Welcome to the holiday season where bright pumpkin orange and black are the key colors. So many events in the Richmond area in October usher in fun, festive and sometimes creepy Halloween festivities in so many different ways. This round up listing festivals and fairs takes you to cultural centers for Day of the Dead celebrations full of dance and art workshops, amusement parks for thrilling rides, cinemas for skin crawling tales, and stores for workshops and activities, as well as commercial centers and sports complexes for fall festivals. So many restaurants and purveyors are offering pumpkin-flavored treats, some at a discounts. Many events are FREE. Check the links to be on top of fees and hours as well as any changes.

With this terrific, cool fall weather, it’s a great time to get out and enjoy the crunch of leaves underfoot and those slowly changing bright colors all around us. Many of these events don’t even involve candy. If you hear of a great event, share it with Richmond on the Cheap at news@rvaonthecheap.com. Enjoy!

[Continue checking back as more events are announced.]

Throughout October – The Byrd Theatre (2908 W Cary St. Richmond, VA) screens scary stories – big screen classics, special events, family classics and annual traditions making Halloween Horror Month come to life on the big screen.

Through 27 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..

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.

At Kings Dominion

• 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)

Through Nov 2 – Creepy Hollow Scream Park, 14437 Stone Horse Creek Rd., Glen Allen, VA 23059 – series of attractions take you into the depths of Creepy Hollow where you’ll experience first-hand the horrors of Dr. Ulysses S. Farrington’s experiments, you’ll feel the breath of the spirits encircling you, and you’ll witness what has become of those not fortunate enough to escape from the Doctor’s clutches. Creepy Hollow Scream Park is filled with spooky scenery, amazing illusions and scary surprises. It’s a unique experience designed to entertain you at every turn. This is scary entertainment and may not be appropriate for small children or those faint of heart. Scream Forest an intense walking adventure. We take you out to the woods…leave you…with nothing between you and the creatures of the night…where no one cares if you Scream!

Events on selected dates in October

12-13 Oct. – Gourds, Goblets and Gouls Festival, Hanover Vegetable Farm, 13580 Ashland Rd. Ashland, VA 23005 – live music, wineries, cider, beer garden, 40+ vendors, hay rides, pumpkin picking, corn maze and lots of fun activities for the whole family! The RedVein Haunted House will be open and ready to scare!

13 Oct. Fall Fest – West Broad Village – family fun activities including, pumpkin carving, face painting, live music, an automobile show and more! Plus, fun for your furry friends too! Bring your pet dressed up in costume for a pet costume contest. Where: Located on The Pad at 2301 Old Brick Road. In the case of inclement weather, get all updates on our Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/events/379096052989085/

18 & 19 Oct. – SpookieFUN Fest – 8996 Pole Green Park Ln, Mechanicsville, VA, Hanover County Parks and Recreation. Families with children 12 and under, join Taylor, the Hanover Parks and Recreation’s lovable mascot, and some of his famous friends for a SpookieFUN time! Come in your best costume and don’t forget to bring your trick or treat bag to this free annual event!  Dance with DJ Luke in the Monster Mash Dance area, with a special performance by the Richmond Urban Dance group, games, inflatables, face painting.

18 Oct. – Spooky S’mores & Creepy Campfires – Maymont Children’s Farm, 5020 Orchard Dr. Richmond, VA  23220. Celebrate “Owl”-oween with your family at Maymont! Explore the grounds on a night hike and afterwards, we’ll make s’mores and enjoy stories around the campfire. Ages 4 and older; one adult must be registered for every four children. $25 per person/$20 for members. Register online at maymont.org by October 15; for information, call 804-358-7168.

19 Oct. Midlothian Village Day Festival at Midlothian Middle School, 13501Midlothian Trnpk – 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! There is no cost for admission to the Festival.

19 Oct. – Hanover AutumnFest – Hanover Tavern, 13181 Hanover Courthouse Rd., Hanover, VA  food, craft beer, local wine, live music, fall foliage, and family fun. For the little ones, there pumpkin picking, face painting, arts and crafts, a petting zoo, hay slide, and more.

19 Oct. – Scott’s Addition Pumpkin Festival – 12-6PM Arthur Ashe Blvd. Fall Harvest Fun with live music, kid’s activities, local food trucks, cold beer + cocktails, and a costume contest.

19 Oct. – Family Fright Night – Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation

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

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.

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

25 Oct. Pumpkin Fest – Gayton Crossing

25 Oct. – Shady Grove Family YMCA Fall Festival , 11255 Nuckols Rd. Glen Allen, VA  – Kids can come in their costumes as we will be holding a Trunk or Treat! We will have crafts, inflatables, and a food truck that will run from 5:30 -8:00 p.m. We will have a magic show from 8:00 – 8:30 p.m. This event is FREE and OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY.

26 Oct. – Howl-o-Ween at Stony Point – 9200 Stony Point Parkway, Richmond, VA 23235. 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. – Halloween Comicfestat 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. – Innsbrook Pumpkin Palooza – Family-friendly harvest festival, battle of the bands, pumpkin painting, pumpkin bowling, food trucks, kidszone, pony rides, petting zoo. Plus, craft beverages for adults too! Fun for all ages. Benefits Cameron K. Gallagher Foundation.

26 Oct. – Canal Walk Pumpkin Patch & Harvest Boat Rides – children under the age of 12 will enjoy the family-friendly cruise option on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m., suitable for all ages. Those attending the daytime cruises can also enjoy Shockoe Slip RVA’s Pumpkin Festival, featuring trolley hay rides, with pick-up and drop-off points at the Turning Basin, along with a pumpkin patch offering FREE pumpkins courtesy of Venture Richmond on a first-come, first-served basis (limited quantity available, only one pumpkin per person).  Tickets may be purchased in advance. Tickets for family-friendly rides, prior to 5 p.m. are $10 for Adults and $6 for Seniors and Kids (5-12 years old). Children 4 and under ride for free.

26 Oct. – OctoberFest – Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden – 1800 Lakeside Ave. Richmond, VA – Live music, local food, and beer for purchase; games and prizes. 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. Family-friendly event.

26 Oct. – Halloween Hoopla at the Children’s Museum, 2626 W Broad St. Richmond, VA 23220 – Spooky fun awaits at the 19th Annual Halloween Hoopla on Saturday, October 26, 2019 from 1:00pm to 5:00pm! Dress up in your favorite costume (you too, Mom & Dad!) and head down to the Children’s Museum Downtown (2626 W Broad Street) for an afternoon of trick-or-treating, pumpkin experiments, and MORE. Advanced registration is suggested for Halloween Hoopla! Tickets are FREE for Children and just $4 for adults!

26 Oct. – Fall Festival – Goochland Sports Complex – Goochland County Parks & Recreation Family! Fun! and More! Bounceables, Costume Contest @1 pm, Apple Pie Contest, Arts and Craft Vendors, Live Music, and Community Booths!!

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

28 Oct. – Trunk or Treat – Chesterfield County Parks & Recreation -Chesterfield County Fairgrounds – Enjoy a DJ, concessions, hayrides, “Hocus Pocus” on the inflatable movie screen, and trick-or-treating from trunk to trunk. Wear your costumes. Parking available at adjacent school lots. Movie starts at 7:30 PM.

31 Oct. – Happy Halloween!

Restaurants/Bars:

The Haunt at SWITCH Pop-up Bar is pop-up is featured through the month of October (http://switchrva.com) Just in time for Halloween, The Haunt, which launched Friday the 13th, is the latest theme guests can experience at this year-round, rotating-theme cocktail bar. With a wall adorned in missing persons posters and an eerie bathtub in the corner, guests can experience their worst fears come to life during this theme. Sip on “Love at First Bite,” with whiskey and Cherry Heering, creating a boozy, blood-red concoction, served appropriately in a blood bag. Or perhaps you’d prefer a murky, rum and squid-ink dyed slushee, the “Talking Dead.” Wander the basement haunt, but always watch your back, as you never know what’s waiting for you just around the corner. SWITCH is located at 13 W. Broad St in Richmond, Virginia and offers guests two rotating themes complete with matching cocktails throughout the year. Follow @switchrva or visit switchrva.com.

Food Deals:

Krispy Kreme is offering scary looking doughnuts to satisfy your need for tricks and treats. You’ll catch them in participating shops through Halloween, sneaking around and creating mischief.  This collection of monsters is perfect for any party.  Get in the spirit with Slimon, Mumford, and Hypno-Henry, then stop by on October 31st wearing your Halloween costume for a FREE doughnut of choice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

To learn about discounts to fun October shows and events, sign up for deals through Goldstar. Learn about more Richmond, October festivals, entertainment and arts events. And don’t forget to check the list of the Top FREE Things to Do in Richmond for more good ideas.

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