PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — With Halloween around the corner, local communities will be finding alternative ways to celebrate the spooky season that are socially distanced and safe for all involved.
Here’s what we know for local Halloween Happenings in October. If you have something to add to this list, email Living Local at this link.
Virginia
Chesapeake
Trick-or-Treating is for kids up to age 14, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Hampton
Trick-or-Treating for ages 12 and younger from dusk until 8 p.m.
Gloucester
Trick-or-Treating
Trick-or-treating will be held in Gloucester between 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 31. County officials say it’s not illegal to trick-or-treat outside of those hours, but the hours are a suggestion for safety.
The trick-or-treat event typically held on Main Street has been canceled due to the coronavirus.
Gloucester asks that trick-or-treating activities encourage social distancing and grab-and-go treats. Going to multiple neighborhoods or a lot of houses is designated as “high-risk.”
County officials also say trick-or-treaters should only visit houses that have outdoor lights on. Those who don’t want people visiting their house should keep outside lights off.
Newport News
Trick-or-Treat
Trick-or-Treating for ages 12 and under, no later than 8 p.m. Accompanying adults may not wear masks.
Drive-thru Trunk-or-Treat & Virtual Events
This year, the Newport News 10th Annual Spooktacular is a drive-thru trunk-or-treat event taking place on Saturday, October 31. Residents can stop by any of the three community centers for trick-or-treating fun. The Public Library will also be hosting two events this month.
Night of the Living Museum Walk
Take a one-way walk through decorated galleries and along an illuminated outdoor trail at the Virginia Living Museum. Halloween takes over the museum for four nights from 6-8 p.m.: Friday, Oct. 23 and Saturday, Oct. 24, then again the weekend of Oct. 30 and Oct. 31 (Halloween).
Timed tickets are being sold to families with children ages 12 and under.
- $8 each for VLM members
- $10 each for not-yet members
- Children 2 and younger are free
Get your online tickets and more information about the event, at this link.
Norfolk
Trick-or-Treating for ages 12 and under. Trick-or-Treaters must be done by 8 p.m.
Zoo Boo
Zoo Boo, the annual event at the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk will take place this year on October 24 and 25 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will follow the approved health and safety guidelines already in place at the facility. Admission is limited and advanced ticketing is required.
Drive-thru Trunk-or-Treat
Norfolk Police, the Norfolk Public Library and Recreation, Parks, and Open Space are hosting a free, family-friendly Halloween event. Instead of traditional trick-or-treating, they are having a contactless drive-thru truck-or-treat.
Location: Lake Taylor High School, 1384 Kempsville Road
Date: Saturday, October 24
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Costumes are not required but are definitely welcome. You’re also encouraged to decorate your vehicle. Registration is required per vehicle. You can register now, at this link.
Walk-ups will not be permitted.
OpenNorfolk
OpenNorfolk will provide a spooky good time with outdoor events at the Neighborhood Spots in Five Points.
Hampton Roads Kroc Center Drive Thru Fall Festival, Kroctoberfest
The Kroc Center will host a drive-through fall festival called Kroctoberfest from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 24.
The Kroc Center parking lot will have games, snacks and more. Guests are encouraged to dress in a costume. The event is free and open to the public.
Portsmouth
Trick-or-Treat
In accordance with Portsmouth City Code, children 12 years old and under may participate in trick-or-treating from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., Saturday, October 31.
Movies at the Portsmouth Pavilion
Beginning next Saturday, the City of Portsmouth will run its “Halloween Movie Madness” series every weekend in October.
The free shows will take place at the Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion on Saturday nights with gates opening at 6 p.m. and the movie starting at 7 p.m. Seating is open and unreserved and will be set up to comply with social distancing safety requirements.
Click here for the movie schedule. Click here for more coverage on the reopening of the Portsmouth Pavilion.
Drive-Thru Trunk or Treat
On Saturday, Oct. 24, at 3 p.m., the city will be hosting a drive-thru trunk-or-treat event at the I.C. Norcom High School parking lot at 1801 London Boulevard in Portsmouth. The entrance to the lot will be off High Street.
The event is free and open to trick or treaters while supplies last (ages 12 and under must be with an adult). Attendees are asked to stay in their vehicles to receive the pre-packaged treats and walk-ups are not allowed. Masks are also “strongly encouraged” by city officials.
For more information click here.
Suffolk
Trick-or-Treating (door to door)
In Suffolk, trick-or-treating is for those ages 12 and under and ends at 8:00 p.m. by City Code.
Additional trick-or-treating will happen Oct. 31, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m at the Morgan Memorial Library (443 West Washington Street) and the North Suffolk Library – 2000 Bennetts Creek Park Road).
Fright Night Drive-Thru Trunk or Treat
Drive-thru trunk or treat will occur three Saturdays in October at several parks throughout the city. Kids are encouraged to dress up and families are encouraged to decorate their vehicles.
- Saturday, Oct. 17, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. — Creekside Recreation Center, 1000 Bennetts Creek Park Road
- Saturday, Oct. 24, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. — Whaleyville Recreation Center, 132 Robertson Street
- Saturday, Oct. 31, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. — East Suffolk Recreation Center, 134 S. Sixth Street
Carpool Cinema – Bennett’s Creek Park
- Saturday, Oct. 17, at 7 p.m. — Hocus Pocus at Bennett’s Creek Park, 3000 Bennetts Creek Park Road. For information, click here.
- Saturday, Oct. 24, at 7 p.m. (Cancelled because of rain) — Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone at the parking lots behind the Godwin Courts Building, 150 North Main Street in Downtown Suffolk.
Horror Films – Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts Birdsong Theater
Suffolk Tourism, in partnership with the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, is hosting the Second Annual Friday Night Frights Classic Horror Film Series in October. The Birdsong Theater plans to run Carrie, Psycho, and Poltergeist, and limited seating will be available.
Click here for the schedule and ticket information.
Virginia Beach
Trick-or-treating begins at dusk and ends at 8 p.m. for children 12 years of age and younger.
Hunt Club Farm Festivities
The Hunt Club Farm will be hosting a limited capacity Halloween festival for those who purchase tickets in advance.
The festivities will be available during two time blocks a night beginning Sept. 25 until Oct. 31 — from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and then from 9:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Masks are required and the event will have concessions, live entertainment, and more!
Click here for more information.
Virginia Aquarium
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center will have a modified Halloween event this year due to the pandemic. This year’s Halloween event will take place at the Aquarium on October 30 and 31. Guests will be treated to 12 contactless trick-or-treat stations throughout the aquarium exhibits, mascots dressed in their favorite costumes, fun Halloween photo opportunities, a spook-tacular Guest Quest scavenger hunt, and more!
Online registration and timed tickets are required due to limited capacity. Tickets will not be available at the door.
Go to the Aquarium’s website for more information and to register.
Williamsburg
Trick-or-Treating (door to door)
The city is reminding residents of the potential safety risks involved in door to door trick-or-treating and is advising everyone to follow CDC guidelines.
Families who choose to trick-or-treat are asked to do so from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31 for children ages 12 and under. Officials ask that if the front porch light is off, residents should assume that home is not participating.
Busch Gardens
While the park remains closed, guests can still celebrate the spooky season at Busch Gardens with Halloween Harvest.
The limited capacity outdoor event began on October 1 and will run until November 8. Contactless trick-or-treating is available for the kids, a pumpkin scavenger hunt, and more than 15 of the park’s roller coasters and rides are available.
For more information, click here.
York County
Trick-or-treating will end at 8 p.m. Children age 12 or younger may trick-or-treat and should be accompanied by an adult.
North Carolina
Elizabeth City
This year, the Elizabeth City Police Department announced it will be hosting a drive-thru “Trunk or Treat” on October 31. The event will run from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and at Catalina Street between Corsair Street and Brooks Avenue.
Stay with WAVY.com for more Halloween 2020 Happenings.