Halloween Parade

Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026
7 p.m.
Maple Avenue

Since 1946, the Town of Vienna has hosted a Halloween parade for area families. Now held rain or shine on the Wednesday before Halloween, the parade includes floats and other forms of entertainment marching down Maple Avenue, from Branch Road to Center Street.

Halloween Parade Route and Road Closures(PDF, 2MB) *scroll down for a complete list of closed roads and timing*
Halloween Parade FAQs(PDF, 215KB)
Rules and Regulations for Parade Participants(PDF, 223KB)

The 2026 Halloween Parade Theme Is: Haunted History: 250 Years of America

Some ideas to get entries started on this years theme:

Historical Figures & American History
Haunted Landmarks & Monuments
Zombies, Ghosts & Classic Halloween Creatures
Americana Through the Decades
American Legends, Folklore & Tall Tales

How to Participate

Interested in participating in the 2026 parade as a float, walking group, antique vehicle or more? Fill out the online web form application or the pdf application(PDF, 359KB). Applications are accepted starting July 1, 2026 and will close on Sept. 18, 2026.

Kids Participating in the Parade

For this year's event, children and others in costume are invited to march along in the parade, no need to register. Children with parents who want to march should meet at 6 p.m. at the United Bank, 374 Maple Ave., E. Only businesses, organizations and representatives with floats or cars need to apply.

Kids Goodie Bags

Kids participating in and attending the Halloween Parade are invited to stop by the Caffi Field Pitching Lanes (located on Cherry Street, SE, between the Vienna Community Center and the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department) to pick up a free goodie bag the night of the Halloween Parade. Goodie bags will be distributed starting at 7:15 p.m.

All goodie bag items are donated by local businesses and sponsors.

2026 Grand Marshal: Mark Keam

The 2026 parade marshal is Mark Keam, honoring his public service and advocacy for the greater Vienna area and beyond for many years. Mark Lee Keam currently leads the Korean American Institute; a nonprofit organization whose mission is to produce insightful and actionable research to improve decision making on issues facing Korean Americans. He has held elected office as a Virginia state lawmaker, served in politically appointed roles for two Presidents, and was the top legal advisor to a United States Senate Whip. Born in Seoul, Mark immigrated to the United States as a teenager and has maintained close ties with the Korean American community. With bilingual and bicultural skills, he has worked with dozens of community-based organizations that serve immigrant and minority communities.

Parade Road Closures and New Pedestrian Fencing

Temporary metal fencing will be placed on each side of Maple Avenue from Branch Road to Center Street to ensure pedestrian and parade-goer safety. The fencing will provide an expanded seating area and the opportunity for parade-watchers to see the show from a closer viewpoint. As a result of the temporary fencing extended road closures and new traffic patterns will be in place. A summary of all parade related road closures is below. You can also see a parade map(PDF, 2MB) with a summary of road closures and traffic detours.

Road Closures:

2 - 3 p.m.
-Mill Street from Church Street, NE, to Maple Avenue, E

3 p.m.
Maple Avenue single lane road closures:
-East and west bound traffic lanes, closest to the curb from Center Street to Branch Road, SE, will be closed to traffic;
-Two center traffic lanes will remain open in both directions until 6:30pm.
-Driveways to businesses along Maple Avenue will remain open, unless a side street entrance is available until 6:30 p.m.

4:45 p.m.
Full road closures:
-Locust Street from Glyndon Street, SE, to Branch Road, SE
-Hine Street, SE, from East Street, SE, through the 400 Block (west side of Berry Street, SE)
-Welles Street, SE, from Berry Street, SE, through the 400 Block (west side of Berry Street, SE)
-Pine Street, SE, from Berry Street, SE, through the 400 Block (west side of Berry Street)
-Berry Street, SE, from Maple Avenue to Echols Street, SE
-Branch Road, SE, from Maple Avenue to Echols Street, SE
-Cabin Road, SE, from Glyndon Street, SE, to Branch Road, SE
-Branch Circle, SE
-Charles Street, SE, from Locust Street, SE, to Branch Road, SE
Streets will re-open when parade concludes between 8:30-9 p.m.

6 p.m.
Full road closures
-Center Street, S, from Maple Avenue to Elm Street, SW
-Locust Street from Center Street, S, to Cottage Street
-Cherry Street, SE, from Center Street, S, to Park Street, SE
-Mill Street, SE, (between Cherry Street, SE)
Streets will re-open when parade concludes between 8:30-9 p.m., exception Center Street will re-open at approximately 11 p.m.

6:30 p.m.
Full road closures
-Business Driveways Close on Maple between Center Street and Branch Road
-Maple Avenue from Lawyers Road, NW, to Berry Street, SE
-Center Street, N, from Maple Avenue to Church Street, NE
-Mill Street, NE, from Maple Avenue to Church Street, NE
-Park Street, NE, from Maple Avenue to Church Street, N
-Glyndon Street, NE, from Maple Avenue to Church Street, NE
-Glyndon Street, SE, from Maple Ave to Locust Street, SE
Streets will re-open at approximately 11 p.m.

Parade Streetscape Planter Protection

The streetscape planter boxes along the Maple Avenue parade route will have temporary fencing placed around the boxes to protect the plants from inadvertent trampling by excited parade-goers. This will ensure everyone can treat their eyes to the beautiful streetscape through the end of fall and for years to come. Please note that no chairs or parade spectators are permitted in the street at any time before, during or after the parade.

Accessible Parking

Accessible parking will be marked off for individuals with accessible tags or license plates on Church Street from Dominion Road to Park Street (in front of the Freeman Store and Museum and Vienna Presbyterian Church).

Goodie Bag Donors

Our 2026 goodie bag donors will be recognized here soon!