“Howl-o-Ween,” 1920s Murder Mystery Event, Ghost Tours
and Trick or Treat with the Boo-tiques
This October, celebrate the spookiest time of year in Alexandria, a city with a remarkable past whose spirits continue to haunt its streets today. Halloween festivities stretch across the month of October, encouraging families and visitors to don their most creative costumes and learn about Alexandria’s history while indulging in sweets from favorite local “haunts.” Trick-or-treat throughout the Old Town Boutique District, strut down the dog-walk in the Doggy Howl-o-ween Costume Contest or embark on a fright-worthy late-night tour of Alexandria’s haunted hotspots. Only a city as riddled with history as Alexandria can produce chills to last all season.
Find these and more Halloween events at www.VisitAlexandriaVA.com/halloween
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:
October 1 – 31, 2015
Sugar Shack’s Halloween Goat Scavenger Hunt
Location: Hidden throughout Alexandria
703-577-9023703-577-9023
www.facebook.com/events/1695034300727378/
Sugar Shack is hiding 31 goat figurines around Alexandria. Each of the small goats are worth 12 donuts, and there will be 5 larger goats worth bigger swag packs. Hints will be posted daily during the second half of the month. Most goats are hidden in local shops, restaurants, and parks, so keep your eyes peeled for these funny little gift givers!
October 8, 2015
2nd Thursday Live: Ghosts and Folklore of Alexandria
7 p.m.
Admission: $15
Athenaeum, 201 Prince St, Alexandria, VA 22314
703-548-0035703-548-0035
www.nvfaa.org
Alexandria is one of the most haunted cities in the country. Join author and historian Michael Lee Pope for tales of Alexandria’s haunted history. A dessert reception, generously donated by Trader Joe’s, follows the stories.
October 8, 2015
2nd Thursday Art Night: Exquisite Corpse
6-9 p.m.
Admission: Free
Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St, Alexandria, VA 22314
703-838-4565703-838-4565
http://torpedofactory.org
Second Thursday Art Night at the Torpedo Factory Art Center is full of fantastic and macabre events, including an amusing drawing game, live music, art exhibit openings, and the fascinating story behind Zark the dog, who was buried in the 1900s in Old Town.
Bring friends along to play Exquisite Corpse, a surrealist party game that was popular with artists like Salvador Dali and Marcel Duchamp. Each person draws a section of the picture without seeing what the previous person contributed. The resulting image is as quirky and bizarre as the participants can imagine.
October 14, 2015
“Long Black Veil” Port City Beer Release Happy Hour and Death Day Anniversary of the Female Stranger
6 – 9 p.m.
Admission: $35
Gadsby’s Tavern, 134 N Royal St, Alexandria, VA 22314
703-746-4242703-746-4242
www.alexandriava.gov/GadsbysTavern
Join with Port City Brewing Company as we celebrate the release of the Long Black Veil, a special craft beer inspired by the famous Female Stranger, who died at Gadsby’s Tavern on October 14, 1816. Be one of the first to taste this beer on the Female Stranger’s death day and visit the room where she died!
Doors open at 6 p.m. with special remarks at 7 p.m. and tours throughout the evening. The $35 admission fee includes one beer, light refreshments, tour, and special Port City glass; additional beer available for purchase through a cash bar.
October 18, 2015
Cauldron Tea at Carlyle House
1-3 p.m.
Admission: $30/adults, $15/ages 5-12
Carlyle House, 121 N. Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
703-549-2997703-549-2997
www.carlylehouse.org
Come to the Carlyle House Magnolia Terrace for a spooky afternoon tea that will be sure to cast a spell on your Halloween celebrations. This afternoon of fun will include a program on “Alexandria History and Legends” and a craft for children who would like to participate. Tour the museum after the tea and learn about 18th century funeral and mourning practices in Virginia.
