When the leaves turn crisp and the evenings grow long, Fuquay-Varina comes alive with more than just pumpkin spice and fall festivals. Beneath our small-town charm lies a haunted history, one that locals and visitors alike can experience through spine-tingling stories, eerie legends, and ghostly encounters that have been passed down for generations.
Local authors Liz Pardue and Kelly Prestipino captured this history in their book Fuquay-Varina Ghosts: Legends and Lore. Inside, you’ll find chilling tales of Fuquay’s past, from mysterious figures lingering by the mineral spring to tragic histories of townsfolk whose stories never truly ended. It’s a deep dive into why Fuquay-Varina has earned the reputation of being one of the “Most Haunted Small Towns in the South.”
PURCHASE BOOK HERE!
You can also visit one of the many local shops that carry the book such as
KnB’s Marketplace and more!
Of course, the best way to experience our haunted past is in person! Each October, the Fuquay-Varina Ghost Tour takes brave souls through the dimly lit streets of Downtown Fuquay. This year’s tours run on October 3–5, 10–12, and 24–26, departing from Fainting Goat Brewing Co. (330 S Main Street).
Led by passionate storytellers (and the lively Spook-quay Players), the one-hour walking tours wind less than a mile through downtown, bringing history to life with a mix of mystery, lore, and bone-chilling accounts of Fuquay’s past.
💀 New stories and fresh frights for 2025 mean even if you’ve gone before, you’ll want to return for more!
Rain or shine event (no refunds/exchanges).
10% of profits benefit the Fuquay-Varina Downtown Association.
⚠️ Content Warning: These are true stories, and some are graphic or tragic in nature (suicide, racial violence, human trafficking, assassinations). Parents, please accompany children under 16 – discretion is advised.
The tours begin at Fainting Goat Brewing Co., so you can sip on a local craft brew before or after your haunted stroll. It’s the perfect pairing of community spirit and ghostly fun…because nothing says Fuquay-Varina quite like neighbors gathering together, even in the presence of a few lingering spirits.
Whether you’re a believer, a skeptic, or just here for the stories, the Fuquay-Varina Ghost Tour is a fall tradition you won’t want to miss. Step into our haunted history, walk the same streets as our restless spirits, and discover why Fuquay-Varina is more than just a charming small town—it’s a town where the past still whispers through the night.
👉 Grab your tickets early and come see what makes Fuquay-Varina hauntingly unforgettable. TICKETS HERE!
If ghost tours through downtown aren’t enough to get your heart racing, Fuquay-Varina Parks & Rec has you covered with their annual Haunted Trail, a frightful adventure tucked away in the woods of Carroll Howard Johnson Environmental Education Park.
This year’s Haunted Trail takes place on Saturday, October 18, with two unique ways to experience the scares:
GET YOUR TICKETS HERE
5:00 – 6:00 pm
A lighthearted, sun-lit stroll perfect for little ones and families. Kids are encouraged to wear their costumes and interact with friendly characters along the way, making it more fun than frightening.
7:00 – 9:00 pm
Once the sun sets, the trail transforms into a dark, terrifying walk through the woods, filled with unexpected scares at every turn. This version is not recommended for children under 10, and kids ages 10-12 should be accompanied by an adult.
Though the event is hosted at Carroll Howard Park, parking is available at the Fuquay-Varina Community Center. A shuttle will transport attendees to the event, or if you’re feeling adventurous, you can walk the Jeff Wells Trail to reach Carroll Howard Park. (Flashlights highly recommended for those choosing the walk-in option!)
From eerie legends on downtown’s ghostly streets to bone-chilling surprises in the woods, Fuquay-Varina knows how to celebrate spooky season in style. Whether you’re paging through Fuquay-Varina Ghosts: Legends and Lore, braving the annual Ghost Tour, or daring to enter the Haunted Trail, you’ll find that our town’s haunted history and community spirit go hand in hand. So grab your flashlight, your bravest friends, and maybe even a costume, because October in Fuquay is more than just pumpkins and candy. It’s about experiencing the stories, scares, and small-town magic that make our community hauntingly unforgettable.
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