Halloween 2025: When To Trick-Or-Treat In Fairfax City Safety Tips

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — Trick-or-treating doesn't have a set time in many Northern Virginia communities, which means you can expect little ghosts and ghouls to show up to your doorstep during the evening hours of Halloween.

That applies to Fairfax City, where families typically trick-or-treat on Halloween. This year, Halloween falls on Friday, Oct. 31.

If you live within a homeowners association or apartment complex, check with them on trick-or-treat times, as they may be different from Oct. 31.

Fairfax City is also hosting some family-friendly Halloween alternatives to trick-or-treating.

• Fairfax City Ghost Tour: Thursday and Friday on North Street in Old Town Fairfax. Learn about the history and haunts of spirited former residents who may still inhabit the buildings of Old Town Fairfax City. Researched and hosted by experienced ghost tour guides, the 90-minute ghost tour is for all ages, with just the right amount of spooky. (No jump scares!) Tickets: $25/adults (age 12+), $20 children 11 and younger. Registration.
• Fairfax City Welcomes Boos and Ghouls to trick-or-treat on Halloween, Oct. 31, at Fairfax City government facilities. Costumes encouraged for all!
  • Sherwood Center front desk, 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Fairfax City Hall department offices, 1-4 p.m.
  • Green Acres front desk, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Here are some safety tips shared by the City of Fairfax Police Department for trick-or-treater

• Carry flashlights and wear bright colors.
• Look before crossing.
• Stay alert.

Insuranceopedia has provided other safety tips for drivers as part of its Halloween guide:

• Slow your speed down in residential areas. Expect unpredictable movement from kids.
• Take extra looks at inersections, mediand, and curbs. The NHTSA recommends that drivers use headlights earlier in the day, to improve visibility and to spot children at greater distances.
• Put your phone away when driving, so you can concentrate on your surroundings.
• Enter/exit driveways with extreme caution (driveway back-overs are a known risk).
• The most popular time for trick-or-treaters is between 5:30-9:30pm. Drivers should be hyper-vigilant during this time window.
• Plan a sober ride if celebrating. Alcohol impairment spikes crash risk on Halloween.

For residents celebrating Halloween with alcohol, the Washington Regional Alcohol Program will offer its Halloween SoberRide program from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. on the evenings of Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. The program seeks to keep DC area roads safe from would-be impaired drivers during high-risk holidays. Residents 21 and older can receive a free Lyft ride up to $15 using the Lyft app. The promo code will be posted at 3 p.m. on Oct. 31 at www.SoberRide.com.