Halloween & Fall Events in Coastal Virginia: October 2026

Updated October 15, 2026: expired early-October festivals have been removed from these recommendations.

October has more than one pace in Coastal Virginia. You can spend an afternoon choosing a pumpkin, build a weekend around a farm festival, or save the costumes for an evening with animals, science and treats. This guide gathers confirmed 2026 dates so you can choose the kind of outing your group will actually enjoy.

Start with the date and city, then decide how much Halloween your family wants. A daytime harvest festival feels different from an evening event. Event names alone do not tell you about noise, darkness, crowds or a child’s comfort with costumes.

Planning a later October outing? Browse current Norfolk events and current Suffolk events for available dates.

Pumpkins and a daytime farm visit

Chesapeake: Hickory Ridge Farm, through November 1. The 2026 pumpkin-patch and fall-festival season runs September 23–November 1 at 2928 S. Battlefield Boulevard. Hayrides, a children’s maze and seasonal farm activities offer several ways to shape the visit. Confirm individual activity prices; free entry does not mean every experience or purchase is included. Farm listing and details.

Hampton: Bluebird Gap Farm Fall Festival, October 17–18. The farm at 60 Pine Chapel Road hosts a two-day autumn gathering with hayrides, storytelling, music and seasonal activities. The tourism listing gives daytime hours of 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; check the organizer’s latest notice before heading out. Festival visitor information.

Costumes, animals and science

Virginia Beach: Halloween Nights, October 16–17. The Virginia Aquarium’s evening event runs 6–9 p.m. at 717 General Booth Boulevard. Costumed divers, science activities and a family costume parade bring Halloween into an aquatic setting. Use the event’s ticket information, rather than assuming regular admission covers the evening. Halloween Nights details.

Virginia Beach: Ghoula Palooza, October 17. Great Neck Recreation Center hosts this free public event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 2521 Shorehaven Drive. Games, music and trick-or-treat fun make it an option for a shorter daytime outing; a recreation-center membership is not required. City event announcement.

Norfolk: ZooBoo, October 17–18. The Virginia Zoo’s 2026 organizer information confirms the two dates and trick-or-treat stations. Check the Zoo’s visitor calendar for ticket choices, admission arrangements and costume guidance before booking. Organizer’s 2026 date confirmation and visitor events calendar.

Newport News: Night of the Living Museum, October 23–24. Virginia Living Museum’s family event runs 5:30–8:30 p.m. at 524 J. Clyde Morris Boulevard. The museum describes a non-scary evening combining treats, animals and science; it also identifies a quiet zone. Review ticket availability and ask about any specific accommodation your group needs. Museum event information.

Two different Halloween outings in Portsmouth

Trunk or Treat, October 24, 3–7 p.m. Portsmouth Pavilion at 16 Crawford Circle hosts activities for children 12 and younger accompanied by an adult. The program includes treats, crafts, games and music. Official Trunk or Treat listing.

A Grave Affair Ghost Walk Bazaar, October 30, 6–9:30 p.m. Browse the free bazaar at 400 High Street in Olde Towne. The bazaar and the separately ticketed Ghost Walk are different experiences; a visit to the market does not reserve a walk. Bazaar details.

Build a Halloween plan that leaves room to enjoy it

Choose one must-do activity per outing. If you are bringing younger children, decide in advance whether you are staying for a short visit or an entire evening. For a group, agree on a meeting point and keep the organizer’s link in the same message as the tickets.

Check costume restrictions, ticket requirements, weather decisions and the route from parking to the entrance. If access or sensory needs matter, ask about the specific event, not just the venue’s normal daytime operation. Bring a bag for treats and clothing that can adapt to the conditions.

Dates were checked September 30, 2026; organizers can change plans. Use CVA’s dated events calendar for individual listings, or pair an event with our fall family weekend ideas. The best October calendar is one you have time to enjoy.