Why wait until the actual day to celebrate one of the best holidays of the year? Besides the bonus of getting extra mileage out of costumes and having more excuses to indulge in sweets, Halloween festivities are a treat any day. And there are gobs of ways to get into the spirit during the days leading up to the grand event. From no-fright fun to cool and creepy thrills, the annual KFDC round-up has all of the details on where and when you and the kids can have a wicked good time around DC and even a bit…beyond. Happy Halloween!
The Best Haunted House Ever
Where: Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre | Arlington, VA
When: Through October 6
Admission: $13/child, $16/adult
Encore Stage & Studio presents its signature by kids for kids theatre in this production… When students from two different high schools sneak into a local haunted house to scare their classmates, utter chaos ensues. At first it seems like the students are just pulling Halloween pranks, but when a spooky zombie and mysterious ghost don’t fit into the students’ haunting plans it can only mean one thing–they are not alone in the house! Recommended for ages 6 and older.
Brick-or-Treat: Monster Party
Where: LEGO Discovery Center |
When: Through October 31
Admission: Starts at $25
Get into the Halloween spirit as LEGO Monsters take over the LEGO Discovery Center and throw a Monster Party you don’t want to miss! Brew up fun at the Potion Kitchen, see 4D Halloween movie The Great Monster Chase, go on a LEGO Monster Rocker scavenger hunt, work on a special Halloween build, and more! Read more about the LEGO Discovery Center here.
Kids Workshop:Haunted Candy Box
Where: Home Depot locations around the area
When: October 4, 9am – 12pm
Admission: Free – be sure to register in advance
Get ready for Halloween at Home Depot’s free monthly workshop for kids. All supplies are provided, including a little apron, and kids get to keep their craft along with a certificate of achievement and collectible pin. All attendees must be accompanied by a parent or adult at all times. Register in advance!
Haunted Lab
Where: Children’s Science Center Lab | Fairfax, VA
When: October 4-26
Admission: $15
Visit the Children’s Science Center Lab in October to enjoy a FANG-tastic Haunted Lab. Enjoy spooky science activities in all experience areas. Read more about the Lab (during non-Halloween) in this KFDC post.
“Eye Spy” Halloween Trains
Where: Cabin John & Wheaton Regional Parks | Bethesda & Wheaton, MD
When: Saturdays & Sundays, October 4-26
Admission: $6
Hop on board the Halloween Trains! All ages can take a ride through “Trainslyvania” on Montgomery Parks’ Cabin John Miniature Train and the Wheaton Miniature Train. They’ll run every Saturday and Sunday in October 10am – 5pm, and it’s best to purchase tickets in advance online to guarantee a ride (only a limited amount are available onsite.) Read more about Cabin John Regional Park here and Wheaton Regional Park here.
Howl-O-Ween
Where: Great Wolf Lodge | Williamsburg, VA & Perryville, MD
When: Through October 31
Admission: Rates vary
Enjoy a Halloween-themed family getaway to Great Wolf Lodge, where there will be spooktacular fun all month. Kids and parents alike can enjoy special activities including a Trick-or-Treat Trail, Howl-O-Ween House, Costume Parade, Monster Bash Dance Party, Spooktacular Story Time, and much more. This, plus the ongoing fun and indoor waterpark will make for an extra special and spooky Halloween! Read more about Great Wolf Lodge Williamburg in this KFDC post and this one about the newer park in Perryville, MD.
Halloween Fun at Fall Festivals
Where: Around the DC area
When: Through early November
Admission: Varies by locale
Many of the fall festivals around the area incorporate Halloween fun into their offerings. Pick out potential jack-o-lanterns, do Halloween-themed crafts, go on rides, and much more! See a list of seasonal celebrations here.
Book Some Halloween Fun
Where: DC Public Libraries | Around DC
When: Several October dates
Admission: Free
Story times, crafts, and children’s parties all with Halloween themes are taking place at libraries around the city. Drop in for the fun — all of the activities are free! Be sure to check age recommendations to confirm they’re appropriate for your child as they vary by event.
Halloween at the Hotel
Where: Omni Shoreham | Woodley Park, DC
When: Weekends in October
Admission: Free
DC’s most legendary hotel is embracing its Halloween roots — the Omni Shoreham opened on Halloween Eve in 1930 and nearly a century later still delivers spirited fun for all ages. Every weekend in October, guests and locals alike can enjoy a Halloween Spooktacular Scavenger Hunt, bounce their way through a Boo! & Bounce House, and get crafty in the Kids Craft Studio, a cozy corner of cobwebs, fairy lights, and Halloween creativity. Grown-ups can join the fun, too, with an Adults’ Scavenger Hunt that digs into the hotel’s ghostly past. And for everyone, the Lobby becomes the ultimate Halloween hangout — with haunting décor, Poe-inspired surprises, and Spooky Saturday Socials serving up eerie beats and festive treats.
Goblin Golf
Where: Burke Lake Park | Burke, VA
When: Saturdays & Sundays, October 4-19
Admission: $10
Halloween arrives early at the Burke Lake Park mini-golf course. Enjoy a festive themed experience with Halloween treats included. Ghosts and goblins will be appearing all day from 11am – 5pm. Bring a date, a friend, or the whole family; this mini golf experience is fun for everyone!
Boardwalk Halloween Movie Series
Where: Yards Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: October 10-24
Admission: Free
Grab a blanket, bring a friend, and cozy up on the Boardwalk at Yards Park for Freaky Friday Halloween movies! On October 10 see Monsters, Inc., October 17 is Halloweentown, and October 24 is The Addams Family. Showtime is 7:30pm on the Terrace Steps + Boardwalk… BOO!
Spooky Science
Where: Maryland Science Center | Baltimore, MD
When: October 11, 12-4pm
Admission: $26.95/adult, $20.95/ages 3-12
Creep over to the Maryland Science Center if you dare for an afternoon filled with spooktacular science fun! Enter Dr. Frankenstein’s laboratory for a monster engineering challenge. Conduct ghoulish experiments, concoct chemical reactions, watch jack-o-lanterns blow their lid—heads up for flying pumpkin, and be part of even more eerie experiences throughout the day! Read more about the Baltimore attraction here.
Pumpkin Patch Express
Where: Aughwick Valley | Central PA
When: October 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, & 26
Admission: $28-32/age 13+, $22-26/age 2-12
Plan an overnight or a weekend getaway for this one… Put on your Halloween costume and join the Pumpkin Patch Express on the famed narrow-gauge East Broad Top Railroad in central Pennsylvania. The train ride behind a century-old steam engine is full of games, pumpkins, beautiful scenery, vintage trains, and more! The three-hour experience includes a 60-minute, nine-mile, round-trip chug through the scenic Aughwick Valley to the Pumpkin Patch to enjoy delicious food, participate in a variety of fun activities, and for every child to pick out their very own pumpkin.
Boo at the Zoo (CANCELED due to shutdown)
Where: National Zoo | Woodley Park, DC
When: October 17-19, 6-9pm
Admission: $25/members, $35/non-members
The National Zoo’s annual not-so-spooky Halloween haunt, one of DC’s most beloved events for the kiddie crowd, is back. With over 30 treat stations, fun after-hours animal viewing , whimsical Halloween scenes, roaming characters, a magician, and more… this frightfully fun evening is a treat for the whole family! And souvenir tote bags they give out wil hold all the treats they collect. Costumes very much encouraged!
Halloween Glow in the Park
Where: Adventure Park at Sandy Spring | Sandy Spring, MD
When: Weekends, October 17 – November 1
Admission: $56
Enjoy a spooky halloween-themed night of climbing and ziplining under the neon colored lights while listening to music throughout the Park. Glow start times are available every 10 minutes 6-8:20pm, and tickets are good for a 2 hour + 40 minute adventure. Costume encouraged but refrain from capes, masks that cover your eyes, and any super loose garments. Reserve in advance online — this event tends to sell out. Ages 5 & up are welcome! Read more about the Adventure Park at Sandy Spring here.
