Costumes, candy, trunk-or-treats, and a few not-too-spooky adventures: here’s where families can celebrate Halloween around Lexington, Buena Vista, and Rockbridge County in 2026.

Grab the costumes and find the candy buckets. Halloween fun is popping up all around Lexington and Rockbridge County. From trick-or-treating on Main Street to exploring Natural Bridge after dark, we’ve got you covered. 

We’ve rounded up Halloween events in Lexington, Buena Vista, and Rockbridge County, and we’ll keep adding events as more 2026 trunk-or-treats and celebrations are announced.

Know of one we missed? Send it our way so we can add it to the list.

At a Glance
Best for trick-or-treating: Downtown Lexington Trick-or-Treat
Best for little kids: Halloween Spooktacular at the library
Best Halloween adventure: Natural Bridge State Park
Best for Halloween night: Buena Vista Spooktacular + Glen Maury Park trick-or-treating

Halloween Fun All Month

Haunting Tales | Lexington

Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 1-Nov. 1 | 8 p.m.
Halloween week: Oct. 29-Nov. 1 | 6 p.m. & 8 p.m.

Take a spooky stroll through downtown Lexington on a 90-minute Haunting Tales walking tour. The nighttime tour begins outside the Lexington Visitor Center and mixes local history with haunting tales and folklore. 

Good to Know: Tours last about 90 minutes and begin outside the Lexington Visitor Center. 

Haunted History Lantern Tour | Natural Bridge

Fridays, Oct. 2-23, 2026 | 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Explore Natural Bridge by lantern light during this spooky twist on a history tour. On the Haunted History Lantern Tour, spirits from the past guide visitors along the trail to the Natural Bridge, sharing stories of the people who left their mark on this historic place. It’s a fun mix of local history and Halloween atmosphere without your typical haunted-house scares.

Good to know: The cost is $7 for adults ages 13 and older and $4 for children 12 and younger. Registration and prepayment are required. The tour includes 137 stairs, although transportation to bypass the stairs can be arranged in advance.

Things That Go “Bump in the Night” Hike | Natural Bridge

Saturdays, Oct. 3-24, 2026 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. 

Skip the ghosts and meet some of the real creatures that come out after dark.

Natural Bridge State Park‘s ranger-led nighttime hike takes families outdoors after sunset to learn about nocturnal wildlife under the stars. It’s a fun option for kids who like Halloween but would rather search for nighttime creatures than anything truly scary.

Good to know: The cost is $3 per person and registration is required.

Halloween Fun Around Town

Halloween Spooktacular | Lexington

Friday, Oct. 16, 2026 | 6:30–8:30 p.m.

Put on your Halloween costume and head to the library for an evening of not-too-spooky fun. The Halloween Spooktacular brings families together for creepy crafts, spellbinding stories, and Halloween activities designed for all ages.

Good to know: This event is free and takes place at the Rockbridge Regional Library, 138 S. Main St., Lexington.

Downtown Lexington Trick-or-Treat | Lexington

Friday, Oct. 30, 2026 | 3:30–5 p.m.

One of Lexington’s favorite Halloween traditions takes over downtown the afternoon before Halloween for 2026. Put on the costumes and head to Main Street, where downtown businesses and community members will be waiting with candy for trick-or-treaters. The streets close to traffic during the event, giving families room to make their way through downtown, and live performances from local arts and dance groups add to the afternoon.

Good to know: This event is free. Downtown trick-or-treating is for children ages 12 and younger accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Owl-o-ween | Natural Bridge

Friday, Oct.  30, 2026 | 6:30-8 p.m.

Ghosts and goblins aren’t the only things that come out around Halloween! Head to Natural Bridge State Park for Owl-o-ween, an evening hike along Cedar Creek Trail in search of one of the park’s most mysterious nighttime residents: the eastern screech owl. Learn about these nocturnal birds, listen for their calls, and, if you’re lucky, spot one in the woods.

