Late October in Virginia Beach: Sanctuary lights up Mount Trashmore, trunk or treats Oct. 23-24, drug take back Oct. 24 and the last Friday hoedowns.

Last checked Oct. 18, 2026. This page is rebuilt on the first of each month. Events come from the organizers’ own pages, linked below; confirm times before you go. For this weekend’s full list, see things to do this weekend.

The second half of October in Virginia Beach belongs to Halloween, with free trunk or treats, a library craft series and a new nighttime art walk at Mount Trashmore. Halloween itself falls on a Saturday this year. Questions about city-run events go to Parks and Recreation special events at 757-385-2990.

Running all month: Sanctuary at Mount Trashmore

Sanctuary, a temporary art installation by the Australian collective Skunk Control, opened Oct. 17 near shelter 3 in the southeast corner of Mount Trashmore Park, 310 Edwin Drive. More than 4,000 pieces, including kinetic flowers over 17 feet tall, moving and singing birds and more than 1,300 butterflies, fill the space with light, color and sound, the city’s announcement says.

  • Free, through Dec. 16, during regular park hours.
  • Evening viewing until 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, except Halloween.
  • The city suggests a daytime visit and an evening one, because the work changes with the light.

Week of Oct. 19

  • Cryptid Book Nooks, Thursday, Oct. 22, and Thursday, Oct. 29, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library, 4100 Virginia Beach Blvd. A two-part session building a forest book nook with a handmade creature. Registration required, and it covers both nights.
  • Spook-y Ghoul-y Family Extravaganza, Friday, Oct. 23, 6 to 8 p.m., Princess Anne Recreation Center, 1400 Nimmo Parkway. Music, a haunted forest and a trunk or treat in the parking lot and field. Free, no membership needed.
  • Friday Night Hoedown, Friday, Oct. 23, 7 to 10 p.m., Virginia Beach Farmers Market, 3640 Dam Neck Road, with Rob Oliver. Free live music, rain or shine; bring a chair.

Saturday, Oct. 24

  • National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Lynnhaven Mall near the food court. Virginia Beach police and Human Services take unwanted medicine for free and hand out lock boxes and naloxone while supplies last, the city’s notice says. Can’t make it? Drop boxes are at all four police precincts year-round.
  • VBPD Mounted Patrol Annual Trunk or Treat, 4 to 8 p.m., Mounted Patrol Facility, 2089 Indian River Road. See the horses and the barn dressed for Halloween. Free. A sensory friendly hour, without smoke or flashing lights, runs 3 to 4 p.m.

Week of Oct. 26

  • Bayside Forever Young Halloween Party, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Bayside Recreation Center, 4500 First Court Road. For adults 55 and older, with games and lunch. $15, plus a rec center membership or day pass. Reserve a spot.
  • Friday Night Hoedown season finale, Friday, Oct. 30, 7 to 10 p.m., Virginia Beach Farmers Market, with Rob Oliver. The last hoedown until spring.
  • Halloween, Saturday, Oct. 31. See our trick-or-treat hours page for city guidance and more trunk or treats.

The library and the recreation centers add smaller Halloween programs all month; search the library calendar and the Parks and Recreation listings.

Coming up in early November

  • Va Beach Jeep Fest, Nov. 6-8, at the Oceanfront, the first year for the event, according to Beach Events VB.
  • Autumn in the Air, Saturday, Nov. 7, noon to 5 p.m., Mount Trashmore Park. Folk, Americana and rock bands, food and activities; free admission and parking, per Parks and Recreation.
  • Farmers Market Fall Festival, Saturday, Nov. 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 3640 Dam Neck Road, with more than 90 crafters, live bee displays, food and music, per the Farmers Market.
  • Santa’s Stocking Old Fashioned Craft Bazaar, Nov. 14-15 at Princess Anne Recreation Center and Nov. 21-22 at Kempsville Recreation Center, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays. Free admission.

Find more

The city’s VB Go app gathers events from several city calendars and shows parking. Oceanfront festivals are listed by Beach Events VB.

Related: fall festivals and pumpkin patches, parks and trails and Virginia Beach farmers markets.

The big annual events each have their own page, updated every year: Shamrock Marathon (March), Patriotic Festival (May), North American Sand Soccer Championships (June), East Coast Surfing Championships (August) and the Neptune Festival (September).

Frequently asked questions

What is there to do in Virginia Beach in late October 2026?

Sanctuary, a light-up art installation, is open at Mount Trashmore through Dec. 16. Trunk or treats run Oct. 23 at Princess Anne Recreation Center and Oct. 24 at the VBPD Mounted Patrol facility, and the Farmers Market hoedowns finish Oct. 30.

When can I see Sanctuary at Mount Trashmore at night?

Evening access runs until 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 16, except Halloween. The installation is free and is also open during regular park hours.

Where can I drop off old prescriptions in Virginia Beach?

At Lynnhaven Mall near the food court, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, or any time in the collection boxes at the four Virginia Beach police precincts.

What is happening in Virginia Beach in early November?

The first Virginia Beach Jeep Fest is at the Oceanfront Nov. 6-8, and Saturday, Nov. 7, brings both Autumn in the Air at Mount Trashmore, noon to 5 p.m., and the Farmers Market Fall Festival, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.