Soul Strolls: Grave Robbing & Resurrection
Where: Congressional Cemetery | Capitol Hill, DC
When: October 17, 18, 24, 25, 31 & November 1
Admission: $40/adult, $30/age 5-14, free/under 5
Experience a dark chapter of DC’s history, a chilling glimpse into the past. Discover the stories of Congressional Cemetery’s interred residents, victims, and perpetrators alike, brought to life by talented actors. Encounter them and uncover their long-buried secrets. These annual twilight tours explore the stories of individuals buried there through a guided lantern lit tour of the grounds with costumed interpreters. Also enjoy live music, thematic cocktails, and the ambiance of an evening in the cemetery. Attendee costumes welcome and encouraged!
Jenny the Cat: A Halloween Adventure
Where: The Puppet Co. | Glen Echo Park, MD
When: October 18 – November 3
Admission: $16
The Puppet Co. favorites Ingrid and Mollie are bringing a charming and educational adventure to the main stage for Halloween! Come meet Jennie the Cat! When Jennie receives a Halloween card that calls her a scary cat, she feels like she’s been put in a box. Does she have to be scary? Join Jennie as she meets new friends with some spectacular tricks and treats to share, like skateboarding, shadow puppetry, and pumpkin carving. Who will Jennie choose to be? This show features cuddly puppets, audience interaction, and all original music.
Halloween in the Garden
Where: Annmarie Sculpture Garden | Solomons, MD
When: October 18, 10am – 4pm
Admission: $5/online, $10/at gate
Join Annmarie’s annual family-friendly Trick-or-Treating festival for a howling good time. The garden will be decorated for the season with lots of great Halloween and fall decor, with fun photo ops around every corner! More than 60 local businesses and organizations will be here handing out treats for the kids, plus there will be fun and games, a DJ dance party, food trucks, and more! Dress up the whole family and enjoy a spooktacular day! Read more about Annmarie here and here.
Family Halloween Concert
Where: GMU Center for the Arts | Fairfax, VA
When: October 18, 11am & 3pm
Admission: $24-45
Legendary children’s musician Laurie Berkner and The Laurie Berkner Band will bring two performances of their “Greatest Hits Halloween” concert to DC area families. They’ll perform songs from a career spanning more than 25 years in the entertainment industry, including such well-loved hits as “Victor Vito,” “Bumblebee (Buzz Buzz),” “Pig On Her Head,” and “We Are The Dinosaurs.” Ahead of Halloween, Laurie and the band will also offer songs from their album, A Laurie Berkner Halloween. Kids should plan to bring their dancing shoes and a stuffed animal (for their heads). Recommended for ages 2-8.
Spooky Pooch Howl-o-ween Celebration
Where: Hillwood Museum & Gardens | Northwest DC
When: October 18, 4-6pm
Admission: $13/adult, $8/member, $5/age 6-18, free/under 6
Hillwood’s Halloween event for pooches (and their people) is back! Bring your “best friend” for Halloween fun — explore Hillwood’s 25 acres of landscaped gardens and lush natural woodlands with your four-legged friend, while enjoying a costume competition and yappy hour. Interesting tidbit: This event is inspired by Marjorie Post’s affection for dogs and the memorial dog cemetery she created.
Family Costume Party
Where: Children’s Science Center Lab | Fairfax, VA
When: October 18, 5-7pm
Admission: $15
Get ready for an eerie evening at the Haunted Lab after hours for a night of hands-on thrills and chills! Dress in your most prize-worthy costume, then dive into spook-tacular science: brew bubbling pH potions, conjure up ghostly bubbles, get nose-to-nose with creepy crawlies, and piece together your very own Franken-toys with 3D printing pens. Creativity is key—original ideas and costumes could earn you a wickedly fun prize! Read more about the Lab (during non-Halloween) in this KFDC post.
Halloween Pumpkin Carving Bash
Where: Potomac Overlook Park | Arlington, VA
When: October 21, 1-3pm
Admission: $20/age 4+
Get in the Halloween spirit by carving or painting a pumpkin with your friends at Potomac Overlook! They’ll provide tools, paint, and of course, a pumpkin for some holiday fun. You’ll also enjoy candy, a Halloween craft, and visits from several of our spooky nocturnal critters from the nature center!
