Spooky season will be in full swing throughout Alexandria this weekend.
Led by the return of Del Ray’s popular Halloween parade for its 30th year, the next few days will also bring Old Town’s annual trick-or-treat event, an exploration of 18th-century mourning at Carlyle House, and even themed improv comedy shows and fitness crawls.
Here’s what to expect around the city this weekend.
1920s Party: American Girl Celebration
When: Friday, Oct. 23, 6-8 p.m.
Carlyle House Historic Park will celebrate the 40th anniversary of American Girl dolls and the release of the brand’s latest book, “Samantha: The Next Chapter,” with a 1920s-style party. Expect period-appropriate music, games, mocktails and more.
Announced vendors for the event, which is described as appropriate for adults 18 and older, include Old Town Books and Old Town Mahjong.
121 N Fairfax Street
Styling Series: Spook & Shop
When: Friday, Oct. 23, 6-8 p.m.
Looking for some last-minute costume inspiration? Current Boutique in Old Town will get the fashion juices flowing with a curated Halloween Rack with “vintage glamour, statement sequins, bold silhouettes” and more for this free happy hour event.
Complimentary drinks and personal styling sessions from the consignment shop’s team are also on offer, though early arrival is advised to ensure the best available selection of clothes.
1009 King Street
Old Town Trick-or-Treat
When: Saturday, Oct. 24, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Though its longtime organizer, Old Town Business, is no more, this tradition continues with the support of Pippin Toy Co., which will serve as a starting point for all trick-or-treaters. Maps available at the toy shop will guide participants to goodies from dozens of participating businesses and historic sites.
Mudhouse Coffee will have drink specials for kids and adults, and there will be kid-friendly activations at The Spice and Tea Exchange, Lowery’s Dial and the Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden.
1310 King Street
Lost Boy Cider Fall Fest
When: Saturday, Oct. 24, noon-6 p.m.
Lost Boy Cider will celebrate autumn with a craft market featuring 19 local makers, apple pressing, hot mulled cider from its tasting room and new outdoor bar, free pumpkin giveaways, a goat petting zoo, and a whole hog and pizza oven from Chalkboard BBQ.
Admission and on-site parking for the cidery’s biggest day of the year are free, though the lot typically fills up by early afternoon. Last year’s event drew over 500 people.
317 Hooffs Run Drive
Old Town Alexandria Women’s Crawl
When: Saturday, Oct. 24, 1-8 p.m.
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Del Ray Psych & Wellness is organizing a crawl to six different Old Town restaurants, followed by a dance party at Cooper Mill (10 Duke Street) to benefit local nonprofit Breast Cancer Collective.
Tickets start at $22 for the crawl — which will visit Vola’s Dockside Grill and Hi-Tide Lounge, Daniel O’Connell’s Irish Restaurant and Bar, Fish Market Restaurant, Urbano 116, Chadwicks and Cooper Mill — or $15 for those just interested in attending the After Glow Dance Party.
In addition to exclusive food and drink specials at the participating restaurants, a ticket includes interactive wellness stations, a welcome toast at Vola’s, a collective “Primal Scream” experience, a photo station, an interactive chalk art and photo experience, admission to the dance party, and access to glow-up accessories, giveaways and raffle prizes.
All proceeds from raffle ticket sales and 20% of ticket sales will go to Breast Cancer Collective.
101 N. Union Street
Spooktacular Fit Crawl
When: Saturday, Oct. 24, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
The fourth annual Spooktacular Fit Crawl will take participants through “a chilling cycle session at Zweet Sport, a Spooky Mat Pilates with Lalita Method, and a bone-shaking Yoga class with YOMEI.”
Tickets cost $49, but space is limited to 24 people, or eight people per group. All participants will receive a spooky swag bag and a medal to commemorate their experience.
727 N. Henry Street
Tapestry: A Festival of Belonging
When: Saturday, Oct. 24, 4-5:30 p.m.
The Alexandria Choral Society’s pay-what-you-can concert at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial will celebrate the area’s diversity with pieces sung in English, Spanish and Amharic. Program highlights include a new work by composer Nebal Maysaud and poetry from Alexandria Poet Laureate Cristi Donoso.
The nonprofit suggests a price of $30 per seat for those who can afford it, but patrons are welcome to pay less or more, depending on their circumstances.
101 Callahan Drive
Death Comes to Carlyle
When: Saturday, Oct. 24, 6-8 p.m.
For one night only, tour guides at the Carlyle House will share insights into how death and mourning were understood in the 18th century as they lead visitors through the historic home.
Tickets cost $10. Online sales end at 1 p.m. tomorrow, but they can also be purchased at the door.
121 N. Fairfax Street
Halloween Improv Comedy Show
When: Saturday, Oct. 24, 8 p.m. (doors open at 7:30 p.m.)
Auxiliary Improv will take over The Lyceum for a night of Halloween-themed, ad-libbed comedy, complete with free candy and refreshments. The show is free, but donations are encouraged to help the troupe continue performing throughout the city and region.
201 S. Washington Street
Del Ray Halloween Parade
When: Sunday, Oct. 25, 2 p.m.
Mount Vernon Avenue will come alive with costumed people, pets and non-motorized conveyances for the 30th annual Del Ray Halloween Parade, which was ranked as one of the 10 best Halloween parades in the country by USA Today in 2023.
A group and float contest has been added this year, joining established competitions for strollers and wagons, pet costumes, and house and business decor. A map of the finalists for the Best Decorated House and Business Contests is online, and the deadline to vote for the people’s choice awards is 11:59 p.m. on Saturday.
Before or after they march in the parade, children can check out a kids’ zone that will be operating behind Pork Barrell BBQ (2312 Mount Vernon Avenue) from noon to 5 p.m.
Other Halloween festivities in the neighborhood include a scavenger hunt ending on Nov. 1, a Nightmare on the Avenue pop-up bar, the Del Ray Artisans’ Carnival of Curiosities exhibit, the Howell Haunt benefitting Save the Children, a pumpkin-carving party at noon on Oct. 24, a Haunted House at The Company of Books on Oct. 30, and a Trail of Dreadful Delights, a restaurant crawl scheduled for Oct. 31.
