Charlottesville Halloween
Although Halloween decorations made their appearance in grocery stores around town back in late August, now is the time when people have finished decorating their yards and getting ready for a fun annual tradition in Charlottesville, even though it’s on a Tuesday evening this year.
JMRL- Gordon Avenue
On Friday, October 27, at 10:30 am, come and enjoy “Hotel Transylvania” (2012) with your family. Gordon Avenue Library. Reservations are required. For more info call: 296-5544.
Downtown Mall
On Friday, Oct. 27, starting at 5 pm, there will be a Doggie Howl-O-Ween, and from 6–7:30 pm the Discovery Museum will host a Boo Bash.
Also, on Friday, Oct. 27, from 6-8 pm, there will be a family pumpkin carving contest at Carver Rec Center with carving tools provided, but you must bring your own pumpkin. Carving teams must have at least one adult and one child participating. Pumpkins will be displayed at the Downtown Safe Halloween Festival. An award will be given to the pumpkin that gets the most votes. $5. Reservations are required. For more info call: 970-3053.
The Pavilion will host a Safe Halloween for children on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 2-5 pm.
Crozet
On Friday, October 27, from 6:30-8:30 pm, experience the creep factor of an empty library after-hours and play Zombie Tag, Werewolf and Zombies v. Humans in the darkened library stacks. Spooky-themed tabletop games available as well. Costumes for the contest are encouraged. Snacks provided. Grades 6-12. Crozet Library. Reservations are required. For more info call: 823-4050.
On Saturday, Oct. 28, from 6:30-9 pm, come to the 9th Annual Crozet Spirit Walk at the Field School. This fun, family-friendly event has a historical play acted out through the streets of Crozet. This year’s walk depicts events from the early 20th century through World War II. Field School, Crozet. $10, under 15 free.
Spirit Walk
Fast becoming a fun tradition for those who like to mix history with a chance for a spiritual encounter, the Albemarle County Historical Society is putting on its 23rd Annual Spirit Walk from 6–9pm on Friday, Oct. 27 & Saturday, Oct. 28.
Meet residents from our community’s past. Come learn their stories as they are vividly brought to life before you.
Visit haunts of the past and hear stories from memorable residents of our community’s past. This popular tour typically sells out. Spirit Walk will meet at Maplewood Cemetery on the 27th and in Court Square on the 28th. Downtown Charlottesville. 6 pm first tour, 8:30 pm last tour. Reservations are required. For more info call: 296-1492.
If you have questions, please email admin@albemarlehistory.org. Tours will take place rain or shine. Please note no refunds will be given.
Piedmont YMCA
On Saturday, October 28, from 12-2 pm, there will be a Halloween SPOOKTACULAR & Open House at the Piedmont Family YMCA. Halloween fun and an open house at the Jefferson School City Center. All ages welcome.
Shop and Treat At Stonefield
Come to the Shops at Stonefield for face painting, giveaways, trick or treating and more on Saturday, October 28, from 11 am-3 pm. All ages welcome.
Trunk or Treat
On Saturday, Oct. 28, from 3-6 pm, come to a fun and safe event for children and families, all children are invited to dress up and trick-or-treat from trunk to trunk. There will be hotdogs, chips, refreshments, crafts, games, bouncy house, petting zoo and more. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Adults are asked to not wear masks. Free.
Contact: Rachel Miller. For more info call: 973-5806.
Halloween Paper Mask Making and Animal Scavenger Hunt
On Saturday, Oct. 28, and Sunday, Oct. 29, from 10 am-4 pm (with last entry at 3 pm), come to the Lewis & Clark Exploratory Center to make wearable paper masks for Halloween and make ghost story books based on a Halloween walk with spooky stops and sights. $7.
Contact: Alex Searls. For more info call: 996-7282.
Spooky Organ Music Concert for Children
On Oct. 31, from 3:30-4 pm, the Westminster Presbyterian Church will host a short concert of spooky organ music for Halloween, followed by an up-close demonstration of the organ.
Located on Rugby Road near Beta Bridge, this might be a fun place to start off the afternoon on the way to trick or treating the Lawn.
This event is free and all ages are welcome. Special Needs Accommodation: wheelchair-accessible. For more info call: 963-4690.
Trick or Treating on the Lawn
The best place to take younger children is to the Lawn at UVA the day of Halloween – Oct. 31, starting at 4 pm. Since the tradition was established in the early 1980s, children from the Charlottesville community have dressed in costumes and visited the 54 lawn rooms where student groups and residents distribute candy.
Students man the doorways of each room on the Lawn and hand out thousands of candy bars and treats to an enthusiastic crowd that starts gathering before the official start time of 4 pm and doesn’t stop until 6 pm, or even later.
As it takes place during daylight hours many parents appreciate the chance to see their friends in a safe environment with no need to worry about traffic.
Pumpkin Patches
And finally, where is the best place to pick the perfect pumpkin? Our area is host to several farms that offer corn mazes and games for the kids and hot apple cider for the parents while they wait for their little ones to find the best carving pumpkin.
Carter Mountain Orchard
On Saturday, Oct. 28, from 10 am-4 pm, come to the 3rd Annual Halloween SPOOKTACULAR at Carter Mountain Orchard. A family-oriented event that is fun for young and old. And, there are still plenty of apples to pick. Pumpkin carving contest, Halloween parade and contest, caramel apple dipping station, trick-or-treat, hayrides and more. All ages welcome. For more info call: 977-1833.
Lays S Ranch Pumpkin Patch
Enjoy fall family fun with hay rides, corn maze, corn pit and slide, hay pyramid, hay maze, giant slides and farm animals. New this year are an AquaPod, tightrope, sky island swing and a 90-foot superslide. From 10 am-6 pm on Saturday, Oct. 28. $7, ages 2 and under free, $25 per family. All ages welcome. For more info call: 591-0898.
