Halloween in Northern Virginia has so many events there are too many to keep up with. But, there are a handful of true adult-focused, gloriously terrifying trails that are worth mentioning and attending this year.
By Lynn Norusis
Haunt Nightmare Harvest
Workhouse Art Center, Lorton
Oct. 1-Nov. 5; Fridays and Saturdays 7-11 p.m. and Sundays 7-10 p.m.
Themed walk-through experience, with contactless scares. Guests will travel in small groups via timed-entry in 15-minute increments for an experience that brings them next to abandoned, historic buildings where they will encounter characters and sights that are not for the faint of heart.
From Oct 7-29, there is a rotating schedule of live music in the Rizer Pavilion. Food trucks, soft drinks, wine, and themed-specialty drinks will be available for purchase. Bunnyman Brewing will be the exclusive beer vendor during the Haunt, featuring a selections of microbrew favorites from their unique draft beer truck.
Tickets are limited and are being sold for specific time slots. Advanced purchase is recommended for this event.
Clifton Haunted Trail
Clifton
Oct. 29; 7-10 p.m.
This loop of haunted terrors is put on by volunteers and is not for the faint of heart. Each volunteer group gets a space on the wooded trail to display their creativity, whether in the form of seasonal visions or terror-ful delights.
Cox Farm Field of Fears
Centreville
Sept. 23 – Nov. 5 Friday and Saturday nights; plus Oct. 9 & 23, Sunday nights
Twenty acres of firegrounds, cornmaze nightmares, forest and hayrides, plus slides galore! Donuts, nachos, famous Cox kettlecorn, root beer and more are available.
Shocktober
Leesburg
Oct 8
The Paxton mansion may not be open this year but the puveyors of the haunted house have something special in store for one night this year—a one-night Shocktober Haunt Party and concert featuring They Might Be Giants. Party starts at 6 p.m.; concert at 8 p.m.
Death Comes to Carlyle House
Alexandria
Fridays in October, 6-9 p.m.
The, possibly legit haunted, mansion is open for some seasonal fights with tours that explore death and mourning in the 18th century.
