Best Not-So-Scary Halloween Events for Families in Richmond

The West End Mom
Sep 22, 2025
7 min read

Updated: Oct 21, 2025

If you're looking for Halloween fun without the fright, I've got the inside scoop on the best kid-friendly Halloween events around Richmond!

Halloween doesn't have to be all haunted houses and jump scares. For families with little kids, and big kids who like treats not tricks, there are plenty of not-so-scary Halloween events around RVA. These family-friendly Halloween events bring all the fun without the fright.

Here are my picks for celebrating Halloween with kids around Richmond, Virginia!

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1. Trunk-or-Treat at The Goochland Drive In Theatre

This is one of the most unique trunk or treat events near Richmond!

Goochland Drive-In is an outdoor movie theater that shows new blockbusters, family classics & double features. It has 2 big screens - one with a traditional drive in viewing area & one with a lawn viewing area. With affordable concessions & 2 play areas for kids, Goochland Drive-In is a must visit for RVA families!

Goochland Drive In Theatre is hosting its annual Trunk or Treat event on October 25 & 26. While the info for the 2025 Trunk or Treat event has not been released, gates typically open at 4pm and close at 5:30pm, with showtime starting around 6:45pm. This is a very popular tradition and it's fun for all ages. In addition to tricking or treating at different cars, there is also a vehicle decorating contents and a movie!

Dates: Friday, October 25 and Saturday, October 26

Time: gates typically open at 4pm and close at 5:30pm, with showtime starting around 6:45pm.

Cost: ~$28 per vehicle (up to 7 people)

*Check here for my review on The Goochland Drive In!

2. Fall Festival Game at University of Richmond

One of the things I love about The University of Richmond Spiders' football games is the themes -- their Spiders Kids Club always plans best activities for kids!

November 1 is their Fall Festival Football Game. And as a ticketed fan, you can enjoy an inflatable corn maze, pumpkin patch, and carnival games! There will also be a pie eating and pumpkin decorating contest.

The University of Richmond Spiders play Fordham on November 1 at 2pm.

Dates: November 1, 2025

Time: 2pm

Cost: between $15-$28 pp*

*Make sure to purchase a Spiders Kids Club membership for the best deal on kids' tickets!

3.Poloween at King Family Vineyard

This is one of the most unique family-friendly Halloween events near Richmond!

King Family Vineyards & Roseland Polo’s popular Poloween has trunk or treat tailgates, a pony parade, costume contests & the final polo match of the season! You can bring your own food or visit one of the many food trucks on site. Plus golf carts bring around King Family Vineyards’ delicious wines (and YES Crose)!

PRO TIP: Bring a lot of candy. We gave out over 400 pieces of candy at the 2024 event.

Dates: October 26, 2025

Time: For Poloween, the gates open at 10am, trick or treating is from 10:30-12ish, and the match starts at 2pm.

Cost: Polo matches are always FREE & open to the public. Field side tailgating is first come, first served!

*Check here for what Poloween looked like in 2024!

4. Not-So-Spooky Theme Park Events

We are so lucky to have two, family-friendly Halloween events at our local theme parks in Central Virginia. Both Kings Dominion and Busch Gardens Williamsburg host family-friendly daytime Halloween activities, in addition to the nighttime Halloween scary events. You can enjoy rides, live shows, and trick-or-treat stations—all with a festive vibe that’s more playful than scary.

Kings Dominion's Tricks and Treats

When: Saturdays & Sundays, Sept. 20 - Nov. 2, 2025

Where: 16000 Theme Park Way, Doswell, VA 23047

What to expect: seasonal crafts & games, costume contest, trick or treat trail plus the theme park attractions

Cost: Tickets start at $45 pp*

The live shows, most activities, and most rides included with park admission!

*For more tips on visiting Kings Dominion with little kids, check out this guide!

Busch Gardens Williamsburg's Halloween Spooktacular

When: Saturdays & Sundays from 10am-5pm from Sept. 21 - Nov. 3, 2025

Where:

What to expect: Kids 9 and younger are invited to dress up in their favorite costumes for a fun day at the theme park! You can explore the haze max, family-friendly rides, join in a costume parade and more! Tick or treating is throughout the Wild Reserve.

Cost: Tickets start at $90 pp*

*Live shows, most activities, and most rides included with park admission

*For more tips on visiting Busch Gardens Williamsburg with little kids, check out this guide!

5. Community Trunk-or-Treats

There are so many trunk or treat events around Richmond, Virginia! Local churches, schools, and community centers often organize trunk-or-treat events, where kids can collect candy from decorated cars in a safe environment. Starting in September, you will see signs advertising these events around Richmond. Most of these are free to attend or you just need to bring candy to donate to the cause.

Richmond area high schools also host Trunk or Treat events each October. It doesn't matter where you live or if you are zoned to that high school - you can still attend this free, family friendly event.

Typically, Trunk or Treat events are hosted in the high school's parking lot or gym, depending on the weather. Each club, student organization and athletic team decorates the "trunk" of a car or creates a booth for kids to treat or trick at. Clubs will have candy, prizes, games - these are really creative!

6. Fall Festival at The Great Big Greenhouse

The Great Pumpkin is at The Great Big Greenhouse!!

This local garden center is ready for fall fun with a large Halloween play area all Peanuts themed! You will find games, pumpkins, bounce house & a school bus with the Peanuts gang on board. This space is great for younger kids. They have a large Halloween play area with photo ops, a Peanuts bus, a bounce house, sand play & more!

The Great Big Greenhouse is open daily: Sunday from 9am-6pm & Monday – Saturday 8am-7pm. It's FREE to visit every day!

PRO TIP: Visit on Thursdays!! The Huguenot-Robious Farmers’ Market is at the greenhouse on Thursdays from 10-2 (all year). You can purchase hot dogs, chili, cinnamon rolls & more!

*Check here to see what the play area looks like this year!

7.Fall Fest at Cross Creek Nursery

Cross Creek Nursery's annual Fall Fest will begin September 20th, and it lasts through October 26th.

Every Saturday & Sunday between 10am-3pm, you can visit either the Midlothian or West End location for food vendors, kids' activities and workshops. Kids can jump in the bounce house or visit with the goats too. The nurseries are also decorated as a whimsical fall wonderland -- perfect for fall pictures!

*Check here for my full review!

8.Autumn Festival & Pro Rodeo at Rassawek Vineyards

Rassawek's 4th annual Autumn Festival & Pro Rodeo is October 18 & October 19 this year. This non-profit event is packed with entertainment & education for the whole family! You can watch bull riding, listen to live music, check out antique cars, ride a helicopter OR steam engine wagon ride. The NEW Kids Corral has a corn pit, pumpkin decorating and arts & crafts!

During the festival, you can enjoy the: Pro Rodeo, pumpkin painting & haybale castle, steam engine wagon rides, live music, local food vendors, vendor market, antique car display, an antique heavy equipment demonstrations... and more!

Tickets start at $10. Children 2 & under are FREE. Use code "westendmom10" to get 10% off your tickets!!

9.Friday Night Movies in the Pumpkin Patch at Tom Leonards

Tom Leonard's Farmers' Market holds Free Friday Night Movies in their pumpkin patch each October! While the 2025 date(s) haven't been released yet, here's what you need to know.

This is a FREE, family-friendly event, and the kid-friendly Halloween movies are shown in their hay bale theater. Movies typically start around 7pm, but you need to arrive earlier to grab your spot - make sure to bring chairs & blankets. They have free popcorn, hot chocolate and warm cider.

In previous years, they've shown movies like: It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, Sesame Street, A Magic Halloween, Disney’s Adventure of Ichibod & Mr. Toad, and SpongeBob SquarePants: Halloween.

*Check here for more details on the 2025 event!

10.Maymont's Garden Glow on Friday, October 31

During Maymont's Garden Glow, the Nature Center, historic mansion & gardens are illuminated with colorful and interactive light displays. The carriage house lawn becomes a glow festival with food trucks, fire pits & a Glow Bar.

And the highlight of Garden Glow is the Japanese Garden! It's decorated with lights & glowing displays from the ground to the sky.

On Friday, October 31, kids can trick or treat throughout the pathways and everyone is invited to dress up in costume!

*For my full review, check out.

More community events that are perfect for younger kids:

1.Busy Bee Play City's Halloween Boo Bash: This ticketed event is on Friday, October 31 from 8am to 1 pm. Kids can participate in pumpkin crafts, a costume parade and more. This is a $10 add on to your play ticket. Check the calendar here!

2.Hanover Parks and Recreation's Spooky Fun Fest at Pole Green Park: This free event is at Pole Green Park on Friday, October 10 and Saturday, October 11. It's geared towards children who are 2 to 10 years old, and there will be trick or treating at community & business sponsored tents, crafts, activities, and a sensory friendly zone. Check here for details.

*more events coming soon!