Delve into the mysterious underbelly of Harrisonburg's Halloween scene with our expertly crafted guide, unveiling a treasure trove of frightful events and supernatural spectacles. Our Halloween guide sheds light on Harrisonburg's darkest delights for longtime shadow-dwellers and those new to the night.
Popular Events: To kick off the season, venture into the spine-chilling realm of Fear Forest, where twisting trails and eerie encounters await. Then, immerse yourself in the electrifying atmosphere of American Fright Night, known for its thrilling haunted attractions and immersive experience. And the Skeleton Fest (Sip & Stroll) is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a vibrant mix of local spirits and seasonal treats. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Halloween Events In and Around Harrisonburg
- Fear Forest
- Skeleton Fest (Sip & Stroll)
- American Fright Night (Quicksburg)
- Haunted Nightmares (Winchester)
- DarkWood Manor (Luray)
- The Loft's Isadora Nightshade’s Curiously Creepy Mansion (boo-zy potions and frightfully delicious bites)
- Back Home on the Farm: You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown
- Haunted Woods of Hoover Ridge (Madison)
- Halloween Safety and Trick-or-Treat Event
- Haunted Depot (Staunton)
See these and even more events listed below!
Harrisonburg Area Haunted Experiences
American Fright Night
What to Expect:
A 40,000 square foot haunted house featuring giant parade floats and immersive scare zones.
Description:
American Fright Night transforms the 40,000 square foot American Celebration on Parade at Shenandoah Caverns into a terrifying haunted attraction. Guests navigate through eerie environments filled with towering parade floats, ghouls, clowns, and witches, creating a spine-tingling experience.
Where: Quicksburg | More Info: American Fright Night
DarkWood Manor
What to Expect:
The event features the testing of the Paranormal Energy Generator (P.E.G.), an AI that harnesses and converts paranormal energy into clean green electricity.
Description:
DarkWood Manor is Virginia's premier theatrical and interactive haunted attraction, located in downtown Luray, Virginia. This year, it features the testing of the Paranormal Energy Generator (P.E.G.), an AI designed to harness and convert paranormal energy into clean green electricity. The event is open weekends in October, offering a unique and thrilling experience for visitors.
Where: Luray | More Info: DarkWood Manor
Haunted Nightmares
What to Expect:
Features a buried alive simulator experience and in-depth haunted house with escape rooms.
Description:
Haunted Nightmares offers an immersive and terrifying experience in Winchester, VA. The haunted house features 4600 square feet of in-depth scares, including escape rooms and a thrilling buried alive simulator. The attraction also includes moonlit hayrides and a corn maze, making it a comprehensive Halloween event. With aggressive actors and impressive special effects, Haunted Nightmares promises a night filled with frights and fun.
Where: Winchester | More Info: Haunted Nightmares
Haunted Woods of Hoover Ridge
What to Expect:
The event features guided tours through dark interior trails with special effects like strobe lights, loud noises, and fog.
Description:
Experience the thrill of Haunted Woods of Hoover Ridge, where guided tours through dark interior trails will leave you terrified. The event features special effects like strobe lights, loud noises, and fog, making it a moderately scary experience suitable for those 12 and up. Costumes are encouraged, and concessions are available for food purchases. The trail is about .5 miles long over uneven terrain, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
Where: Madison | More Info: Haunted Woods of Hoover Ridge
Haunted Depot
What to Expect:
An immersive ghost tour using the Spirit Box to communicate with spirits at Staunton's haunted depot station.
Description:
Join the Haunted Depot Tour featuring the Spirit Box for a 90-minute ghost tour of Staunton's haunted depot station. This Halloween edition tour is an adventure into the paranormal, where you'll attempt to communicate with those who have departed the world of the living. The event includes audio clips from investigations and evidence, making it a unique blend of history, hauntings, and paranormal exploration.
Where: Staunton | More Info: Haunted Depot
Fear Forest
What to Expect:
Immersive haunted attraction with three distinct experiences.
Description:
Fear Forest in Harrisonburg, Virginia, is a full immersion Halloween experience featuring three haunted attractions: Fear Forest, Fear Crops, and Fear Factory. The event includes a lighted parking area, hay wagon ride, food concessions, souvenirs, music and DJ, actor photo ops, and a bonfire to keep guests warm. Celebrating 19 seasons, it offers a complete Halloween-themed experience that has become a local tradition.
Where: Harrisonburg | More Info: Fear Forest
Kings Dominion Halloween Haunt
What to Expect:
Immersive haunted attractions and scare zones that bring nightmares to life.
