Gone are the days when Halloween was all about kids.
Sure, they can still trick or treat, but the sheer number of local Halloween happenings meant for all ages, not to mention the wide variety of ways we celebrate this ancient pagan tradition brought over by the Irish in the 1840s, are a testament to how much Richmond loves our theatrical observances around the eve of All Hallows’ Day.
This Weekend (Oct. 25-28)
19th Annual Zombie Walk in Carytown: Meet at 1 p.m. at Boat Lake in Byrd Park and join the walk through Carytown terrifying small children. Costumes are a must and no picture taking during the walk (that happens at the staging area beforehand). Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes in multiple categories. $5 donation suggested for participation. Also, walking like a zombie is required. Come in costume on Saturday, Oct. 26, 1 p.m. at Boat Lake on Boat Lake Dr.
WRIR Monster Mashquerade @ Gallery5: Support hometown public radio with a costume party, multiple bands and raffle prize packages from local businesses, with all proceeds benefiting WRIR. Entertainment includes a rare collaborative performance from Ohbliv, the father of the RVA beat scene, joined by local rap hero Nickelus F on Saturday, Oct. 26, 7 p.m., Gallery 5, 200 W. Marshall St. Tickets
Haunted Henricus: Halloween Paranormal Investigation in Chester: Take a guided tour through Henricus Historical Park in the dark as interpreters dramatically demonstrate and perform old English folklore stories of witches, ghosts, goblins, shucks, and all things that go bump in the night, a peek into what colonial Virginians thought was spooky, scary, or mysterious. Tours begin at 7 p.m. and leave every 15 minutes. Oct. 26-27, various times, 251 Henricus Park Road, Chester. Tickets.
Poe at the Pump House. Put some literary lift in your Halloween celebration with Poe Museum curator Chris Semtner as Edgar Allan Poe, delivering dramatic readings of his most beloved works. Saturday, Oct. 26 every hour from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Pump House, 1708 Pump House Dr.. Tickets
Big GAY Spooky Season Market @ Diversity Richmond: Shop with and support over 50 LGBTQ+ makers and artists while enjoying music with DJ Sampln, and food and drinks from Richmond’s only queer and trans-operated food truck, HAUTE Dayum, as well as Monique’s Crepes, Eddie Rose Coffee, and AF Bev Co, plus trick-or-treating treats for adults and kids. To participate in the “Oh my GOURD,” just bring a carved pumpkin or gourd. Participants will vote on the winner. Sunday, Oct. 27 from noon to 4 p.m. at Diversity Richmond, 1403 Sherwood Ave.
HallowQueen Drag Brunch @ Kabana Rooftop. If you’re into fierce performances, bottomless brunch buffets and mimosas, head to Kabana Rooftop for an afternoon of wickedly fabulous fun. Pro tip: order your food in advance to save money over day of event pricing. Sunday, Oct. 27, 1 p.m., 700 E. Main St. Tickets
Rocky Horror Picture Show @ Dominion Energy Center: Give yourself over to absolute pleasure when one of the longest weekly showing movies in the world returns for Halloween. The show features a costume contest, a performance by the local Shadow Cast who act out the movie on stage while the movie plays on screen and memorabilia display with artifacts and costumes from the movie, as well as special guest Patricia Quinn who played Magenta in the movie. Monday, Oct. 28, 8 p.m. at Dominion Energy Center, 600 E. Grace Street. Tickets
Halloween Night (Thursday, Oct. 31)
All the Saints Theater Company’s 19th Annual Halloween Parade: If you have to choose only one way to celebrate the Great Pumpkin, our vote goes to this inclusive lovefest that focuses on the current state of politics and the world. This year’s theme is “A funeral march for silence” in honor of the people of Palestine and all occupied people—Appalachia, Lebanon, Congo, Yemen, and Sudan—who have to fight for their very existence. Decolonize your mind and free your voice because this parade celebrates the death of silence with larger-than-life puppets, music and anyone who wants to join the fun by showing up in Monroe Park ready to march, carry a sign or puppet. Feel free to bring noisemakers, bells, whistles, bands, drums, chimes, pots and pans, anything to make it the noisiest parade ever. Costumes optional. Oct. 31, 7 p.m., 701 W. Franklin St.
Church Hill Chillers Tour: Church Hill’s colorful past has produced a cadre of restless spirits that still call the neighborhood home, even though their time amongst the living is long past. Cloaked in the shadows of the quaint and historical Church Hill neighborhood, this tour includes spirited tales of spymaster Elizabeth Van Lew, Edgar Allan Poe’s first and last love, the haunts of a Civil War hospital, and more, if you dare. Oct. 31, 9 p.m., 2300 E. Broad St. Tickets
Boos and Brews Halloween Night @ The Hoffheimer Building: The Hof is offering a way to celebrate Halloween night in style. Dress up in your most creative costume and enjoy a night of music, dancing, and ghoulish drinks. Oct. 31 at 8 p.m., Hoffheimer, 2818 W. Broad St.
Babes, Babes, Babes Halloween Party: Whether you’re a drag enthusiast or just love a good Halloween party, this is the night to let your freak flag fly at Babes of Carytown. The night kicks off with a cast of queens ready to get you in the Halloween spirit, so put on your most outrageous rags and enter the costume contest for a chance to win a cash prize. Oct. 31, 9 p.m., 3166 W. Cary St.
Are You Afraid of The Dark: Halloween Night Costume Party @ Vagabond: Come dressed in your most creative and frightening costumes to celebrate Halloween below street level. Dance the night away to hauntingly good music courtesy of The Original Players, JFrvncis + Jimmy. Oct. 31, 10 p.m., 700 E. Broad St.
The Embalmers Halloween Party @ Reveler Experiences: The Embalmers, a surf-rock institution, are fueled by boom-boom beats and dreamy guitar reverb, meaning they know how to shake your bones. If your idea of Halloween is a night of groovy shoes, red fez hats, and unhinged dancing, grab your tickets now. Oct. 31, 8 p.m., Reveler Experiences, 3108 W. Cary St. Tickets
Candlelight, A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics @ Bolling Haxall House: Looking for upscale, elegant spookiness? Check out classic Halloween music from Danny Elfman to Michael Jackson performed by the Liteso String Quartet in a candlelit theater. Performances at 6:45 and 8 p.m. Ticketed event.
Monsters Ball @ Fallout: If cage dancing is part of your Halloween fantasy, head to Fallout aka the “Bat cave in the Bottom” for a thrilling night of DJs, dancing, potions and eats, all set to your favorite goth, industrial, dark wave, new wave, and alternative music. Put some thought into your costume since there will be cash prizes. Oct. 31, 8 p.m., 117 N. 18th St. Tickets
River City Roll Halloween Jam: Big Red and the Cowboy Killers will take the stage with the electrifying Alan Same and the Difference. You can count on a spooky night of live music full of thrills, chills, and killer tunes. Wear your costume and get your picture taken in the complimentary photo booth. Oct. 31 at 6 p.m., 939 Myers St.
Monster Mash of Rock @ Richmond Music Hall: Head to Capital Ale House downtown for a Halloween of music with Black Dog RVA, 1 In the Pink and For Those About to Rock. All rock, no costume required. Oct. 31, 7 p.m., 619 E. Main St. Tickets