Halloween in Northern Virginia Trick-or-treating Haunted Trails + More

Updated on October 28, 2023 by Julie McCool

Our giant list of 2023 Halloween events in Northern Virginia includes trick-or-treating, haunted houses and trails, adult and kid-friendly events in Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Prince William County, and more. Plan a month of fun for Halloween in Northern Virginia with a mix of scary and not-so-spooky events plus trick-or-treating hosted by local businesses and towns.

2023 Halloween events are listed below in three groups:

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Halloween Weekend Events in Northern Virginia
Scary Halloween events throughout October
Not-so-scary family fun throughout October

Traditional trick-or-treating will be held in most towns this year but there are also many more chances to use those costumes with events for kids, adults, and your furry friend. Halloween 2023 is on a Tuesday so many events are scheduled on the prior weekend (Oct 28-29). There are so many ways to enjoy the spooky season in Northern VA!

Find more seasonal fun in our guide to October Events in Northern Virginia.

Halloween Weekend Events in Northern Virginia

Here are the best Halloween Weekend Events in Northern Virginia, both before and on Halloween night 2023. Our list includes Trick-or-treating, Halloween parades, Haunted Trails, and fun events for every age.

Haunted Trail, Salamander Resort, Middleburg, Oct 26 – 29

Walk a family-friendly .6-mile haunted trail featuring 10 scenes with live actors. The trail is geared to kids 4 – 12. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Tickets are $20, 3 and under free, purchase online. 7:00 – 9:00.

Cox Farms Fields of Fear, Centreville, Oct 27 – 31

Older kids and teens head to Cox Farms at night for the Fields of Fear, featuring scares in the corn maze, forest trail, and wagon rides. After the frights, hang out by the bonfire with music, games, and food.

Workhouse Haunt 2023, Workhouse Arts Center, Lorton, Oct 27 – 31

Northern Virginia’s scariest haunted trail returns to the Workhouse Arts Center in 2023 with zombies, swamp creatures, and more creepy characters lurking in the abandoned buildings at the Workhouse campus.

The Haunt walk-through trail is open nightly during Halloween weekend. Timed entry tickets start at $30. 7:00 – 11:00, Sunday to 10:00.

Halloween House & Trick or Treat Trail, Reston, Oct 27 – 28

Meet a fun cast of Halloween characters and animals at Reston's Walker Nature Center. The nature-themed Trick-or-Treat Trail and Halloween House are non-scary and kid-friendly. Registration required, $15/$20 for residents/non-residents; 6:00 – 8:45

Halloween on the Farm, Frying Pan Park, Oct 27 – 28

Enjoy Halloween fun at Frying Pan Farm Park. Kids can join in trick-or-treating, crafts, games, and more. Get your timed entry ticket for a one-hour visit. $10, 4:30 – 7:30.

Spirits and Spirits, Occoquan, Oct 27 – 28

Costumed kids of all ages can join in the costume parade and contest in downtown Occoquan. Allow time to visit the Haunted Maze and Spirit Garden ($10) and vote for your favorite decorations and costumes at area businesses. The parade begins at 10:00; free.

Hauntings Loudoun Museum, Leesburg, Oct 27 – 28

Join Loudoun Museum for a downtown Leesburg walking tour full of spooky stories and eerie mysteries. This annual fundraiser supports the Loudoun Museum, one of the best things to do in historic Leesburg VA. Tickets are $35, 6:00 – 10:30 pm.

Ghost Town, Burke Lake Park, Oct 28 – 29

The annual Burke Lake Ghost Train is expanded this year to a family-friendly Ghost Town. Take a ride on the miniature train and the carousel, play in the bounce house, and enjoy trick-or-treating, pumpkin painting, and more. Allow extra time for a picnic and a stroll around the lake. Tickets are $15 and will likely sell out. 11:00 – 5:00.

Old Town Trick-or-Treating, Alexandria, Oct 28

Old Town rolls out the orange carpet for all the ghouls and goblins this year. Visit Old Town Alexandria in your spookiest costumes to collect treats from participating restaurants, shops, and attractions. Free; 11:00 – 4:00.

Air and Scare Family Day, Air and Space Udvar-Hazy, Chantilly, Oct 28

The Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center's popular Halloween event returns in 2023! Once again, the annual event will be held indoors and outdoors. Arrive in costume for safe outdoor trick-or-treating, creepy crafts, spooky science experiments, and other Halloween-themed activities.

