If Halloween is your favorite holiday, make sure to check out these events during October. Not all events will be appropriate for all ages.
Halloween Tales–James City County – Oct. 21 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Jamestown Beach Event Park
Enjoy a night in the outdoors for some Halloween fun! Trunk or Treating (5:30-7:30 p.m.), arts and crafts (5:30-7:30 p.m.), and a family-friendly Halloween show will be the highlight of the night! Costumes are welcome. Trunk or Treating is for children ages 12 and younger. Bring lawn chairs, blankets and snacks. Food available for purchase. Please dress appropriate for outdoor weather. Children must be accompanied by an adult. This event is free and open to the public. Weather permitting, please call the weather hotline 757-259-3232.
Fright Nights at Jamestown Settlement – Oct. 21 & 22 from 6:30-9 p.m.
Smoke, lanterns and sound effects create a ghostly atmosphere at Jamestown Settlement during "Family Frights," a Halloween-theme museum night for elementary-school-age children and families with trick-or-treating, ghostly tales, haunted houses, boardwalk and ships, grizzly games, creepy crafts, and spooky straw maze. Cost is $3 per adult and $7 per child.
Ghost Trail Hayrides at York River State Park – Oct. 22, 28-29 at 6:30 p.m.
Join York River State Park for this spooky hayride thru the woods of the park to discover some of its haunted past through storytelling. Don't worry, you can pretend that you are not scared, but who are you really fooling? Reservations are required by calling 757-566-3036.Cost: $3/person, $25/group
Season-long events
Howl-O-Scream+ at Busch Gardens
Fill fall nights with fear and fright during Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens. At the stroke of 6 p.m., Busch Gardens becomes home to a host of creepy creatures that lie in wait for unsuspecting victims. Fear abounds in the Virginia theme park's collection of elaborate haunted houses, immersive themed Terror-tories™ and darkly entertaining live shows. The haunts continue every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 30.
Pumpkinville
For more information about Pumpkinville, please visit our “Fall Fun” post.
Trick/trunk or treating
WISC Trunk or Treat– Oct. 29 from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Enjoy the WISC Trunk or Treat. Cost is $5 per child, ages 12 & under. Trunk or treat is a fun, safe way to enjoy Halloween and Harvest fun! Children will have the opportunity to visit vehicles for candy. Dress in costume and bring your treat bag! Face painting, games, hayrides, Halloween bus, gymnastics obstacle course and costume contest.
Public trick or treating is typically offered at both New Town Williamsburg and Williamsburg Premium Outlets. Please check their websites and individual Facebook pages for more information.
Notes
+Howl-O-Scream is not recommended for children.
-Trick-or-treating is available only to children ages 12 and under per the James City County Code.