Today is Halloween and family-friendly festivities are already underway in Arlington.
Numerous local Halloween parades take place in Arlington each year, usually organized by a school with the police department’s help in closing roads.
Send a cop to a #Halloween parade and they'll always find the donut! ACPD assisting with @APSVirginia parades throughout #ArlingotnVA! pic.twitter.com/8XQk8oPnqq
— ArlingtonCountyPD (@ArlingtonVaPD) October 31, 2016
After the parades come, of course, the trick-or-treating. In Arlington there’s no designated time for trick-or-treating, but traditionally parents will bring their costumed kids through the neighborhoods around sunset — which is expected at 6:08 p.m. today — and knock on doors until 8 or 9 p.m.
Here are some tips for planning your trick-or-treat trip, as we previously published last year:
- Children should be accompanied by an adult.
- Choose a neighborhood or street you’re familiar with or is known for getting in the spirit. For example, N. Jackson Street near Clarendon is traditionally a must-see.
- Houses with the outside lights are the ones expecting and ready for trick-or-treaters.
- Expect the older, non-costumed crowds later in the evening.
- If you’re passing out treats, turn the outside lights off when you run out.
Arlington County posted additional Halloween safety tips on its Facebook page today.
There are other Halloween night traditions in Arlington, including a bonfire in Lyon Park. Know of others? Tell us about it in the comments.