Haunted houses aren’t for everyone…and by everyone, I mean me. I get scared if the wind blows in the wrong direction around Halloween. But there are those of you, and you know who you are, who can’t seem to get enough when it comes to spooky celebrations, ghostly gatherings, and, of course, haunted houses.
If your fascination with fear inevitably leads you to seek out creepy cornfields and haunted happenings, then you’re in luck. We’ve found some of the most terrifying haunted houses, fear-filled farms, and ghoulish ghost tours to satisfy even the bravest of souls. And just so you know, we’ve also thrown in a few milder events that may not be good for little ones, but will still offer your older kids plenty of thrills.
While we won’t be joining you for the spookier of attractions….we wish you happy haunting all the same!
Special Events
(Chronological order)
Count Dracula
September 14 – October 20
Get prepared for Halloween in the grandest style at Swift Creek Mill Theatre. In this witty, wonderful and often funny re-telling of the legendary story about the suave Count with a lust for blood, audiences will be delighted by flying bats, secret passageways, howling wolves, and the spectacular disappearance of the fanged vampire. While this show is fun for many ages, it may not be suitable for younger audiences.
When: September 14 – October 20, 2018; click here for showtimes.
Cost: Adult – $40; Dining – $17 plus meal tax; Senior, Military & Student Tickets Available
Costumes? No
Ages: Content may not be suitable for young children.
Swift Creek Mill Theatre
17401 Jefferson Davis Highway
Chesterfield, VA 23834
(804) 748-5203
Murder at the Manor: A Time Traveling Mystery Living History Tour
October 18 & 19
Help solve a 17th-century crime! William, the Steward of the Manor, has been murdered, and there are plenty of suspects. After hearing about the haunting during a 1920s cocktail party, visitors will be transported back to the 1630s to “meet” the members of the household and guess who committed the crime. Do you have the detective skills to solve this mystery? Advanced registration and payment is NECESSARY due to limited space.
When: October 18 & 19, 2018; There are showtimes at 6pm and 8pm both days
Cost: $10; Register here.
Costumes? No
Ages: For adult audiences only.
Agecroft Hall
4305 Sulgrave Road
Richmond, VA 23221
(804) 353-4241
Fancy Me Mad: Graveyard Tour and Tales from Edgar Allen Poe
October 20
Join The St. John’s Church Foundation and members of the Poe Museum for a walk through the hauntingly historic St. John’s graveyard just in time for Halloween. You’ll be paid a visit by the spirits of Eliza Poe (Edgar Allan Poe’s mother); George Wythe and his murderous nephew; T.W. White, Poe’s Editor at the Southern Literary Messenger; Dr. McClurg, Revolutionary War surgeon, and more! At 7pm, head inside the church for spine-tingling stories from Poe himself. There are TWO SEATINGS in the church where Edgar Allan Poe will read tales of mystery and suspense (6pm & 7pm – 30 minutes each seating). Purchase tickets online here.
When: October 20, 2018; 5:30pm – 8pm
Cost: Youth (7-12) – $10; Adults – $15
Costumes? No
Ages: Not recommended for children under 7.
Historic St. John’s Church
2401 E. Broad St
Richmond, VA 23223
(804) 648-5015
Spooktacular Spirited History Dinner
October 25
Come out to Swift Creek Mill for an evening of devilishly delicious food and supernatural stories from Spirited History. Spirited History is a team of paranormal investigators from Virginia who have been investigating the unknown for over 10 years. Between each hauntingly delicious dinner course, the directors of Spirited History, LeeAnne Ball and Angela Ghataora, will be telling ghostly tales with horrifying history from their teams’ paranormal investigations.
When: October 25, 2017; 6pm – 8pm
Cost: $40/person
Costumes? No
Ages: May not be ideal for younger participants.
