ALL MONTH

Exhibit Boost and IMAX films Flight of the Butterflies,  Hubble and Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk at the Science Museum of Virginia.

Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through October 27th
Howl-o-Scream.  6pm-10pm.  Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, VA.  At 6pm, There are serious scares when Busch Gardens becomes a more menacing place.  Fee.

Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through October 27th
Halloween Haunt.  King Dominion.  Each weekend night, Kings Dominion transforms into a horror-filled nightmare. From mazes with terrifying creatures around every corner to thrill rides that’ll haunt your dreams, it’s everything you fear and can’t wait to experience. Not for anyone under 13.  Fee.

Every Saturday and Sunday through October 27th
Planet Spooky.  Noon-5pm.  Kings Dominion.  Little Ghouls and Goblins will absolutely love this street party of frightful fun with Snoopy and the PEANUTS gang in this new daytime event for families – Planet Spooky. There are all sorts of Halloween-themed activities for kids to do that are fun-scary, not scary-scary including a petting zoo, foam pit, pumpkin painting and more!.  Fee.

Every Friday and Saturday Night in October
Petersburg Haunts Tour.  7pm-8pm.   Petersburg Courthouse, Petersburg, VA.  Find out why Petersburg is such a “spirited” city and visit some of the town’s most historic buildings. Hour-long tours are led by costumed, lantern-carrying storytellers. Reservations required: 804-943-8635.  Fee.

Every Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday through October 27th
Fall Harness Racing.   Noon-5pm.  Colonial Downs, 10515 Colonial Downs Parkway New Kent, VA.  Pacers and trotters compete on a one turn mile racetrack. Fee.

Monday, October 21st 

Garden Art Studio.  1pm-3pm.  Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.  Drop-in the Garden Art Studio beside the hidden tunnel and unfold your creative energy. Use provided materials to collaborate, explore and reflect on your own Garden experience.  Free with garden admission.

Read 2 Rover.  6:30pm-7:30pm.  Ettrick-Matoaca Library, Chesterfield.  For children struggling with reading, the comfort and companionship of the therapy dogs helps to turn something stressful into an activity that is fun and soothing. No registration is required. For more information call 804-768-7941.  Other dates and locations available – check the website.  Free.

You Can’t Make Me!  Parenting the Defiant Child (Parents of Children 2-6 yrs.).  6:30-8:30pm.   Delivered by Commonwealth Parenting.  Fee.

Family Game Night.  7pm-8pm.  Twin Hickory Library, Henrico County.  Free.

Tuesday, October 22nd

Ancient America.  10am-11am.  Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – Preschool Programs.  Fee.

Ancient America.  2pm-3pm.  Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – Preschool Programs.  Fee.

Garden Explorations for Families- Trees. 3:30pm.  Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens. Children (all ages) with accompanying adult. Enjoy story time and a fun-filled adventure while exploring different areas of the Garden. Observe your surroundings using a variety of hands-on activities and take-home treasures. Themes change each month and new stories, activities and garden areas are introduced each week. Garden Explorations for Families is an excellent opportunity for homeschoolers! Fee.

Read 2 Rover.  4:30pm-5:30pm.  Central Library,  Chesterfield, VA.  For children struggling with reading, the comfort and companionship of the therapy dogs helps to turn something stressful into an activity that is fun and soothing. No registration is required. For more information call 804-768-7941. Other dates and locations available – check the website.   Free.

Raising the Resilient Child (Parents of Children 0-5 yrs.).  6:30-8:30pm.   Delivered by Commonwealth Parenting.  Fee.

Halloween Party.  7pm-8pm.  Varina Library, Henrico County.  Inviting all ghosts and ghouls to enjoy stories, a craft and refreshments. Be sure to wear your costume. Free.

Wednesday, October 23rd

Colors for All.  11am-Noon.  Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – Preschool Programs.  Fee.

Drop in and Dig!  1pm.  Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.  Families with children are invited to drop-in and participate in simple, easy to learn gardening tasks under the guidance of Children’s Garden staff and volunteers. These family-oriented gardening experiences can easily be enjoyed at home. So join us to learn how much fun gardening with children can be!   Free with Garden Admission.

