Harvest festivals, spooky ghost tours, haunted houses and more are popping up across the state in celebration of all things Halloween. We’ve found the most terrifying fright-night experiences and family-friendly events happening throughout Coastal Virginia for the month of October. See below for details about events taking place in Chesapeake, Gloucester, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Smithfield, Suffolk, Virginia Beach and Williamsburg.
Chesapeake
A Haunting at Greenbrier Farms
Prepare yourself for 20 minutes of nonstop terror on the guided walking tour through the 100-year-old farmhouse and grounds of the historic Greenbrier Farms. The tour leads you through five haunted attractions—Dr. Easton’s Horror Chambers, The Killing Corn, The Burial Grounds, Your Last Hayride and El Camino de los Diablos. Greenbrier Farm’s fright-night experience runs every Thursday through Sunday from through Oct. 31 from 7–11 p.m. Purchase an all-night pass for $30 or a general admission ticket for $20. Discounted rates for active duty military and groups of six or more are available.
Ghost Train at Northwest River Park
Embark on a spooky adventure through the haunted woods of Chesapeake’s Northwest River Park. This 30-minute train ride explores the park in the dark and exposes the eerie ghost stories of Northwest River Park visitors from the past. The Ghost Train will make several runs from 7–10:30 p.m., Thursday through Friday, Oct. 19–21 and 26–28. Rides cost $9 on Thursday and $10 on Friday and Saturday. While this is a family-friendly event, a ride on the Ghost Train is not recommended for younger audiences.
Gloucester
Beaverdam Haunted Trail
Ghouls, demons, zombies and other dark creatures lurk through the dark woods of Beaverdam Park. Tours of the Beaverdam Haunted Trail begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27 and Saturday, Oct. 28. Tours are not recommended for children ages 8 and under. Admission for guests ages 13 and up is $8. Guests ages 12 and under are $5.
Trunk or Treat at Union Baptist Church
Union Baptist Church will host a free, family-friendly Trunk or Treat Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 5–7 p.m. Fall Festival activities will include an inflatable obstacle course, cake walk, face painting and lots of candy. Costumes are encouraged and a $1 donation to benefit Operation Christmas Child is strongly suggested.
Hampton
Haunted Horse Rides at Hampton Carousel
Take a ride on the century-old, wooden Hampton Carousel with ghosts, goblins and the famous Headless Horseman. Enjoy trick-or-treating with costumed staff members after your ride on the merry-go-round. Entry into the pavilion is free and carousel rides cost $1. Through Nov. 5, the pavilion will be open every Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the Hampton History Museum, Hampton Carousel or Hampton Visitors Center.
Fort Monroe Ghost Walk
Learn the hidden haunts and secrets of Fort Monroe’s 400-year-old grounds on this guided walking tour. Book your tour now for Friday, Oct. 20 or Saturday, Oct. 21. Ghost Walks occur continuously from 6–10 p.m., rain or shine, and are recommended for guests ages 12 and older. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 the night-of.
Hampton Horror Tours
Experience the mystery and macabre of Old Hampton during a guided lantern tour. Witness the scary stories of America’s first witch, Civil War soldiers, escaped prisoners and members of Blackbeard’s crew from the crooked headstones of St. John Church’s graveyard. Tours occur nightly at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. from Oct. 23–27. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Time warp back to the 1970s and experience a beloved holiday show full of gaudy costumes, outrageous dance moves and musical fun. The American Theatre’s rendition of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" will be performed at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 26. Admission is $10. Tickets are sold through Ticketmaster.
Bluebird Gap Farm Festival
Bring your friends and family out for a free harvest celebration at Bluebird Gap Farm in Hampton. Enjoy live music, hayrides, food, craft beer and the highly anticipated Punkin’ Chunkin’. The Bluebird Gap Farm Festival will take place rain or shine from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. on Oct. 28.
