The best family friendly Halloween events in Fairfax County include Ghost Town at Burke Lake Park, Air & Scare at the Udvar Hazy Center, Halloween on the Farm, trick or treating at Mount Vernon and Reston Town Center, the Vienna Halloween Parade, and several non spooky activities happening throughout Northern Virginia.If your kids love costumes and candy but are not ready for haunted trails and jump scares, there are still plenty of ways to celebrate. Explore Northern Virginia homes for sale or browse Team DDA's Northern Virginia area guides while discovering the communities surrounding these local events.
Brick or Treat at LEGO Discovery Center
When: Through October 31
Where: Springfield Town Center
For an indoor Halloween activity, Brick or Treat at LEGO Discovery Center Washington, DC brings Halloween themed building activities to Springfield Town Center throughout the rest of October.
Kids can tackle monster themed LEGO challenges, create glow inspired builds, and enjoy seasonal activities throughout the attraction. The event is included with regular admission.
This is an especially useful option when fall weather decides not to cooperate.
BOOtanical Halloween Scavenger Hunt
When: Through November 1
Where: Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna
Halloween does not have to mean haunted houses.
The BOOtanical Halloween Scavenger Hunt at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens sends families through the gardens searching for seasonal surprises near the Children's Garden, log cabin, vegetable garden, and woods.
The activity runs daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Scavenger hunt sheets are $10, and participants who complete the hunt receive a prize.
It is a fun choice if you want to combine Halloween with fall foliage and time outdoors.
Halloween House and Trick or Treat Trail
When: October 23 and 24
Where: Walker Nature Center in Reston
The Halloween House and Trick or Treat Trail at Walker Nature Center takes a nature focused approach to Halloween.
Families follow a themed trail where they encounter characters and real animals before visiting the decorated Halloween House. The experience also includes games, apple cider, and popcorn.
The event is specifically designed to avoid horror and traditional haunted house scares, although light and sound effects are part of the experience. Non scary costumes are encouraged, and the program is recommended for ages 3 and older.
Halloween on the Farm
When: October 23 and 24
Where: Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon
For younger children, Halloween on the Farm at Frying Pan Farm Park combines trick or treating with one of Fairfax County's favorite farm destinations.
Families can visit farm animals, make crafts, play games, collect treats, and tour the decorated farmhouse.
Friday sessions begin at 5, 6, and 7 p.m. Saturday sessions begin at 4:30, 5:30, and 6:30 p.m. Advance registration is $12, with day of registration available for $15 if space remains.
Advance registration closes October 22, so this is one to book quickly.
Haunted Mini Golf at Oakmont
When: October 23 and 24
Where: Oakmont Rec Center in Oakton
Mini golf gets a Halloween makeover at Oakmont Rec Center.
Families can play the decorated course while trick or treating for goodies at the holes. Costumes are encouraged, and additional activities include games, popcorn, and food trucks. Sessions run from 4 to 9 p.m. both evenings.
This is a good middle ground for kids who enjoy a little Halloween atmosphere without wanting a genuinely scary attraction.
Air & Scare at the Udvar Hazy Center
When: October 24
Where: Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center in Chantilly
One of Northern Virginia's most recognizable Halloween traditions returns to the Smithsonian's Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center.
Air & Scare combines the museum's aircraft and spacecraft with trick or treat stations, science activities, storytelling, and costumed characters.
You can explore the Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center before you go.
For kids who would rather see spacecraft than ghosts, this could be one of the most memorable choices of the weekend.
Ghost Town at Burke Lake Park
When: October 24 and 25, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Burke Lake Park in Fairfax Station
Ghost Town at Burke Lake Park is one of the biggest non spooky Halloween events on the Fairfax County Park Authority calendar.
Families can ride the train and carousel, play mini golf, make crafts, visit trick or treat houses, and participate in Halloween activities around the park.
Advance tickets are $20, while admission at the door is $25. Children younger than 2 are free with a paying adult.
For families looking for an activity that can fill most of an afternoon, this is one of our top picks.
Halloween at The Boo ro in Tysons
When: October 24, noon to 3 p.m.
Where: Boro Park in Tysons
Halloween fun is not limited to kids.
Your dog can get involved too.
