Hanover’s Perspective
Fun-Filled Fall in Hanover County, VA: 2023
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 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.
Monsters and terror are waiting for you at Kings Dominion’s Halloween. On select nights this fall, hundreds of monsters will be unleashed, making the most terrifying nightmares come alive. Featuring a terrifying lineup of thrilling rides, haunted mazes, terrifying scare zones, and the spookiest live shows, fear is waiting for you around every corner. If you dare, attend Halloween Haunt on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays on select nights this fall. This Halloween event is too intense for young children. Parental discretion is advised.
When: Select nights Sept. 22 – Oct. 29, 2023
Admission: Ticket purchase required; restrictions apply
Kings Dominion – The Great Pumpkin Fest
Guests of all ages can join the PEANUTS gang for amazing fall fun at The Great Pumpkin Fest! From pumpkin painting, hay mazes, ghostly games, not-so-scary live entertainment and more, this scare-free festival makes for the perfect fall and Halloween activity for kids and everyone in the family. The Great Pumpkin Fest is a kids’ Halloween event you and your family won’t want to miss!
When: Saturdays and Sundays starting September 23 through October 29, 2023.
Admission: 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), country store and gift shop, and homemade donut shop (weekends only). Fees apply.
When: Pumpkin picking starts Saturday, September 30, 2023. 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
TERROR ON THE FARM is back with four new haunts! 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: September 30– October 31, 2023 – Select weekdays and every weekend.
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 late September through October 2023 (some Sundays and weeknights available in October)
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 associated fees.
When: Pumpkin Picking available weekends from October 1 – October 31
- Weekdays in October: Hayrides 2-6 pm. All other activities are closed. Pumpkins are $0.69 a pound.
- Each Weekend in October: 10 am to 6 pm (except Gourds, Goblets and Ghouls Festival on October 15 & 16, 2022.)
Additional activities available include Corn maze, Giant Pumpkin Jump Pad (New in 2022!), Petting Barn (feed is $1), Corn Cannons (additional fee for corn to shoot), Corn Bin, Giant Sand Box, Charlotte’s Web Hide and Seek, Face Painting (additional fee), food trucks, Pony Rides (additional fee) starts October 9th and will be 12-3 pm Saturdays and Sundays, and adult beverages!
Admission: On weekends, cost is $7-$15 per person based on activity level. Other activities are available at an additional cost.
Haunts at Hanover Vegetable Farm: Red Vein: 1999
As the leaves changed and nights grew cooler in the Fall of ‘87, counselors and campers at Camp Ashland prepared for their annual Halloween Bash on the farm. But as they readied the apples for bobbing and the pumpkins for carving, the dark and mysterious history of the land resurfaced and horrors insued. After investigations into the Camp Ashland massacre had ran their course and the secrets from this tragedy finally faded, the story reignites again 12 years later…in 1999….
Note: Children under the age of 8 will not be permitted to enter (unless it’s a special “No Slaughter Night” without actors.) Parental discretion is strongly advised.
When: Fridays & Saturdays starting September 29 – October 31; 7:30-11:00 p.m.; Sundays & Halloween – 7:30-10:00 p.m. Also open Thursday, October 19.
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 23, 2023. See website for schedule and events – coming soon.
Windy Knoll Farm offers pumpkin picking, hayrides and more! Watch your children’s faces light up as they make their pumpkin choices, and share laughter as you enjoy a hayride together. Family pets welcome on a leash.
When: September 21 – October 28, 2023 (Thursday, Friday and Saturday; 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
Admission: Free to attend; pay for pumpkins
The Nefarious Haunt Experience
Experience the most intense scavenger hunt of your life!!! You will come face to face with the spirits that still haunt this house today!
When: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from September 15 – November 4, 2023; various 30 minutes timeslots starting at 7:00 p.m.
Admission: Visit website for schedule and to purchase tickets.
Creepy Hollow Scream Park – Scream Forest
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.
Ticket sales starting soon on the website linked above.
FESTIVALS and SPECIAL EVENTS:
Hanover Autumn Fest at Hanover Tavern
AutumnFest is Hanover Tavern Foundation’s signature community event of the year. The Tavern grounds become the backdrop for a day of food, family fun, and live music. The event features on-site smoked pork, turkey, and beef brisket, Brunswick stew, side dishes, and fresh pies from Hanover Tavern’s restaurant. In addition, there is local craft beer and wine, live music, and games and activities for the kids. Children’s activities include pumpkin decorating, petting zoo, hay slide, face painting, outdoor scavenger hunt, magic show, and kids’ crafts.
