Halloween for the grown-ups

You may or may not have outgrown trick-or-treating, but being a grown-up in Richmond on Halloween has never been better

October 21, 2012; 10:27 PM • by Scotti Cutlip

Although a scary movie night provided by Netflix sounds like a great idea for an October night, there are plenty of better reasons to get appropriately dressed (costume, tennis shoes, etc.) and go out.

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Ghost Tours

Church Hill Chillers

Awaken restless spirits in Church Hill by walking through a guided tour and listen to stories ranging from Poe mishaps to cemetery tales.

• Date: Saturday nights only
• Time: 9:00 PM
• Location: departs Patrick Henry’s Pub and Grille, 2300 E. Broad Street
• Cost: Adults: $13 online, $15 at door, $16 by phone / Kids under 14: $10 online, $12 door, $13 phone

Eerie Nights Ghost Tour

Storytelling by guides in costumes who animate the history and paranormal activities that have haunted several historical and haunted places. Wear comfortable shoes: it’s a walking tour of fright!

• Date: October 25th – November 3rd
• Time: Thursdays at 8:00 PM; Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM; Sundays at 6:00 PM.
• Location: 100 N. 17th Street (near the 17th Street Farmers Market)
• Cost: $13 general admission; $10 seniors; $10 each for group tours (10+)

Haunted Capitol Hill

Follow the ghost host and discover what else patrols Capitol Hill other than elected officials and secret security. Witness the eerie experiences people have encountered over the years around the historical government buildings!

• Date: Friday nights only
• __Time:___ 9:00 PM
• Location: Berkeley Hotel (1200 E. Cary Street)
• Cost: Adults: $13 online, $15 at door, $16 by phone / Kids under 14: $10 online, $12 door, $13 phone

Shadows of Shockoe Tour

Explore Shockoe Bottom, the oldest and most haunted neighborhood in Richmond, consisting of over 400 years of possible ghostly encounters. Among the stories are the famous Church Hill tunnel collapse, Civil War hospital maladies, and many more spooks!

• Date: October 25th – November 3rd
• Time: 7:30 PM; 9:00 PM.
• Location: Edgar Allen Poe Museum (1914 E Main St)
• Cost: Adults: $13 online, $15 at door, $16 by phone / Kids under 14: $10 online, $12 door, $13 phone

Uncivil Wards

This requires private group tours only, so if you plan ahead, grab 5 or more thrill-seekers to journey through old Richmond. Stories of war casualties and inmates’ life struggles will take visitors back to the city’s dark past.

• Date & Time: based on request
• Location: site of Libby Prison, Lumpkin’s Slave Jail, and many more
• Cost: based on reservation and group size

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Traditions and Music and Laughs and Drinking Fun

8th Annual Richmond Zombie Walk

This Richmond tradition is defined as “an organized public gathering of people who dress up in zombie costumes.” Simple enough? Dress up as an undead has-been and prowl Carytown with other zombie fans!

• Date: October 27th
• Time: 2:00 PM (pre-walk meet up at Byrd Park at 1:00 PM)
• Location: Carytown, in front of the Kroger on W. Cary Street
• Cost: Free! although donations to the American Cancer Society are much appreciated

Carte Blanche: Tales from the Crypt

Come to The Hippodrome’s Halloween dance party, featuring artists such as Black Girls, DJ Fili, The Big Payback, and many more. Costume is recommended, as there will be a judged contest for the best one!

• Date: October 28th
• Time: Doors open 8:00 PM
• Location: The Hippodrome Theater (526 N. 2nd Street)
• Cost: $5

Dance of the Living Dead at Legend Brewing Company

Come in costume and dance the night away (if you dare) at the Pub’s annual Halloween party!

• Date: October 27th
• Time: 6:30 PM – 11:30 PM
• Location: Legend Brewing Company (321 7th Street)

Halloween Blow Out Weekend at Balliceaux

Come out to see DJ Graybeard, DJ Carlito, DJ Mixie, Sister Goldenhaze, Area Woman, and Constantine Giavos. Costume contests, photo booth, and special prizes will ensue!

