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These Halloween events take place in locations in Northern Virginia. Events are free, unless otherwise indicated.
Ongoing Events
Cox Farms Virtual Fall Festival (Centreville). While both the beloved Cox Farms Fall Festival and it’s newer, scary attraction, Fields of Fear, are closed for 2020 for pandemic reasons, you can still visit Cox Farms and enjoy some fall fun in a socially distant manner with Self-Driven Hayrides. Tractor hayrides will not be offered but you can drive your car through the hayride route. The hayride will feature sound effects and a drive thru concession will offer kettle corn and donuts. Tickets are required and can only be purchased online this year.
- Friday, September 25 – Monday, November 2
- Friday and Monday 2 p.m.- 6 p.m. (last entry 5:15 p.m.)
- Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. (last entry 5:15 p.m.)
- November hours: closing at 5 p.m. November 1 & 2 (last entry 4:15 p.m.)
- Hayride closed Tuesday through Thursday
- Please note the slides, Foam Henge, and the animals will not be available this year, but there will be porta potties.
Cox Farms Drive-Thru Fall Market (Centreville). Place your Market order online. Pickup your items 10 AM-6 PM* daily (*5 PM November 1 and 2) from September 25 through November 2. The market will offer kettle corn, donuts, cider, apple butter and pumpkins, all of which must be selected and ordered online in advance of pick-up.
Temple Hills Farm Pumpkin Patch (Leesburg). Pick a pumpkin, snap a photo and enjoy the playground and slides while maintaining social distancing. Open Daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., October 1st to 31st. $10 person, includes pumpkin.
Death Comes to Carlyle House (Alexandria). October 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30. Take an evening tour of the house and learn about death and mourning in the 18th century. Tours at 6pm, 7pm, and 8pm. Reservations are required. All COVID-procedures will be in place during this tour. $10/person.
Haunted Half Acre outdoor display (Falls Church City). 510 East Broad Street, Falls Church City, VA (residence across from Dulin Church). Morning through 10 p.m. Street parking available on Berry Street and environs. Free.
Halloween Home Light Display. With a real dearth of Halloween activities during the pandemic, you may wish to take a car ride through neighborhoods to view Halloween lights and dectorations. If you do, don’t miss this one! A family in Vienna invites the community to view, from their cars, the family’s free Halloween light display, located at 2528 Drexel Street, Vienna, VA, from October 17 to Octobrer 31. Hours are Sunday-Thursday, 6:45-9:30pm; Friday & Saturday, 6:45pm-10pm.
Ghost and Graveyard Tour. 7:30 p.m. Old Town Alexandria, $15. This event is still taking place during the pandemic. Additional tours are available weekends in October, including Halloween, at 8:30 and 9:00 p.m.
One-Time Events
Friday, September 25
- Michael’s Live Online Class: Make Wilton Halloween Cupcakes. In this hour-long class, a Wilton instructor will teach you the basics of working with fondant while taking you through step by step how to create 5 Halloween cupcake designs. 1 p.m. FREE
Friday, October 9
- Halloween Animals Campfire. Long Branch Nature Center. Arlington, VA. 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. An entertaining nature program for families with children ages 3 and up. Note: this event is free but registration is required and on-site parking is very limited (and a bit dark).
Monday, October 12
- Reston “Spooky” Camp in a Box (order now for delivery between October 12 and 30). The box contains a nature activity, arts & crafts, a science experiment, no bake cooking, a rainy day project, a family adventure, fitness fun and a link to connect virtually with camp staff during “Camp Connection.”$30 plus shipping if sent outside of Reston.
Saturday, October 17
- Colorful Pumpkins. Sully Historic Site, Chantilly, VA. Learn about the history of how pumpkins became associated with Halloween. Pick your pumpkin and paint a face or design on it. Small pumpkins will be available for you to pick from. Each family (up to 6 people) will have their own circle and supplies to create their masterpieces. This program takes place outside. 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. $20/family.
Monday, October 19
- 55+ Activity Box Delivery (order ahead) This Halloween-themed box for older adults includes a nature activity, a craft, a science experiment, no bake cooking, a rainy day project, a family adventure, fitness fun and a link to connect virtually for coffee or happy hour. $30 (plus shipping if outside of Reston)
Saturday, October 24 – Happy “Her-o-Ween!”
- Halloween Mystery at the Cabin. Riverbend Park, Great Falls, VA. Meet characters from the past on this guided walk through the woods. 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Ages 5 and up. $10
- Haunted Pond Nature Program. Hidden Pond Nature Center, Springfield, VA. Ages 6 – 12.
Sunday, October 25
- May have been cancelled: Halloween Adventure. Riverbend Park, Great Falls, VA. Wagon ride with scarecrows, treats and stories, culminating in a campfire. 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Ages 3 and up. $12
Monday, October 26 – National Pumpkin Day
Tuesday, October 27 – National Black Cat Day
Wednesday, October 28
- CANCELLED: Vienna’s 74th Annual Halloween Parade will not take place on Maple Avenue. Please see Wave Parade on October 31
Friday, October 30 – National Candy Corn Day
Saturday, October 31 – Happy Halloween! Today is also Samhain and National Caramel Apple Day. It is also the full moon and it is a Blue Moon!
- Vienna’s 74th Annual Halloween Parade 10 a.m. – Noon. has been transformed into a socially distant, morning event for the pandemic geared toward Vienna residents. A parade of 10-15 floats will travel through Vienna neighborhoods in the form of a “wave parade.” Residents are invited to view the parade from their neighborhood or along the route while practicing social distancing and wearing masks, especially if within six feet of people not in their household. The Town asks that spectators refrain from standing in the street or sitting on street curbs to view the parade. Halloween costumes are encouraged.
- Trick or Treat at the Carlyle House 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. Visit the Carlyle House in Old Town Alexandria for a free, All Hallow’s Eve to collect a free candy bag from one of Alexandria’s most haunted dwellings. In case of inclement weather please, call museum for status of the event.
Thanks for visiting my fall seasonal blog, Autumn in Virginia. Please visit my winter seasonal blog, Cool Yule for events and articles related to Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s.
