15 Can't-Miss Halloween Events Around Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA—October is here, and we can look forward to all of the Halloween events coming up throughout the month around Alexandria. From spooky tours in Old Town to the celebrated Del Ray Halloween Parade and dog trick-or-treat, there's plenty of fun for all ages in October.

Here are some of the highlights:

Female Stranger Beer Dinner with Port City Brewing Co: Oct. 12, 7 p.m.-11 p.m.
Admission: $85
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St., Alexandria, VA 22314

Join Port City Brewery and Gadsby’s Tavern Museum for anniversary of the Female Stranger’s death with her specialty beer—the Long Black Veil. This special craft beer was inspired by the famous tale of the Female Stranger who died at the tavern on Oct. 14, 1816. Enjoy local beers and a four-course meal on the anniversary weekend and learn the history surrounding her tragic story.

Anniversary of the Female Stranger’s Death: Oct. 14, 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
Admission: $5
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St., Alexandria, VA 22314

Learn the story of the Female Stranger during tours on the 202nd anniversary of this local legend’s death. While journeying through the museum, chat with Dr. Samuel Richards, the physician who treated her, as part of the Museum’s Facetime with History program.

Tales From the Vault with Terry & Wayne: Oct. 20, 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Admission: $20
Ivy Hill Cemetery, 2823 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314

This lecture features Haunted Virginia by Historians and storytellers Terry Gish and Wayne Kehoe in The Ivy Hill Cemetery's Public Vault. Hear stories of horror from around the Commonwealth of Virginia. There will be trivia, raffle prizes, tales and ghostly haunts, and, if you feel something cold near you, do not worry—it might be the spirit of the Petrified Woman.

Bark or Treat Canine Cruise: Oct. 26, 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Admission: $20 for adults; $15 for ages 2-11; free for dogs
Alexandria City Marina, 1 Cameron St., Alexandria, VA 22314

Dress up your pooch in the best costume and cruise along the Potomac River while listening to Halloween tunes. There will be Halloween treats available.

Ghostly Tales at Carlyle House: Oct. 26, 7 p.m.-10 p.m.
Admission: $5
Carlyle House, 121 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA 22314

Join storytellers from Alexandria's Footsteps to the Past on the front lawn of Carlyle House for ghostly tales of Alexandria's past.

Zombie Escape at Carlyle House: Oct 26, 6:30 p.m.-10 p.m.
Admission: $30 online or $40 at the door
Carlyle House, 121 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA 22314

The Zombie Apocalypse. D.C. was one of the first cities to fall when the apocalypse began. As such, Alexandria was a close second due to proximity. However, your group has managed to survive by barricading off a hotel. For a while the supplies were enough to keep your group going. But now, they’re dwindling at a fast rate. To keep your group afloat, several of you have volunteered to head out on a supply run. Now, you must navigate your way through zombie infested territory to claim what supplies are on your list and make it back to your base safely.

Grief & Ghosts Halloween Tours at Lee-Fendall House: Oct. 26-Oct. 28, 7:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Admission: $10, free to members
Lee-Fendall House, 614 Oronoco St., Alexandria, VA 22314

These special evening tours examine funeral and mourning practices in the Victorian era. Traditional mourning clothes and hair jewelry will be displayed and guides will share stories of tragic deaths and mysterious occurrences that have happened in the house.

Trick-or-Treat with the Boo-tiques: Oct. 27, beginning at 10 a.m.
Admission: Free
Old Town Alexandria

Start trick-or-treating early and stop by the dozens of shops of the Old Town Boutique District dishing out treats to goblins and ghouls of all ages beginning at open of business.

5th Annual Halloween Pumpkin Hunt: Oct. 27, 2018 at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Admission: $5 for adults, $15 for ages 1-10 and free for infants
Lee-Fendall House, 614 Oronoco St., Alexandria, VA 22314

The Lee-Fendall House Annual Halloween Pumpkin Hunt returns to Alexandria on Saturday, October 27, 2018. Alexandria’s ghosts and goblins will fill the museum’s garden with hundreds of colorful toy-filled Halloween pumpkins for local children to discover. Other activities include crafts, refreshments, spooky stories, and a costume parade. Every participating child will receive a toy pumpkin. The Hunt schedule is Saturday, October 27 at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. All children of elementary school age or younger are eligible to participate in the Halloween Pumpkin Hunt. Older children and adults are welcome to enjoy all other activities.

