Arlington County sets no official trick-or-treat hours; Halloween is Saturday, Oct. 31. Clarendon streets close from 10 p.m. ART buses are free all day.

Last checked Oct. 27, 2026. This page is updated each year. Facts come from Arlington County police’s Clarendon Halloween release, the Department of Parks and Recreation’s Halloween activities list, the county’s costume swap page and the Rosslyn Business Improvement District.

Updated Oct. 27: police reconfirmed the Clarendon closures and free ART buses; the Oct. 23 events have passed.

Arlington County has not set official trick-or-treat hours for 2026. Halloween falls on Saturday, Oct. 31, and families trick-or-treat on the night itself. If the county or police announce hours, we will add them here. For anything unsafe on the night, call police non-emergency at 703-558-2222, or 911 in an emergency.

What this means for you

  • Arlington Transit (ART) buses are free all day on Oct. 31.
  • Clarendon Boulevard and Wilson Boulevard close in Clarendon from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.
  • Free rides home: WRAP’s SoberRide offers Lyft credits up to $15, 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. Oct. 30 and 31.
  • Report a suspected impaired driver at 703-558-2222, or 911 in an emergency.

Halloween events

Rosslyn’s Howl-O-Ween, the Fall Owl Prowl and Halloween Splash ran Friday, Oct. 23. Still to come:

  • Halloween-themed teen basketball tournament (Battle on the Boulevard), 4:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, Langston-Brown Community Center, 2121 N. Culpeper St. Register.
  • Fun with Pumpkins, 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 31, Long Branch Nature Center. Pumpkin treats and a craft to take home.
  • Amazing Owl Adaptations, 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 31, Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 N. Military Road. Meet a live owl; teens 12 and up with a registered adult.
  • Ghost Stories Campfire, 3 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at the Long Branch or Gulf Branch fire ring. Stories, animal guests, games and songs for families.
  • Halloween anti-drunk driving event, from 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at N. Hudson Street and Wilson Boulevard in Clarendon, hosted by Arlington County police and the Washington Regional Alcohol Program. Free and open to all.

The county’s full list, including programs for adults 55 and older, is on the Parks and Recreation Halloween page. Nature center programs need registration through the county.

Trunk-or-treats

We have not found a public trunk-or-treat in Arlington confirmed for 2026. Hosting one? Send it through our contact page and we will list it.

Clarendon on Halloween night

Arlington County police expect more nightlife activity in Clarendon on Halloween night and plan these closures:

  • From 7 p.m.: N. Hudson Street closed between Wilson Boulevard and the alley behind the CVS.
  • From 8 p.m.: no street parking on Wilson Boulevard or Clarendon Boulevard. Illegally parked cars may be ticketed or towed.
  • 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.: Clarendon Boulevard and Wilson Boulevard closed from N. Highland Street to Washington Boulevard.

Police said to expect more officers in the area and heavy foot traffic.

Costumes

The county’s Solid Waste Bureau ran free costume swaps in September and October. Gently used, complete costumes can still be dropped off at 4300 29th St. S., 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays through Nov. 6; unswapped costumes are kept for future swaps or donated.

Related guides: things to do this month, fall festivals and pumpkin patches and getting around Arlington.

Frequently asked questions

What are the trick-or-treat hours in Arlington, Virginia, for 2026?

Arlington County has not set official trick-or-treat hours. Halloween falls on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. We will add any hours the county or police announce.

Are Arlington buses free on Halloween?

Yes. Arlington Transit (ART) buses are free on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, Arlington County police said.

What roads close in Clarendon on Halloween?

From 10 p.m. Oct. 31 to 3 a.m. Nov. 1, Clarendon Boulevard and Wilson Boulevard from N. Highland Street to Washington Boulevard. N. Hudson Street between Wilson Boulevard and the alley behind the CVS closes from 7 p.m.

Where can I get a free Halloween costume in Arlington?

Arlington County’s Solid Waste Bureau ran free costume swaps in September and October. You can still drop off gently used costumes at 4300 29th St. S., 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays through Nov. 6, for future swaps.