Photo by Misha Enriquez for Visit Alexandria
Ghost and Graveyard Tour
Autumn brings favorite art events, outdoor festivals, Halloween haunts and bright-hued foliage to Alexandria. Voted one of Travel + Leisure’s Best Cities in the U.S. 2023, Alexandria boasts beautifully preserved historic architecture to enjoy on the 81st Annual Historic Alexandria Homes Tour or during a goosebumps-inducing Ghost & Graveyard Tour. Browse al fresco art festivals including the 21st Annual Alexandria Art Festival in Carlyle and Del Ray’s 28th Annual Art on the Avenue, plus attend ever-popular autumn events at George Washington’s Mount Vernon like the Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour.
New this year, enjoy inaugural Halloween events hosted by tall ship Providence at the newly opened Sen. John Warner Maritime Heritage Center on Alexandria’s waterfront.
Dive deeper into fall events and activities in Alexandria with the listings below and at VisitAlexandria.com/Fall.
• Alexandria Colonial Tours’ Ghost & Graveyard Tour
Wednesdays through Sundays in September at 7:30 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30, 8:30 and 9 p.m.
Nightly in October at 7:30 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30, 8:30 and 9 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 St.
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.
• Taste of Old Town North Sept. 21, from 4 to 8 p.m. Admission: Free Montgomery Park, 901 N. Royal St. oldtownnorth.org
Head to Montgomery Park for a celebration of greater Old Town North featuring local businesses including restaurants like Jula’s on the Potomac, Hank’s Oyster Bar, St. Elmo’s and Yunnan by Potomac Noodle House. Plus, enjoy music from New Breed Soul Consortium, formerly Three Man Soul Machine, and Sally and the Mander. Rain date is Sept. 28. 81st Annual Historic Alexandria Homes Tour
Sept. 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Admission: $45 per person
Various locations throughout Old Town Alexandria
The Twig, The Junior Auxiliary of Inova Alexandria Hospital, proudly announces the 81st Annual Historic Alexandria Homes Tour to be held on Saturday, Sept. 23. New this year, a digital tour book guiding participants through the homes will be accessible to ticket holders via their mobile device. Hard copies of the tour book are available for purchase, in advance, for $5 each. Please note that this event sold out last year, so early ticket purchase is recommended.
• 21st Annual Alexandria Art Festival
Sept. 30 to Oct. 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission: Free
300 John Carlyle St.
Rated one of the top 100 art shows in Sunshine Artist Magazine, the annual art festival features a variety of works exemplifying the gifted artists in regions from all over the country.
• Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour
Oct. 6 to 8 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Admission: Friday: $49 for members, $59 for general public; Saturday: $53 for members, $63 for general public; Sunday: $43 for members; $53 for general public
George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, VA 22121
703-780-2000
Taste samples from Virginia wineries after hours at George Washington’s estate. Bring a blanket and relax on the east lawn overlooking the Potomac River and meet General Washington.
• 28th Annual Art on the Avenue
Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission: Free
Mount Vernon Ave. between Hume Ave. and Bellefonte Ave., Alexandria, VA 22301
The 28th annual arts festival held in the Del Ray features more than 350 juried artists, from quilters to card-makers to cartographers, displaying their one-of-a-kind wares. Arrive with an appetite and grab a bite from 20+ food vendors and set to the soundtrack of live music along the avenue. Trolley transportation will be available from the Braddock Road Metro.
• Third Annual Carlyle Halloween Stampede
Oct. 28 2 to 6 p.m.
Admission: $10 per person
Whiskey & Oyster, 301 John Carlyle St.
The 3rd Annual Carlyle Halloween Stampede features all-day festive cocktails, signature party favors, costume contests, photos ops, giveaways and more. Guests can start the crawl and pick up their wristbands 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. 10-100% of the registration fee will be donated to the nonprofit ALIVE! in Alexandria.
• Tall Ship Providence Presents the Halloween Howl
Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; tours 45 minutes to one hour
Admission: $20 per child (ages 1-13); free for accompanying adultsSenator John Warner Maritime Heritage Center, 1A Prince St., Alexandria, VA 22314tallshipprovidence.org
Arrive in costume for some Halloween fun aboard tall ship Providence! Little ghosts and goblins will be taking over the floating maritime center as they rotate through stations of story time, crafts and activities then step aboard Providencewith legendary Captain John Paul Jones.
• Old Town Family Trick or Treat
Oct. 28 from 11 a.m. 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 along upper and lower King Street and select side streets. Visit oldtownbusiness.org for the starting point and map pick-up location.
• Tall Ship Providence Presents “Ghost Ship Providence”
Oct. 28 from 7 to 10 p.m. Admission (adults only): $85 per person; $150 per coupleSenator John Warner Maritime Heritage Center, 1A Prince St. tallshipprovidence.org
All aboard for an adults-only costume party! Cross the gangway (if you dare) for a hauntingly good time. DJ, open bar, food, costume contest and raffles will all take place at the floating heritage center and aboard Providence.
• Old Town Doggie Trick or Treat
Oct. 29 from 1 to 5 p.m.
Admission: Free
The Dog Park, 705 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
Bring your dog for a howling day of walking through Old Town and visiting participating merchants who will offer treats for your four-legged companion. Start at The Dog Park boutique, located at 705 King Street. For more information, visit www.oldtownbusiness.org.
• Del Ray Halloween Parade
Oct. 29 at 2 p.m.
Admission: Free
Begins at Mount Vernon Ave., south of E. Bellefonte Ave.
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. For more information, including details on entering the house decorating contest, pet costume contest and stroller decorating contest, visit www.visitdelray.com.