Poe Readings in the Vault: October 27, 2018 at 7 p.m.
Admission: $20
Ivy Hill Cemetery, 2823 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314

The Guillotine Theater presents “Poe in the Vault” at Ivy Hill Cemetery. This event typically sells out.

Trick-or-Treating at Mount Vernon: Oct. 27, 3:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
Admission: $14 for adults, $8 for ages 11 and under
George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy., Mount Vernon, VA 22121

Participate in a special scavenger hunt, take a wagon ride on the 12-acre field, and create a boo-tiful Halloween craft in this unforgettable evening. Watch wool carding and spinning, historic chocolate-making, and fishnet making demonstrations in the historic area. In order to burn off all the extra excitement, try 18th-century dancing in the upper garden before greeting Martha Washington. Walk in a children’s costume parade around the Mansion—prizes will be awarded for the best George and Martha costumes! Trick-or-Treating at Mount Vernon takes place rain or shine.

22nd Annual Del Ray Halloween Parade: Oct. 28, 2 p.m.-4 p.m.
Admission: Free
Mount Vernon and Commonwealth Avenues, Alexandria

Don your best Halloween costume and join thousands of participants in one of Del Ray's favorite traditions. The 22nd Annual Del Ray Halloween Parade begins at Mount Vernon Avenue south of East Bellefonte and continues down to the Mount Vernon Recreation Center fields at Mount Vernon and Commonwealth Avenues. Children, pets and strollers in costumes are invited to march and show off their finest and scariest Halloween garb with prizes in different categories. The parade and all activities are free. Judging for Best Decorated Stroller and registration for Best Pet Costume will begin at 1:30 p.m.

Doggie Trick-or-Treat: Oct. 28, 1 p.m.-3 p.m.
Admission: Free
The Dog Park, 705 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314

It's that time of year again! You and your family—especially your doggies—are invited to come to Old Town and trick-or-treat together. We will have treats, sales and a costume contest. Come to The Dog Park in Old Town Alexandria to get your map and have pictures taken, then tour the rest of the participating stores to get more treats and find a sale or two in town.

Poe in Alexandria: Oct. 30-31, 8 p.m.
Admission: $15
The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314

Come to The Lyceum: Alexandria’s History Museum for two unforgettable Halloween evenings 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. Individual works performed each year vary, but the program always includes a chilling story or two such as “The Black Cat,” “The Cask of Amontillado,” or “The Tell-Tale Heart,” along with well-known poems “The Raven” and “El Dorado.” 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.

Alexandria Ghost Tours: Various dates in October
Admission: Ghost & Graveyard Tour is $15 for adults, $10 for ages 7-17, Ghosts of Alexandria Tour and Halloween Ghost Tour is $12 for adults, $10 for senior citizens and students, active duty military and veterans, $5 for children and free for ages 5 and under.
Alexandria Visitor Center, 221 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314

If you haven't taken a Halloween-themed walking tour around Alexandria, you owe it to yourself to check one out. Alexandria Colonial Tours hosts a Ghosts & Graveyard Tour every night in October at 7:30 p.m. and a second tour at 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Tour guides dressed in 18th century attire will lead you through Old Town and tell you spooky tales of ghosts, unsolved mysteries and other legends. Pets and children under nine are not recommended.

Another option is the Ghosts of Alexandria Tour held by Discover Alexandria on dates in October. Tour guides will give you an informative mix of city history and ghost tales. Dogs are welcome. A Special Halloween Ghost Tour will happen Oct. 29-31 at 7 p.m.

All tours start at the Alexandria Visitor Center.

Image via M. Enriquez/Visit Alexandria