Hauntingly good times to be had in Old Town this Halloween

If you’ve binge-watched The Fall of the House of Usher and are in the mood for some Edgar Allan Poe readings, the good news is an acclaimed Poe reenactor is making his annual return to Old Town for a reading on Halloween.

The bad news: it’s sold out. But there are still plenty of other options to get your spooky fix in Alexandria on Halloween.

The Lee-Fendall House Museum is hosting its Grief & Ghosts Tours on Friday, Oct. 27 and Saturday, Oct. 28 from 7-9 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person.

“Explore Victorian mourning traditions coupled with stories of tragic deaths and mysterious occurrences at the Lee-Fendall House,” the Office of Historic Alexandria (OHA) said in a newsletter. “Customs such as draping mirrors after death, funeral practices, hair jewelry and mourning clothing will be explored. These tours offer a rare opportunity to see the house after dark!”

The Carlyle House Museum and Park, meanwhile, is hosting a “mummy investigation” puzzle around the historic home on the same nights from 6-8 p.m. Tickets are also $15 per person.

“Residents of the Ancient Virginia City Refuse to believe the remains are those of either John Carlyle or General Braddock,” OHA said. “Investigation to be extended. Whose body is it? Solve a series of clues and puzzles to discover the identity of Carlyle’s Mummy. Groups of 10 will be let in the house at a time.”

The macabre tours continue post-Halloween with a Historic Cemetery Tour on Saturday, Nov. 11. The tour runs from 1-2 p.m. and starts at the intersection of Hamilton and Wilkes Streets. Tickets are $20 per person.

According to OHA:

Discover an extraordinary walking expedition through the historical Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex. Delve into the lives of remarkable individuals laid to rest here who share a profound connection to the esteemed Lee-Fendall House. This exclusive tour will lead you to gravesites not typically covered in our regular tours, where captivating tales of duels, cavalry battles, encounters with the Marquis de Lafayette, and numerous other intriguing narratives await. By participating in this unique tour, you not only immerse yourself in riveting history but also contribute to a meaningful cause. Tickets must be purchased in advance. The tour is limited to 25 participants and lasts approximately one hour.

there are also multiple bar crawls that night, from the Alexandria Bier Garden to The Light Horse Restaurant.

One of the most interesting events, though, is at the Ivy Hill Cemetery.

The cemetery is hosting “Lights Out: Glow in the Dark Halloween Party” on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 7-9:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 for general admission or $55 for admission and a tour of the cemetery.

The evening will include music, refreshments, a costume contest, games and more.