When: September 30, 2023; 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Admission: Free
Virginia Apple Hard Cider and Bluegrass Festival at Hanover Vegetable Farm
Pick your own Virginia apples (already picked apples from Virginia Orchards), enjoy great Virginia Cider and listen to amazing Bluegrass with 6 bands! Vendors, Car Show, food trucks and activities for the whole family! Everyone that purchases the APPLE Ticket gets a bag to pick (up to) 3 lbs. of apples to eat now or take home!
When: October 1, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Admission: Tickets required. Kids ages 12 and under are free.
Ashland Theatre – Various Shows and Events
A series of spooky film showings and live performances will be providing haunting entertainment at the Ashland Theatre throughout October. To kick off the month, families with children up to 6 years old can enjoy October Toddler Takeover at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, with costumes encouraged. Later in the month, the theatre will show a variety of spooky films, including Monster House, Hocus Pocus, Carrie and Halloween.
When: View the website for schedule.
Admission: Visit the website for ticket purchases.
Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown Fall Festival
The annual Fall Festival and this year will be even bigger and better! Bring your folding chair or picnic blanket and enjoy live music by Marshall and Company, visit the many traditional artisans and vendors demonstrating their trades and selling their wares, food trucks, children’s activities area, and 18th-century games area, alpaca petting area, and continuous open house tours. Many local and regional cultural partners will be there as well as numerous interpreters, including Patrick Henry of course!
When: October 7, 2023; 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Admission: Visit website to purchase tickets.
Was it Murder? Lantern Tour and Program at Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown
In June 1766, two Virginians became embroiled in a tavern brawl in Cumberland County that left one of them dead and the other under a cloud of suspicion and contempt. But, Was it Murder?
Join Scotchtown staff and our special guests for an evening of fun and spooky entertainment! We start the program with our presentation of Was it Murder in 3 acts. Afterwards enjoy cider, cookies and a discussion of mourning customs and traditions of the 18th and 19th centuries along with traditional ghost stories around a bonfire.
Costumes are welcome. Warm clothes and comfortable shoes are encouraged. This event is hosted almost entirely outdoors. No refunds given unless the event must be cancelled by Preservation Virginia due to inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances.
When: October 14, 2023; One-hour tours will start every 30 minutes from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Admission: Visit website for schedule and to purchase tickets.
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, 12+ wine, cider and distilleries, a beer garden, 75+ vendors, hayrides, pumpkin picking, corn maze and lots of fun activities for the whole family! The Red Vein Haunted House will be open and ready to scare Saturday night! (opens for the season September 30th) For more info on the haunt visit redveinhaunt.com. Free goblet (while supplies last 500 each day), wine or beer can glass for everyone that buys the tasting Ticket! Each Day of the festival: Free tote bag given to first 250 to enter each day 21 and over!
When: October 14 and 15, 2023; 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. each day
Admission: Ticket required.
James River Cellars Winery – Harvest Party!
The harvest party features local cheeses & wines, honoring the true tastes of what Virginia has to offer. Live music will be held under the pavilion from 1:00pm-4:00pm by Dave Goodrich. Truckle Cheesemongers will be onsite for sales.
Visit the winery’s event schedule for Flavors of Fall Flight nights, Wine & Halloween Candy nights, and Spooky-oke: Karaoke Halloween Party on October 27, 2023.
When: October 21, 2023; 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Admission: Free
Hanover County Parks and Recreation – Taylors Spooky Fun (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 20, 2023 – Pole Green Park,5:00 – 8:30 p.m.; October 21, 2023 – Poor Farm Park, 5:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Admission: Free
Pumpkins in the Park: Saturday, October 7 – Friday, October 13, 2023. Various parks in the County; mobile app game using QR codes throughout the parks.
Spooky Paws for your dogs: Taylor Park Dog Park; October 28, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 pm.
Ashland Halloween presents five 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: October 27 – October 31, 2023.
Admission: Ticket purchase required for some events.
Halloween Bash – Trunk-or-Treating at Montpelier Center for Arts and Education
Come enjoy our spooky, family-friendly Halloween event, complete with games, food trucks, and more! Grab dinner and a drink on our Village Green while your kids enjoy trunk-or-treating, costumed fun, and themed games on the lawn! Trunk-or-Treating is 100% FREE for kids of all ages.
When: October 31, 2023; 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Oyster Harvest Festival at Montpelier Center for Arts and Education
Come enjoy our spooky, family-friendly Halloween event, complete with games, food trucks, and more! Grab dinner and a drink on our Village Green while your kids enjoy trunk-or-treating, costumed fun, and themed games on the lawn! Trunk-or-Treating is 100% FREE for kids of all ages.
When: November 11, 2023; 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Admission: Tickets required. $5/adult; Kids (12 & under) free
Other places to purchase pumpkins in Hanover County: