If the houses in your neighborhood are too far apart for quality trick-or-treating, fear not! Malls and town centers all over NoVA will be handing out candy this year.
Lucky for us, shopping centers, malls, and even whole towns in Northern Virginia are very Halloween-friendly. Between organized costume contests, games, and crafts, you'll have all the bases covered at these local venues. The best thing is, the events listed below are all FREE! Sketch out a plan for the optimal candy-to-walking ratio, and watch the goodies roll in!
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Events Before Halloween
Historic Manassas and the Manassas City Police Department will be hosting a Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 26, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. This is just part of the "Haunted Happenings" that day in the historic downtown neighborhood. Trick-or-treaters can collect goodies from downtown merchants, and everyone can participate in outdoor games and a costume contest. For more information, visit the Historic Manassas Facebook page. Address: 9431 West Street in Manassas, VA
Mall-o-Ween at Dulles Town Center will be on Saturday, October 26, this year, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Experience Halloween craft workshops, face-painting, and a magic show at 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. Trick-or-treating will be throughout the entire mall, so wear comfortable shoes! Visit the Dulles Town Center event page for more information. Address: 21100 Dulles Town Circle in Dulles, VA
Olde Towne Winchester will be hosting an Olde Towne Halloween Faire on Saturday, October 26, from 4 to 9 p.m. Participating stores and restaurants will have decorated front windows, and kids can work off their energy going from door to door. At 7 p.m. there will be a special screening of Hocus Pocus at the Taylor Pavilion. Address: 1 North Loudoun Street in Winchester, VA
Trick-or-Treating at Reston Town Center will be throughout the mall on Saturday, October 26, from 12 to 4 p.m. Look for stores and restaurants with a candy flyer in their windows, and get those treats! Visit the Reston Town Center Facebook page for more information. Address: 11900 Market Street in Reston, VA
Events on Halloween
Halloween at Ballston Quarter starts at 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 31, with trick-or-treating throughout the mall and finishing with a special screening of Hocus Pocus at dusk. Get your photo taken with some of your favorite characters or the Washington Capitals' mascot, Slapshot! Check out the event page for more information. Address: 4238 Wilson BLVD in Arlington, VA
Carlyle House Historic Park in Old Town Alexandria is hosting its annual Trick-or-Treat event on Thursday, October 31, from 4 to 6 p.m. Costumed visitors can roam for treats and participate in games and craft workshops. For more information about the event, visit the official event page. Address: 121 North Fairfax Street in Alexandria, VA
Fair Oaks Mall is hosting the annual Mall-o-ween event on October 31, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Candy stations will be set up throughout the mall at participating stores. Balloon artists, face-painting, and a costume parade will ensure a fun time for children of all ages. Visit the Fair Oaks Mall Facebook event page for more details. Address: 11750 Fair Oaks Mall in Fairfax, VA
In addition to all of these larger, sponsored events, plenty of smaller shopping centers and churches will be hosting trick-or-treaters, too. Keep an eye out for posted signs and start your trick-or-treating plan today!