Downtown Hampton Halloween Block Party
Celebrate Halloween in a street-fair style block party on Queens Way in Downtown Hampton. Sign yourself, or your dog, up for a costume contest and enjoy live music performed by several local bands including Buckshot. The event is free for all guests and will take place from 6–10:30 p.m. on Oct. 28.
Newport News
Night of the Living Museum
The Virginia Living Museum invites children ages 12 and under to explore the famous “Forest Land” and “Monster Lab” at the museum’s 17th annual Night of the Living Museum. During this two-night event, kids can meet the Spider Lady, watch live animal shows, make creepy crafts, carve pumpkins and compete in a variety of Halloween games. After watching the Fright Light laser show, taking a nighttime hike along the “Dinosaur Discovery Trail” is the perfect ending to an evening full of Halloween celebrations. Activities will take place from 5:30–8:30 p.m. on Oct. 20–21. Prices vary for members and non-members and additional fees are required for admission into the Fright Light laser show.
Day of the Dead Celebration
Commemorate the season of spirits in traditional Mexican fashion with an authentic Día de los Muertos celebration. From 11 a.m.–2 p.m. on Oct. 28, the Peninsula Fine Arts Center will host a series of talks about several Day of the Dead artistic traditions like the preparation of an altar, sugar skull decorating, paper garland how-to’s and face painting. Guests will also have the opportunity to prepare an altar in memory of two of Mexico’s most notable artists, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Tickets are $7.50 for adults, $4 for children ages 6–12 and free for children 5 and under.
Norfolk
ZooBoo
ZooBoo is an annual, all-day Halloween event hosted by the Virginia Zoo. This year’s event will take place rain or shine from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. on Oct. 21. Come dressed in your best costume for trick-or-treating and be amazed by the zoo animals’ pumpkin encounters. Admission is $6 for members and $15 for non-members.
Halloween Costume Bash
Come dressed in your most creative costume and test your investigative skills with the Chrysler Museum of Art’s Halloween scavenger hunt. Enjoy a Ghoulish Gallery Flashlight Tour of the museum’s grounds. This all-day Halloween bash will also feature spooky crafts, lawn games and music. Admission is free to all guests.
Portsmouth
36th Annual Old Towne Portsmouth Ghost Walk
Based on London’s Jack-the-Ripper walks, the 45-minute Old Towne Portsmouth Ghost Walk takes guests through the sinister halls of Old Towne’s mansions and houses. Rumor has it that these apparitions still haunt local residences and lurk through the Trinity Church graveyard during tours. Unwind with live entertainment and hot cider at the end of your tour at Portsmouth’s Middle Street Park. Three tours are offered a 7, 8 and 9 p.m. on Oct. 28. Tickets are available online for $10.
Smithfield
Trunk or Treat and Magic Show
Put on a creative costume and bring out family members and friends for fun and games and Trunk or Treating at the Trinity United Methodist Church parking lot. Enjoy entertaining magic from professional magician Rob Westcott of Virginia Beach and light refreshments. This free event will be held rain or shine, Saturday, Oct. 28, 1–2 p.m. Email children@mytrinity.org for more details.
HAM-O-WEEN!
Main and Grace Streets will host this safe trick or treating with costume and jack-o-lantern contests held from 5–8 p.m. at The Smithfield Times in Downtown Smithfield.
Suffolk
Harvest Fest at Chuckatuck Library
Chuckatuck Library’s Harvest Fest has everything from costume contests, pumpkin picking and live music to a Trunk or Treat, Fall Crawl Obstacle Course and outdoor movie screening. Family and friends are also invited to participate in a bring-your-own-pumpkin decorating contest. The event will be held at Chuckatuck Library on Saturday, Oct. 21 from noon–3 p.m.