Good to know: The cost is $7 for adults ages 13 and older and $4 for children 12 and younger. Space is limited, and registration and prepayment are required. The visitor center will be closed, so restrooms will not be available.

Buena Vista Halloween Spooktacular | Buena Vista

Saturday, Oct.  31, 2026 | 3–7 p.m.

Halloween night brings another chance to fill those candy buckets just a few minutes from Lexington. Buena Vista’s annual Halloween celebration takes over downtown with trick-or-treating, costumes, and community fun along Magnolia Avenue. The 2026 celebration is scheduled for Halloween, making this an easy option for families looking for somewhere local to celebrate on the big night.

Good to know: This event is free, and is designed for all ages, so come dressed up and ready for Halloween fun. 

Halloween Drive Through | Buena Vista

Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 | 5 p.m.

Put on the costumes and head to Glen Maury Park for Halloween trick-or-treating through the campground. Kids can walk through the campground collecting candy from participating campers along the way.

Good to know: The event takes place at Glen Maury Park, 101 Maury River Drive, Buena Vista. 

Halloween Celebrations Worth the Drive

Hometown Halloween | Covington

Friday, October 30, 2026 | 5–7 p.m.

Head to downtown Covington for Hometown Halloween. Main Street becomes a trick-or-treating destination as participating businesses and community organizations hand out treats to costumed kids.

Good to know: Main Street will close beginning at 3 p.m. to prepare for the event, so plan for road closures and allow a little extra time for parking before trick-or-treating begins at 5 p.m.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show | Clifton Forge

Friday, October 30, 2026 | 7:30–9 p.m.

Looking for a Halloween date night instead? Head to the Historic Masonic Theatre in Clifton Forge for a Halloween-weekend showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Good to know: This one’s for the grown-ups rather than the family Halloween calendar. Admission is listed at $10.

Halloween at the Depot | Clifton Forge

October 31, 2026 | 2–6 p.m.

Trick-or-treat among the trains at the C&O Railway Heritage Center in Clifton Forge. This family-friendly Halloween afternoon includes candy, a costume contest, a trunk decorating contest, and rides on the Little C&O train.

Good to know: Come hungry! The Clifton Forge Little League will have food available during the event. 

Frequently Asked Questions

When is downtown Lexington trick-or-treating in 2026?
Downtown Lexington Trick-or-Treat is Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, from 3:30–5 p.m. Children ages 12 and younger can trick-or-treat at participating downtown businesses and community organizations. Children should be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Where can kids trick-or-treat on Halloween night near Lexington?
On Saturday, Oct. 31, families can head to Buena Vista for the Halloween Spooktacular from 3–7 p.m. or trick-or-treat through the campground at Glen Maury Park beginning at 5 p.m. The C&O Railway Heritage Center in Clifton Forge also hosts its Trunk-or-Treat from 2–6 p.m.

Are there free Halloween events for kids near Lexington?
Yes. Free Halloween events include Downtown Lexington Trick-or-Treat, Halloween Spooktacular at Rockbridge Regional Library, Buena Vista Halloween Spooktacular, and Halloween trick-or-treating at Glen Maury Park. Other events may require admission or advance registration.

What Halloween events are happening at Natural Bridge State Park?
Natural Bridge State Park has several nighttime adventures throughout October, including the Haunted History Lantern Tour, Things That Go “Bump in the Night” Hike, and Owl-o-ween. These programs have admission fees, and some require advance registration.

Keep the Fall Fun Going

We’re still a few weeks away from October, which means plenty of local trunk-or-treats, church events, costume parties, and neighborhood celebrations haven’t announced their 2026 plans yet.

We’ll keep updating this guide as Halloween gets closer.

And if you’re looking for fall fun before it’s time to put on the costumes, check out our guides to Pumpkin Patches Near Rockbridge County, Corn Mazes Worth the Drive, Apple Picking Near Lexington and Fall Festivals Near Lexington.