Busy Hands.  3:30pm – 4pm.  Twin Hickory Library, Henrico County.  Preschoolers can make bat-o-lanterns. Dress for a mess. Free.

ADHD Students: Paths to Success (For Parents of School-aged Children).  6pm-8pm.  Delivered by Commonwealth Parenting.  Fee.

Polymer Clay Jewelry.  6pm-7pm.   Fairfield Library, Henrico County.  Learn how to make your own tiny food jewelry out of polymer clay. For Ages 11 and up. Call 804-290-9000 to register.  Fee.

Knot Tying.  6pm-8pm.  Rockwood Park, Chesterfield, VA.  Ages 12 and up will learn several different tying techniques. Register: 804-748-1623. Fee.

Read 2 Rover.  6:30pm-7:30pm.  CloverHill Library, Chesterfield.  For children struggling with reading, the comfort and companionship of the therapy dogs helps to turn something stressful into an activity that is fun and soothing. No registration is required. For more information call 804-768-7941.  Other dates and locations available – check the website.  Free.

Thursday , October 24th

Celebrating Symbols.  4:15pm-6pm.  Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – Kids Programs.  Fee.

Positive Ways to Get Your Children to “Listen” to You (Parents of Children 5-11 yrs.).   6pm-8pm.  Delivered by Commonwealth Parenting.  Fee.

How to Manage Feelings (Parents of Children 2-5 yrs.). 6pm-8pm.  Delivered by Commonwealth Parenting.  Fee.

Halloween Parade and Movie.  6:30pm-7:30pm.   Atlee Library, Mechanicsville, VA.  March in the parade of costumes and watch for the Great Pumpkin! For ages 3-5. Refreshments provided by the Friends of the Atlee Library. (804) 559-0654.  Free.

Thursday , October 24th & Friday, October 25th

Not So Scary Halloween Jump.  Pump It Up Hanover. The entire facility will be decorated with “Not so scary” Halloween decorations! A fun experience of music, disco lights, jumping, laughing and having a “spooktacular” blast! Costume contest and Halloween craft, as well as fun activities throughout the store and a treat for each child! This event will not be too scary and is appropriate for all ages. (Must be at least 34″ tall and 2 years old to play on our equipment.)  Plus, enjoy delicious pizza in our decorated party rooms! Fee.

Thursday, October 24th – Sunday, October 27th

SPARC presents My Son Pinocchio Jr.  7:30pm.  Richmond CenterStage, Gottwald Playhouse.  Visit the website for show times and fees.  In Disney’s My Son Pinocchio, Jr. the classic tale of toymaker Geppetto’s little wooden puppet is given new life. This new musical, which retells the classic Disney story from Geppetto’s perspective, features the beloved classic songs “When You Wish Upon a Star” and “I’ve Got No Strings,” alongside a host of new songs by master melodist Stephen Schwartz, tackling timely issues about what it means to be “the perfect child”- and what it means to be “a real father.”

Friday, October 25th

Pumpkin Festival.  5pm-7pm.  Gayton Crossing Shopping Center.  Trick or treat with Gayton Crossing Merchants, Costume Parade with Fire Truck at 5:15, and more!  Free.

5th Annual Halloween Bash.  5:30pm-7:30pm.  All Richmond Romp n’ Roll Locations.  Mummy and Daddy, bring your little pumpkins to Romp n’ Roll this Halloween for a not-so-scary good time.  Crafts, games, raffles, gym play and snacks. Fun for the whole family! All Richmond Romp n’ Roll locations. $10 per child or $20 per family. Space is limited; call 804-364-6363 to reserve your space today!

Mad Science Halloween Party.  6pm-10pm.  Enjoy a nice night out while Mad Science watches your precious little ghouls and goblins.  But beware, they may be having so much fun they don’t want to go back!  The night will include pizza, a fun science show, radioactive atomic glow slime making, fun Halloween games and activities, and a fun (non-spooky) Halloween movie!  We may even spin some yummy spider webs to eat (cotton candy).  Cost $30 per child ($25 siblings).  Grades K-5.   Call 359.1500 to register.

