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Mark Your Calendar Orange: Alexandria’s Halloween Events 2022

Featuring Ghost Tours, Freaky Happenings and So Much MORE Spook

Ghost and Graveyard Tour in Alexandria
Ghost and Graveyard Tour (Photo: Misha Enriquez/Visit Alexandria)

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Dating back to 1749, Alexandria’s history is filled with remarkable stories and mysterious legends embedded in its brick-lined streets and centuries-old sites. Enjoy Halloween in Alexandria by embarking on a goosebumps-inducing Ghost & Graveyard Tour, showing off your four-legged friends in fashionable costumes at Barkhaus and hearing chilling stories at historic sites like Carlyle House and Gadsby’s Tavern Museum. Voted a Travel + Leisure Best City in the U.S. 2022, Alexandria offers a buzzing waterfront and booming independent boutique and restaurant scene to savor around Halloween and beyond.

Get spooked with Halloween events and activities in Alexandria with the event listings below and at VisitAlexandria.com/Halloween.

Parade

Del Ray Halloween Parade

October 30, 2022, at 2 p.m.

Admission: Free

Begins at Mount Vernon Ave., south of E. Bellefonte Ave., Alexandria, VA 22301

One of Del Ray’s favorite traditions, the annual Del Ray Halloween Parade, returns once again. 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 Tours

Alexandria Colonial Tours’ Ghost & Graveyard Tour

Nightly in October from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Fridays and Saturdays in October from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. and 9 to 10 p.m.

Admission: $15 for adults; $10 for children; free for children under 6 years old

Tours meet at the Alexandria Visitor Center, 221 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

Walk your way through the charming streets of historic Old Town Alexandria. Follow a colonial-costumed guide by lantern light for an engaging history tour on Alexandria’s original Ghost & Graveyard Tour. During this entertaining tour, you’ll hear ghost stories, legends, folklore, unsolved mysteries, tales of romance and angry ghosts looking for revenge.

Nightly Spirits

October through December 2022, Thursdays through Sundays from 7:30 to 10 p.m.; 8:30 to 11 p.m.

Admission: 21 and over at $25 plus tax

Tours meet at The Alexandrian, 480 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

Sip a local beverage and listen to the secret and spooky lore of Alexandria’s haunted past. Hear tales of the ghosts that wander the streets of Alexandria and haunt local establishments. These tours are for individuals ages 21 and over. Haunted private tours are also available for all ages.

Trick or Treat Opportunities

Trick-or-Treating at Mount Vernon

October 29, 2022, 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 Highway Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121

703-780-2000

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.

 Halloween display on Captain's Row Alexandria
Halloween display on Captain’s Row (Photo: Carol Jean Stalun Photography/Visit Alexandria)

Old Town Family Trick or Treat

October 29, 2022, from 12 to 4 p.m.

Admission: Free

Various locations in Old Town Alexandria, VA 22314

Bring the family and enjoy trick-or-treating in the various shops and restaurants in Old Town. Bring your own “boo bag.” Maps will be provided.

Festive Events

Made in ALX’s Halloween Tree Craft Workshop

October 15, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Admission: $45 per person

Made in ALX, 533 Montgomery St., Alexandria, VA 22314

Come out and make your own spooky tree that lights up with ghosts, bats or any spooky creature that calls to you! Beginners and those that are super crafty are welcome. Recommended for individuals ages 12 and up. Participants will sculpt with polymer clay, bake, paint and bend wire to create their own spooky tree. All materials will be provided during the workshop.

Fall Frolic at Lee-Fendall House Museum

October 22, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Admission: $15 per children ages 2-12, Accompanying adults $5 each, Infants under 2 are free

Lee-Fendall House Museum, 614 Oronoco St., Alexandria, VA 22314

Enjoy some fall-themed family fun in the garden during Lee-Fendall House’s Fall Frolic event. Activities catered to children ages 3-12 include a “ghost” hunt, crafts, a costume parade and more. Timed tickets must be purchased in advance. Sessions start on the hour between 10 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. and are limited to 20 children each. Tickets are $15 per participating child ages 2-12. Accompanying adults are $5 each and infants under the age of 2 are free.

2nd Annual Carlyle Halloween Stampede

October 29, 2022, 2 to 6 p.m.

Admission: $10 per person

Whiskey & Oyster, 301 John Carlyle St., Alexandria, VA 22314

The 2nd Annual Carlyle Halloween Stampede features all-day festive cocktails, signature party favors, costume contests, photos ops, giveaways and more. Guests can start the crawl at any of the participating restaurants: Whiskey & Oyster, Sweet Fire Donna’s, Tequila and Taco or Lost Boy Cider. Costumes are recommended. There will be costume prizes for the most festively dressed participants. A Dog Costume Contest will also take place for furry friends. 100% of the registration fee will be donated to the nonprofit ALIVE! in Alexandria.

Dog-Friendly Festivities

Sleepy Howllow at Barkhaus

October 27, 2022, from 7:30 to 10 p.m.

Admission: $40 for members, $55 for the public

Barkhaus, 529 E. Howell Ave., Alexandria, VA 22301

Barkhaus, the D.C. Metro area’s first dog bar, invites you for an enchanting evening in the woods of Sleepy Howllow. This private haunted -themed event includes admission for one per person, beer, wine, candy, snacks and puppuccinos. Costumes are required. Must be 21 and over. A portion of the proceeds will support the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Nightmare at Barkhaus

October 29, 2022, from 5 to 8 p.m.

