Gardens
Tales of the Macabre at Millennium Manor Castle | Oct. 31
The group renovating the historic Millennium Manor Castle in Alcoa is hosting a Halloween-themed fundraiser that’s perfect for anyone who feels they’re “too old to dress up like a slutty nurse and go to a rave on Halloween night.”
“Tales of the Macabre” will feature local true horror stories told in a torchlit castle courtyard, Edgar Allen Poe readers, mixed drinks and more.
- Tickets: $65
- Time: 6:30 and 9 p.m. Oct. 31
- Address: 500 N. Wright Road
Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Too old to trick-or-treat? Grown-ups can have fun on Halloween, too!
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