• Date: October 26th & 27th
• Time: 10:00 PM
• Location: Balliceaux
• Cost: free

Movies and Mimosas: Psycho

Enjoy a Hitchcock classic paired with a classy drink to get yourself in the spooky mood!

• Date: October 27th & 28th
• Time: 11:00 AM
• Location: Movieland at Boulevard Square (1301 Boulevard at West Leigh St)
• Cost: General admission $5.50

Richmond Zombie Bash

Dance the night away to music from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Try to be there around at midnight while they attempt to set a state record for the largest “Thriller Dance” at midnight. Costumes are preferred!

• Date: October 27th
• Time: 8:00 PM – 2:00 AM
• Location: Greater Richmond Convention Center (403 N. 3rd Street)
• Cost: $25

SLASHER! The Improv Comedy Horror Show

Come out to see Richmond’s best improvisers pay homage to classic cult horror movies as they create their own completely unscripted show! Don’t forget to sport a costume to win the 3rd Annual RCC Costume Contest.

• Date: October 25th
• Time: Doors open 8:00 PM
• Location: Kingdom (10 Walnut Alley)
• Cost: $7 online; $10 at the door

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Scary Places

Blood Lake Haunted House

The blood is still warm at the infamous lake full of terror and gore. There are two attractions: Pathogen Haunted Trail, an outdoor walking trail through the woods; and Slaughterpen 13 Haunted Maze, an abandoned pork processing facility rumored to be haunted by madmen!

• Date: October 26th & 27th
• Time: 7:30 – 11:00 PM
• Location: Windy Mill Sports Complex (16500 Midlothian Turnpike)
• Cost: Adult combo tickets $14 online / $15 at the gate; single attraction $10 gate price

Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream

Venture if you dare into a broken down garden, where experiments gone bad and evil creatures run amok!

• Date: October 26th – 28th
• Time: 6:00 PM
• Location: Busch Gardens, Williamsburg
• Cost: Single day admission, $69.99

Creepy Hollow Hayride

Take a narrated tractor-drawn hayride into the depths of Creepy Hollow, filled with spooky scenery, illusions, and terrifying surprises. There is also a Spinning Vortex Tunnel, and a bonfire for survivors afterward.

• Date: October 25th – 28th, 30th – 31th
• Time: 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
• Location: 14435 Stone Horse Creek Road, Glen Allen, VA 23059
• Cost: $15 hayride; $26 paired with Scream Forest pass

Journey Haunted Trails

There are levels for every type of thrill seeker, ranging from the most fearful, Journey to the Dark Side, to the milder “FUN” House, and everything in between. Visit decrepit mine shafts, abandoned castles, and learn what it feels like to be buried alive!

• Date: October 26th – 27th
• Time: 7:30 PM
• Location: 6475 Parrish Road Providence Forge, Virginia 23140
• Cost: $20 at the gate; speed pass $30

Kings Dominion Halloween Haunt

Every weekend night, evil takes over Kings Dominion. Zombies, psychotic clowns, and other haunts will terrorize you and your friend’s dreams. Have fun!

• Date: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sunday October 28th
• Time: All day but the real fun begins Fridays 7:00 PM – 12:00 AM, Saturdays after 4:00 PM
• Location: Kings Dominion, (Doswell, VA)
• Cost: $29.99 – $49.99

Scream Forest

Get on a wagon, abandoned in the woods, and try to find refuge in a place full of creatures. Sounds like a typical scary movie that no one wants to be caught in, unless you dare to. We double dog dare you.

• Date: October 25th – 28th, 30th – 31st
• Time: Gates open 7:00 PM
• Location: 14435 Stone Horse Creek Road, Glen Allen, VA 23059
• Cost: aAdmission $15; paired with Creepy Hollow Hayride $26

photo by Gamma Man

October 21, 2012 10:27 PM 0