Boo!

Did we scare you? Probably not, but if you want to have some frightening times in and around Reston this Halloween, we’ve got just the thing for you and the entire family.

First, if you’re looking to get your scares in early, check out the free Reston Community Center Hunters Woods celebration on Saturday, October 21. Between noon and 2pm, infants and children through age eight can come dressed in their favorite costumes and play carnival games. Famed one-man band Peter McCory will also be entertaining at noon, followed at 1:15pm by Bob Brown’s Puppets in Monster Madness. For more information, call Debbie Heron at 703-390-6163.

On Halloween weekend, the Reston Association will be hosting the 2017 Halloween House and Trick-or-Treat Trail. This rain-or-shine event at the Walker Nature Center (11450 Glade Dr., Reston) is on Friday, October 27 and Saturday, October 28. Both nights offer two times to join in the fun, between 6 and 7:15pm or between 7:30 and 8:45pm.

“This is not a horror show or a haunted house,” the organizers said. “Meet a creative cast of characters, including live animals, along our nature-themed Trick-or-Treat Trail and inside our Nature House- turned Halloween House for tis very special evening.”

Children must be accompanied by an adult, and all are encouraged to bring along a flashlight. For more information, call 703-476-9689 (option 5) or email naturecenter@reston.org.

With just a short jaunt to Great Falls on October 31, the day of the pumpkin, you can scare up a good time at the Halloween Spooktacular at Great Falls Village Centre Green and Great Falls Shopping Center. The free event, which runs from 5 to 7pm, is recommended for children up to 12 and their families. Costumed kids can enjoy trick-or-treating, and even a haunted house. Come early and see the Pet Parade on the Green from 4 to 4:45pm, where leashed pets will be dressed to scare and could win prizes.

Grown-ups, if your inner child is looking for short day trip to see the scariest events Virginia has to offer, from haunted hayrides and houses, ghost tours, trails and more, check out HauntedVirginia.com. Each listing offers more details and hours, and many have dedicated web sites. HauntedWorld also can scare up some great options for a frightful autumn evening.

We hope you enjoy your Halloween 2017. If you’d like to read read up on Halloween safety to make sure your family has a boo-tiful time in our area’s neighborhoods, check out www.safekids.org/tip/halloween-safety-tips.