PumpkinPalooza
Where: Alethia Tanner Park | NoMa, DC
When: October 22, 4-8pm
Admission: Free
NoMa’s free annual community-wide celebration of Halloween returns with live entertainment, yummy food, music, a seasonal scavenger hunt, and, of course, the free “pick-your-own” pumpkin patch! See Too Much Talent Band perform, mingle with Smurf costumed characters, take selfies with baby alpacas and more petting zoo animals, join or check out a costume parade for people and pets, end enjoy a movie screening of Hotel Transylvania.
Trick or Fruit
Where: US Botanic Garden | Capital Hill, DC
When: October 24, 6-8pm
Admission: Free
Explore plants that produce edible fruits throughout the Conservatory at this fun evening program for families. Hear stories about what makes each plant interesting, learn about the environments they grow in, and experience the fruits with all of your senses, including taste! Costumes highly encouraged!
Halloween Nights Fun & Sweets
Where: Mansion on O Street | Dupont Circle, DC
When: October 24-30
Admission: $45.25
During the week leading up to Halloween, celebrate the BOO season on this zany journey around the museum. Come in costume and have a spooktacular time exploring the 100-room Museum decorated special for Halloween, including over 80 secret doors. (Be warned secret doors are tricky to find — if you find 3 you are an above average sleuth!) Halloween candy, a costume contest, and a cash bar (for parents) are part of the fun, too. BYO shopping bags — everything is for sale! Read more about this wonderfully unique DC attraction in this KFDC post.
Howl-O-Ween
Where: Gateway Interim Dog Park | Rosslyn, VA
When: October 24, 4:30-6:30pm
Admission: Free
Join the Rosslyn BID for a Halloween-themed evening of dog-friendly activities, treats, and seasonal fun. Festivities will include pet-themed vendors, a beer and wine bar for pet parents, the opportunity to mingle with fellow furry friends, and more. Plus, don’t forget to dress your pup in their best outfit so they can compete in the annual dog costume contest. Registration for the contest will be on-site.
Halloween on the Farm
Where: Frying Pan Farm Park | Clifton, VA
When: October 24-25, 5-8pm
Admission: $12
Trick or treat on the farm! Visit with farm animals, create crafts, play games, tour the decorated farmhouse, and enjoy the fall on the farm. The program runs in three one-hour time slots. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Register in advance here for 10/24 and here for 10/25.
Air & Scare (Cancelled due to shudown)
Where: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center | Chantilly, VA
When: October 25, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free, parking is $15
The annual Air & Scare event at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is back with activities inside and out! The fun includes trick or treat stations, creepy crafts, spooky experiments, and other Hallloween-themed activities; special story times and puppet shows; photo ops; and costume contests.
Just Drop In: Spooky Haunted Houses
Where: National Building Museum | Judiciary Square, DC
When: October 25
Admission: $7/child, $10/adult
Explore spooky fun while designing your own haunted house inspired by real architectural styles like Gothic, Victorian, and Modern! Kids will use craft materials to build eerie creations while learning how different buildings are shaped and styled. Pre-registrationrecommended but not required.
Glen Echo Fall Frolic
Where: Glen Echo Park | Glen Echo, MD
When: October 25, 1-4pm
Admission: Free, but small cost for some activities
It’s a safe and fun Halloween event with something for everyone! Activities include Halloween arts & crafts, a festive fall photo-op (say that 10 times!), Trick-or-Treating at resident art studios and galleries, and a costume contest (will you win for “Most Spooky,” “Most Creative,” or “Best Group?”). They focus on the arts-y & crafts-y more than the scary, but we love to see all the costumes – even the scary ones!
Ghost Town
Where: Burke Lake Park | Burke, VA
When: October 25 & 26, 11am
Admission: $20
At this family-friendly Halloween event, family members can come in their best costumes to celebrate the holiday with an afternoon packed with fun but not-spooky activities. The Ghost Town includes themed activity areas, train ride, carousel ride, crafts and mini golf. Online tickets available online up until two days before the event.
