Looking for a safe and family-friendly way to celebrate the spooky season of Halloween? Buckle up and head on out to some of the best home haunts in Fairfax County, where local residents deck out their homes with ghosts, goblins, monsters, and ghouls.
Here are a few homes to add to your route, but keep checking back as more will be added as they become available.
But, make sure to see them before Halloween Night, as many come down immediately after.
**Reminder: These are private properties, so please respect the owners’ homes and stay out of the light display and yard when visiting, and please, do not block driveways.
610 Spring St, Herndon
Image courtesy Colleen Delawder
This year, The Historic Herndon Halloween House is celebrating its 18th year with “The Nightmare Before Christmas” as its theme. Two great holidays combined, what could possibly be more fun than that? There are many kid-friendly interactive attractions this year, including a creepy mailbox containing free peppermints and stickers, a Jack Skellington doorbell to ring, and Find Jack, our version of The Elf on a Shelf.
Remember, there are certain things that show up more clearly during the day and others that are best seen at night. The owners suggest coming in the early evening before the sun goes down, to see everything in the daylight and then taking a stroll through The Town of Herndon and dining at one of its great local restaurants. After dinner, when the Halloween House lights have come on, come back for another look in the dark. It’s a great way to spend an evening in Historic Herndon.
13601 Brass Harness Ct, Herndon
Image courtesy Mike Barsky
This is the last year for the popular Chaos Crypt in Herndon as the homeowners will be moving to Colorado. The Chaos Crypt is an animated display that covers a corner lot, with the lights synchronized to Halloween-themed songs. The display includes over 25 tombstones, some with custom epitaphs. The side yard features several zombies where visitors can pose for a photo op with a 12' inferno skeleton as part of the backdrop. You can listen to the show in the comfort of your car by tuning into 96.1 FM, or enjoy it from the sidewalk while listening courtesy of outdoor speakers. To keep up with what's happening at the Chaos Crypt, or for information about the upcoming Christmas Light Show, visit https://www.facebook.com/MonstrousMike. (You can also check out videos from years past of both holiday light shows at www.monstrousmike.com.)
Pro tip: To help control traffic in this family neighborhood, please consider parking at Franklin Middle School. It's about a 1 minute walk from the school to the Halloween light display.
4401 Dolphin Ln, Alexandria
Image courtesy Haunting of Yacht Haven/Facebook
Do you go into "Spirit Halloween" stores every year to see the new animated figures? Well, this display features years of them, about 70 "Spirit" animated figures in a walk-through yard haunt, arranged in groupings of scarecrows, clowns, witches, monsters, a King with his dragons and horsemen breathing smoke, plus a graveyard with pirates. This one can really scare the little ones but is quite a sight and sound extravaganza for the brave. Follow along on Facebook: The Haunting of Yacht Haven.
13204 Stone Heather Dr, Herndon
Image courtesy Wendy Callarman Hunt
In its 23rd year of a bright lights display, this local family-oriented favorite in the Oak Hill neighborhood of Herndon features more than 5,000 lights, numerous animated and inflatable decorations, and a spooky walkway under Leyland cypresses (great to walk through with the kids). Beware of the ghosts flying overhead and the witches stirring their cauldrons! Snap photos of the pumpkin heads, witches, and ghosts, and don't miss special appearances by Snoopy and even Hello Kitty!
3006 Rosemoor Lane, Fairfax
Image courtesy Holly Zell
Welcome to the HOLLYWEEN MEMORIAL CEMETERY. Enter through the driveway/graveyard, past the fresh grave, and the skeletal cook who is busy mixing potions, to get your "treats" from the man in the coffin. Be sure to visit the mausoleum full of silly-named residents before you leave. Beware the giant spider doesn't get you and drag you into his web. For more on HOLLYWEEN and her handmade props, check out her Facebook group here.
415 Queens Row St, Herndon
Image courtesy Justin Jameyson
Monsters, Ghouls and Goblins! The Beastro at Queens Row was conjured up as a place for monsters to gather during Halloween to enjoy putrified dishes or catch up over a drink. On this year's menu - rock 'n' roll to make you shake your bones. That's right, The Beastro is now Northern Virginia's only haunted outdoor music venue and we're kicking it off with Beastro Fest! Come by at night for the best view. At LIVE at The Beastro, there's nothing we love better than the sound of our adoring fans' screams! Happy Halloween, everyone!
7302 Rhondda Dr, Lorton
Image courtesy Craig Rupert
Zombies, ghouls, creepy jack o'lanterns and more lurk at this decked-out townhome in Lorton with a mixture of animatronic, homemade, and inflatable creations. This small but scary display is well worth a visit - photos just don't do the spook-factor justice!
1604 Jubilation Ct, Herndon
Image courtesy Ryan McDonnell
This interactive Halloween light show in Herndon is synced to music over 87.9 FM and consists of over 10 Halloween-themed songs for all ages. Guests walking by can also tune in by turning on outside speakers at an interactive station (switch through songs or start the show from the beginning!). The display also includes giant singing jack-o-lanterns, ghosts singing back-up, a pirate ship overrun with skeleton pirates, and a foggy crypt. Learn more and check out the show online too!
1911 Stirrup Ln, Alexandria
Image courtesy Liz Schroeder
New this year at this bone-covered yard is a pirate area, a Western campfire complete with a covered wagon, a fantasy section with Knights and fighting dragons, and of course - the giant pet cemetery. Fog machines fill the air with spooky vibes and singing pumpkins perform about 16 different song animations.
2507 Fairview Drive, Alexandria - recently added!
Farmer's Christmas House is a mega-attraction during the holiday season, but they also do a pretty spectacular blow-up Halloween spectacle. Check out the walkthrough video above and keep tabs on their Facebook page for the latest. Keep in mind that weather plays a factor in this display being on for the night.
5109 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy, Alexandria - recently added!
Image courtesy Holly Zell
Over 100 5-foot skeletons lord over the family barbeque throughout the yard, but if you cross them, you become part of the meal. Two skeleton victims spinning over the bone-fueled bonfire learned this lesson just a bit too late. This year, the owners have added a 30-foot giant skeleton tower - quite a sight! Plus don't miss the drag racer skeleton with a 12 ft inferno skelly nearby. The fog adds an eerie atmosphere to the display.
For more Halloween fun and events - both virtual and in-person, go here. Scares and spooks not your thing? Check out the fall foliage viewing and scenic fall drives in the area, or just take a trip to the pumpkin patch before the season is over.
Are there other homes you know of that aren't on this list? Let us know in the comments below. Find even more great Halloween and Christmas home displays, check out Holly's Tacky Christmas Lights' special Halloween page or join her Facebook group for the latest on Halloween and Christmas light displays in the neighborhoods of Northern Virginia.