Timed entry tickets are required but free and this event will likely sell out. Note that real and costume weapons are prohibited and masks are not permitted inside the museum. Free admission, $15 parking; 10:00 – 3:00.

Clifton Haunted Trail, Buckley Park, Clifton, Oct 28

A trail of terror awaits, so watch out for monsters and stick to the trail. The PG-13 rated trail in Clifton’s Buckley Park includes scary skits with live actors, including local legend The Bunnyman. Tickets are $18/$13 online for adults/12 and under and $20/$15 day of event. The haunted trail is likely too intense for younger kids. 7:00 – 10:00 pm.

Trick-or-Treat at Virginia Gateway, Gainesville, Oct 28

Bring the little ghouls and goblins to Virginia Gateway for free trick-or-treating at the stores. 2:00 – 4:00

Holiday Crafts and Treats, Old Town Manassas, Oct 28

Join the Halloween fun in Historic Downtown Manassas. Trick-or-treat at local merchants, join in family-friendly activities, and enter the Halloween parade and costume contest. Free, 10:00 – 4:00.

Trick or Treating at Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon, Oct 28

Trick-or-treaters head to historic Mount Vernon for an afternoon of fun and history. Activities include a special scavenger hunt, a wagon ride on the 12-acre field, a boo-tiful Halloween craft, and a children’s costume parade. This event sells out and is held rain or shine. The event is $25/$15 for adult/youth; 2:00 – 6:00.

Halloween at The Perch, Tysons, Oct 28

Celebrate Halloween at The Perch with an afternoon of kid-friendly fun and an evening of scary creatures and ghostly vibes. The afternoon includes dog and human costume contests, spook mini-golf, and adoptable pups in costume. Free but tickets are recommended. Noon – 8:00.

Halloween at the Boo-Ro, Tysons, Oct 28

Head to The Boro in Tysons for Halloween fun including a pet costume contest, kids crafts, a dance party, an outdoor showing of Hocus Pocus, and more. Free but registration is required. 3:00 – 8:30.

Halloween Bark Bash, Leesburg, Oct 28

The 5th annual Halloween Bark Bash is a fun day for dogs and their people. Enjoy trick-or-treating, music, a costume contest, and adorable adoptable dogs. Free; Noon – 3:00.

Monster Mash, Village at Leesburg, Oct 28

The Village at Leesburg is getting into the Halloween spirit with pumpkin carving. trick-or-treating, cookie decorating, and more. Wear your costume and bring your costumed pet to join in the Halloween parade. Free; 3:00 – 6:00.

Halloween Fun at Lake Anne Plaza, Reston, Oct 28, 29, 31

Lake Anne Plaza is hosting several great events during Halloween Weekend 2023:

Oct 28: Bring your furry friend to the plaza for a fun costume contest from 4:00 – 6:30. After the event, Kalypso will host their annual Halloween party.
Oct 29: See one of the most unusual Halloween events in Northern Virginia as the annual Witches and Warlocks SUP Parade crosses the lake to the Plaza. Once they arrive, enjoy a spooky brew at Lake Anne Brew House, take a walk around the lake, or visit one of Lake Anne's many local shops and restaurants.
Oct 31: The kids get their turn to trick-or-treat as businesses around the plaza hand out treats from 5:00 – 7:00.

Boo at the Pool, Reston, Oct 28

Here's a fun event for kids 6 months to 9 years old. Swim for bobbing treats or dive for treats on the bottom of the pool. Every participant gets a goodie bag and there are prizes for poolside costumes. Registration required.

Family Trunk or Treat, McLean Community Center, Oct 29

Get your costume on and enjoy music, games, food, contests, and loads of candy treats at the Old Firehouse in McLean. Free, registration required; 5:00 – 10:00.

Old Town Doggie Trick-or-Treating, Alexandria, Oct 29

Dress your furry friend in your Halloween finest and head to Old Town Alexandria for trick-or-treating fun. Begin your visit at The Dog Park store to register and pick up a bag of doggie treats then walk to participating stores to pick up more boo bags. Free; 1:00 – 5:00.

Del Ray Halloween Parade, Alexandria, Oct 29

Don your best Halloween costume and join in one of Del Ray's favorite traditions. The annual Del Ray Halloween Parade welcomes children, pets, and strollers in costumes to march in their favorite Halloween costumes. Prizes are awarded in multiple categories including Best Decorated Stroller and Best Pet Costume. Free; 2:00 – 4:00.

