Spooktober is here! The nights are getting longer, the landscape is lined with spectacular fall foliage, the crisp chilly air is setting an eerie mood, and people are in search of scary-good pumpkin carving ideas to spiff up the front porch.
And with Halloween fast approaching, several spooky events are gearing up to give the people of Charlottesville a good scare. From a day of family fun, pumpkin patches, trick-or-treating around the neighborhood, to thrilling evenings with friends, there’s something for everyone in the greater Charlottesville area. The historic city at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains is rife with spooky and spirited events.
We’ve rounded up a list of a few frightfully fun Halloween events in the Charlottesville area to keep you on your toes for the entire ‘Spooktacular’ month.
Whether you’re looking for some real shrieks and screams or a few goosebumps, here’s what happening in and around Charlottesville this October:
1. Scary-Good Craft
Carving ghoulish faces on a pumpkin (i.e., the jack-o-lanterns) is a long-standing tradition that channels the very spirit of Halloween. Myths hold that the Irish practiced pumpkin carving as a way to ward off evil. But we have another reason: it’s fun!
Get ready for Halloween by carving and painting pumpkins in one of the events happening in Charlottesville.
The Random Row Brewery on 608 Preston Ave, Charlottesville is holding a pumpkin decoration event on October 10. You can also drop by 333 2nd St SE, Charlottesville on October 23 for a pumpkin painting event at Pikasso Swig.
They’re both family events so you can bring your little goblins along for a fun day.
2. Hocus Pocus Trivia
Name a more iconic Halloween movie trio than the Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus…we’ll wait. The iconic film has it all – a magical book, talking black cats, zombies, wicked witches, you name it. But how much of this do you know? Ready to test your knowledge of the outlandishly wild witches?
“I put a spell on you and now you’re mine.”
Dust your broom and zoom to Eastwood Farm and Winery on October 22 for Hocus Pocus Trivia. This event gives you the opportunity to tap into your inner witch and show who can cast the best spell.
3. Friends Halloween Special Trivia
If malevolent witches are not your cuppa tea, then maybe one of the best comedies of its era will do. Few shows (especially comedies) boast of enduring popularity and a devoted fan base to the level of Friends.
As echoed in the show’s theme tune, Friends has ‘always been there for us’ – now it’s time for you to prove how dedicated you are to the friendship over a Halloween Special Trivia at Champion Grill, 2075 Bond Street, Charlottesville on October 20.
4. Trick-or-Treat at the Dairy Market
What is Halloween without a goodie bag overflowing with tricks and treats, while all decked out in amazing Halloween costumes?
The Dairy Market at 946 Grady Avenue, Charlottesville is holding a trick-or-treat event on October 30 to keep the age-old tradition alive. It’s a great event for the family. Your little ones have a chance to load on yummy tricks offered by merchants at the venue—and you can sample some lip-smackin’ good dishes at “Charlottesville’s New Premier Food Destination!”
5. Catch a Spine-Tingling Film
There’s nothing quite like a wickedly fun and eerie film to put the ‘Ha’ In Halloween. If you live in the greater Charlottesville area or you’re planning to pass by, there are some awe-inspiring films in town to give you a fun scare.
The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in 375 Merchant Walk Square, Charlottesville is showing some entrancing classics and modern films that are sure to give you the heebie-jeebies. Some noteworthy showings include The Addams Family 2, Venom: Let There be Carnage, Halloween Kills, Casper, Scream, and Halloween (1978). Check out the showtimes here.
6. Strutt Your Mutt! Halloween Pageant
Your pets also deserve a fun Howl-O-Ween.
One way to do this is by showcasing their wickedly adorable costumes in the 1st annual Strutt Your Mutt Halloween Pageant. Dress up and head over to The Shops at Stonefield, Route 29 & Hydraulic Rd, Charlottesville on October 30.
You can enter your canine friend in the Trick-or-Treat Trail and/or the Costume Contest for a chance to win great prizes. But take care not to upset, stress, spook, or worse, feed your K-9 companions Halloween candy. Always prioritize your pup’s safety and comfort.
The proceedings from the event will go towards helping at-risk animals in Virginia—courtesy of Caring For Creatures and the HOWS Project.
7. Trick-or-Treat Cider Pairing
Spooky confectionary/desserts and the Halloween seasons are timeless best friends that seem to complement each other perfectly. Now add ciders and fitting music to the concoction and you have an enchanting combo.
Albemarle CiderWorks brings you The Trick-or-Treat Cider Pairing event on October 30 for a chance to indulge in Halloween flavors. 2545 Rural Ridge Road, North Garden, VA 22959 is the place be for a memorable and fun tasting event with family.
Bottom Line
Charlottesville may enjoy a reputation for being one of the happiest places to live—but the residents, as friendly as they are, can also hold a fear-tastic range of gripping, blood-curdling events. And with so many Eerie-sistible options, expect a spooktacular Halloween experience.
