There are tons of family-friendly Halloween events to enjoy in the DMV! We have compiled a list of spooktacular events that your whole family will enjoy, including outdoor movies, carnivals, costume contests (for human kids and fur babies), and more.
For more ideas on how to have some Halloween fun, check out these Halloween movies for kids, Halloween craft ideas, pumpkin patches, and this Halloween Game and Spooky Window Hunt. And check out our Guide to the Month of October too!
The Best Haunted House Ever
Now through October 6
Thomas Jefferson Community Theater
Arlington, VA
Encore Stage & Studio presents its latest production, The Best Haunted House Ever. What could possibly go awry when students from different high schools sneak into a local haunted house? Spookiness ensues when the kids realize there is a ghost and a zombie in the house too! This show is recommended for kids age 6 and older. Tickets can be purchased online.
Brick-or-Treat Monster Party
Now through October 31
LEGO Discovery Center
Springfield, VA
The LEGO Discovery Center is bursting with Halloween spirit. Visitors will enjoy monster LEGOs, the Potion Kitchen, a scavenger hunt, and more spookily fun games and activities. Brick-or-Treat guests in costume will receive a special treat! Tickets are required.
Eye Spy Trains
October 4 – 26 (Saturdays and Sundays)
Cabin John Regional Park and Wheaton Regional Park
Rockville and Wheaton, MD
The popular Halloween Eye Spy Trains are back on weekends throughout October. The Montgomery Parks’ Cabin John Miniature Train and the Wheaton Miniature Train will take your little ghosts and goblins on a ride through “Trainslyvania.” Purchase tickets in advance online to reserve your preferred date and time.
Boardwalk Halloween Movie Series
October 10, 17, and 24
The Yards
Washington, DC
If you are looking for family-friendly outdoor movie screenings this month, then Yards Park is the place to be. On three Fridays in October, a Halloween movie will be shown on the Boardwalk (Monsters, Inc., Halloweentown, and The Addams Family). Bring your blanket and a picnic, or a get take out from one of the yummy restaurants nearby, and enjoy an evening under the stars. The screenings are FREE to attend.
Boo at the Zoo
October 17 – 19
Smithsonian’s National Zoo
Washington, DC
Boo at the Zoo is a family-favorite Halloween activity. The zoo is decorated for Halloween fun, and Jack-o-Lanterns will even be included in some habitats. It offers fun decorations and around 30 trick-or-treat stations. Attendees will also have access to animal viewing at the Elephant Community Center, Small Mammal House, and Reptile Discovery Center. Tickets are required and do sell out. Don’t forget to purchase a parking pass in advance if you are driving.
Spooky Pooch Howl-o-Ween Celebration
October 18
Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens
Washington, DC
If your family’s fur baby is itching to show off this year’s Halloween costume, enter them in this annual costume contest. Enjoy cute dogs in the peace and loveliness of Hillwood’s twenty-five acres of landscaped gardens and woodlands. Prizes will be awarded in a number of categories. You must purchase tickets to this event, but children under 6 years old may attend for FREE.
PumpkinPalooza
October 22
Alethia Tanner Park
Washington, DC
Head to Alethia Tanner Park in NoMa for live entertainment, food, music, a petting zoo, and a “pick-your-own” pumpkin patch (each guest will receive a FREE pumpkin while supplies last). Attendees and their furry friends are encouraged to dress up and participate in a costume parade. The event includes a screening of Hotel Transylvania. Reserve tickets online…don’t miss out on this FREE, family-friendly Halloween event!
Halloween on the Farm
October 24 & 25
Frying Pan Farm Park
Herndon, VA
Give your kids the experience of trick-or-treating on a farm! Participants will be able to play games, enjoy the decorated farmhouse, visit farm animals, and make crafts. Tickets are required for this event. Go online to select your one-hour time slot and to purchase tickets.
Halloween Nights Fun and Sweets at The Mansion on O
October 24 – November 2
Times Vary
Washington, DC
This unique Halloween treasure hunt allows visitors to search for seasonal and Halloween themed items throughout the Mansion’s 100+ rooms and look for its 80 secret doors. Attendees are invited to go in costume and, of course, there will be candy. Tickets are required.
Glen Echo Park Fall Frolic
October 25
Glen Echo Park
Glen Echo, MD
This FREE, family-friendly event offers Halloween fun in the lovely setting of Glen Echo Park. Kids can trick-or-treat at the Park’s studios and galleries with a bag that they decorate. There will additional craft activities to for kids to enjoy, as well as a costume contest and fun photo-op.