Halloween at The Boo-ro
Where: The Boro | Tysons, VA
When: October 25, 12-2pm
Admission: Free
This family-friendly Halloween celebration is packed with tricks, treats, and unforgettable moments for all ages — including your four-legged friends. From festive decorations and spine-tingling entertainment to interactive activities and Instagram-worthy photo ops, there’s magic (and mischief) around every corner.
Trick or Treat at Tudor Place
Where: Tudor Place | Georgetown, DC
When: October 25, 10am – 12pm
Admission: $15/non-member, $10/member, $5/adult
Celebrate the fall season with fun at Tudor Place. Enjoy treats in the garden, fall themed crafts, a potion (science) activity, face painting and more! Costumes are encouraged.
Pumpkins in the Park
Where: Canal Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Saturday, 12pm
Admission: Free
Join your Capitol Riverfront neighbors and friends for the 12th annual Pumpkins in the Park featuring seasonal festivities from pumpkin decorating (while supplies last), a giant moon bounce, and mobile photo booth to live music by popular local Zydeco band Little Red & the Renegades, a roaming magician, and seasonal beverages* for purchase. The first 150 registered guests to arrive will receive a free seasonal beverage (alcoholic and non-alcoholic options available) and a fresh apple cider donut courtesy of the BID!
Little Goblins Parade
Where: Stead Park | Northwest DC
When: October 25,12:30-3:00pm
Admission: Free
The spook-tacular Little Goblins Parade begins at Ross Elementary, with a musical parade down 17th Street to trick-or-treat at local businesses and ending in a party at Stead Park with games, music, crafts, and snacks! It’ll be a treat you won’t want to miss! This event is brought to you by Friends of Stead Park, Ross PTA and DC DPR. Register in advance.
Monster Mash
Where: Village at Leesburg | Leesburg, VA
When: October 25, 1-5pm
Admission: Free
The Village at Leesburg is back with its Annual Monster Mash! Join the fun including live-action professional pumpkin carvers, Trick or Treating around the Village, cookie decorating, their annual costume contest parade for you and your pets, and more.
Hill Family Biking Halloween Ride
Where: Around Capitol Hill, DC
When: October 25, 3:30-6pm
Admission: Free
Join Hill Family Biking for their annual Halloween Ride! The rolling fun will start at Lincoln Park by the Lincoln Statue and take a 4.5-mile route along the scariest blocks on the Hill built from The Hill is Home Spooky Hill Map. The ride will end at Eastern Market Metro Plaza for some spooky fun including live music from the Knox Engler Band and a costume contest with awesome prizes.
Family Spooky Disco
Where: Dance Place | Brookland, DC
When: October 25, 4pm
Admission: $15, $45/family 4-pack
Join a celebration of dance, costumes, and families. This intergenerational dance party is for both the young and the young at heart. This event will feature a live DJ, snacks, and party games. Get your costume and dancing shoes, and come get spooky!
Family Flights & Frights
Where: College Park Aviation Museum | College Park, MD
When: October 25, 5:30-7:30pm
Admission: $5, free/under 2
Set your Halloween spirits soaring! Join the museum for an evening filled with trick-or-treating in the gallery and spook-tacular games and crafts. Dress up in your favorite costumes and get ready for a high-flying Halloween adventure. Activities while supplies last. Registration required.
The Haunted Washington Scavenger Hunt
Where: White House area | Downtown DC
When: October 25, 6pm
Admission: $22
Do you believe in ghosts? You just might after this spooky tour that reveals the stories of the restless souls you might disturb. On teams, you’ll follow clues to ghost-plagued buildings near the White House and answer tricky questions about what you find. Possible cameos by the spirits of Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, Dolley Madison, Abigail Adams, Andrew Jackson, the (allegedly) suicidal Mrs. Henry Adams, and losing duelist Stephen Decatur. The hunt is a bit spooky, a bit macabre, a bit goofy, and a lot of fun. It’s also a bit slower paced than Watson’s regular hunts because the questions are longer, in order to fill you in on the eerie events that transpired at each location. For teens and older. [Note: For private groups, there is a Kids Edition of this ghoulish game, suitable for ages 7 and up.]