Swift Creek Mill Theatre
17401 Jefferson Davis Highway
Chesterfield, VA 23834
(804) 748-5203
Voices from the Shadows: A Walk Through Hallowed Ground
October 26 & 27
Walk the hallowed, and notoriously haunted, grounds of Pamplin Historical Park for a thrilling look at the park like you’ve never seen it before. Join costumed interpreters posing as “agents of death” as they guide you by lantern in this after-dark tour. Tour the historic Tudor Hall Plantation and battlefield and at each stop, encounter civilians and soldiers who worked, fought and died at the historic site or in the local area. These ghostly figures are based on true figures who will recount their stories. Reservations are required, so be sure to book soon. Call (804) 861-2408 for reservations and directions.
When: October 26 and 27, 2018; Tours are available both days at 6:30pm and 8:30pm
Cost: $12/adults; $6/children (ages 6-12); Free to park members
Costumes? No
Ages: Family-friendly, but not recommended for children under 6
Pamplin Historical Park
6125 Boydton Plank Road
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 861-2408 or 1(877) PAMPLIN (877-726-7546)
Haunted Henricus: Things That Go Bump in the Night
October 26 & 27
As the sun goes down and darkness falls, gather around the fire at Henricus Historical Park for an evening of thrilling tales of old English and Native American myth, lore, and legend. Hear spine-tingling accounts from the homeland, just as the original colonists of Henricus might have told them. And just as the colonists would have experienced in the years 1607-1622, you’ll have chills as the shadows grow longer and danger lurks in the dark. To bring it all home, you’ll also have the chance to meet with Transcend Paranormal, a local investigation team, to learn about what’s been sighted at Henricus. Tours are on a first-come, first-serve basis leaving every 10-15 minutes with groups of 15-20 at a time. Light refreshments will be served. Registration is required. Call (804) 748-1611 to reserve your spot today.
When: October 26 and October 27, 2018; 7pm – 8:30am
Cost: $9/adults; $7/children (ages 6-12); Henricus Patrons free
Costumes? No
Ages: Not appropriate for children under the age of 6.
Henricus Historical Park
251 Henricus Park Rd
Chester, VA 23836
(804) 748-1611
Haunted Henricus Overnight Event
October 27 & 28
Summon your courage for a spook-filled night in the second oldest English settlement in America. Along with fellow campers, you’ll take part in a real-life paranormal investigation that will test your nerves and challenge your investigative skills. All participants must register by calling (804) 748-1611. Be sure to reserve your place soon because spots fill up quickly! Check-in is from 8:15-8:30pm. All participants in the Haunted Henricus Overnight Event are also invited to take the last Things That Go Bump in the Night tour at 8:30pm.
When: October 27 – October 28, 2018; 9pm – 9am
Cost: $25/person
Costumes? No
Ages: Not recommended for young children. Call for more details.
Henricus Historical Park
251 Henricus Park Rd
Chester, VA 23836
(804) 748-1611
Historic Haunt Night at Bacon’s Castle
October 27
If you’re the kind of thrill seeker who always searches for spirits in dark corners, then Bacon Castle’s Historic Haunt Night will satisfy your craving for creepy. Over the years, countless paranormal accounts have been recorded at Bacon’s Castle and this year, you could be part of the latest discovery. This event provides an exclusive opportunity to explore your curiosity into the unknown with the Center for Paranormal Research and Investigation who will be leading haunted tours every 30 minutes from 7:30pm until 1pm. A maximum of 16 people are allowed on each tour.
When: October 27, 2018; 7:30pm – 11:30pm. Tours run every 30 minutes with the last tour starting at 11pm.
Cost: $30/person.
Costumes? No
Ages: Not for children under 12 years old.
Bacon’s Castle
465 Bacons Castle Trail
Surry, VA 23883
(804) 648-1889
Richmond Zombie Walk
October 27
This October marks the 14th year of the Richmond Zombie Walk – an event that only seems to become more popular each year. Gear up with your creepiest “undead” finery and join other walkers at Boat Lake in Byrd Park around 1pm for rules, photos and prizes. This year’s costume contests include Most Disgusting, Best Couple/Group Theme, Best Pop Culture Theme, Best Zombie Kid, and 2018 Zombie of the Year (Best Overall). The walk will begin across from The Byrd Theatre in Carytown between 2:30pm and 3pm. From there, you’ll limp, lurch or otherwise drag yourself through the streets, ending back at The Byrd Theatre.