Monster Bash
October 25
Takoma Park, MD
The Takoma Park Recreation Department will once again host this FREE family-friendly Halloween event. The Monster Bash event will kick off at 1pm with a DJ and dancing, Trunk-or-Treat, and a magic show. The Costume Parade and Contest will begin at 2pm and end at the Takoma Park Library/Community Center. Festivities will end with the Costume Award Ceremony and Celebration, including a selfie station, games, and more.
Trick-or-Fruit
October 25
Unites States Botanic Garden
Washington, DC
Take a brief break from candy at this fun, family-friendly exploration of fruit plants throughout the Garden’s Botanic Gardens. Visitors will learn about the plants and even taste some of the fruits they produce. Costumes are encouraged. This event is FREE, but you must register.
Trick-or-Treating at Mount Vernon
October 25
Mount Vernon Estate
Mount Vernon, Virginia
Trick-or-Treat at Mount Vernon! Dress in costume and collect candy against this historic 18th-century backdrop. There will be cooking demonstrations, an opportunity to learn about the estates horses, and a variety of 18th-century entertainment including a traveling musician. You must reserve tickets online.
Halloween Carnival
October 25
Cherry Hill Park
Falls Church, VA
Costumes are encouraged at this annual, family-friendly Halloween Carnival in Cherry Hill Park. This year’s event will include games, inflatables, snacks, and more. The Carnival will be open with two time-slots: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. This year, it will be FREE to attend the fun, fall event.
Family Workshops: Spooky Shakespeare
October 25
Folger Shakespeare Library
Washington, DC
Shakespeare’s works include many spooky elements like witches and ghosts. This Family Workshop explores how he used these in his plays. Participants are welcome to wear costumes, but they are not required to do so. There are two sessions. The first, at 11:30am, is for kids from 5 to 7 years old. The second session is at 1pm and is for kids from 8 to 11 years old. It is FREE to attend this workshop (though donations are appreciated), but you must reserve your spot online.
Family Flights and Frights: Trick-or-Treat at the Museum
October 25
College Park Aviation Museum
College Park, MD
From 5:30pm until 7:30pm, your little ghouls and goblins will enjoy tricks and treats at the College Park Aviation Museum. Games and other family-friendly activities will be available. The event is included in your museum admission.
Harbor Halloween
October 26
National Harbor
National Harbor, MD
Start your Halloween celebration early at this FREE family-friendly event at National Harbor. A variety of fun activities are scheduled including an outdoor screening of Hocus Pocus (1pm), a pumpkin carving contest, and trick-or-treating at 30 participating businesses. Children dressed in costumes will receive a free ride on The Capital Wheel with the purchase of adult admission. Your costumed furry family members can get in on the fun, too, as they compete for prizes in the Pet Pawrade. Please note that you must register your pet to participate in the Pet Pawrade.
Air & Scare
October 26
National Air and Space Museum at Udvar-Hazy Center
Chantilly, VA
The Museum’s popular Air & Scare event features both indoor and outdoor activities. Attendance is FREE, however a timed-entry ticket is required for the outdoor activities. Tickets for the outdoor portion are already sold out, but tickets are not required for the indoor portion of Air & Scare. Costumes are encouraged but check the website for costume guidelines.
NSO Family Concert: Halloween Spooktacular
October 26
Kennedy Center
Washington, DC
This annual event celebrates Halloween with fun, classic, and sometimes spooky music. Members of the orchestra will be decked out in their Halloween best, and audiences are encouraged to wear costumes as well. Tickets can be purchased online.
Del Ray Halloween Parade
October 26
Del Ray Neighborhood
Alexandria, VA
Del Ray’s annual Halloween Parade begins at Mount Vernon Ave., south of E. Bellefonte, and continues down to the Mount Vernon Recreation Center play fields. Everyone is invited to march in the parade: children, parents, pets, and strollers! Awards will be given out for the very best ones. Attendees will also enjoy live music at the end of the parade.
3D Print Halloween Scavenger Hunt
October 30
Parklands-Turner Neighborhood Library
Washington, DC
This “3D It!” event is a Halloween offering for teens (age 13-19). Attendees will search the library for spooky 3D prints and win a Halloween treat! Many branches of the DC Public Library are offering Halloween-themed events throughout the month of October…from story times to movie screenings and from art contests to Halloween Festivals, the libraries have something for all of your little ghouls and goblins. Check out the schedule here.
Hill-O-Ween
October 31
Eastern Market
Washington, DC
Hill-o-ween is a much loved tradition in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. For over 20 years, families have gathered for fall fun, creativity, and community. This year, the event will be held on Halloween from 4:30pm until 6:30pm. Check out the Hill-O-Ween event website for more information on how to participate in the spooky fun.
Do you know of any Halloween events we should add?! Please let us know in the comments.
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