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An illustrated Loudoun weekend scene

The weekend guide for families in Loudoun

This weekend · Thu 29 Oct – Tue 3 Nov

Six days off school, with Halloween right in the middle.

We pick the family events worth your weekend, then check the parking, cost, crowds and what to know before you go.

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Halloween guide
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The spot your neighbors haven't found

Our top picks for the weekend

  1. Thu
    Trick-or-treat at Ashburn Library

    Thursday 29 October · 3pm–4pm

    Free, 3 to 4 · start the day at Claude Moore Park's free Discovery Room
  2. Fri
    Halloween in the Park, Purcellville

    Friday 30 October · 6pm–8pm

    Free · lit trick-or-treat trail and a not-so-scary maze
  3. Sat
    Great Country Farms' last day, then your own street

    Saturday 19 September – Saturday 31 October · 9am–5pm

    Last day of the season · costume parades at 12:30 and 2:30
  4. Sun
    A lantern walk for the clocks going back

    Sunday 1 November · 4pm–5pm

    $10, ages 3 and up · the clocks go back that morning
  5. Mon
    Pumpkin Chunkin' at Great Country Farms

    Sunday 1 November – Tuesday 3 November · 10am–4pm

    Bring your jack-o'-lantern · the Pumpkin Drop is at 12:30
  6. Tue
    Temple Hall's last pumpkin day

    Saturday 26 September – Tuesday 3 November · 9am–5pm

    $12 a person, pumpkin included · Election Day, no school
This weekend's guide is presented byWorld of Pizzas Bar & Grill

The weekend guide for families in Loudoun

Hand-picked events, and what to know before you go.

The question this week

Where do the costumes go on Saturday?

Three ways to spend Halloween afternoon before the porch lights come on.

Great Country Farms costume parade

Great Country Farms · Bluemont

Saturday 19 September – Saturday 31 October · 9am–5pm

The full day

$14Kids online, $16 adults, $18 at the gate

Best for
Families who want the farm and the parade in one trip
Know this
Parades at 12:30 and 2:30, behind the pig racing barn. Buy online; last weekend sold out.

Harvest Party at Cornerstone Chapel

Cornerstone Chapel · Leesburg

Saturday 31 October · 4pm–9pm

Best value

FreeFood trucks extra

Best for
Rides, a petting zoo and pony rides without a ticket
Know this
Runs 4 to 9pm. Expect a big crowd; the church usually runs parking attendants.

Hot Dog! It's Halloween!

Middleburg Community Center · Middleburg

Saturday 31 October · 5pm

Main Street

RSVPSign up online with the Middleburg Community Center

Best for
A small-town parade, then trick-or-treating at the shops
Know this
Starts at 5pm. RSVP online through the Middleburg Community Center.
Times and prices from each organizer, checked 25 October.

Featured spotlight

Spotlight · Leesburg

The Zoo That Grew Up With Loudoun

Since 1999, the Johnson family has turned 22 overgrown acres on Route 15 into one of Loudoun's favorite Saturday mornings. The county has nearly tripled around it, and the park has grown right along with it. Here's that story, and how to make the most of a visit this fall.

Read the story

The weekend guide

Our take

Six days off, so pace it. Saturday is Halloween: spend it at Great Country Farms' last day, line up for the 12:30 costume parade, then get home for the porch lights. Want it free? Cornerstone Chapel's Harvest Party has ponies from 4. Friday, walk the lit trail at Halloween in the Park in Purcellville. Sunday the clocks go back, so book the Lantern Walk at 4. Monday, take the jack-o'-lantern back to Great Country Farms for Pumpkin Chunkin', and Tuesday is Temple Hall's last day at $12 a head.

Thursday

Thu 29 Oct

Claude Moore Park, Sterling · Claude Moore Park · Sterling · Sunday 27 September · Free · All ages

Free on a day off school. The Discovery Room in the visitor center is open 9 to 5 on weekdays, and the insect scavenger hunt flyer is waiting in the foyer.

See full event

Trick-or-Treat at Ashburn Library · Ashburn Library · Ashburn · Thursday 29 October · 3pm–4pm · Free · Ages 11 and under

3 to 4pm, costumes on for candy, crafts and activities. Free, for little ones up to elementary age.

See full event

Friday

Fri 30 Oct

Halloween in the Park, Purcellville

Franklin Park · Purcellville · 17501 Franklin Park Drive, Purcellville, VA 20132

Friday 30 October · 6pm–8pm

FreeAll ages
Illustrated scene for Halloween in the Park, Purcellville

A lit trick-or-treat trail through Franklin Park, with giant inflatables, a not-so-scary maze and a visit from Frankenstein. Free, and the best opening act for a Halloween weekend.

