Candy, unicorns, and a house “on fire”: family fun across the Golden Strip this Halloween weekend

With Halloween landing on a Saturday this year, families across Mauldin, Simpsonville, and Fountain Inn have a full 48-hour runway of seasonal festivities. Whether you want to beat the evening crowds with morning trunk-or-treating, pet a dressed-up unicorn, or witness a jaw-dropping viral light show, the Golden Strip has no shortage of kid-friendly stops planned across the weekend.

Here is your neighborhood guide to making the most of Halloween with the family.

Kick Off Early: Cars & Coffee Trunk-or-Treat at BridgeWay Station

Early risers can launch Halloween morning in Mauldin at BridgeWay Station, where the monthly Cars & Coffee doubles as a community Trunk-or-Treat starting at 8:00 AM on Saturday.

Costumed kids can wind through the piazza and parking areas collecting candy from decorated vehicle trunks, while parents grab a fresh latte or pastry and browse classic, exotic, and muscle cars. It offers a low-stress, contained way to check off trick-or-treating before afternoon nap schedules and evening parties roll in.

• Where: BridgeWay Station, Mauldin

• When: Saturday, Oct. 31 | 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM

A Whimsical Weekend: Candicorn Days at Hidden Pasture Unicorn Farm

For little ones who love fairy tales—or families who prefer daylight trick-or-treating—Hidden Pasture Farm in Fountain Inn is hosting its Candicorn Trick-or-Treat Weekend on both Saturday and Sunday.

Children can explore the grounds on an interactive pasture scavenger hunt, meet the resident horses and “unicorns” outfitted in festive gear, and take home a dedicated Halloween treat bag. Because the event runs across both days, it offers a great Sunday encore if Saturday fills up quickly.

• Where: Hidden Pasture Farm, 245 Fairview Church Rd., Fountain Inn

• When: Saturday, Oct. 31 & Sunday, Nov. 1 | Gates open at 11:00 AM

Walkable Community Fun: Trick-or-Treating on Main Street

Dozens of local storefronts in downtown Fountain Inn will open their doors for costumed families during the annual Halloween Trick-or-Treat on North Main Street.

Pedestrians take over the sidewalks as shop owners, community groups, and local volunteers hand out candy, snacks, and holiday trinkets. It is an easy, walkable strip where parents can pop in for a quick bite or iced drink while the kids fill their treat buckets.

• Where: North Main Street, Fountain Inn

• When: Saturday, Oct. 31 | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Don’t Miss the House That Isn’t On Fire

Once the sun sets, be sure to take a drive or evening stroll past Fountain Inn’s most talked-about Halloween landmark: 512 N. Main Street.

From 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM each night through the weekend, an elaborate combination of high-powered theatrical foggers, amber illumination, and atmospheric effects makes the residence look entirely engulfed in billowing flames. The eye-popping display went viral on social media last fall, drawing spectators from across the Upstate.

A Quick Reminder: The “blaze” is 100% illusion—no emergency response needed! Neighbors and organizers ask sightseers to enjoy the spectacle, remain cautious of passing street traffic, and leave 911 dispatch clear.

Tips Before Heading Out

With festivities stretching across the entire weekend, neighborhood roadways and downtown corridors will see increased pedestrian foot traffic:

• Visibility First: Add reflective tape to dark trick-or-treat buckets, hand out glow sticks, or carry a flashlight for dusk strolls.

• Stay Travel-Aware: Remind younger kids to pause at driveways and curb lines, especially in busy downtown shopping areas.

• Confirm Before You Go: Autumn weather can occasionally alter outdoor setups, so check host social pages or city updates for any last-minute schedule tweaks.