Drive-In Movie in the Park: Hotel Transylvania
Families and pets are invited to enjoy a special outdoor screening of Hotel Transylvania at Suffolk’s Bennett’s Creek on Saturday, Oct. 21. The event is free and open to the public, but parking is limited. Food and treats will be available for purchase at two, full-service concession stands. Kids can enjoy crafts, lawn games and bounces houses beginning at 5 p.m. before the movie begins at 7 p.m.
Legends of Main Street: A Suffolk Ghost Walk
Prepare to be spooked by this 90-minute ghost walk through the spirited side of Suffolk. A costumed guide will reveal the tales of unsolved mysteries, local legends and bizarre occurrences as you wander down Main Street by candlelight. Reserve your spot for one of two Saturday evening walks on Oct. 21 and Oct. 28 from 7–8:30 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for seniors, military and children ages 9 to 12.
Nightmare at Creekside
Suffolk’s Creekside Recreation Center will host a free Trunk or Treat event on Friday, Oct. 27 from 6:30–8:30 p.m. Trick-or-treaters can take part in a costume contest, play games and make crafts. Those wanting to provide trunk candy must be parked in the Creekside Recreation Center parking lot no later than 5:30 p.m.
Touch A Truck, Train & Trick or Treat
Spend an afternoon celebrating Halloween at Suffolk’s Seaboard Station Railroad Touch a Truck, Train & Trick or Treat event on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. In addition to delicious food, candy and fall-themed games, several construction trucks, emergency vehicles, tractor trailers and utility trucks will be on display. This event doubles as a fundraiser for the Suffolk-Nansemond Historical Society. Tickets are $5 each or four for $15.
Virginia Beach
A Night of Possession
Hunt Club Farm in Virginia Beach haunts Coastal Virginia with its 29th annual Halloween festival. The possessed wander the streets in the Village of the Dead and lurk between the corn stalks of the Field of Screams. Prepare to be scared as you travel through the pitch-black woods of Hunt Club Farm on the Haunted Hayride. If you’re up for a fright, visit A Night of Possession on select nights from 6:30–11 p.m. through Oct. 31. General admission is $29 and group rates begin at $22. All tickets are available online or at the Farm’s ticket office.
Children’s Halloween Party
Bring your kids to Hunt Club Farm on Sunday, Oct. 15 for a day full of Halloween-inspired fun. Children are invited to play in bouncy houses, visit the Farm’s petting zoo and get creative at the cupcake and pumpkin decorating stations. Entry fees are $15 for children and $9 for adults. Each child receives a complimentary goody bag with admission. Prepaid reservations are required.
Monster Madness
On Oct. 27, the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center will host Monster Madness, a nighttime celebration of creepy creatures and Halloween-inspired activities. Guests can enjoy a puppet show, win prizes and if bold enough, can take a walk along this year’s newest attraction, Creepy Creek. Admission is $10 for members and $15 for non-members. Children under 2 are free.
Ghost Hunt – A Paranormal Investigation
Grab your investigative equipment and hunt for paranormal activity in the Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum on Oct. 31 from 8–10 p.m. Admission is $20 per person. The museum highly recommends calling ahead for reservations.
Williamsburg
Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Come nightfall, one of Coastal Virginia’s beloved theme parks transforms into a frightening world lurking with creepy creatures, haunted houses, terrifyingly fun rides and live shows. Visitors beware, the ghosts, werewolves, witches and zombies that haunt Busch Gardens Williamsburg are known for scaring guests as they make their way to and from the park’s spooky attractions. Starting at 6 p.m., Howl-O-Scream will take place on select nights through Oct. 29. Fall fun passes and single day tickets are available for purchase online from $60–$90.
The Original Ghosts of Williamsburg
Wander through the haunted cobblestones streets of Colonial Williamsburg and listen to the settlement’s eerie folklore by candlelight. Tours are offered every night at 8 p.m. with additional Friday and Saturday night tours at 8:45 p.m. throughout the month of October. Your $12 ghost tour ticket can be purchased online.
See more scary places in Coastal Virginia with these Four Haunted Houses.
