Spooktacular Fun: Nearly a Month of Halloween Happenings in Fredericksburg and Beyond

October in Fredericksburg is brimming with thrills, chills, and family-friendly fun. Whether you’re searching for haunted history, pumpkin patches, costume parades, or adorable pets in disguise, there’s something spooky (and sweet!) happening almost every day. Mark your calendars—here’s your ultimate guide to Halloween events in Fredericksburg and the surrounding areas for 2025.

All Month Long

Scarecrow Contest – Downtown Fredericksburg
Scarecrows are taking over the city! Grab a map, track them down, and don’t forget to cast your vote for your favorite festive creation.

October 3 – Scarecrow Fall Fest

Kick off First Friday from 5–9 PM with games, activities, contests, and fall fun for the whole family.

October 4 – Halloween Movie Spooktacular

Every Saturday in October, the Dahlgren Theater is showing free Halloween films from 4–11 PM—a mix of spooky classics and fresh frights.

October 8 – Costume Cuties Playgroups

• 10–11 AM at Howell Branch Library

• 1–2 PM at Salem Church Branch Library
  Perfect for kids ages 0–5—enjoy costumes, crafts, stories, songs, dancing, and snacks.

October 9 – What Remains: Dark History

Step into Fredericksburg’s eerie past with a guided exploration of cemeteries, war, disease, and resident spirits at Old City Hall. 6:30–8 PM | $9–$13

October 11 – A Big Day of Spooks & Science

• Fredericksburg Cat Tour & Coffee in the Canal Quarter (10 AM–2:30 PM, Old Mill Park)
  Meet friendly kitties, ride the trolley, sip coffee, and even adopt a furry friend. $10

• Littlest Lab Coats: Spooky Science (11 AM–12 PM, Dorothy Hart Community Center)
  Preschoolers experiment and play while learning about science. $10–$12

• Halloween Movies in the Park (5:30–8:30 PM, Riverfront Park)
  A short kid-friendly feature, then a showing of Hocus Pocus under the stars.

Plus: Dahlgren’s Halloween Movie Spooktacular continues.

October 18 – Halloween Movie Spooktacular

Another round of free Halloween films at the Dahlgren Theater from 4–11 PM.

October 19 – Wilderness Halloween Festival

From 11 AM–4 PM, enjoy trick-or-treating, a moon bounce, hayrides, food trucks, games, and even a car show.

October 24 – Park After Dark

Snuggle up at Memorial Park for family-friendly spooky stories under the trees. 6:30–8 PM

October 25 – The Ultimate Halloween Saturday

• FredParent Costume Stroll & Treats on the Streets (8:30 AM, VRE Lot Downtown)
  Costume parade, trick-or-treating, Touch-a-Truck, donuts, and contests.

• Halloween at the Market (9 AM–1 PM, Hurkamp Park)
  Pumpkin patch, games, and trick-or-treat fun at the farmers market.

• Haunted FXBG-O Bus (10 AM–12 PM, Market Square)
  A kid-friendly haunted bus full of thrills.

• Patawomeck Halloween Festival & Craft Fair (11 AM–4 PM, Patawomeck Museum)

• Dominion Drift Day: Halloween Edition (12–6 PM, Dominion Raceway)
  Cars, candy, contests, bounce houses, ride-alongs, and more. $20 adults | $10 kids | Under 4 free

• Howl-O-Week Pawty (3–6:30 PM)
  A dog costume contest and paw-some fun—bring a donation of pet food! $15

• Halloween Movie Spooktacular (4–11 PM, Dahlgren Theater)

October 26 – Markets & Haunts

• Dead Whispers Haunted Attraction Family Day (12–4 PM, Fredericksburg Fairgrounds)
  Explore spooky mazes and themed rooms. $15–$25

• 2nd Annual Witches & Wizards Market (12–7 PM, Steckler Pond)
  Shop mystical vendors and step into a magical world of fantasy.

October 27 – Spooky Stories at Salem Church Library

Ghostly tales and eerie folklore from 6–7 PM.

October 29 – Creepy Critters & Library Fun

• Spooky Species (4:15–5 PM, Porter Branch, Stafford)
  STEM fun with snakes, bats, fungi, and more.

• Halloween Howl (5–6 PM, Cooper Branch)
  Games, activities, and a costume parade.

October 31 – Halloween Day Celebrations

Classic Monster Double Feature (1–5 PM, Salem Church Library)
Enjoy Nosferatu (1922) and The Mummy (1932) with crafts and activities. A perfect retro finish to the Halloween season!

🎃 From scarecrow hunts and haunted history to trick-or-treating, pets in costume, and movie marathons, Fredericksburg is truly the place to be this October. Whether you’re after thrills, treats, or just a reason to wear your best costume, there’s something waiting for you almost every day of the month.