Description:
Kings Dominion's Halloween Haunt is a thrilling event that transforms the park into a realm of terror. With spine-chilling haunted houses, elaborate scare zones, and horrifying haunted mazes, this event promises to deliver an unforgettable experience. The festivities include spooky live shows, seasonal drinks, and eats, as well as the park's most popular rides open at night. This event is not suitable for young children, and parental discretion is advised.
Where: Doswell | More Info: Kings Dominion Halloween Haunt
Creepy Hollow Scream Park
What to Expect:
Immersive haunted trail experience with live actors and animatronics.
Description:
Creepy Hollow Scream Park is Richmond's ultimate Halloween destination, offering more monsters, frights, and fun. Each night features live actors, incredible animatronics, and amazing illusions. The event includes Scream Forest, Phobia X, and Axl's Dark Carnival, providing a terrifying experience through dimly lit woods and haunted houses. This year, the park has expanded with a bonfire and treats available on the midway.
Where: Glen Allen | More Info: Creepy Hollow Scream Park
Madame Redrum’s Nine Gates of Doom
What to Expect:
A winding path through nine terrifying gates with live performers and creepy props.
Description:
Madame Redrum’s Nine Gates of Doom is a unique and terrifying haunted attraction in Waynesboro, Virginia. Operating every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night in October 2024, this event features a winding path through nine gripping gates, each filled with live performers, creepy props, and unexpected surprises. Sunday nights are strictly "NO SCARE" nights, providing a family-friendly option for those who prefer less intensity.
Where: Harrisonburg | More Info: Madame Redrum’s Nine Gates of Doom
Family-Friendly Fall Activities Near Harrisonburg
Skeleton Fest (Sip & Stroll)
What to Expect:
A family-friendly Halloween celebration with sensory-friendly activities and a low-sensory trick-or-treat hour.
Description:
Skeleton Fest is a family-friendly pre-Halloween celebration hosted by Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance. The event features trick-or-treating at over 40 downtown businesses, a costume contest, Sip & Stroll, and sensory-friendly activities. It also includes a Sensory-Friendly Trick-or-Treat Hour and a Sensory-Friendly Zone with low-sensory entertainment. The festival aims to welcome spooky season with community activities and events.
Where: Harrisonburg | More Info: Skeleton Fest (Sip & Stroll)
Back Home on the Farm: You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown
What to Expect:
Exclusive pre-performance picnic with Charlie Brown and friends.
Description:
Celebrate the 75th anniversary of Peanuts at Back Home on the Farm with a fun-filled musical performance of "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown!" Enjoy picnic fare, games, and meet-and-greets with the cast. The event features two performances, with gates opening two hours before each show.
Where: Harrisonburg | More Info: Back Home on the Farm: You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown
Halloween Hangout
What to Expect:
A comprehensive fall festival with a variety of activities including a haunted forest, hay ride, and fortune teller.
Description:
Halloween Hangout 2024 offers a variety of fall activities for the entire family. The event features a Kid Zone with fun activities, an Enchanted Hay Ride, a Haunted Forest, and a Fortune Teller. Additionally, there are sunflower forts, forest frames, corn hole boards, and more. The venue is located at Hilldale Homestead, a 200-year-old historic farm in Palmyra, VA, and is open every weekend from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Fridays, 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Saturdays, and 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Sundays. Tickets are just $10.
Where: Charlottesville | More Info: Halloween Hangout
Halloween Safety and Trick-or-Treat Event
What to Expect:
The Skeleton Festival offers a variety of activities, including trick-or-treating at multiple downtown businesses and sensory-friendly options for all attendees.
Description:
Halloween in Harrisonburg, VA, is a festive and safe celebration. The city emphasizes trick-or-treating safety tips, including planning routes, wearing visible costumes, and never entering homes or vehicles. The Skeleton Festival on October 19 features trick-or-treating at over 40 downtown businesses, a costume contest, and sensory-friendly activities. The event aims to provide a fun and spooky experience for the community while ensuring everyone's safety.
Where: Harrisonburg | More Info: Halloween Safety and Trick-or-Treat Event
Halloween Food, Drink, and Parties Near Harrisonburg
The Loft's Isadora Nightshade’s Curiously Creepy Mansion (boo-zy potions and frightfully delicious bites)
What to Expect:
A Halloween celebration featuring a curiously creepy mansion with boo-zy potions and frightfully delicious bites.
Description:
Join us for a legendary Halloween party at The Loft at Liberty St., transformed into Isadora Nightshade's curiously creepy mansion. Enjoy frightfully delicious bites, boo-zy potions, and dance the night away under the spell of DJ Ryan Clark. Visit the fortune teller, get a vintage photo, and don your best costume—Isadora will be watching!