Trick-or-Treating at Mount Vernon
Where: Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens | Mount Vernon, VA
When: October 25, 2-6pm
Admission: $24-30/adult, $20-25/child
Trick-or-treat at Mount Vernon as George Washington’s estate open its gates for Halloween fun and spook-tacular activities. Along with collecting candy around the historic grounds, enjoy live entertainment, check out a apple butter-making demo (and get a taste!), watch sparks fly at the blacksmith shop, learn about Mount Vernon’s horses, and more.
Halloween Carnival
Where: Community Center | Falls Church, VA
When: October 25, 1-3pm or 3:30-5:30pm
Admission: Free
The City of Falls Church has been hosting the annual Halloween Carnival for over 30 years, welcoming babies through elementary-aged kids to enjoy all kinds of fun activities. Enjoy a spooktacular family fun Halloween Carnival in Cherry Hill Park for kids 2 to 11 years old! This year’s event will include games, inflatables, live music, and snacks.
Calabash Carnage
Where: Brentwood Art Exchange | Brentwood, MD
When: October 25
Admission: Free ($5 to buy pumpkin)
Get into the Halloween spirit with our pumpkin carving extravaganza! They’ll provide the pumpkins and tools, you bring your creativity. Whether you’re crafting a spooky face or an intricate design, this is the perfect way to kick off the season. BYOP or purchase one on-site for $5!
Halloween Family Dance Party
Where: Hi-Lawn | Union Market, DC
When: October 26, 11am – 1pm
Admission: $13.26
The Rumpus Room Family Dance Party is back at Hi-Lawn! Join the dance floor filled with little ghosts, goblins, witches, dragons, and pumpkins of all ages. Relive your night-life glory days with your little ones in tow. The soundtrack for the day will be a family-friendly mix of dance floor classics, current hits, guilty pleasures and Halloween tunes, all at a child-friendly volume. Costumes are highly encouraged, but not required. This one always sells out, so snag tickets soon! Rumpus Room is designed for kids 10 and under and their caregivers.
Harbor Halloween
Where: National Harbor | Oxon Hill, MD
When: October 26, 12-3pm
Admission: Free
National Harbor is hosting an afternoon full of spooktacular fun for the whole family, including Trick-or-Treating at select restaurants and retailers, FREE spins on the Capitol Wheel for costumed children, a Halloween Movie, a Chef Pumpkin Carving Contest, and a Pet Pawrade. Visit the website for the full schedule of the day’s events.
Del Ray Halloween Parade
Where: Del Ray Neighborhood | Alexandria, VA
When: October 26, 2pm
Admission: Free
One of Del Ray’s favorite traditions, the 29th Annual Del Ray Halloween Parade begins at Mt. Vernon Avenue, south of E. Bellefonte, and continues down to the Mt. Vernon Recreation Center play fields at Mt. Vernon and Commonwealth Avenues. It’s a family friendly affair that invites costume-clad kids, pets, moms, and dads to march down Mt. Vernon Ave from E. Bellefonte Ave to the Mount Vernon Rec Center field. The event ends with live music and an award presentation.
NSO Family Concert: Halloween Spooktacular!
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: October 26, 2:30pm & 4:30pm
Admission: $25.30
An annual tradition! The Concert Hall transforms into a ghostly sight when ghoulishly attired National Symphony Orchestra musicians celebrate Halloween. Enjoy a concert filled with musical treats from fa-boo-lous new works to spooky old classics. Join in the fun of this Halloween celebration concert, featuring soprano soloist Kresley Figueroa on the piece “La Llorona.” Recommended for ages 5+. Note that the 2:30pm show is a sensory-friendly performance.
17th Street High Heel Race
Where: 17th Street NW, btwn P & S | Dupont Circle, DC
When: October 28, 5pm
Admission: Free
The High Heel Race is a 38-year DC tradition, with a rich history of “Crossing The Line Since 1986.” During the week before Halloween, thousands of spectators pack the Dupont Circle Neighborhood to watch hundreds of costumed drag queens show off their extravagant outfits and race down Historic 17th Street, NW. There’s also live entertainment, a parade, and more festive fun!
Hill-O-Ween
Where: Eastern Market | Capitol Hill, DC
When: October 31, 5-8pm
Admission: Free
Capitol Hill’s annual neighborhood event is legendary for little ones! Count on live pumpkin carving and a DJ spinning tunes for a spooky dance party. More details are still to come, but for past events the block of 7th Street SE next to Eastern Market is closed to traffic for one of the best community Halloween celebrations in the city. There have been moon bounces, goody giveaways, face painting, wagon rides, and more exciting festivities. The best part is seeing the masses of jubilant kids in all kinds of costumes indulging in the extravaganza.
Halloween at the Park
Where: The Parc | Tysons, VA
When: October 31, 4-7pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate Tysons is hosting a Halloween party at the Parc at Tysons. It’ll be a spooktacular evening of community fun! Enjoy trick-or-treating, live musical performances, festive sips and snacks, and more. Wear costumes and bring your friends and Halloween spirit. RSVP!
Mystery Mansion Adventure
Where: Chevy Chase Women’s Club | Chevy Chase, MD
When: October 31 – November 1
Admission: $20
Celebrate Halloween and t he Day of the Dead! Step into a world of spooky fun at Mystery Mansion Adventure, a family-friendly haunted house hosted by The Woman’s Club of Chevy Chase. Tickets include admission to the indoor, family-friendly haunted house; photo ops in the whimsical Hall of Portraits; hands-on crafting fun in Artisan Alley; an interactive characters and spooky surprises. Plus, food & drinks and s’mores kits (to enjoy by firepits) are available for purchase. A perfect for kids ages 3–10 (and fun for parents and Halloween fans of all ages)!
Día de los Muertos | Day of the Dead Celebration
Where: National Museum of the American Indian | National Mall, DC
When: November 1, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Bring the whole family to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian to participate in activities including dance performances, artist and food demonstrations, coloring activities, and paper marigold and mask making. Visitors are invited to leave photos and mementos of their loved ones on the ofrenda (altar) or commemorate them by writing their names on a butterfly to attach to the memorial arch.
Fall-O-Ween
Where: John Carlyle Square | Alexandria, VA
When: November 1, 11am
Admission: Free
Keep the Halloween fun going at this family-friendly celebration in Old Town Alexandria. The event will be packed with arts & crafts, delicious treats, and a day of fun for the whole family. Whether you’re looking to shop for handmade Halloween décor, indulge in sweet treats, or watch a costume parade (kids and pets), this festival has something for everyone.
A “Not-So-Scary” Halloween Concert
Where: Dupont Underground | Dupon Circle, DC
When: November 1, 7:30pm
Admission: $25,85/adult, $9.85/child
Join Good Beats for a fun night of Halloween tunes, video game music, and sing-alongs — played by classical musicians! Featuring special guest: award-winning saxophone quartet, Project Fusion. The setlist includes favorites from The Nightmare Before Christmas, Ghostbusters, Stranger Things, The Addams Family, Castlevania, The Legend of Zelda, and perhaps… Kpop Demon Hunters!? Beverages will be available for purchase from Dupont Underground (cash bar). They’ll also be holding a costume contest with great prizes.
Pumpkin Chunkin’
Where: Great Country Farm | Bluemont, VA
When: November 1-4, 9am – 5pm
Admission: $10/child, $12/adult, $14/ at gate
Continue the Halloween fun after the holiday! Bring your leftover jack-o-lantern to Great Country’s smashin’ station and let it fly! The Silo Drop and the Zip Wire Sploosh let you do the smashin’ yourself or opt for the Pumpkin Drop Zone and add it to the upside down “fireworks display” as pumpkins are dropped from a 40-foot lift — so fun to watch! (What happens to all those smashed pumpkins? The pigs and cows love to eat them and GCF composts the rest.) There will also be live music, marshmallow roasting, and cider press demos, plus The Roosteraunt concession stand will be open. Of course, plan to enjoy the farm’s playground, full of fun, too!
