ALEXANDRIA, VA – The calendar has turned to October. And what does October signify for almost every kid (and some adults)? You guessed it. Halloween! For the whole month, anticipation builds for the 31st. Alexandria is the perfect place to celebrate, and get spooked.
Visit Alexandria, the city’s tourism bureau, has announced upcoming ghost tours, trick-or-treat events, and more. The annual Del Ray Halloween Parade is back! For fans of macabre storytelling, Edgar Allen Poe’s poems and short stories will be read aloud at Ivy Hill Cemetery. Check it out – if you dare!
Look at the wealth of festive events and activities below. (Summaries written by Visit Alexandria.)
Del Ray Halloween Parade
Sunday, October 24, 2021 at 2 p.m.
Admission: Free
Parade begins at Mount Vernon Ave., south of E. Bellefonte Ave.
visitdelray.com/halloween
Del Ray’s annual Halloween Parade begins at Mount Vernon Ave., south of E. Bellefonte, and continues down to the Mount Vernon Recreation Center play fields. Children, pets and strollers in costumes are invited to march and show off their finest and scariest Halloween garb; awards are given for Best Pet Costume, Best Decorated Business, Best Decorated Home and Best Decorated Stroller.
Ghost & Graveyard Tour
October 1 to 31, 2021 nightly at 7:30 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays additional tours at 8:30 and 9 p.m.
Admission: $15 per adult; $14 for seniors, military and law enforcement; $10 per child
Tour departs from Alexandria Visitor Center, 221 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314
703-519-1749
alexcolonialtours.com
Follow an 18th-century costumed guide by lantern light through the charming streets of Alexandria’s historic district known as Old Town. On this entertaining tour, you’ll hear ghost stories, legends and folklore. You will also hear about unsolved mysteries, tales of romance and angry ghosts looking for revenge. Appropriate for ages 9 and up. No pets please.
Grief & Ghost Tour at Lee-Fendall House
October 22, 23, 29 and 30, 2021, beginning at 7, 7:30, 8:30 and 9 p.m.
Admission: $15 per person
Lee-Fendall House, 614 Oronoco St., Alexandria, VA 22314
703-548-1789
leefendallhouse.org
Celebrate Halloween with a look at Victorian mourning traditions coupled with stories of tragic deaths and mysterious occurrences at the Lee-Fendall House. Customs such as draping the mirrors after a death, funeral practices, hair mementos, mourning clothing and séances will be explored. These tours offer a rare opportunity to see the house after dark. Tours groups will be limited to 10 participants and tickets must be purchased in advance. Face masks are required.
Old Town Trick or Treat by Old Town Business Association
October 23, 2021, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission: Free
Various locations throughout Old Town Alexandria, VA 22314
oldtownbusiness.org
Bring your little ghouls and goblins to historic Old Town Alexandria for tricks and treats from your favorite boutiques and restaurants. Check the event website for more details and a trick or treat map.
Trick-or-Treating at Mount Vernon
October 30, 2021, from 2 to 6 p.m.
Admission: General public: $25 per adult; $15 per youth; Members: $17 per adult; $9 per youth
George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy., Mount Vernon, VA 22121
703-780-2000
mountvernon.org
Celebrate Halloween with 18th-century entertainment and activities. Visit Mount Vernon in costume, watch Halloween-themed Punch & Judy shows, see 18th-century chocolate-making demonstrations and more. Trick-or-Treating at Mount Vernon takes place rain or shine.
“Boo Bags” at Hooray for Books!
October 31, 2021, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (while supplies last)
Admission: Free
Hooray for Books!, 1555 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314
703-548-4092
hooray4books.com
This Halloween, Hooray for Books! is distributing “Boo Bags” to trick-or-treaters filled with book-related swag.
Trick or Treat at Carlyle House
October 31, 2021, from 4 to 6 p.m. (or until candy runs out)
Admission: Free
Carlyle House, 121 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA 22314
703-549-2997
novaparks.com/parks/carlyle-house-historic-park
Join Carlyle House on All Hallow’s Eve for good old-fashioned trickery and treats. Bring your little ghosts, goblins, princesses and action heroes to one of Alexandria’s most haunted dwellings. Carlyle House staff will be handing out candy in individual bags. In case of inclement weather please call the museum for event status.
