October Festivals, Halloween Fun & More

The crisp fall air and the crunch of fallen autumn leaves ushers in the changing season. It’s a great time to decorate a pumpkin, take the little ones Trick or Treating and mark your calendars now for these Halloween-themed events and fall festivals. There are too many to count, and they’re all sure to be fun. Many are FREE. Be sure and visit the websites to confirm dates, locations, and times as they may change after posting. They also may post updates in the event of bad weather. Let us know of others by emailing information to: info@rvaonthecheap.com.

Richmond, Virginia festivals throughout October feature agriculture, food, music, culture, and dance. This list will help you explore Richmond, save money and have fun.

•All October – artoberVA – Events, pop-ups, exhibits, science, history, collaborations, arts and culture experiences happening in the Richmond & Tri-Cities area every October. Presented by CultureWorks, artoberVA increases participation in arts and culture events in our region and expands the exposure of organizations, venues, and artists shaping our vibrant and creative scene.

•All October– The Great Pumpkin Fest at Kings Dominion– The ultimate daytime fall festival, The Great Pumpkin Fest! Families and kids can participate in a collection of scare-free Halloween activities for kids presented by the PEANUTS characters like pumpkin decorating and so much more. Best of all, it’s all included with your admission to Kings Dominion in the fall. Dates: 21 Sept. – Nov. 2, 2019 NOTE: Planet Snoopy closes at 6 pm each night as the park transforms for Halloween Haunt. This event is only for children 60″ and below.(160000 Theme Park Way, Doswell, VA)

•All October– Halloween Haunt at Kings Dominion – Terror lurks around every corner at the annual Halloween-themed event. Dates: 21 September – 2. Nov., 2019 (Friday, Saturday & Sunday nights)

Want to get more into the Holiday mood? Check out the Ultimate List of Richmond-area Halloween Events and Activities.

Events on Select Dates in October: [Continue checking back as events are announced.]

•19-31 Oct. – It’s the Great Pumpkin at Bass Pro Shops Games, crafts, parades, photos and more.

•Oct. 27 – Harvest Stew & Stout Festival. 11am-4pm – All types of stews: Vegetarian, Brunswick, Gumbo. Harvest Stew & Stout supports the Enrichmond Foundation’s mission of serving Richmond’s people, parks and public spaces. Location: Harvest Stew and Stout will be held in Dorey Park, 2999 Darby Town Road in Henrico, at Shelters 1 & 2 by the pond. Entry Fee: Suggested $1 donation. Donations at the entrance and led by the “bucket brigade” will go to our Partner, Friends of Meadow Farms. Feel free to bring lawn chairs to enjoy live music.

31 Oct. -3 Nov., 2019 – Fire, Flour, Fork – A four-day culinary weekend in Richmond, celebrating its food history and its chefs.

Earlier in the month we enjoyed:

•5 Oct. 2nd Street Festival: FREE admission. The hands of time are turned back to when 2nd Street was the heart and soul of Richmond’s African-American community. Each year thousands of people come to Richmond’s historic Jackson Ward to hear live music on four stages, enjoy children’s activities, taste delicious food, shop in the marketplace, dance in the streets and renew old friendships. 11:30am-7pm on Saturday and noon-6pm on Sunday

•5 October – Indian & Sri Lankan Food Festival, Glen Allen

TheViva RVA Hispanic Music Festival honored Virginia’s LGBTQ Latinx at our Hispanic Music Festival. We have a great lineup of music, food and fun. At Diversity Richmond, 1407 Sherwood Ave, Richmond, Virginia 23220 Event highlights include: KADENCIA: Kadencia’s repertoire is made of original compositions written by Maurice Sanabria and arrangements from Puerto Rican composers. QUATRO NA BOSSA: Quatro na Bossa has been a repeat featured artist at Dizzy’s Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City and recorded two full length albums. MARGARITA AND THE MARACAS: Margarita and the Maracas is a Virginia-based duo featuring the voices of Anais Alonso and Tony Corsano, perform a mix of salsa, son, bolero and rumba flamenco. THE SALSA GUY: Angel Alberto Rodriguez Serrano (The Salsa Guy) is a freelance Latin and ballroom dance instructor in Richmond. More information at: https://www.facebook.com/events/482512935861272/

Glen Allen Day Shows pride for the area.