Día de los Muertos Celebration
Where: Congressional Cemetery | Capitol Hill, DC
When: November 2, 11am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Join the celebration at the historic Chapel in the center of the cemetery to collectively build a large-scale ofrenda honoring our departed loved ones. Share stories about those who are gone, learn about the traditions of Día de los Muertos and similar customs around the world, and join the community around remembrance and celebration. Bring photographs of departed loved ones, some of their favorite foods or mementos, flowers (fresh or dried), and other cherished artifacts from their lives to add to it. You can also make something on site during the event — they’ll have a variety of hands-on crafts and activities for all ages, including decorating sugar skulls and crafting paper flowers.
Wicked Kids Halloween Trick or Treating
Where: Shipgarten | McLean, VA
When: November 2, 12-6pm
Admission: Free
Bring the whole family for an unforgettable experience meeting friendly, fun characters from Wicked, plus face painting and arts & crafts kids can enjoy. They’ll also have live music, moon bounces, and a full playground so everyone can have a blast! Dogs are welcome at Shipgarten too, whether on-leash or in our off-leash dog park.
Halloween Family Dance Party
Where: Dupont Underground | Dupont Circle, DC
When: November 2, 2-4pm
Admission: $5
Get your spooky on and celebrate Halloween and Día de los Muertos with the whole family. Bring little movers and shakers for an afternoon filled with music, laughter, and tons of excitement. There will be a fantastic playlist of kid-friendly tunes to get everyone on their feet. More fun includes a cascade of colorful bubbles floating through the air, a dazzling array of stickers to collect and decorate with, and a cool and spacious setting to bust a move.
Step right up for some haunted fun
HAUNTED (SCARIER) EXPERIENCES
Fields of Fear
Where: Cox Farms | Centreville, VA
When: Weekends through November 8
Admission: $35-40 (purchase in advance online)
When night falls on Cox Farms, it’s time for Fields of Fear — for ages 12 and up! The Dark Side Hayride feature The Lost Circus, a circus abandoned in the early 1900s that now comes to life when the living approach. The friendly Imaginature Trail takes a dark turn for Fields of Fear, transforming into The Forest: Back 40, which consists of half a mile of fear. The Forest joins two other haunted attractions at Fields of Fear, the Dark Side Hayride and the Cornightmare. The Firegrounds feature several bonfires, a six-lane slide, music, karaoke, entertainment, tasty treats, Foamhenge, and more!
Laurel’s House of Horror
Where: Laurel, MD
When: Weekends through November 1
Admission: $29.95
Our family digs this creepy and fun haunted experience. Built inside an abandoned movie theater, it’s sensory overload with a lot to look at and listen to and several good jump scares. There’s always chilling sense of anticipation as you get ready to round the next corner. There are also escape rooms open all year during the weekends, and for private parties and special dates. Recommended for ages 10 and up.
AVFD Station 7 Terror Trail
Where: Gambrills, MD
When: Fridays & Saturdays through November 1
Admission: $25+
Choose a scary trail or a family-friendly haunt here. The scary Terror trail is recommended for ages 8 and older or opt for activities for younger children at the ticket booth and the Boo Haunt loop geared for those under 8 years old. This supports the Arundel Volunteer Fire Department.
🎃 🎃 🎃
More Halloween Ideas
Getting into the spooky spirit at home can be just as fun as going out for it! Elevate the experience for your fam and neighbors by decorating the front yard and adding some festive accessories inside. Here are quick links to find Halloween supplies to help with that:
>Yard Decor: Hanging witch hats, giant spider web, glowing eyed dangling bats, super stretch cob webs, and more spooky stuff.
Inside Decor: Creepy face-changing portraits, “floating” candles, Light-up BOO Marquee, ghostly pillow covers, and more creepy accessories.
Party Supplies: Fun non-scary table set, spiders & bats table set, jack-o-lantern table set, inflatable cooler, temporary tattoos, and cookie cutters.
Crafts & Games: Monster ornaments, LEGO Halloween Barn, pumpkin carving kit, and Ditch the Witch dice game.
Costumes, of course!
