Here’s How A Haunted House In Virginia Has Become An Annual Halloween Happening

Imagine a Halloween attraction being frighteningly good for charity. 

That’s the premise behind Shocktober, an annual haunted house in Virginia’s Loudoun County that benefits The Arc of Loudoun, a nonprofit advocacy organization for people with disabilities and their families. Now marking its 11th season in 2021, Shocktober is held at Carlheim Manor in Leesburg, Va., a historic home that’s transformed into a scary place to visit throughout October. 

Having ranked number five on Travel & Leisure’s 2018 list of the 25 Most Haunted Houses list, Shocktober is said to have entertained more than 17,600 “Shock Fans” since 2019. And since 2010, the event has generated $3.5 million for The Arc of Loudoun.

“It’s grown from a few hundred guests over the course of the first few seasons, to thousands of guests each year,” said Lisa Kimball, The Arc of Loudoun’s CEO.

As the brainchild of Matt Smith, The Arc of Loudoun’s facilities director and Shocktober’s “Haunt Master,” Shocktober is quite the fright fest. And it is held in the perfect place. When The Arc of Loudoun became tenants at Carlheim Manor in 2009, Kimball explained that the then in disrepair building was found to have a lot of spiritual energy. It was so much that this level was said to be confirmed by the group, Mid-Atlantic Paranormal Investigations.

“The combination of a building left to decay, existing spirits, and the gothic façade made for an award-winning haunt,” said Kimball. 

Every October, the 19th-century property is transformed into a modern haunted mansion, inside and out. With the level of fright being within the PG-13 movie rating range, visitors will encounter scary sightings and costumed actors that are fearfully entertaining and interactive. Those who might need a breather from being scared can purchase a certain necklace to wear as a signal for the actors to “go easy” on them.

“The fear feels real, but the threats are not,” noted Kimball. “Shocktober scares you, safely!”

Open at night time on weekends in October,  the event is made possible by a core group of volunteers who not only greet visitors but also help with selling concessions and directing visitor parking. Also in 2019, the event benefited from more than 10,000 volunteer hours. 

“Each evening is the equivalent of a Broadway production,” said Kimball, who noted that close to 150 volunteers are on each night, “and most of [them] are local high school students.”

New for 2021, guests can access the top floor of the manor and come across glashy ghouls and scares around every corner. Another addition will involve what is being billed as the Carver family; they have come back to “reclaim” Carlheim Manor.

“The story of Carvers weaves in the true history of the manor and its property, with a story about its haunted past and modern-day terror,” said Matt Smith, director of facilities for The Arc of Loudoun, in a media release.

A returning Shocktober favorite, the haunted manor’s basement level is touted as the “Well of Souls.” It continues to be one of Shocktober’s most popular places. “So while it’s been dusted up a bit, returning guests will find their favorite scares around many corners,” said Kimball.

In 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Shocktober’s format was switched to a digital format. That year’s version offered prerecorded tours of the haunted house and online tutorials on preparing Halloween costumes and decor.

Now in 2021, virtual offerings are still available via the event’s website, but the overall event is happening in person every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday now through October 30. Masks are required for guests and volunteers.

Various admission packages to the 2021 edition of Shocktober are available for purchase. Visit the event’s website for tickets and more information.