Halloween
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Know Before You Go: Celebrating Halloween In Chapel Hill

Dawn Mikayla

CHAPEL HILL, NC – The Town of Chapel Hill is preparing for Halloween. Plans include the closure of Franklin Street, Columbia Street, and a few connecting roads to vehicle traffic on Tuesday, October 31, to protect people walking, biking, and moving around downtown.

What to expect downtown

The Town will close the following roads from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 31:

  • Franklin Street: Raleigh Street to Church Street
  • Columbia Street: Rosemary Street to Cameron Avenue

Roads that feed into these closed areas may also be closed during this time.

Prohibited items

Community members will notice officers from the Chapel Hill, UNC-Chapel Hill, and Carrboro police departments, along with deputies from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, downtown on the evening of Halloween, Tuesday, October 31.

Law enforcement officers will be looking for and removing prohibited items from the closed area, such as:

  • Open containers of alcohol
  • Weapons or items that look like or could be used as weapons
  • Drones

Anyone who brings these items will be asked to remove them from the area. Officers encourage anyone whose Halloween plans include alcohol to follow the safety steps below and drink responsibly.

Taking steps toward safety if you or a friend chooses to drink:
  • Pace yourself. Sip slowly so that you have no more than one standard drink with alcohol per hour. Have “drink spacers”—make every other drink a non-alcoholic one, such as water, soda, or juice. Note that it takes about 2 hours for the adult body to break down a single drink completely.
  • Take precautions. Keep an eye on your drink; don’t consume a drink that has been left open and unattended. Make sure you know what’s in your drink. Avoid drinking from open containers. Have a designated driver or take a cab. Get consent and use protection for sex. Don’t use machinery, walk in a dangerous area, swim, or drive a boat during or after drinking. Don’t drink if you’re pregnant or could become pregnant. You get the idea: Be safe.
  • Avoid drinking situations: Go to places where alcohol isn’t served, like the movies or the beach. If you drink because you are bored or stressed, a walk or playing a sport that you enjoy may help.
  • Stay with Friends: Stay in the company of trusted friends. That way, you can help each other if something goes wrong.
  • Stay hydrated (non-alcoholic): For every alcoholic drink you have, your body can expel up to four times as much liquid. The diuretic effect of alcohol and the dehydration it causes contribute to the discomfort of a hangover. Drink at least 8 ounces of water for every alcoholic drink, and pace yourself. Taking your time with a drink pays off. Your body absorbs alcohol quicker than you metabolize it. The faster you drink, the more time the toxins in alcohol spend in your body, affecting your brain and other tissues. Water is the best for hydration, followed by fruit juices, and soda is the last resort. Start the day (night) with water and end with water to stay hydrated and reduce the negative impacts of alcohol consumption on your system.