We’ve put together a list of our favorite Halloween events taking place in each region throughout the state and found the booziest parties, costume contests and murder mystery dinners for wine, beer and spirit lovers alike. Before you finalize your Hallo-weekend plans, be sure to check out these fun and spooky Halloween happenings taking place at Virginia wineries, breweries and distilleries nearest to you.
Heart Of Appalachia
Halloween Murder Mystery Dinner
Oct. 28: Join fellow wine lovers for a delicious dinner with a side of investigation. Help MountainRose Vineyard solve the hilarious murder mystery by playing along as one of the suspects. There is also a costume contest, so come dressed in your Halloween best. $35. 6 p.m. MountainRose Vineyard, Wise.
Blue Ridge Highlands
Hallowine
Oct. 28: Witches, ghosts and more are invited to Beliveau Estate Winery’s annual Halloween bash. In addition to great wine and live music there will be a costume contest, so be sure to come in your most creative getup. $10. 7–10 p.m. Beliveau Estate Winery, Blacksburg.
Shenandoah Valley
Happy Hallo-Wine Halloween Bash
Oct. 28: Come dressed to impress at James Charles Winery and Vineyard to win the grand prize. Sample hors d’oeuvres and 3Fires Oven Pizza with a glass of Witch’s Brew in your hand, and make this Halloween bash one to remember. 8 p.m.–midnight. James Charles Winery and Vineyard, Winchester.
Halloween Party with Dragon Wagon
Oct. 31: Ditch the trick-or-treating for a night of pints, frights and rock ‘n’ roll. Jam out to Staunton’s Dragon Wagon and fill up on delicious beer and food provided by Eats on the Streets food truck and Redbeard Brewing Co. Enter the costume contest for a chance to win Dragon Wagon and Redbeard Brewing Co. merchandise. 7–11 p.m. Redbeard Brewing Co., Staunton.
Northern Virginia
Halloween Murder Mystery Dinner
Oct. 27: Star in your very own mystery and vampire blockbuster and help guests track down the suspect at Potomac Point Winery’s “Murder on Set” murder mystery dinner. Enjoy a gourmet buffet dinner and tasty pairings of Halloween treats with Potomac Point’s finest wines. 7–9:30 p.m. Potomac Point Winery, Stafford.
Pirates of the Casa-bean
Oct. 28–29: Pirates, Captains and First Mates are invited to celebrate Halloween on the high seas with the Casanel Crew at Casanel Vineyards & Winery. Casanel’s stunning tasting room will be transformed into a ghostly pirate ship where delicious wine and Halloween treats will be served. 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Casanel Vineyards & Winery, Leesburg.
Halloween Madness
Oct. 28: Support the Louisa Humane Society at Lake Anna Winery’s Halloween Madness event. The night’s festivities will include a spook-tacularly fun costume contest, tasty galactic treats from The UFO Food Truck, live music by Reunion and an auction. $20. 6–10 p.m. Lake Anna Winery, Spotsylvania.
dRC Halloween Charity Bash
Oct. 28: The disAbility Resource Center of the Rappahannock Area is hosting a Halloween fundraiser event at Fredericksburg’s A. Smith Bowman Distillery. Party for a good cause and enjoy delicious samples of rum, whiskey, gin and vodka, all produced by the A. Smith Bowman Distillery. Guests may also enjoy music, dancing, an auction and more. Costumes are encouraged. $75. 7–11 p.m. A. Smith Bowman Distillery, Fredericksburg.
Second Annual Halloween Costume Party
Oct. 28: Brew Republic Bierworks is celebrating Halloween with their second annual Halloween Costume Party and the release of their Pumpkin Gose, the newest beer in Brew Republic’s pumpkin Guerrilla Series. Creepy costumes are encouraged. 7–11 p.m. Brew Republic Bierworks, Woodbridge.
Central Virginia
Halloween Costume Party
Oct. 27: Prince Michel Vineyard & Winery is offering a boozy costume contest exclusively for guests 21 and older. There will be food, music, dancing, and of course, wine. Prince Michel Vineyard & Winery asks that costume contest participants dress tastefully and refrain from using any weapon-like props. Free. 6–9 p.m. Prince Michel Vineyard & Winery, Leon.
Halloween Party
Oct. 27: This family- and pet-friendly event at James River Cellars Winery is loaded with Halloween fun. Guests and furry friends of all ages can compete in the Halloween costume contest, bust a move on the dance floor and indulge in great food from three Richmond-based food trucks. Older guests are invited to sip on a frighteningly delicious FrankenSLUSH or enjoy a Farmhouse Pumpkin Ale from Hardywood Park Craft Brewery. A selection of James River Cellar wines will be available as well. 6–10 p.m. James River Cellars Winery, Glen Allen.
7th Annual Halloween Costume Party
Oct. 27: Kick off your Hallo-weekend with one of Central Virginia’s longest running costume contests at Glass House Winery. Food and music will be provided in the Tasting Room by the Two Brothers Southwestern Grill Food Truck and Spanish-inspired band, Beleza. Glass House will also offer an assortment of wine, chocolates and other dishes for purchase. Free. 6–10 p.m. Glass House Winery, Free Union.
Howl at the Moon Party
Oct. 28-29: Just because you’re not a kid anymore doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some treats on Halloween. Watch the moon rise while enjoying live music, face painting, craft beer from Wild Wolf Brewing Company and much more. 6–10 p.m. Wild Wolf Brewing Company, Nellysford.
Midtown Sips Halloween Crawl
Oct. 29: Ring in All Hallow’s Eve and drink for charity at Charlottesville’s Midtown Sips Crawl. Sunday evening’s bar crawl benefits the Charlottesville Professional Firefighters Association and features an abundance of spirits and brews from Vitae Spirits, Random Row Brewing Co., Three Notch’d Brewing Company and Kardinal Hall. Crawlers can enter in a $5 charity raffle and show off their smarts at Random Row’s trivia night. 5 p.m. Crawl begins at Vitae Spirits, Charlottesville.
Coastal Virginia – Hampton Roads
Back Bay’s Halloween Harvest Festival
Oct 28: Take the chance to win over $100 in Back Bay Brewing Co. gift cards at the Halloween Harvest Festival’s costume contest. Back Bay will have nine ciders and brews on draft, including Back Bay’s new Honey Apple Blonde Ale and Coconut Chocolate Stout. Red River Smokehouse and Capt’n Crabby will be cooking up stellar fare from their food trucks, too. Three tiers of tickets are currently available for purchase. 2–6 p.m. Back Bay Brewing, Virginia Beach.
Halloween Wine and Costume Party
Oct 28: Costumes of any kind guarantee you free entry into this haunted evening of tricks, treats and lots of wine. Best costume wins a $75 bottle of Mermaid Winery wine. Glasses of red and white may also be purchased at the event for $3. 8–11 p.m. Mermaid Winery, Norfolk.
Author: Grace Silipigni