Admission: Free

Barkhaus, 529 E. Howell Ave., Alexandria, VA 22301

Get ready for the spookiest night of your life as Barkhaus celebrates All Hallows’ Eve with the living and the dead. It’s your pup’s favorite season, and Barkhaus dares all four-legged friends and their parents to join the 3rd annual Halloween party. The event will include a costume contest and spooky food and drink specials. Costumed are highly recommended for both humans and pups.

Old Town Doggie Trick or Treat

October 30, 2022, from 1 to 5 p.m.

Admission: Free

The Dog Park, 705 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

Bring your spooky pooch over to The Dog Park for a Halloween “boo bag” full of treats for your pup. After registering at The Dog Park retail store, you and your dog will enjoy a leisurely stroll around Old Town and receive boo bags while supplies last.

Halloween in Alexandria, VA (Photo: Sam Kittner/Visit Alexandria)
Halloween in Alexandria, VA (Photo: Sam Kittner/Visit Alexandria)

Historical Haunts

Poison Specialty Tour at the Apothecary Museum

October 7 and 21, 2022, from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m.

October 16 and 30, from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Admission: $15 per person, $12 for OHA members

Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, 105–107 S.  Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA 22314

Explore the sinister side of medicine on the Apothecary Museum’s Poison Tour. This tour explores several different types of poisons, their historic uses at the Apothecary and what we know today. The event is recommended for ages 18 and up.

Death Comes to Carlyle House 

October 7, 14, 21 and 28, 2022, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Admission: $12 per person

Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA 22314

703-549-2997

Carlyle House presents an exhibit on mourning practices in the 18th-century through the experiences of those who occupied the Carlyle household, mourning the death of Alexandria’s co-founder, John Carlyle, in September 1780. Reservations are required as space is limited.

Death at the City Hotel at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum

October 14, 2022, 7 to 9 p.m.

Admission: $30 per person. Ages 21 and over.

Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St., Alexandria, VA, 22314

In 1808, Death visited Alexandria’s City Hotel when the curtain fell upon one of theatre’s “Brightest Ornaments.” While a guest at the hotel, Anne Brunton Merry Wignell Warren, the most celebrated actress in the U.S., shockingly lost both her infant son and her own life at the young age of 39 in what is now known as Gadsby’s Tavern Museum. Learn about phantasmagoria, a terrifying stage effect used during Warren’s life, and see if you can spot the phantasmagoria effects used in the short silent film, Frankenstein (1910). The program includes one phantasmagorically delicious cocktail (including a spirit-free version), a friendly macabre trivia competition (individuals or teams of up to 6 welcome), a film viewing and fun conversation. A cash bar will be available for purchase of additional cocktails. Individuals ages 21 and over are welcome.

Hand Brooms & History at Carlyle House Historic Park

October 15, 2022, 1 and 3 p.m.

Admission: $25 per person

Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA 22314

Learn how to make a custom turkey-tail style hand broom, while discovering some of the history and superstitions surrounding this seemingly innocuous household item. Tickets to the program include materials and instruction to make one turkey tail style hand broom for you to take home, plus a tour inside Carlyle House. Please allocate up to 2 hours for this program.

Grief and Ghosts Tour at Lee-Fendall House Museum

October 21, 22, 28 and 29, 2022, from 7 to 9 p.m.

Admission: $15 per person

Lee-Fendall House Museum, 614 Oronoco St., Alexandria, VA 22314

Explore 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 jewelry, mourning clothing and séances will be explored. These tours offer a rare opportunity to see the house after dark. Tours will be offered every half hour from 7 to 9 p.m. Tours will be limited to 12 participants and tickets must be purchased in advance here. Face masks are recommended.

Eerie Entertainment

The Little Theatre of Alexandria Presents “Design for Murder”

October 15 to November 5, 2022, Wednesdays through Sundays at 8 p.m.

Admission: $21 to 24 per person

The Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe St., Alexandria, VA 22314

Murder, romance and comedy are the three best ingredients for a fun, suspense-filled evening of theatre. This fast-moving, highly tense whodunit treats the audience to a remote mansion, a sleazy blackmailer, a trench coat-clad detective and even a dark and stormy night. A once-wealthy mother and son struggle to keep up appearances at the old mansion, but when a maid is murdered, everyone becomes a suspect.

Raven’s Night at the Birchmere
October 29, 2022, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Admission: $35 per person
The Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA 22305
704-549-7500

In its 10th year, Raven’s Night creeps, slithers, and slinks its way back to The Birchmere. Mark your calendars and dress up to spend Halloween weekend with The Birchmere for a unique event featuring fusion belly dance, live music, a costume contest and a pre-show carnival. This year’s theme, “Underworld,” brings the most iconic demons, witches and wizards to the stage—a magical night and a feast fit for all fandoms.

Poe in Alexandria at Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum

October 30 and 31, 2022, from 8 to 9:30 p.m.

Admission: $20 per person

Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314

Enjoy an unforgettable evening with America’s earliest master of the macabre, Edgar Allen Poe. Actor David Keltz returns to The Lyceum’s lecture hall to re-create Poe’s visit to Virginia in 1849, shortly before his death. This year’s performance will include short stories, poems, musings, literary criticism and a comic essay never before performed at The Lyceum. Mr. Keltz’s performance has been lauded by The Poe House and Museum in Baltimore, The Poe Museum in Richmond and the Poe National Historic Site in Philadelphia. Reservations are strongly recommended. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.; performance begins at 8 p.m.

SEE ALSO: Tons of Trucks Coming To Alexandria Saturday, October 15

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