Boos & Booze at Café 44
October 29 to 31, 2021
Admission: Reservations encouraged
Café 44, 44 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 401, Alexandria, VA 22314
571-344-9100
cafe44.com
Café 44 is hosting its annual Boos & Booze Halloween event featuring themed craft cocktail and treats. Costumes (and reservations) are encouraged for this weekend-long riverside soirée featuring themed craft cocktails and treats.
Fall Frolic at Lee-Fendall House
October 30, 2021; hourly sessions occur from 10 a.m. through 3 p.m.
Admission: $15 per person
Lee-Fendall House, 614 Oronoco St., Alexandria, VA 22314
703-548-1789
leefendallhouse.org
Enjoy some seasonal family fun in the garden of the Lee-Fendall House during the Fall Frolic. Put on your Halloween costumes and join in on activities catered to children ages 3-12. Activities include a “ghost” hunt, crafts and a costume parade. Timed tickets must be purchased in advance.
Halloween Ball and Anniversary Celebration at Barkhaus
October 21, 2021, from 7:30 to 10 p.m.
Admission: $75 per person
Barkhaus, 529 E Howell Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301
703-419-3947
brewskisbarkhaus.com
Celebrate Barkhaus’s first birthday with a Halloween ball. Guests will dress formally and add their own Halloween twists to their costumes. Dogs are encouraged to dress up as well. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, puppuccinos for dogs, a limited-edition Barkhaus anniversary shirt and more.
8th Annual Doggie Trick or Treat
October 24, 2021, from 1 to 5 p.m.
Admission: Free
Meet at The Dog Park, 705 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314
703-888-2818
thedogparkva.biz
Bring your costume-clad four-legged friends to historic Old Town Alexandria for tricks and treats from your favorite boutiques. Winners receive gift cards from The Dog Park in three different categories.
Nightmare at Barkhaus
October 30, 2021, from 5 to 8 p.m.
Admission: Free
Barkhaus, 529 E Howell Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301
703-419-3947
brewskisbarkhaus.com
Visit Barkhaus for the dog bar’s annual costume contest. Enjoy spooky food and drink specials and send your costumed four-legged-friend down the dog runway in pursuit of prizes.
Raven’s Night at the Birchmere
October 16, 2021, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Admission: $45 per person
The Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA 22305
704-549-7500
birchmere.com
In its 10th year, Raven’s Night creeps, slithers and slinks its way back to The Birchmere. Keep your Halloween season going with a unique soirée featuring fusion belly dance, live music and a pre-show carnival. This year’s theme, COVEN, brings the most iconic witched, warlocks and wizards to the stage. Doors open at 5 p.m. with an “All Hallows Eve Exposition,” featuring pre-show entertainment including games, palm reading, live performances and more, followed by the “Salon Lunaire” dinner concert at 6:30 p.m., leading up to the main event at 7:30 p.m., “Cabaret Melancholia,” a theatrical belly dance program featuring some of the greatest exponents of the art. Please be advised that people under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
“Wait Until Dark” at The Little Theatre of Alexandria
October 16 to November 6, 2021, Wednesdays through Sundays at 8 p.m.
Admission: $21 to $24 per person
The Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe St., Alexandria, VA 22314
703-683-0496
thelittletheatre.com
Set against the socially turbulent 1960s, “Wait Until Dark” follows the story of Suzy, a blind woman who, while left alone in her apartment, becomes embroiled with a group of con men hatching an elaborate scam. As the tension mounts, Suzy must fend for herself, but the phone line is cut, and the house is plunged into darkness. Can Suzy outwit her murderous visitors? Note: All patrons are required to wear a mask (even if vaccinated) for the duration of the performance.
Poems and Stories of Edgar Allen Poe at Ivy Hill Cemetery
October 28 and 30, 2021 from 7 to 8 p.m.
Admission: $20
Tour begins at the Ivy Hill Cemetery Office, 2823 King St., Alexandria, VA 22302
703-549-7413
“Even in the grave, all is not lost!” The Guillotine Theatre presents “Poe outside the Vault” at Ivy Hill Cemetery. Actors from Guillotine Theatre will read from the works of Edgar Allan Poe. This is a sell-out event in a most suitable atmosphere. Seating is limited. RSVP to [email protected].
To see all of Alexandria’s Halloween events, visit visitalexandriava.com/halloween.
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