Monster Mash.   6pm-9pm.  Dorey Recreation Center.  Ghosts and goblins will haunt Dorey Recreation Center for this fun family event!  Take a ride on the hay wagon down the spooky trail provided by the Varina High School Key Club, if you dare!  Do the monster mash to rocking music, create creepy crafts, play side-splitting contests and games, and dress to impress for a one-of-a-kind costume contest at 8pm. Concessions will be available for purchase.  Information: 501-5808.  Free.

Fearless Friday.  6pm-9pm.  Challenge Discovery, 28 Westhampton Way University of Richmond.   experience a two-level high ropes course that is more than a football field in length. The Odyssey Course is comprised of 8 different team challenges, 4 at the 25 ft. level and 4 at the 40 ft. level. At the end, climbers race down to the ground on dual zip lines. Participants must be at least 12.  Fee.

SpookieFUNFest.  Activities, begin at 6pm, and movie begins around 7:30pm.   Poor Farm Park, 13400 Liberty School Road, Ashland.  Hanover County Parks and Recreation hosts a free night featuring Taylor, the fun and friendly mascot! Ages up to 11 are invited to wear their favorite costume flashlight candy hunts, games, Taylor’s “Lil Frankenstein” Monster Mash dance area, and trick-or-treating followed by the featured drive-in movie, “Hotel Transylvania.” Bring a flashlight and trick or treat bag. Concession items will be available for purchase.   Free.

A “Spooktacular” Kids Night Out.  6pm-9pm.  Simply FIT, 2830 Ackley   Avenue, Suite 103, Richmond, VA23228.  Kids, ages 2 and up, are invited to dress up and drop in for an action-packed night of fun and games. This “spooktacular” event includes pizza, a movie, and age-appropriate games, crafts, tricks, treats, and more! Prizes will be given for the most realistic, most creative, cutest, and scariest costumes! Call (804) 262-7777 or visit www.simplyfitkids.com to register. Space is limited. Fee.

It’s a SNAKE.  6:30-7pm.  Rockwood Park, Chesterfield County. Learn about Virginia’s snakes and interact with some reptiles. Register: 804-748-1623.  Fee.

Movie in the Pumpkin Patch.  7pm.  Tom Leonard’s Farmer’s Market.  A free movie in the outdoor haybale theatre.  Enjoy warm cider and hot chocolate.

Haunted Lantern Tour.  7pm-10pm.   Magnolia Grange, Chesterfield, VA.  Take a guided tour of the house and grounds and hear ghost stories from long ago. Talk to paranormal Investigators and learn what they discovered at the site. Registration required, call 804-796-7121 for information.

Jump-n-Jam Tween Night.  8pm-11pm.   Pump It Up Hanover.  Kids ages 10–15 enjoy pizza, race through the obstacle course, play basketball and dance around the disco lights. Fee.

Friday, October 25th – Sunday, November 3rd 

Narnia by CharacterWorks.    Tomahawk Creek Middle School Theatre.  The first and most famous story of The Chronicles of Narnia has become a musical presentation of this unique, enchanted world filled with creatures and spirits of myth and fable, both good and evil, demonic and transcendent.

Saturday, October 26th

Pumpkin Palooza.  Innsbrook Picnic Area, Cox Rd Glen Allen, VA.  Look for pumpkins flying through the air as they are launched by trebuchets into the lake by competing teams. Pumpkin carvings, face painting, pony rides, hot mulled cider and much more.

Babysitting Workshop.  9am-4pm.   Chesterfield Parks & Rec Administration, American Red Cross certified program for ages 11 – 15. Register: 804-748-1623.  Fee.

Boot Camp for New Dads.  9am-Noon.   First Things First of Greater Richmond.  New dads learn from other “veteran” dads how to care for their children and support their spouse. Register: 804-288-3431. Fee.