Just remember, this zombie extravaganza is all about having fun, so stay in character, but please don’t scare anyone who doesn’t want to participate. If you would like to participate but don’t want to be a zombie for the entire walk, volunteers are needed to be “victims” in the Carytown crowd, i.e., become “undead” as the Zombie horde passes by. The Richmond Zombie Walk benefits the American Cancer Society. Learn more online at Richmond Zombie Walk.
When: Saturday, October 27, 2018; Meet at 1pm, walk begins at 2:30
Cost: Participation is free, but there is a suggested $5 donation to the American Cancer Society
Costumes? ABSOLUTELY…the more undead-like the better!
Ages: Family-friendly (at your discretion)
Meeting Point: 1pm – Boat Lake in Byrd Park (Boat Lake Drive)
Starting Point: 2:30pm – 2901 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23221 (across the street from The Byrd Theatre)
Haunted History at Tuckahoe Plantation
October 28
As you stroll the stately grounds of Tuckahoe Plantation, just keep in mind that things might not be as they seem. On October 28, join the friends and staff of Tuckahoe Plantation for a fun-filled Halloween celebration – and if you dare, take a ghost tour of the famously haunted Tuckahoe Plantation grounds. Built in the 1700s, the house and grounds have long been reported as the sites of spectral apparitions, including a murdered peddler, a “Gray Lady,” and a forlorn young bride who is said to haunt the garden walk, now named the “Ghost Walk” in her honor. If ghostly tales and supernatural stories are not your style, don’t worry. There will be plenty of family-friendly games, face painting, a hayride, mazes and more. This event is limited to 500 guests so we strongly recommend advance tickets. Call (804) 774-1614 or email tuckahoeplantationtours@gmail.com with questions.
When: October 28, 2018; 4pm – 7pm
Cost: $10/person; $35/family; Children under 5 are free. Ghost tours are an additional $5/person or $10/family
Costumes? No
Ages: Festival events are family-friendly. Use your discretion for ghost tours.
Tuckahoe Plantation
12601 River Road
Richmond, Virginia 23238
Halloween 2018 Murder Mystery
October 31
Join fellow sleuths at Maggiano’s Little Italy on Halloween night to solve a thrilling murder mystery. As you enjoy a delicious three-course meal, the show will begin and you will have to work with other diners to solve a mysterious murder that has taken place right there in the ballroom. Tickets are sold in advance and likely to sell out, so be sure to get yours early! Tickets include dinner and the show.
When: October 31, 2018; 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Cost: $70/person
Costumes? No
Ages: This event is for ages 18 and up.
Maggiano’s Little Italy – Short Pump
11800 W Broad St
Richmond, VA 23233
Ongoing Events
(Alphabetical order)
Ashland Berry Farm: Terror on the Farm
A family-friendly farm and garden center by day, Ashland Berry Farm transforms into a world of terror on the nights leading up to Halloween. Gates open after dark, admitting anyone who is brave enough to encounter Booger Woods, Red Balloon Inn, Fallen City, and Misery’s (3D) Playground. Purchase tickets for individual events or get an-inclusive “Scream Pass” and take on as many haunts as you can handle. Click here for more ticket information and complete schedules.
When: October 5-7; October 12-14; October 18-21; October 25-28; and October 31, 2018. Open from 7pm – 11pm on Friday and Saturday nights; 7pm – 10pm all other nights.
Cost: $10-$20 for individual events or $30 for an all-inclusive Scream Pass. Add a Fast Pass to skip lines for an extra $10 on Friday and Sunday nights or $15 Saturday nights.
Costumes? No
Ages: “Haunts” are designed for teens and adults, but parental discretion is allowed for children.
Ashland Berry Farm
12607 Old Ridge Rd
Beaverdam, Virginia 23015
(804) 227-3601
Creepy Hollow Scream Park
There’s a reason Creepy Hollow Scream Park is Richmond’s #1 haunt. With more than 50 live actors, amazing animatronics and terrifying illusions, it’s hard to remember that the terrors living in “Creepy Hollow” aren’t real…or are they? The park’s main attraction is Scream Forest, a haunted hayride that drops you and your fellow explorers off deep in the woods where you are left to find your way back in the dark. Along the way, you’ll encounter the many horrors of Dr. Ulysses S. Farrington, including Staple’s Mill, a haunted house of horrifying experiments, and Axl’s Fun House, a clown-filled array of nightmares. Purchase tickets online here.
When: Check the updated 2018 schedule. Gates open at 7pm and tours start at 7:30; tickets will be sold until 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 10pm Thursdays and Sundays.
Cost: $24 (one admission each to Scream Forest, Staple’s Mill and Axl’s Fun House) or $34 (all events + Speed Pass). Click here for printable coupons!
Costumes? No
Ages: Not recommended for small children.
Creepy Hollow Scream Park
14437 Stone Horse Creek Rd
Glen Allen, VA 23059
(804) 346-FEAR
info@richmondscreams.com
Dead City Lodge
In the weeks before Halloween, the Sandston Moose Lodge is no longer the friendly gathering place it is known to be throughout the year. Instead, it turns into a nightmare-filled house of terrors. This no-touch haunt is designed for scares, chills, and thrills at every turn, so come prepared! And this year, get ready for the White Oak Asylum…the most extreme haunt in Central Virginia. To enter, you must be 18+, sign a waiver, put on blacked-out goggles, and find your way around the Asylum with nothing to guide you but a rope. Can you make it through? Find out at Dead City Lodge!
When: October 12-14; 19-21; 26-28; and 31, 2018. Check here for updated times.
Cost: Check the Dead City Lodge Facebook page for updates.
Costumes? No
Ages: Not intended for children under 10.
Sandston Moose Lodge
4505 Oakleys Lane
Richmond, Virginia
(804) 222-4197
Den of Fear
If you’re looking for thrills and chills this Halloween season, look no further than Den of Fear. As the only haunted house located in the city of Richmond, Den of Fear boasts striking visuals and high intensity scares in a fully indoor setting. Featuring terror at every turn, this haunted house is the stuff of nightmares.
When: October 19-20, 26-28, and November 2-3, 2018; 6:30pm – 10pm.
Cost: $15/person
Costumes? No
Ages: Intended to be scary. Parental discretion is advised.
Dogtown Dance Theatre
109 W 15th St
Richmond, VA 23224
info@denoffear.com
Eerie Nights: Walking Ghost Tours
Let the “ghoul guides” at Eerie Nights Ghost Tours take you on a theatrically thrilling walk through the streets of Richmond. Experience firsthand the chills of haunted, historical sites and paranormal hotbeds while hearing detailed accounts of what happened to cause these frightful spirits to stick around. Participants should be in good health as there will be up to one and half hours of walking – not to mention more than a few frights. Click here for a detailed list of tour times, to book a private tour or to purchase advance tickets.
When: October 2018: Friday nights at 8pm; Saturday nights at 8pm and 10pm; November 2 and 3 at 8pm.
Cost: $14/person; $12/seniors (60+); $12/military (with ID); $10/person for group of 10+
Costumes? No
Ages: Families are welcome, but anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Eerie Nights
100 N 17th St. (Main St. Side of the 17th St. Farmer’s Market)
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 833-1845
info@eerienights.com
Ghouls Ghost Tours: Ghost Tours by Trolley
Take a tour of Richmond by trolley and learn of her historically haunted past. Your tour guide, a ghastly ghost from the 1920s, will escort through the city, stopping by many haunted sites and offering chilling tales of wicked deeds and long-forgotten legends. As the sister tour company of Eerie Nights, Richmond Ghouls offers a fully interactive experience from the comfort of a trolley car…that is assuming you can call dark streets and paranormal terrors “comfortable.” Click here to book a private tour or to purchase advance tickets.
When: October 2018: Friday and Saturday nights at 9pm. November 2 and 3 at 9pm
Cost: $32/person. Combo tickets are also available for a Ghost Tour and Red Vein Haunted House at Hanover Vegetable Farm. Click here for more information.
Costumes? No
Ages: Families are welcome, but are cautioned to use parental discretion. 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Eerie Nights
100 N 17th St. (Main St. Side of the 17th St. Farmer’s Market)
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 833-1845
info@richmondghouls.com
HAUNT at King’s Dominion
Virginia’s favorite theme park by day, Kings Dominion turns into a town of terrors on select nights in October. Spend the day on all of your favorite rides, then once the sun sets, see the park transform into a fully immersive horror experience. This year’s event includes haunted mazes, terrifying scare zones, thrilling live shows, and more. Enjoy King’s Dominion as you know it and love it, but remember – at 7pm when the sun goes down – all bets are off.
When: October 5-7; October 12-14; October 19-21; October 26-28, 2018
Cost: Click here for regular admission, HAUNT only admission, and special all day/night passes.
Costumes? No
Ages: Attractions are too intense for young children. Use parental discretion.
Kings Dominion
16000 Theme Park Way
Doswell, VA 23047
The Haunted Hill
Considered one of the scariest haunted attractions in the state, this award-winning haunted trail lies deep in the forest of Spotsylvania County. Each October, the nights come alive as you venture on a hayride to the darkest part of the woods. From there you will make your way through nearly a mile of live ghouls, zombies, clowns, mazes, and various other scares, hoping that you’ll come out safely on the other side. This is not a haunt for the faint of heart, in fact, it comes with a warning….so proceed with caution…if you dare.
When: October 5-6; October 12-13; October 19-20; October 26-27, 2018; 7:30pm – 11pm
Cost: $20/person
Costumes? No
Ages: NOT recommended for children under 12.
The Haunted Hill
10400 Edenton Rd
Partlow, VA. 22534
540-895-5237 (M-F)
540-845-1347 (Any)
540-840-3265 (Any)
Haunts of Richmond: Ghost Tours
Richmond is historically one of Virginia’s oldest cities…and notoriously one of the most haunted. Haunts of Richmond offers guided tours to city streets and historical landmarks that you may already be familiar with, but be prepared to see them in a whole new light – or dark, as it were. During a Haunts of Richmond Ghost Tour, you’ll learn about the hundreds of spirits said to lurk in quiet corners and dark alleys. After-dark tours include Shadows of Shockoe, Church Hill Chillers and Haunted Capitol Hill, among others. To learn about private tours and special events or to book in advance (recommended), visit Haunts of Richmond. Please note that tours require up to 75 minutes of walking and may be scary for young children.
When: October 19-20; October 26-28; October 31; November 1-3, 2018. Tours start at 7:30pm, 8pm, or 9pm. See the full schedule.
Cost: $14/adult and $10/child (under 13) online or $16/$10 at the door.
Costumes? No
Ages: May not be ideal for younger participants. Use parental discretion.
Haunts of Richmond
Click here for tour departure locations
(855) 445-8927
info@hauntsofrichmond.com
Journey Haunted Trails
A church may not be where you would expect to find a haunted house, but every year, the congregation of New Hope Church transforms into ghastly ghouls for the Journey Haunted Trails event – a truly original and creative outreach. This one-of-a-kind event is part Haunt, part Escape Room, part Carnival, part Game of Life, and completely terrifying! You will be expected to endure untold horrors while desperately seeking your way out, all the while facing challenges that make your escape seem impossible. Trust no one as you try to reach the River of Death at your appointed time, with a certificate of passage in hand, or risk missing your opportunity to live forever! Follow them on Facebook for the most up-to-date information.
When: October 19-20; October 26-27, 2018. 7:30pm – 10:30pm
Cost: $10 in advance; $15 at the gate
Costumes? No
Ages: May not be ideal for younger participants. Use parental discretion.
Journey Haunted Trails
6475 Parrish Rd
Providence Forge, VA 23140
(804) 840-7937
Oak Lane Cemetery 2018
Every year, some very special Hopewell homeowners hold nothing back in turning their yard into a haunted Halloween delight. For more than a decade now, Oak Lane Cemetery has been providing spooky scenes for local friends and families, growing and becoming more entertaining with each year. While this is not a large commercial endeavor, they certainly do their best to pack the yard full of unique, detailed props, foggers, ghost projections, and just a few startling surprises for good measure. The “cemetery” is only for drive-by viewing before Halloween but is open for trick-or-treating on Halloween night.
When: Early October through Halloween night; drive-by viewing from sundown until 11pm all nights; close-up viewing and trick-or-treating on October 31.
Cost: Free, but donations for trick-or-treating are welcome!
Costumes? Only on Halloween.
Ages: May have some startling scenes for very young children, but appropriate for most age groups.
Oak Lane Cemetery
3002 Oak Lane
Hopewell, VA 23860
Petersburg Haunts: Ghost Tours
Discover why Petersburg is such a “spirited” city this Halloween season. With your path lit only by lantern lights, embark on a 90-minute guided walking tour through the city’s hauntingly dark streets. Costumed guides will take you through 400 years of history, divulging the dark, and sometimes mysterious, past of historic figures that decided not to leave – even after death. Key sites along the tour include Centre Hill Mansion, Nathaniel Friend House (Wabi Sabi), Brickhouse Run, Raftery’s Poultry Market, South Side Depot, The Black Swan, Penniston’s Alley Antiques, J.Harrison Salon, Trapezium House, Dodson’s Tavern, The Siege Museum, and Hiram Haines’ Coffee and Ale House. Flashlights are encouraged.
When: Fridays and Saturdays, September 28 – October 27, 2018 @ 7pm. Special October 31, 2018 tour @ 7pm.
Cost: $15/person. Find tickets online.
Costumes? No
Ages: Families are welcome, but anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Petersburg Haunts
Tours depart from the Petersburg Courthouse
7 Courthouse Ave
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 943-8653
Red Vein Haunted House
Red Vein Haunted House weaves a deliciously dark tale of intrigue, witchcraft, mystery, and horror. As the legend tells, Lord Thomas Redvyn and his wife, Emily, came to Massachusetts from Europe in 1690. After mysterious deaths and disappearances in their Puritan community, Emily became a suspect and the Redvyns vanished…only to appear in Virginia years later. In 1781, The Providence Home for Wayward Children in Hanover County was founded by someone bearing the name Emily Redvyn, and despite the years that had passed, she was described as young and vibrant. Soon, children began disappearing and Emily Redvyn was convicted and executed as a witch. A local scientific research group discovered her sordid story while investigating a cult called The Order of Red Vein, and eventually uncovered her final resting place on the present-day site of Hanover Vegetable Farm. Unfortunately, the group disappeared under mysterious circumstances and have only recently been heard from on social media. Read the full legend, including excerpts from Thomas Redvyn’s long lost diary here.
Join others at the Red Vein site this Halloween if you dare and discover the truth of Emily Redvyn’s malevolent past in attractions that include Redvyn Asylum, Rabbit’s Cry Field, and the Providence Home for Wayward Children.
When: October 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-28, and 31, 2018; Friday and Saturday nights, 7:30pm – 11pm; Sunday and Halloween nights, 7:30 -10pm. Box office opens at 7pm.
Cost: $20/person; includes the Red Vein Haunted House, Providence Haunted Corn Maze and Providence Home for Wayward Children; a three-minute escape room is available for $5 extra.
Costumes? No
Ages: Not recommended for children under 13
Hanover Vegetable Farm
13580 Ashland Rd
Ashland, VA 23005
(804) 829-FEAR
info@redveinhaunt.com
If you have a favorite scary Halloween haunt that’s not on our list, be sure to let us know at cs@richmondmom.com!