Trick-or-Treat at Reston Town Center, Reston, Oct 29

Costumed children can visit participating retailers and the Information Center for treats and goodies on Halloween afternoon from 1:00 – 3:00.

Dead and Breakfast Open House, Hillsboro, Oct 29

Visit Hidden View Bed & Breakfast in Hillsboro for a spooky tour of this award-winning Loudoun County B&B. Rooms will be decked out for Halloween and you'll also have beautiful fall foliage views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Free, 2:00 – 8:00.

County Trick-or-Treating in Northern Virginia, Oct 31

October 31 is the official date for trick-or-treating in Fairfax County, Loudoun County, and Prince William County, though there is no official time. General concensus is that kids can start to trick-or-treat at dusk and finish no later than 9:00. (Note that some developments may set other nights to trick-or-treat.)

Mosaic Halloween, Mosaic District, Fairfax, Oct 31

Visit your favorite Mosaic stores all day to trick-or-treat, then stop by Strawberry Park for face-painting from 4:00 – 7:00. At 6:00, grab a spot on the lawn for a free outdoor showing of Scooby Doo on the big screen.

Halloween Spooktacular, Great Falls, Oct 31

Children up to age 12 are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes for the Halloween Spooktacular. Visit the Haunted House, enjoy trick or treating with local merchants, and enter your costumed pets in the pet parade. Free; 5:00 – 7:00; Pet Parade 4:00 – 4:45.

Halloween at The Parc, Tysons, Oct 31

Stop by The Parc, Tysons Community Center, for trick-or-treating, face painting, mad scientist activities, and more kid-friendly fun. Free, 4:00 – 7:00.

Downtown Trick-or-Treat, Culpeper, Oct 31

Dress up the little ones and enjoy a safe and fun hour of trick-or-treating in downtown Culpeper. Downtown shops, restaurants, and businesses will be handing out treats. Free; 5:00 – 6:00.

More Adult and Scary Events: Halloween in Northern Virginia

Haunted Trails in Northern Virginia are a fun place for teens and adults to enjoy an extra scary night out. The haunted trails listed below are gear to older visitors and may be too intense for young children. Follow the website links to purchase tickets and check for weather-related closures.

Cox Farms Fields of Fear, Centreville, Sep 22 – Nov 4

Find more Autumn fun in our guide to the best Fall Festivals in Northern Virginia.

Workhouse Haunt, Workhouse Arts Center, Lorton, Oct 6 – 31

Northern Virginia’s scariest haunted trail returns to the Workhouse Arts Center in 2023. Zombies, swamp creatures, and more creepy characters terrify those brave enough to walk through the abandoned buildings at the Workhouse campus.

The Haunt walk-through trail is open Friday – Sunday plus Halloween. Timed entry tickets start at $30. Many dates will sell out so get your tickets early. 7:00 – 11:00, Sunday to 10:00.

Haunted Nightmares, Winchester, Sep 29 – Oct 31

Hill High Farm in Winchester is a popular spot for its excellent pumpkin patch and corn maze (including a nighttime maze). But for a real scare, take a walk through the haunted house. On weekends, you can choose a less-scary version from 1:00 – 5:00 ($12) or experience the full Haunted Nightmares after 6:00 ($15).

Madhaunter's Madhouse, Purcellville, Oct 6 – 30

One of the most popular haunted houses in Northern VA, Madhaunter's Madhouse delivers scares and screams to those brave enough to enter. The Madhouse is open Friday – Sunday (and Oct 30) in a new location on Legard Farm Road in Purcellville. Tickets are $30 or $45 for a Fastpass.

Scream Loco, Dulles Town Center, Oct 6 – Nov 4

In 2023 you can get your scream on at Dulles Town Center on weekend afternoons and nights. Enter The Funhouse and brave an eerie maze of disorienting mirrors, creepy clowns, and frightening illusions. Tickets are $20 Friday + Sunday, $25 Saturday with fastpass available.

Ghosts and Graveyards Tours, Alexandria, Sep – Oct

Join a Colonial-costumed guide on a lantern-lit walk through Old Town Alexandria. Hear ghost stories, legends, folklore, unsolved mysteries, tales of romance, and angry ghosts looking for revenge. $15/$10 adult/children (geared to 9 and older).

