Skeleton Festival
Saturday, October 19, 2024, from 2 – 5 PM
Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance is thrilled to host it’s pre-Halloween celebrations, Skeleton Festival! This family-friendly festival will feature trick-or-treating, costume contests, Sip & Stroll, and more as we welcome spooky season with our community.
Presented By
Featured Activities
- Trick-or-Treating at 60+ downtown businesses
- Costume Contest
- Sip & Stroll
- Dia de los Muertos Plaza
- Sensory-Friendly Activities and a Low Sensory Trick-or-Treating Hour
- Snapology kids activity
CANDY MAP
View the Mobile-Friendly Candy Map
Use the Visit Widget from Harrisonburg Tourism to view the mobile-friendly candy map.
EARLY TRICK-OR-TREATING
Give your family plenty of time to pick up candy before the costume contest and pumpkin showdown begin on Court Square by starting your trick-or-treat adventure on Liberty & Mason Street businesses during this pre-festival promotion.
Participating Liberty and Mason Street businesses will be giving out treat bags to the first 30 visitors at each location starting at 1 PM! Treat bags will be filled with toys, candy and possibly $10 Downtown Dollars inside! First come, first served while supplies last!
Trick-or-treating will continue until 5 PM with other participating businesses giving out candy starting at 2 PM. There are over 40 businesses handing out candy this year, check back soon for the official candy map and grab a print copy from HDR info booth on Court Square on Saturday, October 19.
SENSORY-FRIENDLY TRICK-OR-TREATING
All the music, crowds, and activity that accompany the experience of trick-or-treating downtown, during Skeleton Festival, can be overwhelming or otherwise impossible for some members of our community to navigate, but it’s important to us that everyone feels welcome at our events, which is why we are excited to announce the launch of a new, low-sensory pre-festival event and additional sensory-friendly programming at this year’s Skeleton Festival on Saturday, October 19th! Neurodivergent children and their caregivers are invited to a Sensory-Friendly Trick-or-Treat Hour, with the businesses in Shops at Agora, on Saturday, October 19 from 1-2pm. During this 1 hour event, trick-or-treaters will follow floor stickers and pick up a new seasonal treat (both candy and toys), at each of the seven businesses, in a calmer, more controlled environment. From 1-2pm, this area will ONLY be open to trick-or-treaters who will benefit from a low-sensory experience.
Beginning on Tuesday, October 1st, individuals interested in participating in the Sensory-Friendly Trick-or-Treat Hour can visit Great.Full Goods, in Shops at Agora, to pre-register for the event and pick up a Trick-or-Treat bag. Each bag will contain a map of the businesses in Shops at Agora and a social story outlining what to expect on the day of the event. Pre-registration is not required but is an option for those who would benefit from acclimating to the space ahead of time.
In addition to the Sensory-Friendly Trick-or-Treat Hour, Skeleton Festival will also feature a Sensory-Friendly Zone at Saint Stephen’s United Church of Christ from 2-5pm. This area will have a full roster of low-sensory entertainment, including giant bubbles with Bubbles by the Burg, a magician, Halloween-themed sensory bins, crafts, and more.
Rain Location will be inside Saint Stephen’s United Church.
COSTUME CONTEST
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
Pet
Pre-K (under 5)
Elementary School (5 – 11 years old)
Middle/High School (11 – 18 years old)
Adult (18+ years old)
Duo/ Group
Prizes
Pets
- 1st Place- Prize Pack including $25 to Coffee Hound, $25 to Blue Ridge Dog, ticket to Max’s Treat Heist, and treats from Blue Ridge Dog and Thistle Hill Pet Treats
- 2nd Place- $10 to Coffee Hound, $10 to Blue Ridge Dog plus treats from Blue Ridge Dog and Thistle Hill Pet Treats
- 3rd Place- $10 to Blue Ridge Dog plus treats from Blue Ridge Dog and Thistle Hill Pet Treats
Pre-K (under 5)
- 1st Place- $75 Downtown Dollars
- 2nd Place- $50 Downtown Dollars
- 3rd Place- $25 Downtown Dollars
Elementary School (5 – 11 years old)
- 1st Place- $50 to Explore More Discovery Museum, $25 to Kline’s
- 2nd Place- $50 to Explore More Discovery Museum
- 3rd Place- $25 to Kline’s
Middle/High School (11 – 18 years old)
- 1st Place- $100 Downtown Dollars
- 2nd Place- $50 to Horizon Gifts, $25 to Kline’s
- 3rd Place- $50 to Black Sheep Coffee
Adult (18+ years old)
- 1st Place- 2 tickets to The Loft’s Halloween event and $100 Downtown Dollars
- 2nd Place- $100 Downtown Dollars
- 3rd Place- $50 Downtown Dollars
Duo/ Group
- 1st Place- Escapism Escape Room Experience for 6
- 2nd Place- 2 tickets to The Loft’s Halloween event and $125 in Downtown Dollars
- 3rd Place- $150 to The Little Grill
How to Enter
To enter, sign up at Court Square on the day of the event. The costume contest will be taking place from ~3:30 – 4:30 PM.
HDR reserves the right to disqualify contestants. Fraudulent activities and inappropriate submissions will be monitored and lead to disqualification.
SIP & STROLL
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.
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS PLAZA
Head on over to the “Jimmy Madison’s” parking lot to learn about Dia de los Muertos, in collaboration with Virginia Organizing. Featuring a community ofrenda, pop-up market, kids crafts, and photo op.
SENTARA HEALTHY ZONE
Join Sentara for fun family-friendly lawn games and learn more about their OBGYN and maternity unit!
