Twenty years of Halloweek. Twenty years of fake blood, fog machines, and people insisting “Halloween’s their personality now.” And you know what? We respect it. For one glorious week, Richmond drops the pretense and remembers who it really is, a city that loves costumes, chaos, and a good excuse to cut loose.
Halloween isn’t for just kids anymore. It’s for the rest of us: the overworked, the underpaid, and the ones still clinging to the last scraps of imagination. You want to be a vampire for a night? Fine. Be one. The rent’s still due on the first.
So if the calendar looks like a horror movie and you’re not sure where to start, don’t panic. We’ve done the dirty work. This is your Halloweek roadmap to every haunted house, bar crawl, and questionable decision worth making.
And let’s be honest: if there’s a bar, there’s a Halloween party. We’re not listing them all. You already know where to find trouble. — Salty Oldman
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24 — HALLOWEEK KICKOFF
7 PM | The Exorcist at The Byrd Theatre
There’s no better way to start Halloweek than with a classic. The Byrd is screening The Exorcist (1973) on 35 mm, still one of the scariest films ever made, even fifty years later. It’s part of their week-long lineup of Halloween favorites, so you can come back all weekend if you survive this one. Tickets $9.
Red Vein Haunted Corn Field @ Hanover Vegetable Farm
Born from five years of planning and a lifetime of nightmares, RED VEIN Haunted House has been terrifying Richmond since 2016. Led by Ryan Sligh, Kitty Barnes, and David Hayworth, the attraction combines an immersive storyline, movie-quality sets, and a mix of indoor and outdoor frights that blur the line between fun and fear. Not recommended for kids under 13, or for anyone who thinks they’re brave.
Terror on the Farm @ Ashland Berry Farm
A Central Virginia staple, Ashland Berry Farm turns its quiet fields into Black Water Bayou and Psycho Path 3D, two massive haunted attractions that run select nights October 3 through November 2. Bring friends who run slower than you.
Creepy Hollow Scream Park 2025
If you’re looking for full-on nightmare fuel, Creepy Hollow is it, a twisting maze of live actors, animatronics, and illusions just ten minutes from Short Pump. It’s Richmond’s longest-running professional haunt for a reason: screams per square foot.
10 PM | Electric Jungle @ LOSO
Richmond’s drum & bass faithful converge at LOSO for Electric Jungle, featuring Joanna O., DJ Slant, Ken Lazee, Seany Ranks & J. Split, spinning everything from deep rollers to floor-smashers. A collab between Turnstyle, 2 Tuff DC, and Cadence crews, this one’s a can’t-miss launch into Halloweek’s madness.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25 — ZOMBIES, SYNTHS & DAY DRINKS
1 PM | Richmond Zombie Walk
It’s back from the dead, again. The Richmond Zombie Walk lurches through Byrd Park and into Carytown this Saturday, bringing hundreds of undead weirdos together for one of the city’s longest-running Halloween traditions. Expect fake blood, bad moans, and the occasional parent trying to explain why that man’s intestines look so real. Whether you’re stumbling with the horde or watching from the sidewalk, it’s Richmond at its best, creepy, chaotic, and community-driven. The pre-walk meetup and costume contests kick off at 1 PM in Byrd Park, with the walk starting around 2:30.
6 PM | Richmond Kickers Fan Appreciation Night @ City Stadium
Halloween weekend meets soccer fever as the Richmond Kickers close out their season with Fan Appreciation Night at City Stadium. Expect giveaways, raffles, and prizes all evening, plus that signature Kickers chaos in the stands. It’s family-friendly by design but still rowdy enough to count as a Halloweek event. Dress loud, bring friends, and maybe a costume that can survive a goal celebration.
3 PM | P’s and Q’s Annual Spooktacular @ Get Tight Lounge
The crew at Get Tight keeps the party rolling early with the third annual Spooktacular, live music from P’s and Q’s, cold drinks, and good-natured weirdness. A daytime bash that bleeds into night.
6 PM | Sacred @ Mocha Mart
Mocha Mart turns into a buzzing DIY space for a night of local music and late-night sets from White Oak, DJ Austin, DJ Alley, and Saint + Friends. The vibes are underground, the energy’s high, and the price (free) is right.
