Ready for some Halloween fun? Our friends at Visit Alexandria have put together this list of Halloween happenings all across Alexandria, so get ready!
Photo by Carol Jean Stalun Photography for Visit Alexandria
There's nothing like Halloween in Alexandria!
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.
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Del Ray Halloween Parade
Oct. 30 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
nightlyspirits.com/old-town-tours/
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 Treating Events
• 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.
• 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.
Crafts & More
• Made in ALX’s Free Kids' Craft Day
October 15, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Admission: Free
Made in ALX, 533 Montgomery St., Alexandria, VA 22314
Kids (and their parents) are welcome to come to Made in ALX for a fun Halloween craft led by artist Kellie Sansone, plus get their face painted, pick up a balloon and more on Saturday in Old Town North.
• 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.
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
novaparks.com/parks/carlyle-house-historic-park/events/death-comes-to-carlyle-house
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 22314novaparks.com
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 personThe Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA 22305704-549-7500 birchmere.com
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.
