Richmond's Spooky Lights Transformation for Halloween

Richmond’s Spooky Lights Transformation for Halloween

Cooler weather and shorter days signal the end of summer – and Richmond’s transformation into a Halloween spectacle. With countless homes around the city decked out in hauntingly delightful displays, the city embraces the spooky season with elaborate decorations and lights that rival any holiday display. This year, we caught up with four local families who have made it their mission to bring a little extra magic (and maybe a few frights) to their communities.

A Community of Halloween Enthusiasts

One family leading the spooky fun is the Dabneys, who have turned their Tuckahoe home into a must-see attraction. The Dabney Holidays told us, “I was bored one year and thought, ‘Why not celebrate Halloween the way we do for Christmas?’”

Their Halloween display at the corner of Beverly Drive and Three Chopt Road includes a towering 13-foot Jack Skellington, six 12-foot creatures, two 10-foot figures, an 8-foot skeleton, and more than 50 animated items. There’s something for every age group to enjoy, and the display is even organized in such a way that one side is considered “kid-friendly” so as to include everyone.

“It’s humbling to know that people look forward to it, and it’s really special that they take time out of their day just to come see what we’ve created.”

Across town in the Museum District, Skelē has carved out its own corner of fun. The 12-foot skeleton is permanently attached to the side of the house at the corner of Roseneath Road and Kensington Ave, wearing homemade outfits to go with every holiday.

The Halloween display started with two 12-foot inflatables (a ghost, and Bumble from the Rudolph Christmas Special), and it’s grown from there. “It started as a distraction during the pandemic, but now it’s a year-round project,” Skelē said on Instagram. Visitors often express their appreciation, leaving gifts like painted rocks, beads, and thank-you notes. “It’s all positive and very heartfelt. It never fails to brighten my day.”

Interactive Experiences and Timeless Traditions

In Midlothian, one couple has made it their mission to continue the Halloween tradition left by their neighbors. “Years ago there was another family in our neighborhood who would go ALL OUT! While our display was nice, theirs was out of this world, and then they moved. At that point, we took it upon ourselves to up our game and keep the tradition alive!” Sean Mullins said on Facebook.

Their frightfully incredible setup at the corner of Fiddlers Ridge Lane and Fiddlers Ridge Road includes nine scare zones, a graveyard, and a working electric chair that gives visitors a shocking thrill. “Our neighbors love it! We’re known in Woodlake as THE Halloween house,” Mullins said.

For those who appreciate the magic of Harry Potter, one local healthcare worker has turned his Museum District home into a celebration of the beloved series. “Each year I do the next Harry Potter book as our theme. This year it’s Order of the Phoenix,” Kyle Rasmussen said on Instagram (#HarryOnFloyd).

The display is full of homemade props Rasmussen usually starts making in June or July, but sometimes years in advance. “I really like Halloween night,” he said. “We had more than 800 trick or treaters last year. We have a pretty great gathering on the front porch and typically turn on the projector and watch Hocus Pocus, and then typically the Harry Potter movie that is the theme that year.”

Hauntingly Charitable

While the Halloween displays undoubtedly make the Richmond community happy, many of the host families have charitable giving on the mind, too. The Dabney Holidays raises money for Skeletons for St. Jude. “This year we’re not just lighting up our home with decorations; we’re lighting up lives by raising donations for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.”

And Skelē has in past years donated to the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, and is also planning on being involved with Skeletons for St. Jude moving forward, saying “Both are amazing causes!”

Get In On The Fun

Tacky Lights Tours during the holiday season are a Richmond staple, but Spooky Lights Tours are quickly catching up in popularity. You can take a drive around the city and see these incredible displays yourself, but for those who prefer a guided experience, we offer Spooky Lights Tours from October 18-30 (2024), allowing you to see the best of the city’s Halloween spirit in one evening without the hassle of navigating on your own. Groups will ride in a comfortable, climate-controlled, spooky bus for two hours to see the best of the best! Private and public tours are still available.

Happy haunting, Richmond!