Del Ray Halloween Parade 2023: Route, Contest Details

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Look no further than the Del Ray Halloween Parade for some family-friendly fun leading up to Halloween.

The 27th annual Del Ray Halloween Parade will take place Sunday, Oct. 29 at 2 p.m. along Mount Vernon Avenue. The parade typically begins at E. Bellefonte Avenue and continues along Mount Vernon Avenue to the area of Mount Vernon Rec Center.

Children, pets, and decorated strollers are invited to march in the parade in their Halloween best. Families can also participate in the Stroller/Group contests and Pet Costume contest.

The Stroller/Group Contest will have registration from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the corner of Mt. Vernon and E. Howell Avenues. Categories include Creative, Humorous, Best Group or Family, Less is More, and Overall. All participating strollers must be registered by 1:30 p.m. and will line up on E. Howell Avenue for judging before the parade. There is no fee to register, as the Homes of Alexandria Team of Compass is sponsoring the contest.

Registration for the Pet Costume Contest will also happen before the parade, but judging will happen at the end of the parade route. Categories include Creative, Team, How Could You Do This To Me?, and Vola Lawson Best of Show. Participants should register by 1:30 p.m. at Mount Vernon and E. Howell Avenues. There is no fee to register, as Your Dog’s Best Friends/The Dog Store is sponsoring the contest.

Even before the parade, other contests and Halloween festivities are getting underway. Residents and businesses can submit nominations for best decorated house and business. The deadline for submissions is Oct. 22. Then, a list of nominees will be released so residents can visit the spooky displays and vote for their favorite. The contest is sponsored by The Jen Walker Team.

Families can enjoy more Halloween fun with a scavenger hunt starting Oct. 17. Walk along Mount Vernon Avenue to find Halloween-themed items on Del Ray's decorated businesses and hand-painted windows. Scavenger hunt maps will be available after Oct. 17 on the Del Ray Business Association website or from the witch at Pat Miller Neighborhood Square, Mount Vernon and Oxford Avenues. Four winners will be randomly chosen to win a $50 gift card to their favorite Del Ray business.

Residents can help children in need have an enjoyable Halloween by donating costumes. The Del Ray Business Association collects costumes each year for children in Alexandria who wouldn't otherwise have a costume. An Amazon wish list has been created with specific costumes requested by children. Delivery dates should be before Oct. 26 so children have the costumes in time for the Oct. 29 Halloween Parade.