15+ Halloween Events In Alexandria: From Family-Friendly To Spooky Fun

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Once October arrives, it's time for thrills, chills and perhaps some family-friendly Halloween events.

Alexandria has plenty to offer for all ages. Those seeking frights can take a Ghost & Graveyard Tour or attend Death Comes to Carlyle House, Death at the City Hotel and Grief and Ghost Tours at Lee-Fendall House.

Below is a roundup of Halloween events. For more family-friendly fun, try the Harry Potter Halloween Fest, Old Town Family Trick or Treat or Del Ray Halloween Parade. Pets can also get in on the Halloween fun with Sleepy Howllow at Barkhaus, Nightmare at Barkhaus and Old Town Doggie Trick-or-Treat.

If you know of other Halloween events in Alexandria, send an email to Emily.Leayman@patch.com. You can also post calendar events on Patch. Here's more information to get started.

Alexandria Colonial Tours’ Ghost & Graveyard Tour: Nightly in October, 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., plus Fridays and Saturdays in October from 8:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Meet at Alexandria Visitor Center, 221 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

Walk your way through historic Old Town Alexandria with a colonial-costumed guide by lantern light. Attendees will learn hear about ghost stories, legends, folklore, unsolved mysteries, tales of romance and angry ghosts looking for revenge. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for children and free for children under 6 years old.

Death Comes to Carlyle House: Oct. 7, 12, 21, 28, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Admission: $12 per person

Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA 22314

Carlyle House presents an exhibit on mourning practices in the 18th-century through the experiences of the Carlyle household, mourning the death of town founder, John Carlyle, in September 1780. Reservations are required as space is limited.

Specialty Tour: Poison at the Apothecary Museum: Oct. 7-30, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, 105-107 S. Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA

Explore the dark side of medicine at the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum. This tour spotlights several different types of poisons, their historic uses at the Apothecary, and what we know today. The tour is recommended for ages 18 and up.

Death at the City Hotel: Oct. 14, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Gadsby’s Tavern Museum: 134 N. Royal St. Alexandria, VA 22314

This event for ages 21 and older centers around the story of Anne Brunton Merry Wignell Warren, the most celebrated actress in the U.S., dying in 1808 along with her infant son at the City Hotel, now Gadsby's Tavern Museum. Attendees will learn about phantasmagoria, a terrifying stage effect used during Warren’s life, participate in macabre trivia, view a film and receive a "phantasmagorically delicious cocktail." A non-alcoholic version is also available. The cost is $30 per person (21 and older), and a cash bar will be available to buy additional cocktails. Space is limited, so get your tickets in advance.

Hand Brooms & History: Oct. 15, 1 p.m. or 3 p.m.

Carlyle House, 121 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA 22314

At this event, you'll learn how to make a turkey-tail style hand broom and find out the history and superstitions about brooms. The program includes materials, instructions and a tour inside Carlyle House.

Grief and Ghost Tours at Lee-Fendall House: Oct. 21, 22, 28, 29, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

614 Oronoco St., Alexandria, VA 22314

This tour provides a rare look inside Lee-Fendall House after dark. Explore Victorian mourning traditions and hear tragic death stories and mysterious occurrences at the Lee-Fendall House. Tickets are $15 per person, and tours will be limited to 12 people.

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

Lost Boy Cider, 317 Hooffs Run Drive, Alexandria, VA 22314

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.

Sleepy Howllow at Barkhaus: Oct. 27, 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

529 E. Howell Ave., Alexandria, VA 22301

Barkhaus's second anniversary celebration will transform the facility into a haunted forest. Tickets are $55 for the public and $40 for members. Included in admission are five free drinks from the beer and wine bar (tips not included), candy, snacks and puppaccinos. One dog per person must be registered with the ticketed attendee. A portion of proceeds will support the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Costumes are required.

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 22314

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.

Nightmare at Barkhaus: Oct. 29, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

529 E. Howell Ave., Alexandria, VA 22301

Dogs and their humans are invited to this third annual Halloween party — if they dare. This free event features a dog costume contest with prizes: one gold year membership for first place, a three-month membership for second place and $25 gift card for third place. The runway will start at 7:30 p.m. with winners announced at 8 p.m. There will also be food and drink specials. Costumes are encouraged for dogs and humans.

Trick or Treating at Mount Vernon: Oct. 29

George Washington's Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy, Mt Vernon, VA 22121

Bring the children to greet General Washington and collect candy, enjoy a puppet show, music, magic and a costume parade.

5th Annual Halloween Bar Crawl: Oct. 29, 4 p.m. to 12 a.m.

The Light Horse, 715 King Street Alexandria, VA 22314

Join this Halloween-themed bar crawl for food and drink specials and a costume contest. Each ticket comes with a $1,000 grand prize costume contest entry, two drinks or shots, a cup with the first 400 check-ins, waived cover charges at participating locations, professional photographers, food and drink specials, after-parties and a custom Halloween badge. Single tickets are $15 each.

2nd Annual Carlyle Halloween Stampede: Oct. 29, 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Carlyle neighborhood, Alexandria, VA 22314

This bar crawl features festive cocktails, party favors, costume contests, photos, giveaways and more. Each participating restaurant will have a drawing for prizes. A shuttle will be provided by King Street Trolley. Dogs are invited too for a dog costume contest. Tickets cost $10 and will be donated to ALIVE!

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.

Shop Made in VA: Butterscream Basics: Halloween Cake Decorating 101 with Butterscream Queen: Oct. 29, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Learn how to make your own six-inch Halloween-themed Batch Cake using different decorating techniques and tricks.

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

Begins at Mount Vernon Avenue, south of E. Bellefonte Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301

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.

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

The Dog Park, 705 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314

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.