Halloween at The Boo ro brings trick or treating, mini pumpkin decorating, a live DJ, magician entertainment, glitter tattoos, giveaways, photo opportunities, and treats for four legged visitors to The Boro.
Dog costumes are encouraged, making this a good option for families who do not want to leave their pets out of the Halloween celebration.
The location also makes it easy to grab lunch or dinner around Tysons before or after the event.
Family Skate and Halloween Costume Party
When: October 24, 5 to 9 p.m.
Where: Franconia Rec Center
Want something more active?
Franconia Rec Center's Halloween Costume Party turns the gym into a family skating and dancing event with a DJ and Halloween theme.
Admission is $10 per person, and families should bring their own skates. Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase.
You do not have to skate either. Dancing to the Halloween playlist is part of the fun.
Trick or Treat Beyond Market Street
When: October 25, noon to 3 p.m.
Where: Reston Town Center
Trick or Treat Beyond Market Street spreads Halloween activities throughout Reston Town Center.
Participating retailers and restaurants will offer treats, prizes, and special offers, while the event also includes live music, face painting, character appearances, giveaways, and stilt walkers.
Because everything happens around Reston Town Center, it is easy to combine the event with lunch, shopping, or an afternoon exploring Reston.
Vienna Halloween Parade
When: October 28 at 7 p.m.
Where: Maple Avenue in Vienna
Few Northern Virginia Halloween traditions have been around as long as the Vienna Halloween Parade.
Vienna has hosted the community parade since 1946. The free event brings floats, bands, entertainment, and costumed participants down Maple Avenue from Branch Road to Center Street.
The 2026 theme is Haunted History: 250 Years of America.
Expect road closures and crowds, so arrive early if you want a good viewing spot.
Trick or Treating at Mount Vernon
When: October 31, 2 to 5 p.m.
Where: George Washington's Mount Vernon
Halloween gets a historic twist at Trick or Treating at Mount Vernon.
Families can collect candy around the historic grounds while enjoying activities inspired by the 18th century. Programming includes period entertainment and demonstrations, along with a costume parade and Halloween photo opportunities.
Tickets are required. General public pricing currently starts at $26 for children ages 11 and younger who are collecting candy and $31 for guests ages 12 and older who are collecting candy.
This is a particularly fun choice for families who want Halloween candy and a little history in the same afternoon.
Tour de Mount Vernon
When: October 31 at 8:30 a.m.
Where: Starts and finishes at Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton
Not every Halloween activity requires a costume and candy bag.
The Tour de Mount Vernon returns for its 11th annual community bike ride through historic, natural, and cultural locations around the Mount Vernon District.
Routes use paved roads and trails, with some challenging portions, and the ride takes place rain or shine.
For active families and adults, it is a completely different way to spend Halloween morning.
Which Fairfax County Halloween Event Should You Choose?
For younger kids, Halloween on the Farm and Ghost Town are easy places to start.
For science and space fans, Air & Scare is hard to beat.
For an outdoor afternoon, try Meadowlark Botanical Gardens or Burke Lake Park.
For traditional trick or treating, Reston Town Center and Mount Vernon offer two very different experiences.
For a free community tradition, head to the Vienna Halloween Parade.
And for pets, Halloween at The Boo ro gives your dog an excuse to finally wear that costume you bought.
Because popular events can fill up, check the official event page before leaving home for ticket availability, weather updates, parking information, and any schedule changes.
The Bottom Line
You do not need haunted trails or terrifying attractions to have a memorable Halloween in Northern Virginia.
Fairfax County has family friendly options ranging from trains, farms, mini golf, and scavenger hunts to space exhibits, historic trick or treating, community parades, and pet friendly celebrations. Visit Fairfax's 2026 guide includes more than 15 non spooky Halloween activities throughout the season, giving families plenty of alternatives to traditional haunted attractions.
Debbie Dogrul Associates, known as Team DDA, is one of Northern Virginia's leading real estate teams, serving buyers and sellers throughout Fairfax County, Arlington, Alexandria, Loudoun County, Prince William County, and communities including Fairfax, Burke, Vienna, Reston, McLean, Tysons, Springfield, Centreville, Herndon, and Clifton.
Ready to explore more of Northern Virginia? Connect with Team DDA when your next weekend outing starts turning into thoughts about your next move.
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