Fall Fun in Norfolk Virginia for Family and Friends

Foster family in the woods

Top 10 Places for Family Fun this Fall
Grab the Kids and Step Out in Norfolk, Virginia

Autumn is here, bringing crisp air, colorful foliage, and endless opportunities for family fun!  Whether you’re into pumpkin patches, hot cider, hayrides, or corn mazes, Norfolk is ready to make your fall unforgettable.  This season features community events perfect for every family – especially those with foster and adopted children.  If this time of year makes you dream of caramel apples or leaf-jumping with the kids, mark these family-friendly events on your calendar and step out with the whole crew to enjoy fall in Virginia. 

FosterVA and Redfin.com are excited to present our Top 10 list of must-do family-favorite events this season:

Virginia Children's Festival

  • Date: October 7, 2024
  • Location: Town Point Park

Is your kid an explorer?  The Virginia Children's Festival is the place to spark every child’s curiosity.  With interactive activities for budding artists and future scientists alike, family fall fun is on the docket.  The festival features outdoor play areas, live family-friendly performances, and a wide assortment of hands-on activities to create and inspire.  It’s a full afternoon of excitement, offering plentiful memory-making moments for kids and families in the park.

Fall Carnival at ODU

  • Date: October 14, 2024
  • Location: Old Dominion University

Head to ODU’s Fall Carnival for a one-day-only extravaganza of rides, games, and classic fall carnival treats.  Thrill-seekers delight in playing carnival games or testing their bravery on the scariest rides.  It’s a memorable day out for families who love the excitement of a carnival, with loads of laughter and guaranteed opportunities for memory-making fun together.   

Virginia Zoo: Zoo Boo

  • Date: October 21–22, 2024
  • Location: Virginia Zoo

Family-friendly for the littlest trick-or-treaters and every age of animal lover, the Virginia Zoo's annual "Zoo Boo" is a crowd-pleaser for “kids” of all ages.  With trick-or-treating stations, a pumpkin walk, and special animal encounters, the weekend is filled with spooky family-friendly thrills.  Dress up or dress down and come celebrate and explore the Zoo.  This unique Halloween adventure is not too creepy for your littlest kids and is sure to delight animal-lovers and fun-seekers alike.  

Halloween Costume Parade at Waterside District

  • Date: October 28, 2024
  • Location: Waterside District

Dress in your best spooky or sparkly costume and head to Waterside District for the Halloween Costume Parade.  This free, family-friendly event is for kids of all ages who like to celebrate Halloween in style!  Join the parade or take it in from the sideline.  Either way, parents and kids will make family memories together enjoying the procession, along with live music and plenty of sweet seasonal treats.  

Pumpkin Patch at Cullipher Farm

  • Date: Throughout October
  • Location: Cullipher Farm, Virginia Beach

For the quintessential fall experience, take a short drive outside of Norfolk to explore the classic fall favorites at Cullipher Farms in Virginia Beach.  Here, kids can search the patch for their perfect pumpkins, bounce along on a hayride, or make their way through a tall corn maze.  Remember to take in all the delicious flavors of fall while you’re there.  Cullipher Farm is a fall favorite guaranteed to become a family tradition.   

Fall Harvest Festival at Hunt Club Farm

  • Date: Through October
  • Location: Hunt Club Farm, Virginia Beach

Take a short drive into rural Virginia Beach this October and see what the Harvest Festival is all about.  Hunt Club Farm creates a sensory masterpiece for every member of the family, with hayrides, carnival rides, and endearing close encounters at the petting zoo.  Tackle the corn maze or soak up the country life and beauty of fall on the farm.  With activities for all ages, this festival offers the perfect blend of country charm and autumn festival traditions.  

Norfolk Public Library Storytimes

  • Date: Throughout the Fall
  • Location: Various Branches

Norfolk's Public Library system is hosting free fall Storytimes at branches throughout the city.  With seasonal stories hand-picked for kids of all ages, these gatherings promote early literacy and creativity for kids while sparking young imaginations.  Libraries offer a quiet, nurturing space where kids can immerse through books into new and fantastical worlds.  Foster, adoptive, and all families can bond over shared stories and quality time in the library’s enriching, reading-focused environment.

Fall Festival at St. Mary's Home

  • Date: November 4, 2024
  • Location: St. Mary's Home for Disabled Children

The Fall Festival at St. Mary’s Home is a heartwarming and memorable event designed for children of all abilities.  With live music, games, and activities designed with inclusivity in mind, this festival ensures that every child – no matter their ability – can participate and join in the fun.  Foster families caring for kids with special needs will find this event especially supportive and meaningful as they celebrate the season with the community at St. Mary’s.

Norfolk Botanical Garden: Million Bulb Walk

This fall, the Botanical Garden transforms into a magical wonderland during the Million Bulb Walk.  Over a million twinkling lights create a breathtaking display and illuminate meandering pathways for families to explore together.  This enchanting experience will be cherished, whether you’re creating traditions or simply reconnecting.  The breathtaking beauty of these sparkling festivities is a chance to bond and create memories that will last a lifetime. 

MacArthur on Ice

Say goodbye to fall and welcome winter with a spin on the ice at MacArthur on Ice.  Whether you’re an experienced skater or stepping onto the ice for the first time, this downtown Norfolk attraction offers fun for every level of skill and thrill-seeker.  After some gliding and sliding, warm up or cool down with a cup of hot cocoa and share your favorite moves and unforgettable moments on the ice. 

Join in the Fun and Flavor of Fall!

The fall season in and around Norfolk offers countless opportunities for families to play, laugh, and make a lifetime of cherished memories.  Whether you’re walking through a glowing garden, picking the perfect pumpkin, or polishing off your favorite fall treats, these moments of community connection create a powerful sense of belonging for kids and help families grow stronger together. 

No matter your family dynamics, Norfolk’s fall fun is sure to spice up the season and bring you, your kids, and your community closer together.

For foster and adoptive parents providing a safe home where love, creativity, and happiness can flourish, community events are an impactful way to step out and make memories.  No matter your family dynamics, spice it up and strengthen family bonds through the many opportunities for fall fun in and around Norfolk this season.

 

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