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Hauntober

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October 1 - October 31

12:00 am - 11:59 pm

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October is Hauntober in Virginia City. As one of America’s most haunted towns, there’s no better place to spend October than immersed in events taking place throughout the month with a focus on our town’s haunted history. Hauntober highlights include The Spirits Made Me Do It Saloon Crawl, Bats in the Belfry Guided Ghost tours, paranormal investigations, V&T Railroad Pumpkin Patch and evening adult Lighted Trains, Hauntober Costume Contest and Parade, Safe Trick or Treat, haunted tours at several attractions and much, much more. Dates and activities to be determined for 2026

  • Spooky Off-Road Tour: Whether you’re in your everyday clothes or Halloween finest, enjoy a spooky off-road tour of the cemetery, all month long. For appointments or more information, call or text 775-300-3099.
  • Voices from the Past presented by Funtime Theater at Silver Terrace Cemetery: Head to the spookiest of all places, the Silver Terrace Cemeteries, for Voices from the Past. Funtime Theater presents this living tour where attendees can ‘talk to the dead’ as actors portray real 19th-century Comstockers who lived and died in Virginia City. Learn more here.
  • V&T Railroad Pumpkin Patch Train: A pumpkin patch is fall’s ultimate playground for kids, so why not make an adventure of it with a train ride to the Gold Hill Pumpkin Patch? Purchase train tickets.
  • Haunted Horseless Hayride: Embark on this spooky 25-minute hayride full of spooky stories and haunting sights. Details.

Halloween Week Events

  • Haunted Hills, Mills & Depots: Explore several well-known haunted locations throughout Virginia City with this spooky weekend event. Details.
  • The Spirits Made Me Do It Saloon Crawl, Oct. 24, 1-5 p.m.: Embark on a fun and tasty tour through town. This is a 21+ event.
  • Haunted Halloween Graveyard Train: Get in the haunted spirit with a ride on this spooky, 40-minute round-trip route where riders meet the executioner in the Gold Hill Graveyard, complete with LED lighting. Tickets and details.
  • Haunted House at Mackay Mansion: Prepare to be immersed in a haunted house where the oldest vampire dwells. He has attracted vampires from different times, housing them, and creating more vampires to populate the world and this is your chance to see him…if you dare. Tickets and details.
  • Virginia City Haunted House, Oct 25 – 31, 6-10 p.m.: Venture if you dare as the VC Freight Depot transforms for terrifying fun. All ages invited though small children are not advised. Tickets and details. pending.
  • St. Mary’s Art Center Ghost Investigation and Sleepover: Originally built as a hospital for the Comstock miners, then abandoned for many years. Spend the evening with the ghost investigative team, W.I.G.S. (Women Investigating Ghost Sightings) and explore the possibility of connecting with those who have walked the halls in the past. Details online here.
  • Fourth Ward School Museum’s Victorian All Hallows Eve Ball, Oct. 25: Explore this historic building on the eve of Halloween with this adults-only evening, including music and dancing, a costume contest, flashlight tours, tarot readings, light snacks and drinks. Tickets available here.
  • Haunted Horseless Hayride, Oct. 31 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Kick-off Halloween on this spooky 25-minute hayride full of spooky stories and haunting sights. Tickets and details.
  • Costume Contest and Parade, Oct. 31, 5 p.m.: Goblins of all ages dressed to scare are invited to participate in the Hauntober Costume Contest and Parade on Halloween night. Adults, kids and even pets are encouraged to wear a costume and join in the parade and participate in the costume contest. Check-in and costume contest starts at 4:30 p.m. at the Virginia City Jerky Company. The parade begins at 5 p.m. For questions, call the Virginia City Visitors Center at 775-847-7500 or complete the parade form here.
  • Virginia City Cemetery, Oct. 31, 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.: On Halloween, the gates to the old Silver Terrace Cemetery stay open for visitors to experience a once-a-year stroll past dusk. Here, souls rest in peace, but their stories live forever. Take a self-guided tour with the downloadable audio tour, available online. Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under. Proceeds benefit the Comstock Cemetery Foundation. Learn more about Virginia City cemeteries.
  • Hauntober Safe Trick-or-Treating, Oct. 31, 6 to 8 p.m.: Stick around after the parade for safe trick-or-treating at the many shops along the boardwalk. For questions, call the Virginia City Visitors Center at 775-847-7500.

Ongoing Tours and Attractions *

*Days and times vary; contact directly for details

Stay the Night in the Most Haunted Place in the West

For the ultimate thrill-seekers, there’s no more complete way to do it than stay the night in one of Virginia City’s haunted hotels. Explore all lodging options, or choose from among a few more ghostly recommendations:

  • Gold Hill Hotel Ð Nevada’s oldest operating hotel with abounding stories of the ghosts of children running the halls and the scent of roses that appears randomly when a spirit is said to be present.
  • Silver Queen Hotel Ð Allegedly haunted by one or more of the working women who did business in the hotel, this establishment was built in 1876 and is considered one of the most haunted locations in town. The hotel offers paranormal investigations for an additional fee.
  • St. Mary’s Art Center Ð Originally built in 1875 as Virginia City’s hospital, this majestic building offers 16 guest rooms for artists retreats, or anyone looking to stay in Virginia City. Paranormal investigations are offered monthly or can be booked as a private tour and the building is reported to have very active paranormal spirits.
  • Tahoe House Hotel Ð Dating back to 1859, this property offers plenty of tales of paranormal encounters from guests over the years. Renovated in 2020, it features five rooms with balconies overlooking C Street, along with a lobby bar, great room, and courtyard.

More lodging options are available at VisitVirginiaCityNV.com.

There’s a lot more happening during October that isn’t creepy including lectures, mine and museum tours and much more. Visit our calendar to see everything happening.

Photo and/or video may be produced from this event, and you are consenting to allow your likeness to be used in future Virginia City marketing materials by attending.

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