PLEASE NOTE: New flyers have been added below and may not be listed in the article, so scroll down and flip through for MORE local events!
Your guide to what’s happening in Johnson County, October 29–November 1, 2026 — plus a look at what’s coming up!
Well, folks, if you’ve got little ghosts, goblins, princesses or superheroes in the family, you might want to get those candy bags ready — and make sure they’re BIG enough!
Halloween weekend has arrived, and Johnson County is pulling out all the stops! From trunk-or-treat celebrations and church fall festivals to haunted cornfields and nighttime adventures on Doe Mountain, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate.
And if Halloween isn’t your thing, don’t worry. We’ve got a little history, some beautiful mountain scenery and several opportunities to get involved in the community.
We’re also taking a peek into November, because the calendar is already filling up!
So grab your costume, your calendar and maybe a jacket (it IS fall in the mountains, after all!), and let’s see what’s happening Around the County!
🎃 Friday, October 30 — Let the Halloween Fun Begin!
Johnson County Schools Trunk-or-Treat
Friday, October 30 | 5:30–7 p.m.
Johnson County High School
The Longhorn family is getting into the Halloween spirit!
Johnson County Schools is inviting families and the community to its annual Trunk-or-Treat celebration at Johnson County High School.
Several school clubs will be decorating trunks and handing out candy, and they’ll also be serving hot dogs!
It’s a great opportunity to enjoy some Halloween fun while supporting our students and school community.
👻 The Bloody 3rd Haunted Corn Maze — Final Weekend!
Friday & Saturday, October 30–31 | Gates open at 7:30 p.m.
1251 Antioch Road, Mountain City
Looking for something a little scarier than a friendly ghost with a candy bucket?
The Bloody 3rd: Curse of the Jingling Hole Haunted Corn Maze is wrapping up its October run with two final nights of fright!
If you’ve been putting off visiting, this is your last chance this season to see what might be lurking among those cornstalks.
Admission is $20 per person, and the last group enters at 10:30 p.m.
You can also pick up pumpkins while you’re there.
More information: Bloody3rd.com
🍬 Saturday, October 31 — Halloween Across Johnson County!
Saturday is the BIG day, and there are enough trunk-or-treats and festivals happening around the county to keep those little trick-or-treaters busy for hours!
To make planning a little easier, we’ve organized them by starting time.
🍁 Rainbow Mennonite Church Fall Festival
11 a.m.–2 p.m.
1155 Rainbow Road, Mountain City
Get an early start on the day’s festivities with games, prizes, food and fellowship at Rainbow Mennonite Church.
Everyone is welcome to join the fall fun!
🎃 Fall Fest: Trunks & Treats
11 a.m.–2 p.m.
New Beginnings Church at Trade Community Center
Here’s another opportunity for a little daytime Halloween fun!
This free community event includes games, food, face painting, horse rides, crafts and, of course, candy.
✨ Jesus Is the Light — Family Gospel Night
3 p.m.
Central Baptist Church, 2430 S. Shady Street, Mountain City
Central Baptist Church is inviting families to enjoy an afternoon of faith, fellowship, food and fun.
The celebration includes a family Gospel Journey with interactive car stations, activities and treat bags for children.
🎃 Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Fall Festival
4:30 p.m.
3385 Roan Creek Road
Pleasant Grove Baptist Church is combining Halloween treats with something that sounds pretty good on a chilly fall evening — chili!
Trunk-or-treat begins at 4:30 p.m., followed by a chili cookoff at 5:30 p.m.
Candy for the little ones and chili for the grown-ups? Sounds like a pretty good combination!
🍬 Butler Community Trunk-or-Treat
5–7 p.m.
Butler Park, Piercetown Road
The Butler Trading Post and Butler Ruritan Club are teaming up for an evening of Halloween fun at Butler Park.
Bring the little ones in their costumes and enjoy a community trunk-or-treat!
For information about participating, call 423-895-0687.
🎃 Forge Creek Community Center Trunk-or-Treat
5–7 p.m.
Forge Creek Community Center
The folks at Forge Creek are getting into the Halloween spirit with a community trunk-or-treat.
And they’re serving free hot cocoa, too! That might be especially welcome if our mountain temperatures decide to remind us that November is just around the corner.
🍭 Shady Valley Candy Crawl
5–6:30 p.m.
Shady Rock School, Shady Valley
Shady Valley families can head to Shady Rock School for candy, hot dogs, nachos and cheese.
🚒 Shady Valley Fire Department Table of Treats
5–7:30 p.m.
Shady Valley Fire Department
And while you’re in Shady Valley, make another stop at the fire department!
The department is hosting its Table of Treats, and everyone is welcome.
🍬 Community Church Trunk-or-Treat
6–8 p.m.
Next to 421 Creamery, Mountain City
Community Church is inviting families to come out for a Halloween trunk-or-treat celebration.
✨ Doe Valley Baptist Church Trunk-or-Treat
6–8 p.m.
Chamber Park, Mountain City
Doe Valley Baptist Church is hosting its Jesus Is the Light of the World Trunk-or-Treat celebration.
Families can enjoy decorated trunks, candy and plenty of Halloween fun.
🎃 Cash Express & E&E Auctions Trunk-or-Treat
6–8 p.m.
Cash Express and E&E Auctions parking lot, Mountain City
Two local businesses are joining forces to bring another trunk-or-treat celebration to the community!
They’re also inviting others who would like to decorate a trunk and help hand out candy.
For more information about participating, contact Drema at Cash Express at 423-727-0028, or Eric or Emily at E&E Auctions at 423-957-0482.
A little Halloween reminder: With so many activities taking place, please use extra caution when driving, particularly in parking lots and areas where children may be walking between vehicles.
And parents and grandparents, you might want to make sure those candy bags have sturdy handles!
🛻 Halloween Adventures at Doe Mountain
Saturday, October 31 | Doe Mountain Recreation Area
Halloween isn’t just for the little ones!
Doe Mountain Recreation Area has a couple of activities planned for Saturday, including a Halloween Side-by-Side Poker Run and a Spooktacular Night Ride.
And there’s a special reason to participate.
Throughout October, Doe Mountain has been collecting dog and cat food to benefit Rescue DOG & End of Life Sanctuary.
Participants in Saturday’s activities are encouraged to bring a donation of pet food to help animals in need.
So you can enjoy some time on the trails, take in the beautiful fall scenery and help a good cause at the same time.
For ride details and times, visit Doe Mountain Recreation Area.
🏛️ Last Call for the Museum of Butler!
Saturday, October 31 | 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
123 Selma Curtis Road, Butler
If you’ve been meaning to visit the Museum of Butler this year, here’s your reminder — Saturday is the museum’s final regular opening day of the 2026 season!
And what a year it’s been!
The museum continues to preserve and share the history of Old Butler, the Watauga Valley and the families whose lives were forever changed by the construction of Watauga Lake.
Visitors can explore the exhibits, learn more about the area’s fascinating history and discover stories that might surprise even longtime Johnson County residents.
There’s also the America 250 historical exhibit and an interactive digital kiosk, while younger visitors can enjoy the Pioneer Passport scavenger hunt.
Admission is $5 for ages 12 and older, with children under 12 admitted free.
The museum will close for its regular season after Saturday, although special group tours may be arranged during the off-season.
Learn more at MuseumofButlerTN.org.
🗳️ Don’t Forget — Early Voting Ends Thursday!
Thursday, October 29 | Final day of early voting
Before the Halloween festivities get underway, here’s an important reminder.
Thursday is the final day of early voting for the November 3 election.
If you’re a Mountain City voter, that includes the race for town aldermen.
You can find voting hours, locations and additional election information at JCTNVote.com.
And if you haven’t had an opportunity to get to know the candidates, check out our Meet the Candidates interviews on The Johnson County Line’s YouTube channel.
15 Minutes. Same Questions. Your Candidates.
❤️ Your Voice Matters — Community Health Assessment Deadline
Saturday, October 31 | Final day to participate
While we’re marking calendars, here’s another deadline worth mentioning.
The 2026 Johnson County Community Health Assessment closes Saturday!
This survey gives residents an opportunity to share their thoughts about the health challenges facing our community, from access to healthcare and healthy food to transportation and other concerns affecting everyday life.
The information collected helps local health organizations and community partners identify needs and plan future programs and resources.
It only takes a little time to participate, and it’s an opportunity to help shape a healthier Johnson County.
🍂 Coming Up in November — Mark Your Calendars!
Just because Halloween is winding down doesn’t mean the fun is over!
The Mountain City/Johnson County Community Center has a busy November planned, along with several community gatherings, educational opportunities and fundraisers.
Here’s a sneak peek at what’s coming up.
📚 Mountain City/Johnson County Community Center November Activities
214 College Street, Mountain City
If you haven’t checked out the Community Center lately, you might be surprised at everything happening there!
The November schedule includes:
- Monday, November 2 | 6–7 p.m. — Game Night, featuring board and card games, Mahjong and Dungeons & Dragons.
- Tuesday, November 3 | 6–7 p.m. — Adults-only Book Club.
- Thursday, November 5 | Noon — C.O.G. Meeting, a networking opportunity for local nonprofit, organizational and project leaders.
- Friday, November 6 | 1 p.m. — Johnson County Wellness Collective, bringing together local wellness professionals and other interested individuals.
- Monday, November 9 | 6–7 p.m. — Craft Night with Cretsinger’s Creations. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Friday, November 13 | 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. — Mahjong open play.
- Monday, November 16 | 6–7 p.m. — Another Game Night.
- Tuesday, November 17 | 12:45–2:45 p.m. — Johnson County Hikers’ Book Club meeting.
The Community Center also offers a Wednesday Walking Club at 11:30 a.m., weather permitting.
Its recreation room, computer lab, board games, card games and puzzles are generally available daily from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., subject to change. Children 13 and under must have adult supervision.
For additional information, call 423-727-2942.
💼 Women in Business — BYO Lunch & Learn
Monday, November 9 | Noon–1 p.m.
Mountain City/Johnson County Community Center
214 College Street
Ladies, here’s something worth putting on your calendar!
The Community Center is hosting a free Women in Business Lunch & Learn, featuring guest speaker Brie Novack.
Brie will be sharing information about grants available to women-owned businesses.
Whether you’re already running a business or thinking about starting one, this could be a great opportunity to learn about resources that might help.
Bring your own lunch, bring your questions and enjoy some time connecting with other women in business.
The event is free, but reservations are requested.
Call 423-727-2942 for more information or to RSVP.
🍲 Forge Creek Community Center Benefit Dinner
Saturday, November 14 | 3–6 p.m.
3252 Forge Creek Road
Now, this sounds like a good old-fashioned mountain supper!
The Forge Creek Community Center is hosting a benefit dinner to help raise money for the center.
You can choose pinto beans or chili beans, served with cornbread, and select two sides from mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, or slaw.
And yes, there’s a drink and dessert included!
Adults: $10 | Children: $5
Come hungry, enjoy a home-style meal and support a place that brings neighbors together.
🚂 All Aboard! The Polar Express at Heritage Hall
Sunday, November 15 | 2 p.m.
Heritage Hall Theatre, Mountain City
Here’s a little holiday magic to look forward to!
The Polar Express is coming to Heritage Hall for a special showing.
And here’s the best part — tickets are FREE!
Free tickets are available at Nally’s Shirt Shop, the Johnson County Center for the Arts and the Mountain City/Johnson County Community Center.
It’s a fun way to get the family into the holiday spirit as November rolls along!
🍁 Enjoy the Weekend, Johnson County!
Whether you’re taking the grandkids trick-or-treating, braving the haunted corn maze, exploring Doe Mountain or visiting the Museum of Butler before it closes for the season, there’s plenty to enjoy right here in our little corner of Tennessee.
And let’s give a big THANK YOU to all the churches, schools, businesses, volunteers and community organizations making these events possible.
A lot of folks put in a lot of work to give our families something special to enjoy, and that deserves a little recognition.
Have a safe and happy Halloween, everyone!
And don’t forget to scroll down to see the event flyers, including those for activities coming up in November.
We’ll see you Around the County!
📣 Have an Event Coming Up?
We’d love to help spread the word!
If your church, school, nonprofit, business or community organization has something happening in Johnson County, send us the details and an event flyer for consideration in an upcoming Around the County roundup.
Follow The Johnson County Line on Facebook and YouTube, and visit TheJohnsonCountyLine.com.
The Johnson County Line — Your community. Your stories.
