Spooktacular Fun: 10 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

Sharks After Dark 
Oct. 2, 6-9 p.m., Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, 717 General Booth Blvd. 
Price: $18.98/members, $37.95/non-members  

For an adult-only Halloween experience, attend the Virginia Aquarium’s Sharks After Dark event for October, with a Dungeons and Dragons twist. This monthly evening event is for guests who are at least 21 years old. Dress up in Halloween costumes for an unforgettable event with a costume contest and specialty snacks and cocktails such, as mummy dogs and witches brew lemonade. 

Blue Line Movie Time 
Oct. 4, 6 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 Department’s Youth Services Unit and Friends of the Mounted Patrol. 

Wicked Woodland Wonders 
Oct. 10, 6-8:30 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 2.5-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. 

Sorry, this event is now full.

Fins & Frights
Oct. 17-18, 6-9 p.m., Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, 717 General Booth Blvd.
Price: $37.95/adults, $32.95/children ages 5-17 and seniors 70+, free for children four years old and younger | Members: 50% off

Get in the Halloween spirit with a howling fun, family-friendly Halloween event at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center! Guests are encouraged to dress up in a costume and enjoy a spook-tacular journey through the Aquarium, hauntingly decked for the occasion with creepy areas for various age ranges. Guests can expect candy stations, spooky scientist experiments, costumed divers, and a haunted trail walk. 

Ghoula Palooza
Oct. 18, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Great Neck Recreation Center, 2521 Shorehaven Drive
FREE and open to the public with advance registration

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. 

Decorative Pumpkin Party 
Oct. 18, noon to 1:30 p.m., Seatack Recreation Center, 141 S Birdneck Road 
Price: $20 (rec center membership or day pass is required)    

Get creative with VBPR's Little Pumpkin Design class! Enjoy a fun, family-friendly session of pumpkin painting with all supplies provided. Membership or day pass required. Parents can register, too! 

VBPD Mounted Patrol Annual Trunk or Treat
Oct. 18, 4-8 p.m., VBPD Mounted Patrol Facility, 2089 Indian River Road 
FREE and open to the public

Bring the whole family for a night of spooky 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. 22, 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. 

Ghosts of Thoroughgood Past
Oct. 23-25, 6-9 p.m. & Oct. 26, 6-8 p.m., Thoroughgood House, 1636 Parish Road 
Price: $15/adults and children 11 and older, $7/children ages 3-10, free/children 2 and younger

Spooky season is almost here, so join the Virginia Beach History Museums for the return of a seasonal favorite, “Ghosts of Thoroughgood Past,” and take a paranormal tour of the historic Thoroughgood House by candlelight this October. Keep an eye out for ghostly happenings in the gardens and house as costumed professional storytellers guide you through the night. Campfires and cider will also be available at the Thoroughgood House to warm your spirits during these hauntingly fun fall nights! Tours are appropriate for all ages and run every 30 minutes. Purchase tickets online in advance or at the door. Tours are presented in partnership with the Zeiders American Dream Theater. 

Spook-y Ghoul-y Family Extravaganza 
Oct. 24, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Princess Anne Recreation Center, 1400 Nimmo Parkway 
FREE and open to the public with advance registration

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.

The Virginia Beach Public Library has several frighteningly fun activities for all ages at various library branches. From a “Spooktastic Storytime” to a “Witches and Warlocks Teen Night,” there’s plenty of Halloween at the library. See the complete list of events, schedule and more at vbpl.librarymarket.com.

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