Spooky Party.  9:30pm-5pm.  Children’s Museum of Richmond – Central.  Give your children’s costume a test run. Halloween themed games and activities will be played throughout the day. Don’t worry, there’s nothing scary about the Children’s Museum of Richmond’s Spooky Party!  Free with museum admission of $8 per person.  Free for members.

Just Say BOO! A Musical Costume Party!  10:00am-10:40am or 11:00am-11:40am.  Melody Magic Music Studio — 3041 Lauderdale Drive.  A musical playdate for children ages 0-7 years!  This is a perfect fit for this time of year! Feel free to come dressed up as a princess, prince, pirate, superhero, animal, or anything you like! We will move and groove to some favorite Halloween tunes (nothing scary!). Your child will love getting dressed up and using their imagination in this awesome class! Cost is $10/child, and advance registration is required. Register online at www.melodymagicmusic.com.

Little Hikers.   10am-11am.  Three Lakes Nature Center, Henrico County.   Take a hike around the lake and make stops along the way to explore the great outdoors.  For ages 4 – 5. Register: 804-501-7275.  Fee.

Tree Traits – October Oddities.  10am-2pm.  Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.  Tree knees, witches broom and galls – Find out more about these tree oddities.  Free with regular garden admission.

Spooky Side of Nature.  10:30am.  Maymont Nature Center & Maymont Grounds.  Discover the fascinating facts behind the Halloween animals that make us go “eek!” After our creepy creature encounters, create a spook-tacular trick or treat bag. Ages 5 and older. Register by October 25. Fee.

Richmond Symphony Union First Market Bank Lollipops: Carnivals and Clowns.  11am.  Richmond CenterStage.  Come one, come all for this colorful celebration of clowns and the circus! This program features a special retelling of the Russian tale of Petrushka, a straw puppet that comes to life accompanied by Igor Stravinsky’s brilliant musical score.  Pre-Concert Festival fun starts at 10AM starring the Instrument Petting Zoo, games and activities presented in partnership with the Children’s Museum of Richmond and WCVE PBS.  Fee.

Spiders Football Kid’s Club Game: Richmond  vs. Towson.  Noon.  Robins Stadium, University of Richmond.  Children 13 and under can join the Kid’s Club to get FREE tickets! Call 1-877-SPIDER-1 for more info.

Scarytown.  Noon-5pm.  Trick or Treat in Carytown.  Look for the “pumpkin” in the merchant’s window that says “come in for Scarytown treats”. They have agreed to participate in Scarytown safe trick or treating.   Pumpkin Crafting from 2-5pm
In the Wells Fargo Parking Lot – Pumpkins decorated by school children will be sold to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  Go early to avoid the Zombies!  Free.

Halloween – El Dia de los Muertos.  Noon-4pm.  The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen.  n conjunction with the Latin Ballet of Virginia, The Center invites the community to this celebration with live music, dancing, arts & crafts and sweets-and-treats. Sponsored by Erie Insurance. Information: 804-261-ARTS(2787).  Free.

Boulevard Pumpkin Festival.  Noon-6pm.  Scott’s Addition, Roseneath Rd, Richmond, VA.   An all ages event with vendors and a kids area, come in costume. Free.

Halloween Storytime & Activities.   1pm-3pm.  Barnes and Noble Chesterfield.  Join us for a very scary Halloween Storytime featuring Go Away, Big Green Monster! Activities, costume parades and treats.

Celebrate Hollywood: Costume Party!  1pm-4pm.  Virginia Museum of Fine Arts –  Family Programs.  Come in costume (from monsters to princesses) and explore the art of cinema! Participate in storyboarding, script writing, setting up props, and role-playing. Connecting literary, performing, and visual arts, this event includes puppet shows by the Barefoot Puppet Theater, puppet-making and costume-making activities, expressive pumpkin carving, and face painting! Prizes for the best costumes will be distributed throughout the event. Celebrate Hollywood: Costume Party! is generously supported in part by The CarMax Foundation.  Free.