Parking
The county doesn't say where to park for the event. Franklin Park is big and spread out, so follow the inflatables and allow a few extra minutes.
Arrive
At 6, before the trail turns into a queue. It's only two hours.
What it costs
Free. A family of four spends nothing unless someone negotiates a snack.
Crowds
The county doesn't publish numbers. It's free and only two hours, so earlier beats later.

What to know before you go

Costumes encouraged. Frankenstein makes an appearance; he is, we're told, also not so scary. Activity 162723-02.

See full event

Trick-or-Treat at the Animal Shelter

Loudoun County Animal Services · Leesburg · 42225 Adoption Drive, Leesburg, VA 20175

Friday 30 October · 6:30pm–7:30pm

$5 a childAll ages
Illustrated scene for Trick-or-Treat at the Animal Shelter

Trick-or-treat through the county animal shelter, with games, crafts, candy and adoptable animals to meet along the way.

Parking
The county doesn't publish parking for the event. Come a few minutes before your start time.
Arrive
Your start time is assigned when you buy tickets, between 6:30 and 7:30. Book early for the first slots.
What it costs
$5 a child, and they're the only ones who need a ticket. Two kids is $10.
Crowds
Timed entry keeps it calm. The county hasn't said how many tickets are left.

What to know before you go

People only, no pets, and under-18s come with an adult. Ages 2 and up get the most out of it. Decide in the car, before you go in, that nobody is adopting a dog tonight.
See full event

Family Friendly Haunted Trail · Salamander Middleburg Equestrian Center · Middleburg · Saturday 24 October – Sunday 25 October · 6:30pm–9pm · $20 a guest, reservations required. 3 and under free with a paying adult · Ages 4–12

Friday 30 October is the last night of Salamander's haunted trail. The 6:30 walk has no actors. Book ahead.

See full event

Pumpkin Decorating · Hal & Berni Hanson Regional Park · Aldie · Friday 30 October · 4pm–6pm · $5 · All ages

Decorate a pumpkin at the Hanson Park Nature Center, 4 to 6pm. Register with the county.

See full event

Moonlight Market at One Loudoun · One Loudoun Park · Ashburn · Through 6 Nov · 5pm–9pm · Free entry · All ages

The last Moonlight Market of the season. Dinner sorted.

See full event
This weekend's guide is presented byWorld of Pizzas Bar & Grill

Saturday

Sat 31 Oct
Trick-or-treat hours and the full Halloween plan
Top pick

Fall Pumpkin Harvest at Great Country Farms

Great Country Farms · Bluemont · 18780 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont, VA 20135

Saturday 19 September – Saturday 31 October · 9am–5pm

$14 kids, $16 adults online; $18 at the gate; 2 and under freeAll ages
Illustrated scene for Fall Pumpkin Harvest at Great Country Farms

Great Country Farms closes its pumpkin season on Halloween itself, with two costume parades, pig races, the patch and a 15-acre play area. Two parades and a pig race: Halloween has peaked, and it's only lunchtime.

Parking
Plenty of field parking. The farm told us they don't expect it to fill, even on the last day.
Arrive
By noon to line up for the 12:30 parade, behind the pig racing barn. The farm asks everyone to be in by 3:30, and the last wagon to the patch leaves at 4.
What it costs
$14 a child and $16 an adult online, plus $1 a ticket, or $18 at the gate. 2 and under free. A family of four is $64 online, before pumpkins ($0.69 a pound for carving pumpkins).
Crowds
Busy. The farm itself said last weekend nearly sold out and pointed people to this one. Buy tickets before you leave.

What to know before you go

Parades at 12:30 and 2:30. No sign-up: kids just line up in the field behind the Pig Racing Barn. Awards for best couple, best family and best superheroes. Dogs are welcome. Keep your jack-o'-lantern: Pumpkin Chunkin' runs here Sunday to Tuesday (see Monday).
See full event

Harvest Party at Cornerstone Chapel

Cornerstone Chapel · Leesburg · 650 Battlefield Parkway SE, Leesburg, VA 20175

Saturday 31 October · 4pm–9pm

Free; food trucks extraAll ages
Illustrated scene for Harvest Party at Cornerstone Chapel

Amusement rides, a petting zoo, pony rides, games and candy at Cornerstone Chapel, all free. Your kids will absolutely love the pony part.

