There’s Still Time To Catch Fall Festivals Around Del Ray

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Fall is a great time to get outside in Del Ray and take in the rich offering of festivals.

The changing colors of autumn provide a scenic background for fall and harvest festivals, which have contests ranging from costume contests to Halloween parades. Fall is also the season for pumpkin patches, trunk or treat and other events.

Here are a few festivals and events in and around Del Ray worth putting on the calendar:

1. Late Shift: Masquerade at Torpedo Factory Art Center: Oct. 14, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria, VA

Put on your favorite fall colors, sip your pumpkin-spice latte and enjoy the cooler weather during this fall masquerade with DJ sets spinning October and Halloween music. Costumes are optional but encouraged. The best dressed attendees will win a special prize.

2. Old Town North “Chalk Walk”: Oct. 15, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Montgomery Park, 901 N. Royal St., Alexandria, VA

The Old Town North Alliance will host its first "Chalk Walk" through multiple sites in Old Town North. Artists will be positioned throughout the neighborhood and will create works of art either on flat plaza surfaces or on building walls. Attendees can see the artists in action or visit finished works. Beverages including beer and food trucks will be available at Canal Center Plaza. The event also features a dedicated Kid Creation area.

3. Paws in the Park: Sunday, Oct. 16, 11 a.m.

Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison St, Alexandria, VA

This free festival features an entertainment stage, vendors, food, drinks and adoptable animals. Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome at the event. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. The festival was previously known as Alexandria Love Your Pet Day.

4. Del Ray Halloween Scavenger Hunt: Starting Oct. 22

Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA

Head to Mount Vernon Avenue to search for Halloween-themed items in Del Ray’s decorated businesses. Four randomly-selected winners will receive a $50 gift card to their favorite Del Ray business. The Del Ray Business Association will release scavenger hunt details closer to the event.

5. Shiloh Baptist Church Trunk or Treat: Saturday, Oct. 22, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Shiloh Baptist Church, 1401 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA

Dress up in a costume and come out for this socially-distanced drive-thru trunk or treat. Residents can sign up to be a participating trunk to hand out treats to children. Best Decorated Car and Best Costume prizes will be awarded.

6. Passionately Pets' 15th Birthday Pawty: Sunday, Oct. 23, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Pat Miller Neighborhood Square, Mount Vernon and Oxford Avenues, Alexandria, VA

Join Passionately Pets to celebrate its 15th anniversary. There will be a pet costume contest, live music, food, pet vendors, other fun and freebies. This event will raise money and awareness for Project Second Chance. Well behaved, leashed dogs are welcome.

7. Halloween Cookie Decorating Class: Oct. 25, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Lost Boy Cider, 317 Hooffs Run Drive, Alexandria, VA

This 90-minute class teaches attendees to decorate a half dozen cookies in three Halloween designs. While decorating cookies, enjoy Lost Boy Cider's selections of cider. Tickets start at $60.

8. Harry Potter Halloween Fest: Oct. 28, 7:30 p.m. or 9 p.m., Oct. 29 11 a.m. or 12:30 p.m.

Boxwood, 128 South Royal Street, Alexandria, VA

Celebrate Harry Potter with a magical cookie decorating workshop with Sugarcoated Bakery, craft your own magical dragon egg using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, and enjoy zero proof potion by Umbrella Dry Drinks. A special movie screening and more will be part of the event. Tickets start at $65.

9. Boos & Brew Along the Ave: Saturday, Oct. 29

Del Ray restaurants, Alexandria, VA

Dress up in your Halloween costume and crawl around to participating restaurants' Halloween parties. Restaurants with their own Halloween parties will include Piece Out, Pork BBQ, Nightmare on the Avenue pop-up bar, Del Ray Pizzeria, Evening Star Cafe, Kaizen Tavern, Matt & Tonys and Barkhaus.

10. Old Town Family Trick or Treat: Oct. 29, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Throughout Old Town Alexandria, VA 22314

Various shops and restaurants will be handing out candy to little ghosts and goblins. Maps will be provided.

11. Del Ray Halloween Parade: Sunday, Oct. 30, 2 p.m.

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

One of Del Ray’s favorite traditions is the annual Del Ray Halloween Parade. 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.

12. Old Town Doggie Trick-or-Treat: Oct. 30, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The Dog Park, 705 King St., Alexandria, VA

Bring your costumed dog over to The Dog Park to receive Halloween goodie bag full of treats for your dog. After registering, enjoy a walk around Old Town to receive boo bags at participating locations while supplies last.

13. Trick or Treat: Monday, Oct. 31

Around Alexandria, VA

Trick or treat doesn't have a set time in the City of Alexandria. So you can expect children to visit homes for candy during the evening hours of Halloween, which falls on Monday, Oct. 31.