This season marks the 20th anniversary of two fan-favorite traditions — the All the Saints Halloween Parade and the Richmond Zombie Walk. | Photo by RICtoday
We’re back with the October plan-ahead, this time, Halloween edition. Get your ghouls in a row and plan out your end-of-the-month festivities, whether you opt for terrors or treats. Poe’s Halloween UnHappy Hour | Thursday, Oct. 23 | 6-9 p.m. | The Poe Museum | $10, $5 for members | Don a costume for the unhappiest of social hours, and keep things creepy with live music by The Embalmers.
Richmond Zombie Walk | Saturday, Oct. 25 | 2:30 p.m. | Carytown | Free | Staggering into its 20th year, this tradition summons a parade of the undead to Carytown’s commercial strip. Participants can join the pre-walk meet-up at Byrd Park, starting at 1 p.m.
All the Saints Richmond Halloween Parade | Friday, Oct. 31 | 6:15-9:15 p.m. | Monroe Park | Free | Another beloved Halloween tradition turns 20 this year, and a parade of magnificent, towering puppets wants you to come celebrate.
Siding with Mayor Avula, Richmond City Council voted to keep the city’s real estate tax rate at $1.20, rejecting a proposal to lower it to $1.16. This ongoing topic sparks debate over whether the city should prioritize funding a growing budget or reducing residential living costs. (WRIC)
Eat
Next week is Richmond Restaurant Week, Monday, Oct. 20, through Sunday, Oct. 26. Nearly 30 local restaurants will offer a three-course prix-fixe meal for $35.25, and $5.25 of each order will go to the regional nonprofit Feed More. Browse the list of participating restaurants, and book reservations ahead of time.
Watch
Goochland Drive-In Theater is leaning into the Halloween spirit with two double-features on Friday, Oct. 17 + Saturday, Oct. 18. “The Exorcist” and “The Blair Witch Project” will run back-to-back for the horror fans, while “Hocus Pocus” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas” cater to family-friendly audiences.
Art
Check out the VMFA’s new photography exhibit, “Alvin Lester: Portraits of Jackson Ward and Beyond.” The collection includes 20 photographs documenting the people and businesses that helped shape Richmond’s Black communities in the 1980s and 1990s. Guests can view this exhibit free of cost.
Volunteer
Last week, we rounded up a few volunteer opportunities based on personality types. We have another option for the nature lovers. Sign up to help restore Richmond’s native habitats with an Invasive Species Removal workday at Chapel Island on Friday, Nov. 7.
Try This
Who else misses the magic of grade-school field trips? The Valentine museum wants to cure your nostalgia with a (suitably named) Grown-Up Field Trip on Thursday, Oct. 23. Designed as a joint costume party, educational museum visit, and cocktail hour, anyone interested can register for free.
Finance
Crush credit card debt with a balance transfer.This card offers nearly two years of 0% interest (into 2027) + cash back perks on additional purchases. Learn more and apply.*
Community
The Virginia Lottery’s mission is clear: giving back to Virginia public schools. Since 1999, all Lottery profits — totaling over $17 billion — have gone to support local students and teachers in grades K-12. Follow the money.*
Cause
Friday, Oct. 17 is Military Appreciation Day at the Dominion Energy Charity Classic. Veterans, active-duty service members, and families get complimentary admission and exclusive perks. Pro tip: Don’t miss Friday Night Happy Hour in the Fan Zone.*
Family
The Children’s Museum of Richmond invites families and culture lovers to CultureFest Friday on Oct. 17, celebrating Diwali and Indian culture with a mesmerizing dance by Nadira Shah Berry and an interactive session, in partnership with Culture Encounters — free with museum admission.*
Today’s Post of the Day comes from the RVA Reddit thread, where a local asked, “How common is it to find owls in the Fan and Museum District?” The individual came face-to-face with what commenters identify as a barred owl. Take a closer look.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Which Richmond neighborhood is next in line for a new bookstore?
The results were varied, but a majority 36.5% of our readers guessed correctly. The new bookstore, coffee shop, and restaurant combo By Any Beans Necessary is setting up shop in Highland Park, Northside.
In the spirit of Halloween, I’ve been binge-watching all the 1990s “Goosebumps” episodes. Each episode is an adaptation of one of R. L. Stine’s popular children’s horror novels. No gatekeeping here: Scholastic has free, full-season marathons on YouTube.
I’ve been so invested in the nostalgia, I actually ordered one of the original “Goosebumps” books from the library. I had to place it on hold, but that’s fine by me; I’m happy to know other Richmonders are out there reading them this October. See what else you can check out, (besides nostalgic books).
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