•5 Oct – Glen Allen Day, Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park – The Glen Allen Ruritan Club in association with Henrico Recreation and Parks will host Glen Allen Day. The festivities kick off with a parade at 9:30 am on Mountain Road. Activities in the park include balloon animals by Miss Sheri the Clown, a game truck, airbrush tattoos, arts, crafts and business fair, and local musicians on two stages. Concessions will be available for purchase. Again this year and in association with Glen Allen High School, Glen Allen Day kicks off at 8 AM with the GA5K, a 5K fun run for participants of all ages. Details & registration for the Glen Allen 5K (GA5K): https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/GlenAllen/GA5Kilometer?remMeAttempt=

•5 Oct – Powhatan Festival of the Grape

Richmond Folk Festival is a rich, FREE event that includes dozens of top notch performers and vendors.

•Oct. 11-13 – Richmond Folk Festival. Downtown Richmond’s historic riverfront.

Oct. 12-13, 2019 – James River Writers Conference

•Oct 12- Mac N Cheese Festival Richmond Raceway

•19 Oct. – The Midlothian Village Day Festival & Craft Fair – October 19 – Midlothian Village Day Festival & Craft Fair will be held on at Midlothian Middle School. The Festival is a community day filled with fun activities for the whole family. There will be crafters, community booths, games, inflatables, entertainment, food vendors, a raffle and more.

•19 Oct – Virginia Wine Festival – Ashburn, VA

•19 Oct. – RVA Book Lovers, Jefferson Park, 1921 Princess Anne Ave. Richmond, VA 23223 – Authors, readings, crafter, cuisine. The Festival will serve as an opportunity for writers and readers across the state of Virginia to come together, share ideas, and celebrate their love of the written word. In addition to featuring many Brandylane Publishers and Belle Isle Books authors, the Festival will include authors from across Virginia, vendors of excellent local Richmond cuisine, and literary-inspired crafters. A children’s area, a poet-tree, and a main stage will feature a variety of readings and presentations.

•19 Oct. – Hanover Autumn Festival, Hanover Tavern, 13181 Hanover Courthouse R. Route 301, Hanover, VA 23069 – Family activities, live music, craft been & wine, food

•20 Oct. – Midlothian Day Parade

•20 Oct. – Harvest Festival at Meadow Farm. In Glen Allen, VA-. Harvest Festival will feature many hands-on activities and demonstrations depicting typical homemaking and farming tasks of the era. Kids can pick a pumpkin for FREE.

•21-27 Oct. – Richmond Restaurant Week -Richmond Restaurant Week offers diners the opportunity to experience a three-course meal at the city’s best, locally owned restaurants for less than $30. Come out and experience your favorite spot in a new way, or explore a place you’ve never been. With dozens of Richmond’s best locally-owned restaurants participating, you’ll want to make more than one reservation. Contribute to the local economy and help eliminate hunger just by enjoying a great meal.

•23-27 Oct. Virginia Film Festival in Charlottesville – The Virginia Film Festival at the University of Virginia has been celebrating the magic of the movies and inspiring audiences for over 30 years. Every autumn, the Festival showcases celebrated new features and documentaries, fresh perspectives on timeless classics, and local filmmakers from right here in Virginia. The Festival brings in a fascinating selection of guests, from internationally acclaimed directors and actors to professors and leading cultural experts who lead discussions that stimulate, educate, and engage. Today, the Festival stands as one of Virginia’s most important cultural landmarks, and one of the most respected regional destination film festivals in the United States.

•25 Oct. – Harvest Hayride at Bryan Park, Richmond, VA 23227. Fun filled evening of games, food, music, and the Haunted Hayride!