Spooktacular Halloween Festival.  1pm-3pm.  Westchester Commons, 288 and Midlothian Turnpike.   Enjoy hayrides, children’s costume contest, pumpkin decorating, games, and trick-or-treating.  Free.

Minds in Motion.  1pm-3pm.   Henrico Theatre.  Richmond Ballet’s Minds in Motion Team XXL performs their energetic show. Reservations required: 804-328-4491.  Free.

Behind the Scenes.  1pm.  Maymont Nature Center.  Walk through the Employees Only door for a special peek at the inner workings of the Maymont Nature Center.  Fee.

Food Allergy Friendly Trunk or Treat.  4pm-6pm.   Cheswick Park, Henrico County.  Dress up in costume and decorate your trunk with a theme, bring a bowl of allergy-free candy or non-food treats avoiding the main 8 allergens. All packaging will be double-checked by an organizer. Non food-allergy kids are also welcome to participate. Register by texting 804-723-1239.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk.  5pm Reg opens.  7pm walk begins.  The Light The Night Walk funds lifesaving cancer research, patient services, and advocacy for the best treatments possible.  Friends, families and co-workers form fundraising teams, and their efforts culminate in inspirational, memorable evening walks in nearly 200 communities each fall.  In Richmond, we gather at The Virginia Historical Society at 5 PM, and through Carytown.  Fee.

SpookieFUNFest.  Activities, begin at 6pm, and movie begins around 7:30pm.   Pole Green Park, 8996 Pole Green Park Lane, Mechanicsville.  Hanover County Parks and Recreation hosts a free night featuring Taylor, the fun and friendly mascot! Ages up to 11 are invited to wear their favorite costume flashlight candy hunts, games, Taylor’s “Lil Frankenstein” Monster Mash dance area, and trick-or-treating followed by the featured drive-in movie, “Hotel Transylvania.” Bring a flashlight and trick or treat bag. Concession items will be available for purchase.   Free.

Hallowe’en Graveyard Tour.  6pm-8pm.   St.   John’s Church, Church Hill.  Spirits represented are George Wythe and Eliza Poe Tours begin every twenty minutes, last tour begins at 7:40pm.  Fee.

Hauntings and Spooky Stories.  7pm-8pm.  Meadow Farm Museum, Henrico County.  Join in the fun around the campfire as storytellers spin tales of hauntings and strange happenings.  Free.

Sunday, October 27th

Goblins and Gourds. 1pm-4pm.  Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.   Celebrate harvest-time in the Children’s Garden with a concert by the Richmond Indigenous Gourd Orchestra, pumpkin painting, seasonal food tasting, hoop dancing and more! It’s a great chance to get outside, be active and enjoy the beauty of the season. Free with regular garden admission.

Squirreloween.  2pm-6pm.  The Diamond, 3001 N Boulevard, Richmond, VA.  Dress up as your favorite Flying Squirrels mascot or Super Hero for the 3rd Annual Squirreloween.  Fans can enjoy trick or treating throughout the suites and enjoy hayrides around the field.  This event is FREE to the public, questions contact the Flying Squirrels front office at 804-359-3866 or visit www.squirrelsbaseball.com.

Pumpkin Party.  2pm-3pm.  Eastern Henrico Recreation Center.  Ages 4 and up with an adult will paint or carve a pumpkin to keep the ghouls and goblins away. All materials are provided.  Call 804-501-7275 to register. Fee.

Read 2 Rover.  6pm-7pm.  Chester Library, Chesterfield.  For children struggling with reading, the comfort and companionship of the therapy dogs helps to turn something stressful into an activity that is fun and soothing. No registration is required. For more information call 804-768-7941.  Other dates and locations available – check the website.  Free.

Richmond Symphony Come and Play Concert.   6pm-7pm.  Siegel Center at VCU.  Enjoy a concert with the Richmond Symphony.  Musicians of all ages and levels of ability are invited to bring their instruments and play alongside the musicians of the Richmond Symphony and  musicians of all levels and abilities.  Free.