30th Annual Del Ray Halloween Parade

One of Del Ray’s favorite traditions, the 30th Annual Del Ray Halloween Parade, takes place on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 2pm along Mount Vernon Avenue, beginning at E. Bellefonte Avenue. Children, pets, and decorated strollers are invited to march and show off their costumes! This parade ends with live music and an award presentation at the Mount Vernon Rec Center field. This hometown favorite, named one of the 10 best Halloween parades in the country by USA Today, is a must-see!

BEST DECORATED HOUSE & BUSINESS CONTESTS: For over 30 years, local residents and businesses have gone all out decorating for Halloween, competing for bragging rights for best decorated house and business. Click here to nominate a house (either your own or a neighbor’s) — the deadline is noon on Sunday, Oct. 18.  Special thanks to The Jen Walker Team for sponsoring this favorite tradition!

HALLOWEEN PARADE STROLLER/WAGON CONTEST: Registration for the Stroller/Wagon Contest will be done prior to the parade start. Entrants should check in at Mt. Vernon & Howell starting at 1 p.m. and will be directed to their staging area, and must be registered by 1:30 p.m. Strollers will then line up on Howell to be judged prior to the parade. There is no fee to register.  Competition Categories: Creative, Humorous, Less is More, and Overall.  Please note: no motorized vehicles of any kind are permitted.  Special thanks to Daniela Spigai & Jordan Beck, Advisory at Compass for sponsoring this spirited competition!

NEW THIS YEAR: HALLOWEEN PARADE GROUP/FLOAT CONTEST: New this year — a group/float competition so all ages can join in the fun! Please note: NO MOTORIZED FLOATS OR VEHICLES ARE PERMITTED. Registration for the Group/Float Contest will be done prior to the parade start. Entrants should check in at Mt. Vernon & Howell starting at 1 p.m. and will be directed to their staging area, and must be registered by 1:30 p.m. Competition Categories: Creative, Humorous, Less is More, and Overall.  Please note: no motorized vehicles of any kind are permitted.  Special thanks to MHD Builds for sponsoring this new competition!

HALLOWEEN PARADE PET COSTUME CONTEST: Registration for the Pet Costume Contest will be done prior to the parade start. Pet entries must be registered by 1:30pm at the corner of Mt. Vernon and E. Howell Avenues; look for signage. Pets will be judged immediately at the end of the parade route. There is no fee to register. Pet Costume Categories: Creative, Team, How Could You Do This To Me?, and Vola Lawson Best of Show.

HALLOWEEN SCAVENGER HUNT: Walk the Avenue (in costume or not!) and find Halloween-themed items in Del Ray’s decorated businesses and hand-painted windows — click here for the clue sheet.  Submit at least 20 answers through the witch’s mouth at Oxford & Mount Vernon by 11/1/2026 to be entered into a drawing for one of FIVE $50 gift cards to your favorite Del Ray business.  Special thanks to Kinneman Insurance for sponsoring this fun activity!

HELP MAKE THE HALLOWEEN PARADE HAPPEN: Volunteers are an important piece of this great Del Ray tradition, helping set-up, guide the parade, and help with clean up. Click here to volunteer!

DONATE A COSTUME FOR LOCAL CHILDREN IN NEED: Every year, the Del Ray Business Association works with the Alexandria Boys & Girls Club, Community Lodgings, and the Alexandria Domestic Violence Safehouse to ensure that all neighborhood children have a Halloween costume.  Click here to be a Halloween hero and donate a costume selected by a child in our community.

MORE HALLOWEEN FUN THROUGHOUT THE SEASON with our local businesses and non-profits:

  • Nightmare on the Avenue Halloween pop-up bar, now through Nov. 1 at 2312 Mount Vernon Avenue; click here for hours and more information
  •  Carnival of Curiosities: Join the Del Ray Artisans for Carnival of Curiosities throughout October.  This art exhibit explores all things carnival and circus related, from fun foods and silly games to quirky costumes, haunted attractions, terrifying oddities, and magical slights of hand.  Visit delrayartisans.org for complete information and gallery hours.
  • Howell Haunt to benefit Save the Children:  Haunted house at 303 East Howell Ave. Oct 23, 24, 25 and 30 from 7-8 PM; details at thehowellhaunt.com
  • Nightmare on the Avenue Pumpkin Carving Party:  Saturday, Oct. 24 at 12pm; $25 per person and includes pumpkins and carving tools; 2312 Mount Vernon Avenue
  • Pork Barrel BBQ Halloween Parade Kids Zone, Sunday, Oct. 25 from 12pm-5pm behind Pork Barrell BBQ at 2312 Mount Vernon Avenue
  • 3rd Annual Haunted House at The Company of Books: Friday, Oct. 30 from 6-9pm featuring frights and delights, a spooky scavenger hunt, local authors, and more; 2200 Mount Vernon Ave.
  • Del Ray’s Trail of Dreadful Delights, Saturday, Oct. 31 at select Del Ray restaurants; click here for more information