Even if traditional trick or treating isn’t on your agenda this year, you can still help your littles get into the spooky spirit with these Halloween-themed events.
Cox Farms Self-Driven Hayride
Through Nov. 2, Fridays through Mondays, times vary
Experience the sites and characters of the famous annual hayride at the Centreville farm from the comfort and safety of your own vehicle, including the aliens and their spaceship, haunted barn, riddle-loving troll and Wild West town. Tickets cost $15 and must be purchased online; check website for vehicle requirements and restrictions. // Cox Farms: 15621 Braddock Road, Centreville; $15
Colorful Pumpkins
Oct. 17, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Learn how pumpkins came to be associated with Halloween and decorate your own at this event at Sully Historic Site in Chantilly. Small pumpkins will be available and families and groups will be provided their own socially-distant area and paint supplies to be creative. The cost is $20 per family group and online reservation slots at least two days before the event are required; the rain date is October 18. // Sully Historic Site: 3650 Historic Sully Way, Chantilly; $20 per family
Cookie Decorating
Oct. 17 & 24, times vary
Mayra Garcia from celebrateMe! leads 2-hour workshops in Halloween cooking decorating at Fran’s Cake & Candy Supplies in Fairfax. Tickets cost $85; each student will receive 10 pre-baked cookies and learn how to add pumpkins, ghost and spider web details. The class also includes a box to take home your treats and attendees are requested to bring their own aprons. Workshops are available to those aged 13 or older; children 10 to 12 are welcome if they are accompanied by an adult also enrolled. Each class is limited to 6 students and face coverings are required. // Fran’s Cake & Candy Supplies: 10927 Main St., Fairfax; $85
Oct. 24, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Decorate your car in a Halloween theme and then drive it around a Halloween Parade at the Hunters Woods Village Center parking lot in Reston. Kids aged infant through 8 years old are invited to dress in their favorite costume and will get a surprise goody bag. The event is free, but registration is required for all children whether they walk-up or arrive in a car. // Hunters Woods Village Center: 2304 Hunters Woods Plaza, Reston; free
Haunted Pond
Oct. 24, 8-9:30 p.m.
Springfield’s Hidden Pond Nature Center is offering a nocturnal wildlife and local program that includes a twilight walk into the forest, campfire with stories (scary tales are reserved for the last 30 minutes) and a craft. A milder version for kids ages 3-6 is offered the same day from 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m.; tickets for either cost $10 per person. // Hidden Pond Nature Center: 8511 Greeley Blvd., Springfield; $10
Jack o’ Lantern Jog
Oct. 25, 7-11:30 a.m.
Dress in costume and get in the Halloween spirit for the first race of its kind at Algonkian Park on a half-paved and half-gravel/trail course. The race will be run in two heats to encourage social distancing and a run-at-your-own-pace option lets runners finish anytime during the weekend. There will be prizes for best costumes as well as pumpkins, hot cider and kettle corn for sale. Tickets cost $25 for in-person and $20 for a virtual 5K; register by October 15 to guarantee a medal. // Algonkian Regional Park: 47001 Fairway Drive, Sterling; $20-$25
Haunted Trail at Salamander Resort & Spa
Oct. 28-31, 6:30-9 p.m.
The family-friendly spooktacular evening at the Middleburg resort includes a socially-distanced 0.6 mile trail with 10 actor scenes geared toward children ages four through 12. (Children who wish to walk through the scenes without actors can do so at 6:30 p.m..) Scooby Doo’s The Headless Horseman of Halloween will be shown on the Equestrian Center lawn and food and beverage will be available for purchase. // Salamander Resort & Spa: 500 N. Pendleton St., Middleburg; $14-$20
Halloween Drive-Up Movie Night
Oct. 30, 6:35 p.m.
Catch a double feature of Scooby-Doo! Stage Fright and Beetlejuice at this family-friendly event sponsored by The Greater DC/Virginia Chapter of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. Admission is $15 per person or $45 per vehicle and includes both movies as well as car trick-or-treating during which you will travel to stations to safely receive unopened candy and treats. Dress up yourself (and/or your car) for a chance to win prizes; advance reservations online for the event are required. // Lerner Town Square at Tysons II: 8025 Galleria Drive, Tysons; $15-$100
Vienna Halloween “Wave Parade”
Oct. 31, 10 a.m.-noon
Due to the pandemic, the Town of Vienna and the Vienna Business Association has opted to tweak its 74th annual Halloween parade. Ten to 15 floats will step off from the Vienna Community Center and visit all four quadrants of the town; the route will be released to the public on Thursday, Oct. 29 after 3 p.m.. Residents and visitors are invited to don costumes and wave from sidewalks as the parade passes by and are asked to wear masks and practice social distancing. // Vienna Community Center: 120 Cherry St. SE, Vienna; free
Halloween Spooktacular at Pump It Up
Oct. 31, 7-9 p.m.
This fun-filled, high-energy event at the Ashburn inflatable-filled recreation facility is packed with Halloween activities and goodies. Bounce and enjoy an inflatable haunted house experience and stay for a pizza dinner. Tickets cost $20 per bouncer and pizza is an additional $3.50; online advance reservations are required and safety precautions are in place. // Pump It Up: 44190 Waxpool Road, Suite 102, Ashburn; $20
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