Spooktacular Fun: Festive Events to Get You in the Halloween Spirit

Pictured: VBPD Mounted Patrol Annual Trunk or Treat

Ghouls and ghosts. Tricks and treats. Fun and frights. Oh my! Enjoy several events full of spooktacular fun, including programs from Virginia Beach Public Library, Cultural Affairs, Parks & Recreation, the Virginia Aquarium and Virginia Beach Police Department. 

Events and Activities

Sharks After Dark 
Oct. 1, 6-9 p.m., Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, 717 General Booth Blvd. 
Price: $38/general, $19/members

For an adult-only Halloween experience, attend the Virginia Aquarium’s Sharks After Dark event in October. This monthly evening event is for guests who are at least 21 years old. Dress up in Halloween costumes for an unforgettable event with specialty snacks and cocktails such as mummy hot dogs and Frankenstein’s punch.

Free First Saturday Community Days: Halloween
Oct. 3, 10 a.m. to noon, Francis Land House, 3131 Virginia Beach Blvd. 
Free and open to the public

The Virginia Beach History Museums invite you to October's free, First Saturday Community Day. Come by the Francis Land House and celebrate the spooky season with Halloween-themed crafts for kids and the young-at heart. Enjoy storytimes at 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

FitPop The Witches Dance Practice at Mount Trashmore 
Oct. 5, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Mount Trashmore Park, 310 Edwin Drive 
Free and open to the public 

Become part of the FitPop Dance Team for this Halloween season. Learn the Witches Dance and then perform a Flash Mob at various locations around the city. More practices and information about performances are still to come. Reservations are encouraged, but walk-ups are welcome. No membership required to attend. Check out the full schedule of FitPop classes. 

Wicked Woodland Wonders
Oct. 9, 6:30-8:30 p.m., West Neck Creek Natural Area, 2249 N Landing Road 
Price: $8 (registration required) 

Step into spooky season at West Neck Natural Area! This 2-hour family program includes lantern-making, a guided night walk to the historic Buffington House, campfire s’mores, haunted history and fun activities under the stars. Brave guests can even take an optional grave tour where a colonial ghost is rumored to appear. Perfect for ages 5 and older, tickets include a craft, trail entrance and haunted fun. 

Blue Line Movie Time 
Oct. 10, 5-8 p.m., Virginia Beach Mounted Patrol Facility, 2089 Indian River Road 
Free and open to the public  

Saddle up for a magical night at the Virginia Beach Mounted Patrol facility for a free, family movie night complete with games and activities for all ages. Enjoy an exclusive tour of the facility and watch a Halloween classic, “Hocus Pocus.” Be sure to bring your lawn chairs and blankets and get there early to grab a spot and some snacks provided by the Virginia Beach Police Athletic League and Friends of the Mounted Patrol. Doors open at 5 p.m. Reserve your free tickets online. 

Halloween Nights
Oct. 16-17, 6-8 p.m., Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, 717 General Booth Blvd. 
Price: $38/adults, $33/children ages 5-17 and seniors 70+, free for children four years old and younger | Members: 50% off

Get in the spirit with wicked fun under the sea at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center’s family-friendly Halloween Nights! Guests are encouraged to dress up in a costume and enjoy a spook-tacular journey through the Aquarium. Guests can expect bubble magic, spooky science experiments, costumed divers and a costume parade. Bring gently used Halloween costumes for a donation drive.

Ghoula Palooza
Oct. 17, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Great Neck Recreation Center, 2521 Shorehaven Drive
Free and open to the public

Get your costumes out and get ready for Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation’s (VBPR) annual event! Enjoy trick-or-treating, bounce houses, games and activities, DJ music and dancing, a petting zoo, vendors and much more! No membership required to attend. 

Cryptid Book Nooks
Oct. 22 and Oct. 29, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library, 4100 Virginia Beach Blvd.
Registration required

Join Virginia Beach Public Library at a two-part spooky event crafting a one-of-a-kind forest book nook featuring a mysterious, hand-crafted creature! Registration is required and counts for both sessions.

Spook-y Ghoul-y Family Extravaganza 
Oct. 23, 6-8 p.m., Princess Anne Recreation Center, 1400 Nimmo Parkway 
Free and open to the public

Join Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation as the Princess Anne Rec Center parking lot and field are transformed into a spooky good time during this family-friendly event. Enjoy musical delights, a haunted forest and a trunk or treat with ghosts, ghouls and other spooky creatures of the night. No membership required to attend.

VBPD Mounted Patrol Annual Trunk or Treat
Oct. 24, 4-8 p.m., VBPD Mounted Patrol Facility, 2089 Indian River Road 
Free and open to the public

Bring the whole family for an evening of trick-or-treat fun with the Virginia Beach Police Department's Mounted Patrol Unit. Come see the horses and the barn transformed for Halloween. Collect all the candy you can carry and show off your Halloween costume!

A sensory friendly hour is offered 3-4 p.m. for anyone who wants to experience Trunk or Treat without the smoke and flashing lights.

Bayside Forever Young Halloween Party  
Oct. 28, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Bayside Recreation Center, 4500 First Court Road 
Price: $15 (rec center membership or day pass is required)  

Adults ages 55 and older are invited to participate in a variety of fun in the spirit of Halloween. Forever Young friends will be celebrating ghosts, goblins and pumpkins with entertainment, games and lunch. Reserve your spot today. 

Even More Fun

The Virginia Beach Public Library is stacking its October calendars with Halloween magic for all ages at various library branches. From a “Scarytelling” of the story of the Witch of Pungo to “Teen Minute Challenges and Party Games, Halloween Edition,” there’s plenty of Halloween fun at the library. See the complete list of events, schedule and more at vbpl.librarymarket.com.

Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation has additional Halloween-themed events and activities for all ages at various recreation centers. See the complete list of events, schedule and more. 

Be sure to check out Visit Virginia Beach’s event calendar for even more spooky festivities!

Find Something for All Ages & Stages!  

From storytimes for the youngest to support for the oldest, the City of Virginia Beach offers countless ways for kids, teens, adults, seniors and caregivers to stay active, informed, supported and involved. Now it’s easier than ever to discover City programs, assistance, resources and special events! A new webpage brings together City offerings for all ages in one easy-to-search location. You can also sign up for tailored email newsletters to stay up-to-date on things to do and City offerings. Want to find something to do in Virginia Beach? Visit VB Go or download the app to browse events across multiple calendars and even find parking!