Halloween

Around Town

Fair Oaks Mall to host grand opening celebration for new play space

By Mary Stachyra Lopez
Children play in the new Fair Oaks Mall play space (courtesy Meghann Butler/Olshan Properties)

On Halloween, Fair Oaks Mall is offering a treat for families: a grand opening celebration for its brand-new play space for young children, followed by the shopping center’s annual “Mall-O-Ween” festivities.

The grand opening celebration, which will include a costume contest, prizes, and a DJ playing family-friendly tunes, will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday (Oct. 31) at the nature-themed play space, near JCPenney. Shortly after the celebration, “Mall-O-Ween” will kick off, bringing a full evening of trick-or-treating from 5 to 8 p.m. at participating stores.

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Around Town

Vienna Halloween Parade set to return for 80th year with patriotic twist

By Angela Woolsey
Historic Vienna Inc. and Vienna 250 organizers march in the 2025 Vienna Halloween Parade (courtesy Town of Vienna)

After sundown tomorrow night (Wednesday), Maple Avenue in Vienna will come alive with goblins, ghouls and ghosts from America’s past.

That’s when the town’s annual Halloween Parade is set to return for its milestone 80th anniversary, extending a local tradition that dates back to the end of World War II and a year-long celebration of the country’s semiquincentennial with the theme of “Haunted History: 250 Years of America.”

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Around Town

New Chantilly dog day care to throw Halloween-themed grand opening party tomorrow

By Mary Stachyra Lopez
Brick commercial building with CMP BowWow sign, a tree in front, and a white van in the lot under an overcast sky
Camp Bow Wow (13893 Willard Road) is hosting a grand opening celebration this weekend. (Staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

A new dog day care and boarding spot opened in Chantilly this summer, and to celebrate, its owners are inviting locals and their four-legged friends to have a paw-some time at a Halloween-themed grand opening party this weekend.

After opening its doors July 31, Camp Bow Wow Dulles South (13893 Willard Road) will throw a grand opening “Howl-O-Ween” party on Saturday (Oct. 17) from noon to 4 p.m.

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Around Town

Halloween celebrations coming to haunt Fairfax County in 2025

By Caitlyn Meisner
The Boo-ro, a Halloween celebration, returns to The Boro in Tysons on Oct. 25 (Courtesy of The Boro)

Spooky season is upon us, and Fairfax County has no shortage of events to check out as Halloween approaches.

Upcoming festivities at local libraries, parks and neighborhoods range from parades and costume contests to pumpkin patches, races and more.

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Countywide

Fairfax County invites residents to recycle gourds at annual Pumpkin Palooza

By James Jarvis
Pumpkin Palooza disposal bin (courtesy of Fairfax County)

Fairfax County is inviting residents to turn their post-Halloween jack-o’-lanterns from holiday decor to “compost gold” at this year’s Pumpkin Palooza.

Through Nov. 15, the Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Program is accepting used pumpkins and gourds for composting at the I-95 Landfill Complex (850 Furnace Road) and the I-66 Transfer Station (4618 West Ox Road).

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Around Town

Carnegie Diner in Vienna sells pumpkins to raise funds for school

By Angela Woolsey
Carnegie Diner in Vienna is holding a pumpkin sale fundraiser (courtesy Carnegie Diner & Cafe)

It’s starting to look a lot like Halloween outside Carnegie Diner and Cafe in Vienna.

The restaurant at 501 Maple Avenue West ushered in October with the launch of an outdoor “Pumpkin Patch” that will supply local residents with gourds and nearby James Madison High School with some funding.

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Countywide

County offers post-Halloween composting services with ‘PumpkinPalooza’

By Angela Woolsey
Pumpkins on asphalt (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Another Halloween has come and gone, but the jack-o’-lantern that may be sitting on your stoop isn’t going to get rid of itself.

Instead of trashing the carved-up squash, the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services is encouraging residents to compost with its annual “PumpkinPalooza” services.

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Around Town

Where to find Spirit Halloween in Fairfax County this year

By Angela Woolsey
The costume store Spirit Halloween has several locations in Fairfax County this year, including at Tysons Corner Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

With Halloween less than a week away, time is running out to assemble a costume and housing decorations ghoulish enough to impress neighborhood trick-or-treaters.

Fortunately for those making last-minute preparations, the seasonal pop-up Spirit Halloween has taken possession of several vacant retail stores across Fairfax County.

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