Vienna Halloween Parade 2022: Route, How To Watch

VIENNA, VA — Parades and costumed residents will travel down Maple Avenue for the 76th annual Halloween Parade at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 26.

The Halloween parade has been a favorite town tradition since 1946, allowing floats to join and compete for awards. Costumed participants can join the parade without signing up in advance. The parade theme in 2022 is "Time Machine: Vienna in the past, present and future."

The grand marshal is Leigh Kitcher, who has been involved for decades of volunteering in Vienna with leadership roles in Historic Vienna, Inc., the Ayr Hill Garden Club and the National Capital Area Garden Club. Kitcher also helped the town coordinate its first Liberty Amendments Month.

The parade is approximately a half-mile long and lasts around an hour to an hour and a half. It starts on Maple Avenue at Branch Road, runs down Maple Avenue and turns on Center Street S to conclude. The parade reviewing stage will be located at the Town Green between Center and Park Streets.

Organizations, business and representatives had to apply by Sept. 16 to have a float, car or other entertainment in the parade. Parade entrants are eligible for awards decided by judges — Youth Band, Float with Music, Float without Music, Youth Performers, Adult Performers, and Antique Vehicles. Winners will be announced at the Nov. 14 Vienna Town Council meeting.

Costumed children and others can show up at 6 p.m. at the United Bank, 374 Maple Ave E to march in the parade.

Road closures will be in effect before and during the parade. Maple Avenue is expected to be closed in the parade area from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Additional side streets will close around 4:45 p.m. for the parade lineup. See a map of road closures and detour routes here.

This year's parade is sponsored by Virginia Tire & Auto.