With crisp-air excitement building as October nears, the region around Virginia Beach, VA, becomes a hub of plate-spinning costumes, spirited floats, and laughter-filled family outings. For kids wide-eyed with candy bags in hand and parents ready to cheer on their little ghouls and goblins, the season’s parades and festivals bring the community together in fun and celebration. From organized trick-or-treat trails through business districts to full-blown costume parades, there’s something to delight every age and every family.
This year offers a robust lineup of Halloween events designed with families in mind—and plenty of opportunities for local businesses, community groups, and enthusiastic participants to shine. Whether you’re planning to stroll through a festival, watch decorated floats roll by, or join in the costume parade yourself, the region around Virginia Beach invites you to don your best costume, gather your candy bag, and enjoy the festive sights and sounds of the season.
Where the Parades and Festivals Are Happening
The heart of Halloween fun in and around Virginia Beach, VA, for 2025 includes a standout event: the Town and Treat at Town Center of Virginia Beach. Scheduled for Saturday, October 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., this free event invites families to roam the plaza and nearby shops in costume, with more than 30 candy stops, roaming characters, games, music, and a costume contest.
Another event worth highlighting is the Witch of Pungo Festival on Sunday, October 26, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Blue Pete’s Restaurant (1400 N Muddy Creek Rd) in Virginia Beach. Although it is more of a festival than a formal parade, it features themed activities, vendors, seasonal food and drink specials, face-painting, and bounce houses—making it a worthy part of the Halloween festivities.
Additionally, the city’s official Halloween event listings note that the broader area is hosting a variety of costumed, family-friendly activities this season. These events give plenty of fun options for parade-style or festival-style Halloween outings for all ages.
Family Participation in the Fun
For families with children, these Halloween parades and festivals offer not just spectator experiences, but opportunities to participate. At Town and Treat, kids (and their parents) are encouraged to wear costumes, stroll through the shopping district in search of candy at participating businesses, and join a costume contest with special categories including “Cutest,” “Scariest,” “Most Creative,” and even a “Best Family Costume.” Leashed dogs are also welcome in a Best Dog Costume contest.
Parents can help guide younger children in navigating the activities by choosing a time to arrive early for best access, locating the candy-stop map at the event’s information station, and engaging in roaming characters and interactive stations. The festival format of the Witch of Pungo event encourages families to arrive together, enjoy bounce houses, and face-painting. Sample seasonal treats, making it a smooth outing for younger kids with minimal wait times and broad appeal.
Whether children are walking the route, trick-or-treating at businesses, or hopping off a float (if participation allows), the emphasis in 2025 is on inclusive, family-friendly fun. For optimal experience, families should plan to arrive early to pick good vantage spots, bring costumes that are weather-appropriate for the coastal stretch of Virginia, and agree on a meeting spot in case they get separated amid festive crowds.
Local Business Involvement and Community Energy
Local businesses play a significant role in making these Halloween parades and festivals thrive in Virginia Beach, VA. At Town Center, more than 30 participating businesses hand out candy and host activities. Their storefronts are marked with balloons, and they engage in the costumed crowd, games, and giveaways that turn the business district into a trick-or-treat pathway.
Sponsors and vendors also power the festivities. For the Witch of Pungo Festival, local establishments organize food and drink specials, face-painting services, bounce houses, and even medium-led readings. This kind of involvement reinforces the local economy while creating community-centric Halloween entertainment.
Community groups, shops, and vendors also often decorate floats, organize themed storefronts, coordinate costumed staff, and support prizes for costume contests. This alignment of commercial energy and seasonal fun ensures that these Halloween events become memorable annual traditions—not just for families but for the businesses that host or sponsor them. Attendees are in effect supporting local entrepreneurship, and small vendors often offer Halloween-specific merchandise or treats tied to the events.
How to Prepare for the Parade-and-Festival Experience
A successful Halloween outing in the Virginia Beach area is bolstered by thoughtful preparation. First, bring comfortable seating if you plan to watch a procession or float sequence. Folding chairs or blankets are ideal, especially if you arrive early to secure a good viewing spot. Some events are outdoors and may involve standing for a stretch of time, so padding or cushions make sense for younger attendees.
Next, bring candy bags or trick-or-treat buckets—especially for events like Town and Treat, where roaming through business stops is part of the fun. Consider a small bag for each child to avoid conflicts and encourage independent collecting. It’s also wise to bring extra layers or a light jacket; coastal Virginia weather can shift in the afternoon and early evening.
Another tip: arrive early to beat the crowds, particularly if you hope to participate in a costume contest or secure front-row viewing. Arriving 15–30 minutes early gives families time to get settled, find restrooms or concessions, and orient themselves in the venue. Finally, bring a bit of cash or a card for on-site purchases—vendors may sell Halloween treats, face-painting, or themed drinks for adults, and having payment ready speeds the experience. Cameras or smartphones should be fully charged, too. These events generate great photo ops.
By planning, families and groups can fully embrace the parade and festival atmosphere, engage with the community, and enjoy Halloween without feeling rushed or under-prepared.
Additional Tips for a Memorable Halloween Outing
Be sure to check the event websites or social media pages in the days leading up to the event for last-minute adjustments due to weather or traffic patterns, as these can significantly impact outdoor venues in the Virginia Beach area. Some events may change formats or shift indoors if needed.
Encourage costume comfort and safety: low-lighting, managed surfaces, and walking zones all favor costumes with reflective elements or bright accents. If strollers or wagons are used, make sure they are firmly parked when the parade or festival begins so as not to interfere with movement.
Finally, take advantage of the local vibe and treat the parade or festival as part of a larger outing: arrive early for a family meal nearby, explore local shops, and linger after the main activities to enjoy the ambiance, live music, or concessions. These events are as much about community and shared experience as they are about candy and costumes.
Halloween in and around Virginia Beach, VA, for 2025 is shaping up to deliver spirited community engagement, family-focused fun, and broad participation. From trick-or-treat circuits through business districts to themed festivals with bounce houses, face-painting, and costume contests, the region offers a range of experiences that invite families to join in—not just watch. With local businesses actively involved and a festive energy that blends commerce, creativity, and community, these events provide meaningful seasonal connections for both children and adults.
By planning—bringing chairs or blankets, candy bags, costumes, and a readiness to arrive early—participants can maximize their enjoyment and minimize stress. These gatherings are more than one-off celebrations; they help build local traditions, strengthen business-community ties, and create lasting memories for families.
So whether you’re drawn to the Town and Treat at Town Center, the Witch of Pungo Festival, or one of the other Halloween-themed events popping up in the region, this season’s parades and festivals invite you to dress up, gather with others, and celebrate the spirit of Halloween in Virginia Beach. Enjoy every float, every candy stop, and every smile along the way.
Sources: allevents.in, virginiabeach.gov, bluepetes.com, cbda.net
Header Image Source: allevents.in
