Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance presents…
Skeleton Festival
Saturday, October 25, 2025 | 1-5pm
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It’s the spookiest day of the year in Downtown Harrisonburg!
This downtown festival includes everything from trick-or-treating at downtown businesses to costume contests, arts-and-crafts activities, music, games, photo booths, and performances.
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Join us for Harrisonburg’s pre-Halloween festival with fun activities for all ages.
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Featured Activities
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Get your costumes and treat bags ready! There are over 60 downtown businesses signed up to give away treats. Make sure to pick up a candy map and a bag at the HDR Info Booth on Court Square.
Check out these special trick-or-treat promotions:
Low Sensory Trick-or-Treating Hour at Shops at Agora (12-1pm)
Trick-or-Treat on Liberty & Mason St (1-2pm)
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Come to Skeleton Festival dressed your best and sign up for the in-person costume contest on the Court Square lawn! This competition is open to all ages (and species!). A judging committee will select the winners of the following categories.
CATEGORIES
Pre-K (under 5)
Elementary School (5 – 11 years old)
Middle/High School (11 – 18 years old)
Adult (18-54 years old)
Adult 55+
Duo/ Group
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Let your beloved companion be the star of the show as they strut their stuff in their Halloween best. The Pet Costume Parade will take place right in front of the courthouse at 4pm, creating a memorable photo-op for the whole family. The parade kicks off the official costume contest for the humans.
Every pet that joins the parade will receive a complimentary treat, generously provided by our friends at the Hang 10 Car & Dog Wash booth! Look for Hang 10’s Dog Mascot near the HDR Info Booth by Pendleton Community Bank at 3:45 PM to participate and line up for the Pet Parade starting a 4pm. No registration is required.
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Sip & Stroll is an element of our events that replaces the usual beer garden. Adults aged 21+ can purchase a beer, wine, or cocktails at a participating brewery, cidery, or restaurant and enjoy it while strolling downtown.
Click on the button below to learn more about how Sip & Stroll works, view participating locations, and preview seasonal drink specials that will be available during the event.
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You’ll want to make sure you have a bag to collect candy! Grab a free trick or treat bag at the HDR info booth near Pendleton Community Bank, thanks to the Denton Family Foundation and Weiler Orthodontics & Invisalign.
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Make some new social connections! Enjoy festive events and entertainment for all ages while connecting with new people in a laid-back atmosphere. We will be hosting a new Harrisonburg Meet Up session at the top of each hour (1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm) at the Glo Fiber booth (corner of S Main St and E Market St). Meet and mingle with new connections and then head out and enjoy the rest of the festivities happening across Downtown Harrisonburg.
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Visit sponsor Sentara’s booth for your health screening including Blood Pressure and A1C. Learn about the amazing free services Sentara can provide you and your families. Sentara will be located on Court Square.
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Join Cambiando Vidas at the “Jimmy Madison’s” parking lot to learn about Dia de los Muertos and contribute to the community ofrenda display.
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Join Carrendo Studios’ student performers for some spooky ghost tours in one of the oldest buildings in Harrisonburg! During each tour, patrons will explore the building, and in each room, a ghost will play ancient tunes and educate you on music history. Tours take place every 10-15 minutes from 1-4 PM.
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Join the Friendly City Food Co-op for an exciting lineup of activities and entertainment, including a petting zoo, bounce house, pumpkin decorating, face painting, bubble stations, coloring contest, and a DJ. Enjoy a special performance by the Harrisonburg Dance Co-op and grab refreshments from Lolita’s Delights.
Kids, come celebrate fall fun and creativity with Snapology of Harrisonburg by building your own brick fidget spinner to take home as a keepsake. Snapology will be located at Friendly City Food Co-op.
Official Mobile Candy Map (Coming Soon)
Presented by…
More Spooky Surprises
Check out all the activities and promotions happening across downtown during Skeleton Fest! Use the Filters and Tags to find what’s relevant and interesting to you.
Event Parking
There will be ample event parking in downtown Harrisonburg for Skeleton Festival, including additional private lots open to the public on Saturday, October 19. Main Street, from Campbell Street to just before Wolfe Street, will be closed, but parking will be accessible from Mason Street and Liberty Street.
Public parking is available all day in the municipal parking lots listed below and in additional Saturday Event Parking lots indicated with red markers on the interactive map on this page. Street parking is also available on Liberty Street between Grattan Street and Warren Street.
Guests will be able to park in hourly spots without time penalty. Please adhere to any posted tow-away zones, accessible parking spaces, and Restricted Parking areas.
Free Public Event-Only Parking Lots (Marked with Red Map Pins):
136 W Elizabeth St (136 W Elizabeth St, enter on W Elizabeth or W Wolfe via Market St.)
Rocktown Realty (218 E Market St)
ICE House (164 W Bruce St, enter on W Bruce or W Water via Market St. or Liberty St.)
Jenzabar (181 S Liberty St)
Lot across from 124 Newman (151 S Mason Street)
Larson Wealth Management (124 Newman Ave, enter from N Mason St)
LD&B (205 S Liberty St)
Harrisonburg Baptist Church (501 S Main St)
Elks Lodge (482 S Main St)
Good Wealth Management (544 S Main St)
PB Mares (558 S Main St)
Across from Matchbox (Across from 202 N Liberty St)
Matchbox Office Lot (202 N Liberty St)
Daily News-Record (231 S Liberty St) Do not park alongside the building or use the spaces on the far west side of the building.
Summit Bank (224 S Main St, enter via Franklin St from N Mason St)
Harrisonburg Electric Commission (89 W Bruce Street)
Rockingham County Admin Lot (20 E Gay St)
125 W Water St Parking (125 W Water St)
Municipal Parking Lots & Decks (Unlisted on Map):
Use this City of Harrisonburg resource to locate municipal parking lots and decks in Downtown Harrisonburg. The following municipal lots will be CLOSED to the public. See Road Closure map below for a visual.
Liberty Park Lot - CLOSED
Lower Newman Ave Lot - CLOSED
S Main Street Lot - CLOSED
Harrison House Lot - CLOSED