9 PM | Italoween @ Cobra Cabana
If you’ve ever wished Halloween came with more glitter and fewer screams, this is your spot. Hypercolor presents Italoween, a night of Hi-NRG Italo disco and synthpop with Ben Speed and DJ Devolved on deck. Expect silver jumpsuits, neon moonlight, and maybe a few vampires dancing to Giorgio Moroder.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26 — SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL MONSTERS
6–10 PM | WRIR Monster Masquerade @ Studio Two Three
Public radio, but make it spooky. WRIR 97.3 FM’s annual Monster Masquerade is back at Studio Two Three, part fundraiser, part fever dream, and 100% Richmond. Expect live performances from League of Space Pirates, Crack Fox, Invictus, and Nu Rodeo Cabonita Burlesque, plus raffles, a photo booth, and a cash bar to keep spirits high (literally and figuratively). Costumes encouraged. Dancing inevitable.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 27 — BRASS, BOOZE & BAD DECISIONS
8 PM | Pay Rent Brass Band & Friends @ Get Tight Lounge
It’s a Monday, technically, but don’t let that stop you. Pay Rent Brass Band and friends are bringing full-volume brass chaos to Get Tight Lounge for a Halloween blowout that’ll make Tuesday irrelevant. Expect horns, sweat, and a dance floor that doesn’t quit. Hip Hop Henry keeps the groove going inside after the show.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28 — COUNTRY GHOULS & CHEAP BEERS
8:30 PM | Honky Tonk Tuesdays @ Fuzzy Cactus
Sometimes the scariest thing you can do is grab a mic. Fuzzy Cactus keeps the midweek energy alive with Honky Tonk Tuesdays, a free country karaoke night with $3.33 beers, free pool, and plenty of twang. You don’t have to sing well, just loud. Dust off your boots, tip your bartender, and lean into the yee-haunt.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29 — MIDWEEK CREEPSHOW
6 PM | ICA Fright Night @ Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU
The ICA’s screens go dark and weird for Fright Night, a showcase of independent horror films curated by Renn Trani. Expect short films, experimental scares, and maybe a few jump cuts that stick with you on the walk back to your car.
10 PM | Acid’s Groove @ Get Tight Lounge
Take a breather from the blood and guts. Hip Hop Henry and Billy Crystal Fingers return with Acid’s Groove, spinning deep cuts of acid jazz, rare grooves, and 90s trip-hop. A low-lit lounge night for the heads who still know how to move slow.
10:30 PM | Boney Blingo @ Sticky Rice
The annual undead bingo riot returns. It’s bingo, it’s weird, and it’s way too loud. Expect bones, prizes, and a few unholy surprises. Grab a roll, grab a drink, and try not to lose your soul in the chaos.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30 — HALLOW’S EVE
8 PM | Bucko, Deathcat & Hotspit @ Get Tight Lounge
Get Tight goes live with a stacked bill of local favorites: Bucko, Deathcat, and Hotspit. Expect fuzzy guitars, sweaty hugs, and maybe a few costumes that shouldn’t work but somehow do. Presented by Get Tight Productions.
8 PM | Sabrina54 Soirée @ Brambly Park
If your vibe leans more sequins than screams, Brambly Park’s got you covered. DJ Pizza spins Sabrina Carpenter and other pop anthems for a night of pure sparkle. Dress to impress, costume contest, espresso martinis, themed cocktails, and a spooky menu all included.
8 PM | Nu Metal Halloween @ The Camel
Somewhere between nostalgia and chaos lies this lineup: local bands covering Deftones, Slipknot, System of a Down, and Korn. Expect sweat, screaming, and at least one guy in a gas mask. The Camel’s Nu Metal Halloween is a guaranteed headbanger’s paradise.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31 — HALLOWEEN NITE!
Evening | Halloween on Hanover Avenue
Every Richmonder should walk Hanover on Halloween at least once. The whole neighborhood turns into an open-air movie set with massive props, fog machines, and skeletons pouring martinis on porches. You’ll see kids sprinting for king-size Snickers while adults sip cider on stoops pretending this is “for the children.” It’s pure local magic.
7 PM | All the Saints Theater Company Parade (Oregon Hill)
When the brass starts up in Oregon Hill, you follow the sound. All The Saints Theater Company’ 20th annual parade brings handmade puppets, marching bands, and masked misfits into the streets for one of Richmond’s most beloved Halloween rituals. Anyone can join, just show up in costume and try to keep up with the drums.
