Spooky Season in Old Town
Photo above by Lee Moody
As the air starts to chill, autumn leaves create a scenic canopy above red brick sidewalks in Old Town. Art festivals add to the seasonal spirit as locals load up at and fall festivities pop up in Old Town, Del Ray and beyond. Sip local cider, stroll King Street for seasonal finds and Halloween treats. Dating back to 1749, Alexandria’s history is filled with remarkable stories and mysterious legends embedded in the brick-lined streets and centuries-old sites. This spooky season, embark on a lantern-led ghost tour, hear chilling stories at historic sites and show off your costumes at Halloween events around town.
Through the 6th
Old Town Cocktail Week
Admission: Prices vary
Old Town Cocktail Week will feature spirited events, workshops and activities at shops and restaurants around Old Town. Presented by Suntory Global Spirits and, Old Town Cocktail Week celebrates imagination and innovation within Alexandria’s cocktail scene, from curated creations at 40+ restaurants to special events and workshops to stay-and-play hotel packages.
4th
30th Annual Art on the Avenue
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission: Free
Mount Vernon Ave. between Hume Ave. and Bellefonte Ave.
The 30th Annual Art on the Avenue festival held in Del Ray features more than 300 juried artists, from quilters to card-makers to cartographers, displaying their one-of-a-kind wares. Arrive with an appetite and grab a bite from dozens of food vendors while soaking up live music (Irish, folk, rock-n-roll, country and more) along the avenue. Plus, kid’s activities abound with pumpkin painting, screen art weaving and more. Please note parking is extremely limited. Trolley transportation will be available from the Braddock Road Metro.
10th – 12th
Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour
6 to 9 p.m.
Admission: $$
George Washington’s Mount Vernon
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
703-780-2000
Marvel at Potomac River views while savoring vino during Mount Vernon’s most popular annual event. Taste unlimited samples from Virginia wineries after hours at George Washington’s estate. Bring a blanket and relax on the east lawn overlooking the Potomac River, and enjoy concessions available for purchase from the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant.
11th -18th
6th Annual Old Town Oyster Week
Lovers of briny bivalves can spend a week sampling local oysters from restaurants across Old Town, complete with a shucking competition to kick off the fun. The Oyster Shucking Competition will be held the morning of October 11th in the 100 block of King Street in front of O’Connell’s Restaurant and Bar.
12th
5th Annual Ethiopian Fall Festival
Chinquapin Park
3210 King Street
Celebrate the expansive Ethiopian diasporic community at this all-day festival at Chinquapin Park, filled with traditional dance, local food and live music. Join in for our a joyful, family-friendly celebration of culture, community, and connection. Enjoy live music, traditional dance, delicious food, local vendors, kids’ activities, and access to vital resources. Everyone is welcome! Admission: $10 per person. || Free for Children under 10 years old. http://www.ecsac.org/2025-ethiopian-fall-festival
Paws in the Park
11 am – 4 pm
Oronoco Bay Park
100 Madison Street
Bring your-legged friends to Animal Welfare League of Alexandria’s fall festival featuring local vendors, food and drink, music, adoptable dogs and more. This annual event celebrates northern Virginia’s love for animals and offers attendees a one-of-a-kind family and pet-friendly free fall festival featuring vendors, adoptable animals, and a variety of entertainment and live music for kids and adults. The first 1,000 attendees at Paws in the Park will receive a one-of-a-kind swag bag. Paws in the Park is open to leashed, well-behaved pets of all types. More information about this year’s festival can be found at http://www.PawsintheParkVA.com.
26th
29th Annual Del Ray Halloween Parade
2 pm
Mount Vernon & E. Bellefonte Avenues
One of Del Ray’s favorite traditions, the annual Del Ray Halloween Parade, returns once again. Costumed children, pets and babies in decked-out strollers are invited to march and show off their finest and scariest Halloween garb. For more information, including details on entering the house decorating contest, pet costume contest and stroller decorating contest, head to visitdelray.com.
Old Town Doggie Trick or Treat
12 pm to 4 pm
Admission: Free
The Dog Park Boutique
705 King Street
Bring your dog for a howling day of walking through Old Town and visiting participating merchants who will offer treats for your four-legged companion. It’s FREE to join the fun; simply pick up your goodie bag and map at The Dog Park Boutique, located at 705 King Street.
29th & 30th
“Poe In Alexandria”
8 pm – 9:15 pm
The Lyceum
201 S. Washington Street
There is a recurring annual event in Alexandria, VA, called “Poe in Alexandria,” featuring actor David Keltz as Edgar Allan Poe at the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum. Literary buffs and lovers of the macabre will savor this special performance from “Edgar Allen Poe” himself, re-creating his visit to Virginia in 1849, shortly before his death.
31st & Nov 1st
The Official Halloween Bar Crawl
The Light Horse
715 King Street
Get ready to celebrate Halloween like never before! On October 31st and November 1st, join us in Alexandria for a spooktacular TWO-DAY bar crawl featuring creepy cocktails, outrageous costumes, and an electrifying atmosphere. Grab your friends and throw on your most hilarious, horrifying, or out-of-this-world outfits—because this night is all about bold looks and big scares. Each stop on the crawl will bring a new vibe, from bone-rattling beats to ghoulishly good drinks. For all the latest venue information, special offers, event details, and ticket purchases, be sure to visit our website! It’s your one-stop shop for everything you need to know. www.crawlwith.us/alexandria/halloween. Check in at Light Horse between 4 and 6 pm.