Best bets: Halloween events edition

RALEIGH, N.C. — Lots of stuff happening this Halloween weekend to get you in the spirit for next week. Here's a rundown of what spooky stuff is going down this weekend: 

Party like a zombie this weekend in downtown Raleigh. The 2013 Raleigh Zombie Walk is Saturday night. At 7 p.m., wear your best zombie attire and meet at the acorn in Moore Square. The after-party is at 9 p.m. at Tir na nOg, where you can expect drink specials, prizes and a zombie costume contest.

The Contemporary Art Museum hosts its annual Halloween bash this Saturday night. This year's theme is the Dance of the Dead and will feature Paperhand Puppet Intervention, altars and authentic Mexican cuisine from downtown Raleigh's own Centro. Show up in your best costume and you might just win some local artwork. Party starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $30 for non-museum members. The official after-party is at Kings Barcade at 11 p.m.

Get ready to do the Monster Dash at Cameron Village in Raleigh on Sunday. This event features a competitive 5K, 1-mile fun run and 100-yard dash for those 5 years and younger. There will also be a costume contest and prizes. The events start at 2 p.m. The event benefits the Raleigh Police Memorial Foundation and the YMCA of the Triangle.

Costumed teams will be taking to the streets on Saturday afternoon for the Greater Raleigh Mystery Bar Crawl and scavenger hunt. Entry is $12 a person. Teams will need to complete tasks and solve various puzzles at popular night spots in downtown Raleigh. Racers must be 21 or over. The race is from 2-6 p.m. and starts at Solas on Glenwood Avenue. Cash prizes are on the line.

Coglin’s on Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh will start its Five Nights of Fright on Friday. Each night is a different theme and tarot readers and live DJs will be on hand to help keep the fun going. Friday’s theme is “Frightmares” and Saturday is “Sexy Showdown.”

The Midtown Farmers Market at North Hills in Raleigh closes out its season in style this Saturday with its Boos and Beer event. There will be at costume parade, pumpkin bowling, scarecrow stuffing, a DJ, local beer sampling and a beer making workshop.

Stephen King's famous story of a tormented teen with telekenetic powers, "Carrie," is getting the musical treatment. The North Raleigh Arts and Creative Theatre is presenting "Carrie: The Musical" through Nov. 3.

Beekeeping demonstrations and apple cider-pressing will be part of the fall festival at the Carrboro Farmers Market on Saturday. Sample pumpkin and sweet potato pies, and enjoy live music and pumpkin face painting. The market opens at 8:30 a.m.

Get in the Halloween Spirit at Cary's Great Pumpkin Carve on the Performance Green Saturday in downtown. The event is free. You can buy a pumpkin there or bring your own. There will be carving stations and prizes for the scariest, funniest and more. The event starts at 2 p.m. and stick around because at 7 p.m. there will be a showing of family-friendly Halloween TV specials. The event is part of an entire afternoon of fun, which includes a Harvest Day and carnival.

Hibernian in Cary is holding its Halloween celebration Saturday from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. with live music from Major Vice, a costume contest and drink specials.  

Dress in your best undead-attire and head to Fullsteam in Durham on Saturday night for the Zombie Prom. Expect lots of food, beer and music. Admission is free.

Wake Forest is presenting the annual Halloween Spooktacular event this Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Flaherty Park Community Center. Admission is free for this family-friendly event.