•26 Oct. – Howl-o-Ween at Stony Point.. Dress up your family and your dog & join Stony Point Fashion Park for an afternoon of spooky fun. Events include a dog costume contest and family festivities. Family Activities include pumpkin painting, balloon creations, children’s crafts and a special performance by Richmond Ballet’s Minds In Motion Team XXL. Prize Catergories are: best dog/owner team costume, most orginal dog costume, and judge’s choice. Roaming judges 1:00 to 2:45 p.m. Winners will be announced at 3:00 p.m.

•26 Oct. – Richmond Community Fall Festival – Monument Heights Baptist Church

Check out more seasonal fun events in the Ultimate List of Richmond-area Halloween Events and Activities.

•26 & 27 Oct. – Richmond VA Comicon & Toy Show – Richmond Raceway Complex, 600 E Laburnum Ave, Richmond, Virginia 23222 – exhibitors, sales, panels, cosplay, costume contests, artists, trivia

•26 Oct. – Halloween Comicfest at Richmond Comix, 14249 Midlothian Tpke, Midlothian, VA 23113

•26 Oct. – Fall Festival at the Dorey Park Farmers Market – Music, hay rides through Dorey Park, trick or treating at our vendors’ tents, fun games, POP Club crafts & more – even take a pumpkin home from our pumpkin patch! All events are FREE!

•26 Oct. – Octoberfest – Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Ave, Richmond, Virginia 23228 – Live music, local food, and beer for purchase; games and prizes. Bring canned goods to benefit Feed More. Local food will be available for purchase as well as beer from Center of the Universe Brewing. Festivities will be held in the gardens adjacent to historic Bloemendaal House, rain or shine. This is a family-friendly event! Games & Fun: Lawn games (cornhole, ladder golf, life-size Jenga) Food: Foodservice will begin at 11 a.m. Music: Join us for music under the Bloemendaal House tent.

The Games will begin on October 26, 2019 Gates are open from 9am to 6pm Saturday and 9am to 5pm Sunday, October 27, 2019, 600 E Laburnum Ave, Richmond, Virginia

The Latin Ballet of Virginia performs dances related to the Mexican Day of the Dead.

•27 October – Day of the Dead Celebration – Latin Ballet of Virginia featuring family-friendly activities, dance performances, alters, and crafts. The Cultural Arts Center of Glen Allen, 2880 Mountain Rd. Glen Allen, VA 23060

Experience fall by day, and fright by night during Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Williamsburg 🎃 This year features MORE SCARES, MORE SCREAMS, and MORE JACK. Explore new twists on your favorite haunted houses and scare zones, ALL-NEW escape rooms, and the return of a beloved show, Jack is Back! Join us select dates Sept 14-Oct 27. The park transforms every night at 5:45 pm.

•Throughout October. – Busch Gardens Williamsburg Howl-O-Scream. Experience fall by day, and fright by night during at Busch Gardens Williamsburg 🎃 This year features MORE SCARES, MORE SCREAMS, and MORE JACK. Explore new twists on your favorite haunted houses and scare zones, ALL-NEW escape rooms, and the return of a beloved show, Jack is Back! Join us select dates Sept 14-Oct 27. The park transforms every night at 5:45 pm. Learn more about Howl-O-Scream here: spr.ly/8865. Haunted Houses: Circo Sinistro, Demented Dimensions, Dystopia, FrostBite, Lumberhack & The Vault: Overtaken. Scare Zones: Axe Alley, Fool’s Court, Garden of Souls, Ripper Row, Sideshow Square & Vampire Point. Shows: Monster Stomp on Ripper Row, Night Beats: Revamped, & Jack is Back! Escape Rooms: Jack’s Twisted Terror & Grave Obsession. 26 Sept. – 27 Oct.

•Through 27 October – The Count’s Spooktacular at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Celebrate silly, not-too-spooky fun on Saturdays and Sundays in October. Children (under 9) are invited to come dressed up and join in the costume parade during this daytime event. There are other family-friendly activities, too, like the newly-themed hay maze, trick-or-treating locations and interactive show.