Halloween Trick-or-Treating Tradition Continues Despite Rotunda Renovation

The University of Virginia will host its annual “Trick-or-Treating on the Lawn” on Halloween, Oct. 31, from 4 to 6 p.m. This year, Halloween falls during U.Va.’s Family Weekend.

U.Va.’s trick-or-treating tradition, established by students in the late 1980s, is open to the local community. Children are invited to wear costumes and participate in trick-or-treating at each of the 54 Lawn rooms. All candy is donated and distributed by 70 student groups and other organizations.

The event is hosted by the Lawn residents and receives additional support from the offices of Housing and Residence Life, Emergency Preparedness, Facilities Management, Parking & Transportation and the University Police Department. EMTs from Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad will be available during the event, and a lost child station, marked by balloons and signage, will be located on the south steps of Old Cabell Hall.

Due to renovations at the Rotunda, the entry and exit point for this year’s event is the South Lawn by Old Cabell Hall. Volunteers will direct families to the South Lawn.

Allergen-free treats will be available for children and students with severe allergies in Room 1 West, said Schuyler “Sky” Miller, head Lawn resident and a fourth-year student in the College of Arts & Sciences.

In addition to trick-or-treating, families will have the opportunity to enjoy a Trick-or-Treat Festival in the McIntire Amphitheater, also running from 4 to 6 p.m. The festival will feature a mix of recreational activities, students stationed at tables providing information related to their organizations, and performances by U.Va. student groups.

Public restrooms will be available at Old Cabell Hall, Alderman Library and Newcomb Hall.

Free parking for families attending the event will be available beginning at 3:30 p.m. in the E3, T4 and S6 lots at Scott Stadium and at University Hall, and beginning at 4 p.m. in the garage on Culbreth Road. Paid hourly parking is available in the Central Grounds Parking Garage on Emmet Street.

Lawn residents look forward to hundreds of children participating in the festivities and encourage University students to attend, too. “Trick-or-Treating on the Lawn is not only a unique tradition of the University, it is a special Halloween experience,” Miller said. “Every year, residents are thrilled to welcome families to this beautiful and communal space for an evening of fun, smiles and costumes.”