Hanover’s Perspective
Fun-Filled Fall in Hanover County, VA
Between pumpkin picking, hayrides and visiting corn mazes, there are plenty of ways for you and your family to stay busy this autumn in Hanover County. These activities for adults and kids alike make the most of autumn and all that comes with it—the crisp air, autumn atmosphere, and fall foods, for starters.
For the chill and thrill seekers, Ashland Berry Farm, Hanover Vegetable Farm, Creepy Hollow Scream Park, and of course, Kings Dominion are all serving up spine-tingling haunted attractions. For ghost walks steeped in historical lore, visit Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown, Hanover Tavern and the Ashland Haunted History Tour.
To help you get started, we’ve rounded up a fall bucket list of items that you’ll want to prioritize this time of year. Be sure to plan your fall fun in advance by visiting each venue’s website.
Skip to Haunts and Pumpkin Picking. Skip to Festivals and Special Events.
Haunts and Pumpkin Picking
Brace yourself for a screaming good time at Kings Dominion’s Halloween Haunt! Everything in your deepest, darkest fears is right here. As night falls on the park, hundreds of creatures from the underworld emerge to make your worst nightmares come true. Spine-chilling haunted houses, elaborate scare zones and horrifying haunted mazes will force you to sleep with the lights on. Spooky live shows and seasonal drinks and eats add to the fang-tastic fun. If that’s not spooktacular enough, the park’s most popular rides will be open at night to deliver the amazing thrills and chills found only at Kings Dominion. Note: This Halloween event is too intense for young children. Parental discretion is advised.
When: Select nights Sept. 19 – Nov. 2, 2025
Admission: Park ticket purchase required.
Kings Dominion – Tricks and Treats
Experience Kings Dominion’s family-friendly Halloween event. Everyone in the family is sure to have a boo-lastic time with our Halloween activities, live shows, a costume contest, seasonal food and drinks, and of course, candy! If that’s not fang-tastic enough, you will also enjoy your favorite rides and attractions throughout the park.
When: Saturdays & Sundays, Sept. 20 – Nov. 2, 2025
Admission: Park ticket purchase required
The Ashland Berry Farm pumpkin patch is where memories are made. Parking is free, and all-you-can-carry pumpkins and hayride to the 30-acre pumpkin patch is $30! The $30 fee applies only once to your group, however, one person must be able to hold the pumpkins that the group picks and walk three steps without dropping them. Enjoy fall fun at the 3D Boo House, Fort Pumpkin Adventure (weekends only), the Animal Corral (weekends only), country store and gift shop, and homemade donut shop (weekends only). Fees apply.
When: Pumpkin picking starts Saturday, September 27, 2025. Visit website for dates/times.
Cost: Pumpkins are all you can carry for $30, or if you don’t want to pick, pumpkins can be individually purchased.
Haunts: Terror on the Farm at Ashland Berry Farm
Ashland Berry Farm unleashes a brand-new season of screams with four terrifying haunts for 2025! Hopefully you can survive the unknown forces that haunt this farm. This is only for the strong hearted souls. COME SEE US IF YOU DARE!
When: October 3 – November 1, 2025 – Select Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Admission: Visit website for schedule and to purchase tickets.
Focusing on the town’s rich and storied history, tour groups will follow the train line as guides spin fascinating tales of the dark and macabre that will both thrill and delight. Learn all about the surprisingly rowdy history of this antebellum town by stories passed down from business owners and residents. Two one-hour tours are available: Spirits of Railroad Avenue and Stranger than Fiction.
When: Fridays & Saturdays starting September 19 through November 8, 2025 (some Thursday nights are available)
Admission: Visit website for schedule and to purchase tickets.
You can find the perfect pumpkin at Hanover Vegetable Farm! On the weekends, additional activities include pumpkin picking, corn maze, corn cannons, corn bin, pony rides, giant sand box, Charlotte’s Web Hide-and-Seek, face painting, food trucks, adult beverages, live music and more. See the farm’s calendar of events for specific attractions on any given date and fees.
When: Pumpkin Picking – Schedule coming soon
Additional weekend activities available include Corn maze, Giant Pumpkin Jump Pad, Petting Barn (feed is $1), Corn Cannons (additional fee for corn to shoot), Corn Bin, Giant Sand Box, Inflatable Village (additional fee), Charlotte’s Web Hide and Seek, Face Painting (additional fee), Food Trucks, Pony Rides (additional fee; see website for schedule), and adult beverages!
Admission: See website for pricing.
Haunts at Hanover Vegetable Farm: Red Vein
Note: Children under the age of 8 will not be permitted to enter (unless it’s a special “No Slaughter Night” without actors.) It is strongly recommended that children under 13 be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Parental discretion is strongly advised.
When: Fridays & Saturdays starting September 27 – November 1; see website for specific dates and times
Admission: Visit website for schedule and to purchase tickets.
A year round, multi themed escape room currently featuring three exciting games: Phobia, Mark of the Witch, and Escape from 20,000 Leagues.
Admission: Visit website for more schedule and to purchase tickets.
Lloyd Family Farms has a 50+ acre pumpkin patch with a great selection of a variety of pumpkins and gourds and many activities including hayrides, corn pit, animals, a corn maze, the straw castle, a sand pile, the giant ball field, and various yard games.
When: Pumpkin picking starts September 26 through October 26, 2025. See website for schedule and events.
Creepy Hollow Scream Park has live actors, monsters, incredible animatronics, amazing illusions, and acres of screams. Join us for Richmond’s legendary Scream Forest, located just 10 minutes from Short Pump and are open select nights in October. This is scary entertainment and may not be appropriate for small children or those faint of heart.
When: October 3 through November 1, 2025, Fridays, Satrurdays, Sundays and the Thursday before Halloween.
Admission: Tickets required. Kids ages 12 and under are free.
Other places to purchase pumpkins in Hanover County:
FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
Apple & Hard Cider and Bluegrass Festival at Hanover Vegetable Farm
Get your own Virginia apples (already picked apples from Virginia Orchards), enjoy great Virginia Apple and Hard Cider, wine and spirits and and listen to amazing Bluegrass with four bands! Other adult beverages available at The Event Barn. Vendors, food trucks and activities for the whole family!
When: September 27, 2025, 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Admission: Tickets required. Kids 3 years old and under are free.
Ashland Theatre – Various Shows and Events
During October, a series of spooky film showings and live performances will be providing haunting entertainment at the Ashland Theatre throughout October. The theatre is featuring Beetlejuice, The Birds, Psycho, The Night He Came Home!, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and The Night of the Living Dead.
NEW: On October 9, Ashland Theatre will host its first ever Haunted House!
When: View the website for schedule.
Admission: Visit the website for ticket purchases.
Hanover Autumnfest at Hanover Tavern
Autumnfest is Hanover Tavern Foundation’s signature community event of the year. Now in its 10th year, The Tavern grounds become the backdrop for a day of food, family fun, and live music. The event features food, local craft beer and wine, live music, and games and activities for the kids. Children’s activities include pumpkin decorating, petting zoo, hay slide and face painting.
When: September 27, 2025; 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Admission: Free
View the Hanover Tavern Event Calendar for more events including the Haunted Hanover Tour (10/12 – 10/14, 2025), Halloween Pairing Dinner (10/30/25) and more!
The Montpelier Days Festival – The Montpelier Center for Arts and Education
Montpelier Days, a cherished community tradition, is returning this year to the heart of our town! This family-friendly celebration brings together residents, neighbors, and visitors for a full day of local pride, history, and fun. Whether you’re a lifelong resident or discovering Montpelier for the first time, this event offers something for everyone. It celebrates the people, stories, and spirit that make our community so unique.
When: September 27, 2025; 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Admission: Free.
The annual Green Top Outdoor Expo includes seminar speakers, demonstrations, more than 225 vendors, and entertainment for the whole family.
When: October 4 (8 a.m.- 6 p.m.) and October 5 (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.), 2025
Admission: Free
Hanover County Parks and Recreation – SpookyFUN Fest (Click on Events tab)
Come in your costume and don’t forget to bring your trick-or-treat bag! Games, inflatables, flashlight candy hunts, DJ music and more!
When: October 10, 2025 – Pole Green Park; and October 11, 2025 – Poor Farm Park; 4:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Admission: Free
Gourds, Goblets and Ghouls Festival at Hanover Vegetable Farm
Boney and Betty are back for another fun time down on the farm this fall! With live music, 10+ wine, cider and distilleries, 75+ vendors, hayrides, pumpkin picking, corn maze and lots of fun activities for the whole family!
When: October 11 & 12, 2025
Event and ticket information coming soon! Check website for updates.
James River Cellars Winery – Harvest Party!
Indulge in the flavors of Virginia at our Harvest Party! Join us for a celebration of local products, honoring the true essence of Virginia’s bounty. Let your taste buds revel in the richness of our region’s offerings. Live music from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
When: October 18, 2025; 12:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Admission: Free
Visit the winery’s event schedule for Fridays at the Pavilion, Perfect Pairings, craft workshops, and Halloween Cookie Decorating Class and more!
Off the Rails Craft Beer Festival – Boos, Brews and BBQ
The Get ready for a day of fun, flavor, and festivities at the Off the Rails Craft Beer & Wine Festival: Brews, Boos, and BBQ on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at The Hanover Arts & Activities Center! This family-friendly event will take place on the beautiful lawn, showcasing local craft beers, local wine, delicious food, and a vibrant community atmosphere.
When: October 25, 2025; 3:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Admission: Ticket purchase required.
Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown: The Stuff of Nightmares
Crumbling castles, dark foreboding landscapes, supernatural and mysterious characters, disturbing and horrifying stories! Spend an evening at Scotchtown and experience the true terror of the early Gothic literary movement as you meet the authors of some of the most chilling and haunting stories and novels of the 18th and 19th centuries. Guest interpreters will be portraying authors including Edgar Allan Poe, Washington Irving, Mary Shelley, and many more!
When: October 25, 2025; Every 30 minutes starting at 6:00 p.m..
Admission: Visit website to purchase tickets.
Hanover County Parks and Recreation – Montpelier Monster Mash
Calling all ghouls, goblins, and little pumpkins! Get ready for a fun evening at the Montpelier Recreation Center – a family-friendly celebration packed with trick-or-treat charm and spooky surprises! Enjoy games and themed activities, crafts, mazes and bonfires!
When: October 25, 2025; 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Admission: Free
Ashland Halloween presents dastardly days and nightmarish nights jampacked with events and promotions in Downtown Ashland. Local businesses host quaint and quirky events, while picturesque Victorian homes take on a spooky glow for the long weekend of celebration. Plan your date night or family outing with us!
When: Check calendar for more event dates/times. Check back regularly as calendars dates/times are being added and modified.
Admission: Ticket purchase required for some events.