Black Mountain prepares for spookily busy Halloween
Old and new traditions return as hordes of ghosts, ghouls and goblins descend on downtown Neighborhood
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
October 29, 2025
Residents along Church Street and throughout the Dougherty Heights neighborhood prepare for possibly thousands of trick-or-treaters, Oct. 31, when streets throughout the popular Halloween destination will be closed to traffic. Photo by Fred McCormick
The streets of Black Mountain will be filled with costumed trick-or-treaters, beginning around 4 p.m., Friday, Oct. 31, as Halloween traditions, old and new, return to several locations in and around downtown.
With an estimated 1,500 - 2,500 ghosts, ghouls and goblins expected to celebrate the fall holiday, the evening will include various street closures and events near the center of town.
The historic Dougherty Heights neighborhood, including Church Street, south of Laurel Circle Drive, Connally, North Dougherty, Prospect and Orchard Streets, is anticipating its annual invasion of revelers for what has grown into an increasingly popular Halloween destination for residents of the Swannanoa Valley and surrounding areas over the past 25 years. Residents of the neighborhood have reportedly passed out more than 2,000 pieces of individual candy to children in recent years.
While the yearly tradition has humble roots, beginning as a collection of neighbors who welcomed trick-or-treaters with sweets and festive decorations, foot traffic throughout the area exceeded 1,800 pedestrians by 2018, according to a tally of individual pieces of candy given out by residents that year.
The Black Mountain Police Department will close Church Street, from State Street to Laurel Circle Drive, and nearby roadways in the neighborhood, from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. The department will provide safety stations, including a police tent at the intersection of Church and Connally Streets, and a report station at Prospect and North Dougherty Streets.
Halloween on Town Square, hosted by the Town of Black Mountain Recreation and Parks Department, will return, from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m., Oct. 31, for its second year. The free event will feature games, activities and treats for families. Photo by Fred McCormick
Residents will be unable to enter or exit the neighborhood, unless in the event of a medical emergency or other urgent circumstances. While emergency personnel will be present in the community, another town department is hosting a separate seasonal event for the second year.
Halloween on Town Square, presented by the Town of Black Mountain Recreation & Parks Department, brought an estimated 1,000 people to the park in the center of downtown in its inaugural year, according to organizers. As it returns for 2025, the event will include vendor stations hosted by community clubs and organizations, including Owen athletic teams, Future Farmers of America and others. Games and other family-friendly activities will available during the free event, from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
A creepy good time for adults is on the menu at Lookout Brewing Co., which is celebrating its Annual Halloween Party, from 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. The party will feature music, dancing, sweet treats and a costume contest. The first place winner receives a $100 gift card, while second will be awarded a $50 prize. The contest begins at 6:30 p.m., while the event is free.
While cold temperatures are expected on All Hallows’ Eve, the White Horse is offering a warm indoor night of music, beginning at 7:30 p.m., with the Annual Halloween Spooktacular Concert by the Land of Sky Symphonic Band. The show allows viewers to donate what they can, but the suggested ticket price is $22 per person.