October Can't-Miss Events

October in Winston-Salem is like a delightful grab bag of treats – there’s something for everyone! Swing by Foothills Pickleball 'n Pints and serve up some fun or catch a glimpse of Reynolda House's hidden treasures. If you’re feeling theatrical, "Redrum" awaits with an axe (but don’t worry, it's all in good fun). From rocking out with Houndmouth at the RamKat to savoring brews at Kernersville Octoberfest, your October social calendar will be packed. Not to mention spooky screenings, football showdowns, and a trivia night with a side of Anderson Cooper. Come for the fun, stay for the surprises!

Oct. 1
Pickleball ‘n Pints. Everyone is welcome to Foothills Pickleball ‘n Pints! Three courts are available, bring your own paddle! Free to all!

Oct. 3
Houndmouth at the Ramkat. Houndmouth, formed in 2011, is an Americana-infused indie-folk, four-piece best known for their 2013 album “From the Hills Below the City”.

Oct. 4-6
W-S Theatre Alliance Presents "REDRUM." Purchase tickets to enjoy Redrum: The Unauthorized Parody of The Shining at the Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance. It’s a show with heart, an axe and a talking tooth.

Oct 3-6
OUT at the Movies International Film Fest in Winston-Salem. Now in its 11th year, OUT at the Movies is the second largest LGBTQ+ film festival in North Carolina. Each year, the festival showcases more than a dozen films, including narratives and documentaries, features and shorts. The event also includes nightly receptions for filmmakers and audiences, a closing night awards part, and other special events. Visit the festival website for film times and descriptions, venue details, tickets/passes and other information

Oct. 4-11
Carolina Classic Fair. The Carolina Classic Fair will be at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds for its 142nd year! You don't want to miss out on top-notch live entertainment, demolition derbies, livestock shows, concerts, and more. From riding high in the sky on the swings to whimsical carousel rides, there's something for everyone. It'll be 10 days of awesome fireworks, rides, and food at the Carolina Classic Fair! Adult advance tickets are $8 and children $3. Tickets at the gate will be $10 for adults and $5 for children. All tickets at the gate will have a $3 surcharge. Advance weekday ride wristbands are available for purchase.

Oct. 5
Kernersville Oktoberfest. 3-6 p.m. Craft beer enthusiasts can look forward to tasting German, Oktoberfest, and Pumpkin brews, as well as other seasonal beverages during the annual Kernersville Oktoberfest at Körner's Folly. Local restaurants donate delicious small bites for the 14th Annual Kernersville Octoberfest, while contributing to a great community cause! Each ticket includes beverage and food tastings, a souvenir tasting glass, and a house tour of historic Körner’s Folly. Tickets are $12 adults, $6 children, free for kids 6 and under.

Oct. 6
Salem Band Fall Concert: "Rock 'n Roll Band." Rock 'n Roll with Salem Band at the annual Fall concert! Enjoy music from your favorite '70's and '80's bands, including Journey, The Eagles, Queen, Toto, The Rolling Stones, Chicago, Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band, Kansas, and more! Sing-along lyrics available. Free concert in Hanes Auditorium, Elberson FAC on the Salem Academy & College campus - donations gratefully accepted.

Oct. 12
ACC football: Wake Forest vs. Clemson. Come cheer on the Wake Forest Demon Deacons Football as they take on perennial ACC powerhouse Clemson. With multiple sellouts expected this fall, Wake Forest Athletics encourage fans to get their tickets for the 2024 season while supplies last! Tickets range from $21 and up.

Oct. 12
CIAA Football: Winston-Salem State vs. Shaw. 1 p.m. The hometown Rams will battle CIAA rival Shaw at Bowman Gray Stadium. Fans are encouraged to wear black, as WSSU is holding its annual "Black Out" event during the game. 

Oct. 18
Innovation in Cinema Series: "Hocus Pocus." This free movie screening in downtown's Bailey Park will feature the 1993 classic "Hocus Pocus," just in time for the Halloween season.Food and beverages will be available for purchase starting at 7 p.m., and the movie begins at sunset. Pets must be leashed. Announcements regarding cancellations due to inclement weather will be made by 4 p.m. that day.

Oct. 18
Sam Lewis at Muddy Creek. Listen to the sounds of Sam Lewis at Muddy Creek Listening Room. Sam has collaborated with everyone from Leon Russell to The Wood Brothers. Chris Stapleton dubbed him “a modern Townes Van Zandt”. He’s often labeled with some form of the word ‘soulful’. Doors open at 6 p.m. The concert starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15.

Oct. 18
Jo Koy at LJVM Coliseum.  8 p.m. Famed stand-up comedian Jo Koy will be performing at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. He sells out arenas and theatres worldwide with his hilarious jokes about family, culture, and millennials. Tickets range from $39.50 to $250.

Oct. 18
ART CRUSH. 7–10 p.m. Held the third Friday of each month, these monthly block parties let you experience the best of the Downtown Arts District with vendors, music, and extended gallery hours. Every month features a curated mix of visual artists and performers, creating a night of creative expression, exploration and celebration. As always, ART Crush will be held at the corner of Sixth and Trade streets. Admission is free.

Oct. 22
Face to Face Trivia Night: Anderson Cooper. Radar Brewing will hold a special Anderson Cooper-themed trivia night as a nod to the CNN anchor's appearance at Wake Forest next month (Nov. 21). This fun-filled night of trivia and great prizes loosely inspired by the November 21 Face to Face Speaker Forum with Anderson Cooper, the highly respected CNN anchor and correspondent for CBS’s “60 Minutes.” Cooper has received 20 Emmy ® Awards and authored four books—all of which topped the New York Times Bestseller List.

Oct. 26
Boo! At Bethabara. Historic Bethabara Park's annuall Halloween celebration will offer some spooky song selections in the 1788 Gemeinhaus. Meet a few “spirits” of Bethabara’s past during a walk to God’s Acre. Gather under a tent to hear ghost stories by acclaimed storyteller Cynthia Moore Brown and more ghoulish experiences.

Oct. 31
Winston-Salem Halloween Bar Crawl. 5-11 p.m. Participate in the Official Halloween Bar Crawl as you navigate through the spookiest spots in town, sipping on chilling concoctions and reveling in the Halloween spirit. From witches' brews to vampire delights, this crawl promises a cauldron of drinks to satisfy your sinister cravings.Dress to impress in your most frightful attire and compete for spooktacular prizes in our costume contest! Expect to encounter werewolves, zombies, and other eerie characters as we roam the streets in search of thrills. The crawl begins at Broad Branch Distillery & Bar, 740 N. Trade St.
https://www.visitwinstonsalem.com/event/winston-salem-halloween-bar-crawl

All Month
Founder's Vision at Reynolda House. Reynolda House presents "Founder’s Vision: The Private Collection of Barbara Babcock Millhouse" this fall. Discover more than 50 masterworks of American modernism from renowned artists including Romare Bearden, Georgia O'Keeffe, Edward Hopper, and more. Representing most of the major movements in modern art, these are the works with which she has chosen to live. For the first time, they will be shown at Reynolda, some of which have never been on public display until now. The exhibit debuted in late August and remains on display until Dec. 15.