On Saturday, Oct. 28, downtown Bristol will celebrate Halloween with a full day of festivities for the community to enjoy.
Beginning at Downtown Center at 9a.m. State Street Farmers Market hosts Pumpkin Palooza, distributing 500 free pumpkins and decorating kits. From 10a.m. to 12p.m., the sidewalks will be filled with costumed kids and families for Trick-or-Treating with Downtown Bristol businesses. The City of Bristol, Virginia, will also host their annual Costume Contest in Cumberland Square Park at 10:30 a.m.
In addition to ongoing annual traditions, the Inaugural Downtown Bristol Halloween Parade is held.The parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. The parade route will begin at the municipal lot in front of Bristol Tennessee, City Hall (801 Anderson Street) and concludes at the intersection of State Street and Lee Street/5th Street. The route spans approximately 0.5 miles.
Visitors to Downtown Bristol are also invited to vote for their favorite Halloween decorations in the windows and facades of various downtown businesses. For the Halloween window dressing contest this year, witchy vibesare encouraged. Be on the lookout for cauldrons, potion bottles, brews, and broomsticks downtown from Oct. 15-31.Voting will take place by scanning the QR code sticker in participating businesses’ windows, with a winner announced on social media Oct. 31.
Downtown businesses are also getting into the spirit of the season by hosting a wide array of events throughout the day:
Bristol Academy of Music will be doing a Kids Karaoke Halloween Party Friday, Oct. 27from 6-9p.m. for grades K-5. Registration is required and can be found at bristolacademyofmusic.com.
Cheap Thrills Records will be featuring a sale on all collectibles and T-shirts throughout the weekend. They’ll also be handing out treats and goodies for everyone all weekend.
AR Workshop will be hosting a Couples Costume Contest and DIY Date Night Workshop Friday, Oct, 27at 6p.m. (Winner receives $25 off of their next workshop), as well as a Kids Treat Totes Workshop from 12-2p.m. and a Costumes & Candles Workshop (dress up for $5 off of your candle workshop) at 6 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 28.
Axe & Ale House will set up a Trunk or Treat event in their parking lot from 10a.m. to 1p.m., with slices of pizza served to kids at 1p.m. Additionally, they are planning a Costume-Required 21+ Halloween Party from 8p.m. to midnight with a live DJ, Costume Contests for Individuals, Couples, and Groups, and Axe Throwing Contests.
Birthplace of Country Museum hosts its annual Community Day at the museum with free admission all day and lots of fun activities for children and families, including singing, yodelingand rope tricks at 12:30 p.m. and 3p.m., Instrument Petting Zoo from 12-2 p.m., spooky story time every half hour from 12-3p.m., busking throughout the day and coloring sheet to takeaway.
The Earnest Tube will be throwing a Halloween themed DJ Dance Party for children and families at Johnny Wood Plaza by the WCYB building from 2-4p.m. with Halloween-themed coloring sheets, decoration of pumpkins, balloons, bubbles, and Dancing Sugar Skull characters.
HollerHouse, along with The Neo-Appalachian Art Guild, will be hosting an alleyway market featuring a dozen of the Tri-Cities spookiest creators! The Bank Street Alleyway, located between Paramount Theater and Misty Mountain Designs, will transform from 4-8p.m. into a bustling market of mischief and fun.
The Sessions Hotel will be screening "The Conjuring" at their rooftop bar at 8:30 p.m. after their Halloween Party from 7-8:30 p.m., which will include music, spooky drinksand a costume contest.
Quaker Steak & Lube will be hosting a night of tricks and treats with their Deflo Entertainment Halloween Mash Party at 8 p.m., including games, light show, costume contest with prizes, spooky drink specials, and graveyard appetizer buffet. Costume required and 18+ only with valid ID for patio access.
Blue Ridge Comedy Club is screening "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" to wrap up the night at 10p.m. Costume encouraged.
For more information, visit believeinbristol.org or contact us at 423-573-2201 or info@believeinbristol.org.