October 23, 2015
Ghost & Graveyard Special Halloween Tour
7-9 p.m. (Tours run every 30 minutes)
Admission: $20/adults, $10/ages 7-17
Tours begin at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St., Alexandria, VA 22314
703-519-1749703-519-1749
www.alexcolonialtours.com
For one night only, Alexandria Colonial Tours will end its special one-hour Halloween tour in the very room where one of Alexandria’s most mysterious women became a ghost. Weave your way through some of Alexandria’s most haunted locations hearing tales of this historic city’s past and end in the bedroom of the “Female Stranger” at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum. Tours will run every 30 minutes. Reservations are suggested and tickets can be purchased online or in person. Partial proceeds benefit Gadsby’s Tavern Museum.
October 23 and 24, 2015
2nd Annual Halloween Pumpkin Hunt
October 23: 5:30 p.m.
October 24: 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m.
Admission: $12 children ages 0-12, $5 ages 13+ (Ticket prices increase at the gate)
Lee-Fendall House, Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
703-548-1789703-548-1789
www.leefendallhouse.org
Alexandria’s ghosts and goblins will fill the Lee-Fendall House garden with hundreds of colorful toy-filled Halloween pumpkins for local children to discover. Other activities include crafts, refreshments, spooky stories, and a costume parade.
October 24, 2015
Raven’s Night at the Legendary Birchmere Music Hall
7:30 p.m.
Admission: $25
The Legendary Birchmere Music Hall, 3701 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22305
703-549-7500703-549-7500
www.birchmere.com
In celebration of the spooky season, belly dancers slink across the stage and reenact old, familiar tales with a modern twist. Guests are encouraged to join in the festivities by wearing costumes of their own and witness expert choreography in a legendary concert setting.
October 25, 2015
Doggy Trick or Treat
Goody bag pickup from 1-3 p.m.; trick or treat at participating stores until close of business
Free admission
The Dog Park, 705 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 888-2818(703) 888-2818
www.thedogparkva.biz
Doggy trick-or-treating is back! Pick up a goody bag and a map of over 25 participating businesses at The Dog Park, then lead your pet around Old Town to find treats. The Dog Park will also host a costume contest for individuals and groups—groups can be all dogs, or dogs with humans. Winners receive gift certificates to The Dog Park.
October 25, 2015
19th Annual Del Ray Halloween Parade
2-4 p.m.
Admission: Free
Mount Vernon Avenue, south of Bellefonte Avenue
www.visitdelray.com
Don your best Halloween costume and join the 19th Annual Del Ray Halloween Parade, which historically has attracted thousands of participants. Awards will be given for Best Pet Costume, Best Decorated Business, Best Decorated Home, and Best Decorated Stroller. Awards will be presented in a brief ceremony after the parade, along with refreshments and goodie bags for the children. Adults, children and dogs are all welcome to join.
October 29, 2015
Doggy Howl-o-ween Costume Contest
Contest registration at 5 p.m.
Contest begins promptly at 6:15 p.m.
Winners announced at approximately 8:30 p.m.
Admission: $15 registration
Jackson 20, 480 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
703-842-2790703-842-2790
www.jackson20.com
Celebrate Halloween and the finale of the Doggy Happy Hour series with Doggy Howl-o-ween, where up to 50 contestants will strut down the catwalk in the outdoor courtyard, modeling their Halloween finest. The costume contest benefits the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA). During the evening’s festivities, guests can purchase Halloween-themed cocktails and enjoy light bites from Jackson 20. Complimentary doggy treats and fresh water bowls will be available for all canine friends.
October 30, 2015
Bark or Treat Halloween Canine Cruise
7 p.m.
Admission: $16/adults, $10/children, dogs ride free. Reservations are recommended.
Alexandria City Marina, 1 Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
703-684-0580703-684-0580
www.potomacriverboatco.com
The Potomac Riverboat Company invites guests with costumed-pup in tow to cruise around the Potomac River on this 60-minute ride, set to some classic Halloween tunes. Halloween doggie treats will be provided, as well as a photographer to capture the festivities.