KIDS ACTIVITY
Kids, come celebrate fall fun and creativity with Snapology of Harrisonburg by building your own brick Jack-O’-Lantern to take home as a festive keepsake.
MORE SPOOKY SURPRISES!
Check out these activities and promotions happening across downtown during Skeleton Fest!
Pets Portraits at Living|Room Collective in Liberty Street Mercantile
Stop by Living|Room Collective for portraits of your pets in their best Halloween costumes with a limited edition pet portrait package by local photographer, Amelia Schmid! The package is $50 and includes a 15-minute portrait session, GivePet Dog Treats, and a 20% off coupon for Living|Room. Order the package at the link here.
Touch & Feel Room for Kids in the Basement Marketplace at Liberty Street Mercantile
Calling kids of all ages to test their bravery in the Touch & Feel room at the Basement Marketplace! Do they have what it takes to touch the squirmy worms, slippery eyeballs, and other spooky things?
2024 Community Harvest Party at Friendly City Food Co-op
Stop by the Friendly City Food Co-op for their Harvest Party from 1PM-5Pm! There will be all types of fun like a Petting Zoo, a Bounce House, Face Painting, Pumpkin Decorating, Giant Bubbles, Music & a DJ, Photo ops, and more. Also, don’t forget to order food at two of Harrisonburg’s local food trucks: Mashita and Lolita’s Delights!
Yards Games at Atlantic Union Bank
Head over to the Atlantic Union Bank lawn for fun yard games such as giant jenga, large connect four, corn hole, activity tables, and more! Win giveaways and free prizes by playing games.
Free Test Rides at Rocktown Bicycles
Stop by Rocktown Bicycles to test ride a new bike in your costume! Anyone dressing up as E.T. and Elliot? The Wicked Witch of the West?
Win a Gift Basket for Kids at Northwestern Mutual
Enter the drawing at Northwestern Mutual to win a gift basket of candy and other fun items for kids!
$3 All-Day Game Pass and Prizes at Ruby’s Arcade
All-day game passes will be available for only $3 the day of Skeleton Fest only. Compete against a partner at Witch Hat Ring Toss: Each person gets ten throws, and the winner will get a special prize. Those who have a perfect game will get an extra special gift!
“Truck or Treat” with Mashita
Find Mashita food truck at the Friendly City Food Co-op Harvest Party from 1PM–5PM for hot food and another chance to get candy!
Fall Specials and Seasonal Sweets at Drifters Cafe
Stop by Drifters Cafe to try their new fall drinks and other treats!
Walk-Up Window at Bittersweet Bakery
Arriving at the festival early? Walk up to the walk up window at Bittersweet Bakery from 10AM–2PM! They will also be available for early trick-or-treating.
Crafts and Coloring Pages at Sage Bird Ciderworks
Build a pumpkin craft with yarn and fabric scraps at the Valley Creative Reuse Pop-up at Sage Bird Ciderworks! Also check out the wind chime craft, made out of wooden birds and wood slices that you can paint or color! Fall & Halloween coloring pages will also be available for kids.
Free Face Painting and Cotton Candy at Posh Fairy Floss
Stop by Posh Fairy Floss for free face painting! Also, don’t forget to pick up a free small bag of cotton candy and get 10% off your purchase of any fall products (fall themed cotton candy, sorbet, shakes, and floats).
Meet Mickey and Minnie at Cambiando Vidas
Find the booth at Cambiando Vidas to take a picture with Mickey and Minnie! Pictures will be taken with your own phones.
Free Cider and Donuts at Christ Presbyterian Church
Look for the table at Christ Presbyterian Church for free cider and donuts starting at 1PM until supplies run out!
Temporary Tattoos and Art at Needle Juice
Head over to downtown Harrisonburg’s newest tattoo shop, Needle Juice. They will be giving out temporary tattoos, as well as selling art!
Fall Coffee Fest at Brothers Craft Brewing Co.
Join Brothers Craft Brewing for their 10th annual Fall Coffee Fest—before, during, and after Skeleton Fest—from 10AM–10PM. Merge Coffee Company will be bringing fresh coffee and coffee infused beer. Also, browse through Sick Thrift’s vintage finds. Other activities include a JMU Football Watch Party, pumpkin carving/painting, a kids game station, a campfire with s’mores, and lots of food and drink options! Finally, don’t miss the live music by the jam/funk band, Bloo Lagoon, from 1:30PM–4:30PM!
Live DJ at Magnolia’s Taco and Tequila Bar
Stop by Magnolia’s to listen to a live DJ and bust a move in your Halloween costume!
50% Off, End-of-Season Sale at Walkabout Outfitter
Don’t miss the end of season sale at Walkabout Outfitter where you can find apparel for 50% off and other marked down gear!
Snack Flights and Face Painting at Aristocat Cafe
Try Aristocat Cafe’s snack flights, and face painting in spooky designs!
Halloween Merchandise at The Golden Pony
Visit the Golden Pony for special Halloween-themed merchandise.
Sidewalk Chalk and Halloween Flash Tattoos at Liberty St. Tattoos
Draw with sidewalk chalk outside of Liberty Street Tattoos! Head inside to check out the $75 Halloween flash tattoo designs.
Beer Koozies at Texas Inn
Texas Inn will be giving out beer koozies for adults!
Get Spooked at Finnigan’s Cove
Come in and see the scariest Halloween decorations downtown inside Finnigan’s Cove! Beware!
Skeleton Fest would not be possible without the support of our generous sponsors!
Are You Interested in Being a Sponsor for this Event Next Year?
We are no longer accepting sponsorship requests for this year’s Skeleton Festival, but we are happy to talk about sponsorships for next fall! Interested? Send us an email at hdr@harrisonburgva.gov.