News

Del Ray Halloween Parade set for Oct. 26

By James Cullum
As seen at the Del Ray Halloween Parade, Oct. 27, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Get your Halloween costumes ready, because an Alexandria tradition is returning on Sunday, Oct. 26.

Thousands of participants are expected at the 29th annual Del Ray Halloween Parade. Every year, Ghostbusters, superheroes, fairies, princesses, and many more costumed Alexandrians march along Mount Vernon Avenue at the intersection with E. Bellefonte Avenue to the fields at Mount Vernon Recreation Center (2701 Commonwealth Avenue). The festivities start at 2 p.m., and always end with the Del Ray Business Association (DRBA) awarding the winners of the best decorated house and business in Del Ray, as well as the best-dressed group, pet costume, and stroller.

Watching the Del Ray Halloween Parade on Oct. 29, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Volunteers are still needed for the event, and DRBA is also collecting costume donations for families in need. The costumes have been chosen by kids at the Alexandria Boys & Girls Club, Community Lodgings, and the Alexandria Domestic Violence Safehouse, according to DRBA.

The Jen Walker Team sponsors the parade.

Gruesome effects at the Del Ray Halloween Parade, Oct. 27, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

More Halloween-related events in Del Ray are listed below.

  • Nightmare on the Avenue Halloween pop-up bar is open until Nov. 2 (Sunday) at 2312 Mount Vernon Avenue
  • Bar Wicked Halloween pop-up bar above Del Ray Pizzeria is open at 2218 Mount Vernon Avenue
  • Tales of Terror — two days of ghostly tours, eerie thrills, and haunted history presented by the Friends of Duncan Library and Del Ray Citizens Association, October 24-25, at Duncan Library, 2501 Commonwealth Avenue; tickets available at friendsofduncanlibrary.org
  • Del Ray’s Night of Dreadful Delights, Saturday, Oct. 25 starting at 7pm at select Del Ray restaurants, more details to come!
  • Pork Barrel BBQ Halloween Parade Kids Zone, Sunday, Oct. 26 from 12pm-5pm behind Pork Barrell BBQ at 2312 Mount Vernon Avenue
  • Haunted House, Thursday, Friday, Oct. 31, 7-9pm, The Company of Books, 2200 Mount Vernon Avenue

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.