October 30, 2015
Rhythm & Roots Halloween Experience: Ancestors and Good Spirits
7 p.m.
$15 admission
Athenaeum, 201 Prince St, Alexandria, VA 22314
703-548-0035703-548-0035
www.nvfaa.org
Rhythm and Roots performers will be taking us deep into the heart of the West African customs of ancestors and spirits, their wisdom, and positive influence. A mystical, experiential and educational evening with all the thrill of Halloween spirits, and without the spook. Highlights the use of the drums and bells in spiritual traditions and offers exciting drum and dance performance.
October 30, 2015
Trick-or-Treating at Mount Vernon
3:30-6:30 p.m.
Admission: $10/adult, $5/youth
George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, VA 22121
703-780-2000703-780-2000
www.mountvernon.org
A historic treat! Back by popular demand, the estate opens its doors again to trick-or-treaters for Halloween fun and spook-tacular activities, including a special scavenger hunt, a wagon ride on the 12-acre field, and creating boo-tiful Halloween crafts.
October 30 and 31, 2015
Poe in Alexandria
8-9:15 p.m.
Admission: $15
The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
703-746-4994703-746-4994
www.alexandriava.gov/Lyceum
Actor David Keltz returns to The Lyceum to re-create Edgar Allan Poe’s visit to Virginia in 1849, shortly before he died. Keltz performs varying selections each year, but the program always includes a chilling story or two such as “The Black Cat,” “The Cask of Amontillado,” or “The Tell-Tale Heart,” along with well-known poems “The Raven” and “El Dorado.”
October 31, 2015
Trick or Treat with the Boo-tiques
11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Admission: Free
Old Town Alexandria
http://oldtownboutiquedistrict.com
Start trick-or-treating early and stop by the dozens of shops of the Old Town Boutique District dishing out treats to goblins and ghouls of all ages.
October 31, 2015
Del Ray Artisans’ Halloween Costume Party
8 p.m.-12 a.m.
Admission: $5/person
Del Ray Artisans, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301
703-838-4827703-838-4827
www.thedelrayartisans.org
Attend in your finest costumery! Party with Dracula, zombies, pirates, and witches, while surrounded with art work from the “Skeletons: Exploring Under the Surface” exhibit. This monster mash will also deliver spooky Halloween decorations, festive music, chilling beverages, finger foods, and candy.
October 31, 2015
Murder Mystery Dinner: a 1920s Themed Costume Dinner Party
7 p.m.
$100 includes dinner, welcome cocktail, glass of wine, murder mystery theatre
The Grille at Morrison House, 116 S. Alfred St., Alexandria, VA 22314
703-838-8000703-838-8000
www.thegrillealexandria.com
On Saturday, October 31st The Grille at Morrison House hosts “The Morrison House Murder Mystery.” Celebrate Halloween in grand fashion, as The Grille hosts a 1920s themed dinner and show where guests will participate in a murder mystery theater experience and discover ‘who done it.’ Guests are invited to play along—themed costumes are encouraged. The evening will begin with live piano music and a cocktail hour, followed by a 3-course dinner, with a choice of red or white wine and optional cocktails. The dinner will be $100 per person, all inclusive and will begin at 7 p.m. For those interested in making a night of it, the Morrison House will be offering a 15% discounted room package available by going online and using the code “PARTYY”.
Find these and more Alexandria Halloween events at www.VisitAlexandriaVA.com/halloween
ABOUT ALEXANDRIA, VA
Within eyesight of Washington, DC on the Potomac River waterfront, Alexandria, Virginia is nationally recognized for its acclaimed, chef-driven restaurants, bustling boutiques and dynamic arts set against a backdrop of 18th- and 19th-century architecture. Old Town Alexandria hums with a cosmopolitan feel and a walkable, dog-friendly lifestyle—a hidden gem tucked beneath the nation’s capital.
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