Del Ray Halloween Parade To Be Held For 25th Year

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The Del Ray Halloween Parade, a Halloween tradition for 25 years, will return in 2021 on Sunday, Oct. 24. In-person festivities are back after virtual activities were held in lieu of a parade in 2020.

The parade will be held along Mount Vernon Avenue starting at E. Bellefonte Avenue at 2 p.m. To limit crowding due to COVID-19, attendees are encouraged to register for free through Eventbrite for a parade entrance point. The initial entrance points available are the area between Bellefonte and Duncan Avenues and between Duncan and Mason Avenues. Additional entrance points may become available as spaces fill up.

Due to children under 12 not yet being eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, masks are required for all attendees. This year, there won't be an after party and goodie bags at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center fields.

The parade's contests for Best Decorated House, Best Decorated Business, Best Group Costume and Best Pet Costume will be held in a virtual format. Best Decorated House nominations are due by 12 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 17. Residents can nominate their house or their neighbor's house. This contest is sponsored by the Jen Walker Team.

Best Decorated Stroller/Group Contest nominations can be submitted online until 12 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 31. This contest is sponsored by the Homes of Alexandria Team of Compass.

Nominations for Best Pet Costume can be submitted online, but residents are encouraged to bring their costumed dogs to the parade too. Nominations are due at 12 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 31. The contest is sponsored by The Dog Store and Your Dog's Best Friends.

Other Halloween activities will occur throughout the month. A Halloween Scavenger Hunt will challenge families to find Halloween-themed items in Del Ray's murals and decorated businesses along Mount Vernon Avenue. Check back for the scavenger hunt form online or get one from the witch at the Pat Miller Neighborhood Square at Mount Vernon and Oxford Avenues.

The Del Ray Business Association also hosts a costume distribution for children who cannot otherwise get one. It will partner with Community Lodgings and Alexandria Boys & Girls Club to request costumes for specific children through an Amazon wish list.

For more information, visit visitdelray.com/halloween.