6 PM | Dead Celebrity Ball @ Harry’s at Hofheimer
Three floors of glitz and ghouls inside the 1928 Hofheimer Building. Live sets by Solacoustix and DJ Ghozt, drag performers working the crowd, and a “Dead Celebrity” costume contest that always gets wild. It’s equal parts Hollywood after-party and haunted mansion. Advance tickets strongly recommended.
7 PM | Halloween Metal Party @ Another Round Bar & Grill
If your idea of “spirit” involves double bass and distortion, head to Another Round. Pissing Razors, Single Bullet Theory, Shovelhead A.D., and Time Eater rip through the night while the Armageddon Angels host a costume contest that’s more demolition derby than runway. Loud, sweaty, unapologetic.
7 PM | Gallery5 Halloween Party
The Church of G5 hosts Imaginary Boys as The Cure and Gold to Rust as The Sisters of Mercy. Post-punk, eyeliner, and just enough fog to lose your friends in.
8 PM | a dope. Halloween @ Cobra Cabana
The dope. Collective takes over Cobra Cabana’s patio for an outdoor party heavy on local energy and low on pretense. Cheap drinks, good beats, and that familiar Cabana chaos that feels like home.
8 PM | Shaun J. Wright + Casey West @ LOSO
House heads, this one’s yours. Chicago’s Shaun J. Wright brings proper underground heat to LOSO with Casey West on support. Expect sweat, sequins, and basslines you can feel in your spine. Costumes optional but strongly encouraged.
8 PM | Susie’s Spooky Dance Party @ Susie’s Deli
It shouldn’t work, but it does. Susie’s Deli clears the tables for DJs Devolved and Dogpants, spinning new wave and synth-pop from 10 PM to 2 AM. Think Talking Heads meets Beetlejuice in a sandwich shop.
8 PM | The Purge RVA @ Parlay Bar & Lounge
3117 W Leigh St | LX Group’s annual night of total lawlessness (within reason). DJs, flashing lights, and a crowd that commits to the bit. You’ve been warned.
9 PM | Daft Disko, French House & Disco Halloween @ Ember
A glitter-soaked dance marathon inspired by Daft Punk, Justice, Breakbot, and every French producer who ever made you feel like the main character. 18+ event. Bring shades.
8 PM | Monster’s Ball @ Fallout RVA
Fallout goes full production for Halloween: DJs, cage dancers, and a photo booth that will definitely see something it can’t unsee.
11 AM | Addis Ethiopian Halloween Party @ Addis Ethiopian
An all-day family-friendly bash with music, food, and costumes. Come for the injera, stay for the vibes.
7 PM | The Rocky Horror Show w/ Richmond Triangle Players & Richmond Symphony
Carpenter Theatre | Tickets from $20. One night only: the cult classic with full orchestral backing. Fishnets optional but highly respected.
10 PM | Bingo Beer Co. Halloween Party
Because even craft beer needs a costume. DJ starts at 10, prizes for best dressed, and plenty of seasonal brews to keep things blurry.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1 — AFTERLIFE SHOWS
7 PM | Boooooz Crawl @ The Veil
Can’t stop, won’t stop. The Veil’s Boooooz Crawl keeps Halloweek alive for one last night in Scott’s Addition. Remedy will be slinging burgers out back while DJ Hip Hop Henry keeps the beats bumping from 7 to 11 PM. There’s a costume contest at 9 PM, so don’t pack up the wigs and fake blood just yet. Consider this the unofficial after-party for a city that never learned moderation.
7 PM | Paul Bielatowicz’s Nosferatu Live Undead @ Attucks Theatre
If you’d rather end your Halloweek on an artful note, head to Norfolk’s historic Attucks Theatre for Nosferatu Live Undead. Guitar virtuoso Paul Bielatowicz performs an original live score to the 1922 silent horror classic, blending looping, visuals, and gothic theatrics into something between a concert and a séance. It’s eerie, beautiful, and the perfect epilogue to a week of beautiful weirdness.
Wrap-Up
There it is, folks, your Halloweek 2025 guide. Whether you’re scaring yourself silly, partying all night, or pretending you’re too cool for it all, Richmond’s got something for everyone. So get out there, make some questionable choices, and blame the sugar coma for whatever happens next.
Photo: Richmond Halloween Parade 2024 by Michael Simon
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