More Kid-Friendly Halloween in Northern VA Events

Halloween in Northern Virginia includes these not so scary events — Not-so-scary Halloween Decor

Historic Herndon Halloween House, October

Stop by anytime in October to see one of the most over-the-top Halloween decorations in Northern Virginia. The yard of the Historic Herndon Halloween House (610 Spring St Herndon) is packed with a wacky mashup of Halloween and Christmas decorations.

Brick or Treat, LEGO Discovery Center, Oct 6 – 31

Monsters take over the new LEGO Discovery Center at Springfield Town Center for extra Halloween fun. You'll find spooky decorations, special LEGO challenges, a new Halloween 4D movie, and more.

Goblin Golf, Burke Lake, Oct 7-8, 14-15, 21-22

Get a jump on Halloween fun with a themed round of mini-golf at Burke Lake Park. $10 per person, 11:00 – 5:00.

Halloween Adult Night, LEGO Discovery Center, Oct 13

Adults get a turn at Halloween fun when the new LEGO Discovery Center at Springfield Town Center opens for a special adults-only night. A costume contest, special build challenges, spooky decorations, and a new Halloween 4D movie, are just part of the fun.

Halloween on the Green, Vienna, Oct 14

Head to the Vienna town green for spooky crafts, games, a petting zoo, live entertainment, and more. Free; 10:30 – 12:30.

Howl-o-ween, Reston, Oct 14

Dress your furry friend in costume and head to Brown's Chapel Park in Reston for some doggy Halloween fun. Enjoy music, costume contests, doggie treats, pet vendors, and more. Plus there are food trucks and drinks for the humans. Free; 2:00 – 5:00.

Mall-o-ween Trick-or-Treating, Tysons Corner Center, Oct ?

Head to the Plaza Concourse for candy and some spooky entertainment and activities at the Tysons Fall Festival. Then trick-or-treat at the 50+ participating stores.

Trunk or Treat Trail, Fairfax, Oct 18

The 4th annual Trunk or Treat Trail is back! Get the kids in costume and head over to the Fairfax Government Center to walk trunk-to-trunk for Halloween treats. Music and decorations add to the fun. Free, 6:00 – 8:00.

Halloween Safari, Bull Run Mountains, Broad Run, Oct 20 + 27

Join a fun, night-time, non-scary hike through the Bull Run Mountains and meet native “wildlife” who perform natural history skits. After the hike, relax by the bonfire and enjoy live music. The event is held at Leopold's Preserve in Broad Run. Timed tickets are $10; register in advance. 7:00 – 8:30.

Halloween Scavenger Hunt, Meadowlark Garden, Oct 21 – 31

Give kids an extra reason to explore Meadowlark Botanical Gardens when they search for Halloween-themed signs hidden throughout the garden and receive a treat at the end. Wear costumes to take advantage of special photo spots. $7 per person.

Halloween Family Fun Day, Reston, Oct 21

Get the little ones dressed in their Halloween costumes and head to the Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods for free family-friendly entertainment. Enjoy a one-man band and puppeteer then try your hand at carnival games. Activities are designed for ages infant – 8. Follow the link to register.

Harbor Halloween, National Harbor, Oct 22

Get a jump on trick-or-treating at the annual National Harbor Halloween celebration. In addition to the treats, watch Hocus Pocus on the big screen, see cool pumpkin carving, join in the Pet Pawrade, and more. Free admission, noon – 3:00.

Halloween Parade, Vienna, Oct 25

Don't miss Vienna's 77th annual Halloween Parade where the 2023 theme is Cartoons and Comics. The parade includes floats, bands, costumed kids, and more. Free; 7:00 pm.

Bonus Party Fun for Halloween in Northern Virginia

Make these ghoulish fingers part of your Halloween in Northern Virginia party fun. — Ghoulish Halloween Fingers appetizer

Here’s an easy, fun appetizer to serve on Halloween in Northern Virginia.

Ingredients: cheese sticks, slivered almonds, marinara sauce

To make: Trim tops of cheese sticks and add “knuckle” lines with a butter knife. Stick on almond sliver “fingernails” with a little honey. Sprinkle the underside with a little salt and pepper and serve with marinara sauce. Ooooh, spooky!

Whichever event you choose, we wish you a safe and Happy Halloween in Northern Virginia!

More Fall Fun in Northern Virginia

And you'll find more fall fun in these Autumn guides: