Newport News Family-Friendly Fall Activities 2026

34 family-friendly fall activities in Newport News and nearby.

Newport News and surrounding towns offer numerous Halloween activities. Consider the Virginia Living Museum for science-themed scares or the Mariners' Museum for family-friendly historical haunts right here in Newport News.

Beyond our city, events span from Portsmouth's Trunk or Treat to Williamsburg's Pumpkinville, providing a spread of indoor and outdoor entertainment for local families.

All Family-Friendly Fall Activities Around Newport News

The Mariners' Park Fall Festival

Newport News $

Features family activities, farm animals, live music, and food trucks.

Newport News Fall-O-Ween Festival

Newport News Free

Features live entertainment and more than 100 craft vendors.

Illustration of costumed children and a cat walking a leafy sidewalk past glowing jack-o'-lanterns and cozy houses at dusk (Night of the Living Museum)

Night of the Living Museum

Newport News $$

Non-scary evening featuring treat stations, animal ambassadors, and laser shows.

Illustration of scarecrows in hats and overalls around a small table with pumpkins on a village green in autumn (Belmont Pumpkin Farm 2026 Season)

Belmont Pumpkin Farm 2026 Season

North 25 mi $

Western-themed corn maze treasure hunts, scarecrow building, and pumpkin picking.

Illustration of a row of cars with open trunks decorated for Halloween at sunset with balloons, pumpkins and costumed kids (Marine Science Mad Lab & Trunk-or-Treat)

Marine Science Mad Lab & Trunk-or-Treat

Gloucester Point 11 mi Free

Deep-sea science experiments paired with marine-themed trunk-or-treating.

Illustration of two costumed figures in a festive autumn street at dusk with pumpkins, string lights and a glowing bonfire (Bluebird Gap Farm Fall Festival)

Bluebird Gap Farm Fall Festival

Hampton 6 mi

Fall festival set on a 60-acre farm park with live animals.

Trick 'r Trees (Night 2)

Norfolk 20 mi $$

Family evening featuring games, crafts, and light trick-or-treating among garden ghouls.

ZooBoo

Norfolk 18 mi $$

Family Halloween celebration with trick-or-treating and animal pumpkin enrichment.

Illustration of striped booths with pumpkins and costumed figures on a town street with orange autumn trees (Portsmouth Halloween Safe Trunk or Treat)

Portsmouth Halloween Safe Trunk or Treat

Portsmouth 20 mi

Features candy giveaways, crafts, music, and a police-operated haunted house.

Illustration of costumed clay children and a witch playing among pumpkins, hay bales and tents on an autumn lawn (Haunted Horse Rides at the Hampton Carousel)

Haunted Horse Rides at the Hampton Carousel

Hampton 8 mi

Carousel rides presented by the Hampton History Museum.

Illustration of small costumed figures and a witch playing on a sunny lawn with pumpkins, hay bales, a tent and orange trees (Pumpkin Painting Party)

Pumpkin Painting Party

Hampton 8 mi Free

Paint and decorate a pumpkin while enjoying spooky stories and treats.

Illustration of tiny clay musicians playing on a hay stage among pumpkins, bunting and striped booths in autumn (Fall Fest Vendors Showcase Part 2)

Fall Fest Vendors Showcase Part 2

Hampton 10 mi Free

Features local retail vendors and the Black Girls Shop Bus Tour.

Wood Pumpkin Resin Class

Suffolk 18 mi $$$

Hands-on beginner resin workshop creating a 15.5-inch wood pumpkin.

Illustration of clay kid characters, paper bats, cotton ghosts and pumpkins on a craft table with paint pots and bunting (The Fall Bazaar at The PLOT)

The Fall Bazaar at The PLOT

Norfolk 19 mi Free

Fall marketplace featuring local artisans, live plein air painting, and wet sales.

Illustration of smiling ghost figures and a small costumed child beside pumpkins and paint cups on a wooden table (Garden Artists: Cornhusk Scarecrows)

Garden Artists: Cornhusk Scarecrows

Norfolk 20 mi

Decorate a cornhusk scarecrow and plant seeds to grow its garden.

Illustration of costumed figures beside a table with two gold trophies on a hay covered stage with pumpkins and string lights (Ghostly Golf Ghouls Halloween Charity Golf Tournament)

Ghostly Golf Ghouls Halloween Charity Golf Tournament

Portsmouth 21 mi $$

Charity 18-hole tournament with costume play and a Thriller flash dance.

Illustration of cars with open trunks decorated with pumpkins and balloons, with a child figure beside an orange car at dusk (First Norfolk Trunk or Treat)

First Norfolk Trunk or Treat

Norfolk 23 mi Free

Safe trick-or-treating from decorated vehicles for kids birth through fifth grade.

Spooky Suncatchers at Wasserhund Brewery

Norfolk 18 mi $$$

Craft a glass Halloween suncatcher while enjoying a beer.

Illustration of a candlelit ofrenda altar with marigolds and skull decorations as clay figures stand in a plaza at dusk (Día de los Muertos Celebration)

Día de los Muertos Celebration

Hampton 10 mi Free

Free celebration featuring a community altar, live mariachi music, and crafts.

Illustration of a giant grinning jack-o'-lantern float and costumed marchers parading along a tree-lined park path at dusk (PAWtoberFest: A Dog-Friendly Oktoberfest Celebration)

PAWtoberFest: A Dog-Friendly Oktoberfest Celebration

Chesapeake 24 mi Free

Features an Oktoberfest pup costume contest and ice cream eating contest.

Town and Treat at Town Center

Virginia Beach 25 mi Free

Free trick-or-treating across Town Center with over 30 candy stops.

Illustration of clay figures in costumes mingling among striped market tents and pumpkin displays under orange autumn trees (Holly Fork Farm Pumpkin Patch & Fall Festival)

Holly Fork Farm Pumpkin Patch & Fall Festival

Barhamsville 31 mi $

Family-run century farm with pumpkin picking, hayrides, and farm animals.

Illustration of a ghost, a witch and a pumpkin figure on a dusk street with glowing houses, autumn leaves and pumpkins (Virginia Aquarium Halloween Nights)

Virginia Aquarium Halloween Nights

Virginia Beach 33 mi $$

Costumed SCUBA divers, bubble magic, and spooky science under the sea.

Illustration of a giant pumpkin on a stand in a grassy field near striped booths with small figures and pumpkins (Lazy Daisy Fall Local Market Week 2)

Lazy Daisy Fall Local Market Week 2

Virginia Beach 26 mi Free

Local market featuring crafts, treats, and goods from community makers.

Illustration of a craft table with a glitter pumpkin, paint cups, a clay kid, a smiling ghost and a paper bat under bunting (Spooky Succulent Terrarium Workshop)

Spooky Succulent Terrarium Workshop

Virginia Beach 30 mi $$

Build a custom terrarium with live succulents and Halloween decorations.

Illustration of costumed figures near striped booths and pumpkin displays on a grassy town square with orange autumn trees (Mystique Fall Festival)

Mystique Fall Festival

Chesapeake 33 mi Free

Community festival featuring food trucks, local vendor shopping, and salon demonstrations.

Illustration of clay figures raising foamy beer steins at wooden tables under a striped tent with pumpkins and leaves (Oktoberfest Weiner Dog Race Entry)

Oktoberfest Weiner Dog Race Entry

Virginia Beach 34 mi $

Dachshund racing competition awarding a special prize to the winning pup.

Illustration of striped market booths and pumpkin displays on a street with small clay figures under orange autumn trees (Virginia Beach Fall Arts & Crafts Festival)

Virginia Beach Fall Arts & Crafts Festival

Virginia Beach 26 mi Free

Handmade goods, arts, crafts, and food vendors at Mount Trashmore Park.

Pumpkinville

Toano 26 mi $

Pick-your-own pumpkins and free family activities

Illustration of a fall festival street with big pumpkins in front, striped booths, and small figures under orange trees (Portsmouth Fall Festival)

Portsmouth Fall Festival

Portsmouth 19 mi Free

Annual fall celebration with games, crafts, and entertainment.

Halloween Trail of Treats

Portsmouth 20 mi Free

Costumed children collect treats from multiple museums.

Halloween Puzzle Night

Virginia Beach 29 mi $$

Halloween puzzle night with wine and prizes

Illustration of two tiny costumed figures near a flag among tall golden cornstalks, with small farm houses and pumpkins (Shockley Farms Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch)

Shockley Farms Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch

Cape Charles 31 mi Free

Expansive corn maze and pumpkin patch with fresh produce.

Explore More Categories

Illustration of a Halloween party at dusk with costumed characters around a punch bowl, a ghost, pumpkins and string lights

Food, Drink, and Parties

1 of 19 Williamsburg Ghosts Booze and Boos Haunted Pub Crawl Williamsburg

Adults-only haunted pub crawl visiting historic taverns and haunted locations.

See all 19 parties & tastings →

Illustration of a small haunted cottage with glowing windows, ghosts, jack-o'-lanterns and a black cat under a pale moon

Haunted Experiences

1 of 15 Busch Gardens Williamsburg Howl-O-Scream Williamsburg

Five haunted houses, scare zones, sinister shows, and coasters at night.

See all 15 haunted attractions →

Illustration of a pumpkin character and a ghost performing on a small stage with red curtains before a costumed audience

Movies, Theater, and Entertainment

1 of 5 Candlelight: Halloween Classics Portsmouth

Halloween classics performed by a string quartet by candlelight.

See all 5 shows & screenings →

Illustration of a Halloween town at dusk with glowing houses, pumpkins, floating ghosts and a witch flying past a full moon

Unique & Unusual

1 of 17 Colonial Ghosts Echoes of Twilight Late Night Ultimate Ghost Tour Williamsburg

Late-night haunted walking tour through historic Colonial Williamsburg.

See all 17 unique events →

Find Family-Friendly Halloween Fun on Our Map!

See all trunk-or-treats, pumpkin patches, and kid-friendly events nearby.

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Newport News Halloween events map - Click to view interactive map

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we bring our dog to pumpkin patches or fall festivals in Newport News?

Policies split hard: many farms ban pets outright for animal-safety and food rules, while some festivals welcome leashed dogs and even run costume contests for them. Check the venue's FAQ the day before, never assume. If dogs are allowed, bring water, keep them clear of petting zoos and food lines, and be honest about whether crowds plus kids stress your dog.

How does trunk-or-treat work in Newport News and why choose it over door-to-door?

Cars line up in a lot with decorated trunks, and kids walk the loop collecting candy in one contained, well-lit place, usually in a single hour on a posted date before Halloween. It's ideal for toddlers, wheelchairs, wagons, and nervous first-timers, with no traffic or dark porches. Arrive at the start time, because popular trunks run out of candy fast.

What's the smartest arrival plan for a busy farm weekend near Newport News?

Arrive at opening: parking is close, animals are active, and the photo spots are empty. Do the far activities first, maze, hayride, picking field, then work back toward the food and playground as crowds build. Leaving by early afternoon means missing both the entry line and the exit-lane crawl. Buy timed tickets online where offered; some farms cap capacity on peak Saturdays.

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