Parking
A large lot at the church, usually with parking attendants. If it fills, park on Tolbert or the streets next to the church. No shuttle.
Arrive
Early, 4 to 5, before the evening crowd and before trick-or-treat calls everyone home.
What it costs
Free, rides and pony rides included, plus lots of candy. Food trucks sell dinner near the ministry building off Tolbert and Sycolin.
Crowds
About 4,500 people came last year, and it's busiest from 6 to 8pm. Go at 4 for the short lines.

What to know before you go

Runs 4 to 9pm at 650 Battlefield Parkway SE, Leesburg. One ask from the church: no violent costumes or weapons. Easy to pair with trick-or-treating in your own neighborhood afterwards.
See full event

Hot Dog! It's Halloween!

Middleburg Community Center · Middleburg · 300 W Washington Street, Middleburg, VA 20117

Saturday 31 October · 5pm

RSVP onlineAll ages
Illustrated scene for Hot Dog! It's Halloween!

Middleburg does Halloween the small-town way. Last year that meant a costume parade led by the police chief, trick-or-treating at the shops, then hot dogs at the Community Center.

Parking
Street parking in a small town on a big night. The center doesn't publish anything else, so arrive a little early and walk.
Arrive
It starts at 5pm. Small town, big night: arrive a little early to park and walk in.
What it costs
RSVP online through the Middleburg Community Center. The center hasn't said whether there's a cost this year, so check when you sign up.
Crowds
Not published. It's Middleburg, so the crowd is the town and whoever drove in for it.

What to know before you go

RSVP through the Middleburg Community Center's site. Make a day of it: Halloween Hijinks at Middleburg Library runs 12 to 4, with a craft and trick-or-treating, drop-in.
See full event

Sterling Fear Fest 2

Sterling Community Center · Sterling · 120 Enterprise St, Sterling, VA 20164

Friday 30 October – Saturday 31 October · 6pm–10pm

$5Ages 11+Indoor
Illustrated scene for Sterling Fear Fest 2

A haunted maze for ages 11 and up at the Sterling Community Center. The one where your 12-year-old asks you to wait in the car. Wait in the car.

Parking
The county doesn't publish parking for it. It's a community center lot, so don't expect much spare room on a Saturday night.
Arrive
It runs 6 to 10 both nights. Earlier is shorter lines, later is darker. Older teens will tell you which.
What it costs
$5 a person. Register in advance with the county.
Crowds
Not published. Two nights helps spread it out.

What to know before you go

Ages 11 and up only. The county doesn't rate the scare level, so the call on an anxious 11-year-old is yours. Also Friday, same hours. Activities 103702-01 and -02.
See full event

Bluey & Bingo's Halloween Play Day · Bluemont Community Center · Bluemont · Saturday 31 October · 9am–11am · $5 · Ages 2+

A Bluey-themed Halloween morning, 9 to 11. Pairs with Great Country Farms, same town.

See full event

Spooky Celebration · Sterling Community Center · Sterling · Friday 30 October – Saturday 31 October · 12pm–3pm · $3 a child, a parent must attend · Ages 2–10

Candy, crafts, games and a costume party for ages 2 to 10. Also Friday.

See full event

Spooktacular Party · Douglass Community Center · Leesburg · Saturday 31 October · 2pm–4pm · $10 · Ages 1–5

A Halloween party sized for ages 1 to 5. Register with the county.

See full event

From our partner

Sat & Sun

Presenting partner

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Kids' menu
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Our tip

Get the Family Feast for the table (two large pizzas, garlic knots and a salad), then add one world pie for the grown-ups to pass around.

This Friday, 30 Oct · Live music, 7 to 9pm

The JJ Warren Band brings country, blues and southern rock to the patio crowd, including songs of their own. It's a local band, it wraps up by 9, and it's early enough to bring the kids. Get there by 6:30 to grab a table and have the pizza ordered before the first song.

Partner content. Our weekend picks are never for sale.

Sunday

Sun 1 Nov

Lantern Walk at Franklin Park

Franklin Park · Purcellville · 17501 Franklin Park Drive, Purcellville, VA 20132

Sunday 1 November · 4pm–5pm

$10Ages 3+Outdoor
Illustrated scene for Lantern Walk at Franklin Park

Kids make their own lantern, then walk the Franklin Park trail as it gets dark. The clocks steal an hour of daylight; Franklin Park hands the kids lanterns about it.

Parking
The county doesn't publish parking for the walk, and we've asked where to meet. Another reason to come a few minutes early.
Arrive
A few minutes before 4, so the lantern-making doesn't start without you. Sunset is around 5 once the clocks go back.
What it costs
$10 per registrant. We've asked whether grown-ups need their own spot.
Crowds
It's a capped class, so the cap is the crowd. Register before it fills.

What to know before you go

Ages 3 and up. Register in PRCS Connect, activity 162731-01. Bring a layer; it's the first properly early dark of the year.

See full event

Insect scavenger hunt at Claude Moore Park · Claude Moore Park · Sterling · Through 30 Nov · 7am–8pm · Free · All ages

Free, and the flyer earns a spooky treat. Good for the extra hour.

See full event

Monday

Mon 2 Nov

Pumpkin Chunkin' at Great Country Farms

Great Country Farms · Bluemont · 18780 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont, VA 20135

Sunday 1 November – Tuesday 3 November · 10am–4pm

$12 kids, $14 adults online; $16 at the gate (ages 3 and up)All ages
Illustrated scene for Pumpkin Chunkin' at Great Country Farms

Bring last week's jack-o'-lantern and launch it: off the Silo Drop, down the Zip Wire Sploosh, into the Wall of Death. The pigs and cows eat the evidence. The one day a year smashing a pumpkin counts as feeding the animals.

Parking
Field parking on the farm. They told us it doesn't fill even on their busiest day, so a Monday is easy.
Arrive
By 12:15. On weekdays the 40-foot Pumpkin Drop goes once, at 12:30. Gates are open 10 to 4.
What it costs
$12 a child and $14 an adult online, plus a $1 fee, or $16 at the gate for ages 3 and up. A family of four is about $54 online.
Crowds
Organizers don't publish numbers. The farm's big day was Saturday, and weekday mornings beat weekends almost everywhere.

What to know before you go

Bring your own pumpkin to chunk. Also runs Sunday 1 and Tuesday 3 November. Marshmallow roasting at the cider barn, 11 to 4.
See full event

Tuesday

Tue 3 Nov

Temple Hall Farm Pumpkin Patch

Temple Hall Farm Regional Park · Leesburg · 15855 Limestone School Rd, Leesburg, VA 20176

Saturday 26 September – Tuesday 3 November · 9am–5pm

$12 weekdays, $15 weekends; under 2 freeAll ages
Illustrated scene for Temple Hall Farm Pumpkin Patch

Temple Hall's last day of the season: pick-your-own pumpkins, wagon rides, hill slides and jumping pillows, with a pumpkin in every paid ticket. The best value patch, going out on a weekday price.

Parking
The park doesn't publish parking details. Arrive in the morning and it won't matter.
Arrive
In the morning. Last tickets are sold at 4 and the gate closes at 5.
What it costs
$12 a person on weekdays, under 2 free. Every paid ticket includes a pumpkin and flowers. A family of four is $48, four pumpkins included.
Crowds
Not published. Weekday mornings beat weekends almost everywhere, and it's a school holiday, so earlier is better.

What to know before you go

Gate sales only, card preferred. No dogs. Pumpkin Blasters and the food truck are weekends only, so pack lunch. NOVA Parks lists the patch as open daily through Tuesday 3 November.
See full event

Pumpkin Village Fall Fest · Leesburg Animal Park · Leesburg · Through 8 Nov · 9:30am–6pm · $19.95 weekdays, $14.95 Wednesdays, $24.95 prime weekends · Ages 10 and under

Usually closed Tuesdays, but open on Election Day, 9:30 to 4. $19.95 a person on weekdays, under 2 free. Best for under-5s.

See full event

Before it fills

Book this now

Sat 31 Oct

Great Country Farms, last day of the harvest$14 kids, $16 adults online, plus a $1 fee. $18 at the gate.Buy tickets

Fri 30 Oct

Trick-or-Treat at the Animal Shelter, Leesburg$5 a child, timed entry. People only, no pets.Get tickets

Sun 1 – Tue 3 Nov

Pumpkin Chunkin', Great Country Farms$12 kids, $14 adults online, plus a $1 fee. $16 at the gate.Buy tickets

Mon 2 – Tue 3 Nov

School's Out camp, Franklin Park$100 for both days, ages 6 to 12, 8:30 to 4:30. For working parents.Pre-register with the county

Your turn

What should we know for next weekend?

Found a brilliant family event, or spotted something we should check? Send it our way.

hello@loudoungo.com

Halloween in Loudoun

Halloween week, sorted

Trunk-or-treats, the parade, and the trick-or-treat hours most places don't publish.

See the guide
LoudounGo

The weekend guide for families in Loudoun

Hand-picked events, and what to know before you go.