Visitors can experience ghost tours, trick-or-treating, paranormal adventures and more
Virginia City, Nev. – As the days grow shorter and the nights grow spookier, Virginia City transforms into a haunted destination for its annual Hauntober ™ celebration. Throughout the month of October, locations throughout town will host various Halloween-themed events that are perfect for families looking for some fall fun, thrill seekers and everyone in between. With haunted locations, trick-or-treating, ghost tours and spooky trains, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. A full list of Hauntober events in Virginia City can be found at visitvirginiacitynv.com/hauntober.
“Hauntober™ began as a way to honor the spirits that roam our historic town while celebrating Halloween all month long,” said Todd Tuttle, tourism director in Virginia City. “Throughout the month leading up to the 31st, we have haunted houses, paranormal adventures, a saloon crawl and family-friendly trick-or-treating. As one of America’s most haunted towns, we encourage everyone to see for themselves if the paranormal truly exists…either on foot or by haunted, horseless carriages.”
During the first and second weekend in October, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Silver Terrace Cemeteries and Funtime Theater present Voices from the Past, a living tour where attendees can “talk to the dead” as actors portray real 19th-century Comstockers. Mackay Mansion will host its Colors & Spirits event on Friday, Oct. 4 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., where guests can choose between aura photography, oracle card reading and tuning fork sessions. On Saturday, Oct. 12, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., St. Mary’s in the Mountains Catholic Church will host a Harvest Festival & Fundraiser featuring a raffle, silent auction, local food, arts, crafts and more. Additionally, V&T Railroad’s Pumpkin Patch Train will be running from Oct. 12 through Oct. 27.
Halloween Week events include:
● The Spirits Made Me Do It Saloon Crawl where participants can sample spooky-themed drinks as they make their way through town on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
● The Haunted Halloween Graveyard Train will run Oct. 25, Oct. 26 and Oct. 31 at 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. This 40-minute round trip transforms into a spine-tingling adventure where riders can safely travel in open-air cars, taking in the eerie glow of the crescent moon.
● The Victorian All Hallow’s Eve Ball will take place at the Fourth Ward School Museum on Saturday, Oct. 26. The event will feature light snacks, music, dancing, a costume contest, flashlight tours and tarot readings.
● For one night only, visitors are allowed to explore the historic Silver Terrace Cemetery after dark on Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under.
● The Hauntober™ Parade kicks off on Thursday, Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. Everyone is welcome to participate in this fun and festive parade. There will be a costume contest with check-in starting at 4:30 p.m.
● After the parade, families can enjoy Hauntober™Safe Trick-or-Treating along C Street on Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Participating merchants will hand out treats, offering a safe and festive experience for kids of all ages.
Hauntober™ offers visitors numerous opportunities to experience the paranormal side of Virginia City. Every Friday and Saturday in October, The Washoe Club offers haunted ghost tours through its eerie halls, where ghost sightings and paranormal activity have been frequently reported. Piper’s Opera House will also open its doors for paranormal investigations each weekend, inviting guests to explore the haunted landmark. The Mackay Mansion will host similar paranormal investigations on weekends, while St. Mary’s Art Center presents its Ghost Investigation and Sleepover from Oct. 31 through Nov. 3. For those seeking even more thrills, Bats in the Belfry Guided Ghost Tours can be reserved in advance, and visitors can test their skills at the Haunted Virginia City Escape Room and Ghost Town experience. For more information and tickets, visit the respective sites.
For a full list of Hauntober™ events and more information, head to visitvirginiacitynv.com, call the Virginia City Tourism Commission at 775-847-7500 or follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
###
About Virginia City
Nestled on the mountainside of the Virginia Range, Virginia City, Nevada is one of the largest historic districts in the United States. Established in the mid-1800s with the discovery of silver, Virginia City became a mining “boomtown” influencing prosperity and culture. While the Great Fire of 1875 destroyed much of the original town, it was rebuilt to even greater opulence which can be experienced today and sparked preservation throughout the decades. Just 30 minutes outside of Reno, its unique, rich and colorful streets attract tourists from across the globe to experience the hearts of gold, veins of silver and lodes of fun in every historic building, saloon, museum and memorable event. For more information, visit visitvirginiacitynv.com or follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
