Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance presents…
Skeleton Festival
Saturday, October 24, 2026
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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.
Presented by…
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! Downtown businesses will be giving away plenty of treats. Make sure to pick up a candy map and a bag at the HDR Info Booth on Court Square.
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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. 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 parade kicks off the official costume contest for the humans.
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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.
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
