Bonez and Booz

The spooktacular Halloween and Fall Festival returns Saturday, October 24, 2026 from 4 to 10 p.m. at the Virginia Museum of Natural History! Fire performances, magic shows, carnival games, stilt walkers, costume contests, food trucks, a beer garden, and more await you during this year's hauntingly amazing edition of Bonez & Booz! Costumes encouraged! Fun required!!

 Stilt walking always adds to the festivities during Bonez & Booz!

What to Experience

• Fire & LED Performances
  (7-7:25 p.m. & 8-8:25 p.m.)
• Magic Shows
  (5-5:30 p.m. & 9-9:25 p.m.)
• Carnival Games
  (4 to 8 p.m.)
• Costume Contests
  (More information below)
• Stilt Walkers
• Exhibit Gallery Scavenger Hunt
• Balloon Art
• Caricature Art
• Face Painting
• Halloween Photo Booth
• DJ
• Food Truck Alley
• Beer Garden
• Spooky Scientific Specimens
• Bonez & Booz Souvenirs

VMNH's paleontology research team will be on-hand once again to show-off a variety of the museum's spookiest specimens!

Costume Contests!

Bonez & Booz attendees never disappoint with their costume creativity and we can't wait to see what's in store this year! This year's costume contests are limited to 25 participants per age group and pre-registration is REQUIRED at least 30 minutes prior to each age group's start time. Pre-registration is on a first-come, first-served basis and will take place at the souvenir T-shirt station. Age groups and start times are as follows:

• Ages 0 to 5 (5:30 p.m.)
• Ages 6 to 9 (6:00 p.m.)
• Ages 10 to 13 (6:30 p.m.)
• Ages 14 to 17 (7:30 p.m.)
• Ages 18+ (9:30 p.m.)

Fire performers are always a hit at Bonez & Booz!

Admission is only...

• $15/Ages 18-59
• $10/Ages 3-17, Seniors 60+, and College Students
• FREE for children under 3
• FREE for VMNH Members
• FREE for members of ASTC Passport participating institutions
• FREE for EBT card holders who present their EBT card and official photo ID
• FREE for federal government employees
• Groupons are accepted!

* Free admission for EBT cardholders is valid for the cardholder (from any state) and up to 5 immediate family members living within the same household as the cardholder. Free admission for federal government employees is valid for the cardholder (from any state) and up to 5 immediate family members living within the same household as the employee. Members of ASTC Passport participating institutions must provide their membership card to receive free admission.

Parking Information

Because the museum's parking lot will be filled with incredible Bonez & Booz activities, performances, displays and food trucks, general parking for this year's event will take place off-site. ADA accessible parking will be available within the museum's parking lot closest to the YMCA, as well as directly across the street from the admissions gate. All parking is free. A parking map will be published the week of the event.

Reduced Sensory Impact Time

Prior to the event, the museum is offering a reduced sensory impact time from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.! Space is limited and pre-registration is required to attend the Reduced Sensory Impact Time. Because space is limited, please limit each registration to no more than 2 adults and 2 children. Registrants of the Reduced Sensory Impact Time are more than welcome to remain at the museum once the official event begins and meet-up with additional family members/guests at that time. Please also note that the Reduced Sensory Impact Time is being offered prior to the official event. Because of this, some of the advertised festival activities/offerings will not be available during this time. Online registration will begin in October.

Know Before You Go

• Admission is available at the gate.
• This is primarily an outdoor event.
• Parking will be available off-site. An online parking map will be provided prior to event.
• The museum will be CLOSED this day during normal Saturday operating hours (which are 10 a.m.to 4 p.m.) due to preparation for this event.
• All listed offerings, activities, times and information may be subject to change.
• All costumes must be family-friendly.
• The museum is a tobacco and vape-free campus.
• Service animals are welcomed, but pets are not allowed.

Bonez & Booz is made possible by: