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!
Brick-or-Treat Monster Party
October 1 – 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 5 – 27 (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.
Boo at the Zoo
October 18 – 20
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.
PumpkinPalooza
October 24
Alethia Tanner Park
Washington, DC
Head to Alethia Tanner Park in NoMa for live entertainment, food, music, a scavenger hunt, 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 costume contests. The event includes a screening of Monsters, Inc. at 6:30pm. Reserve tickets online…don’t miss out on this FREE, family-friendly Halloween event!
Hill-O-Ween
October 25
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 run from 5pm until 7:30pm. Check out the Hill-O-Ween event website for more information on how to participate in the spooky fun.
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.
Halloween on the Farm
October 25 & 26
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.
DC DPR Halloween Events
October 25 – 31
Various Times and Locations
Washington, DC
DPR is hosting Halloween-themed events in all 8 wards. Families can find a variety of Halloween fun across the District including haunted houses, Halloween parties, and, of course, trunk-or-treating! Check out the DPR website to explore all Halloween-themed events and to register online.
Halloween Nights Fun and Sweets at The Mansion on O
October 25 – 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 (there will be a costume contest!) and, of course, there will be candy. Online reservations required.
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.
Glen Echo Park Fall Frolic
October 26
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 26
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-Treating at Mount Vernon
October 26
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 a Costume Parade, an opportunity to greet General Washington, and a variety of 18th-century entertainment including a magic show and a Punch and Judy Puppet Show. You must reserve tickets online.
Halloween Carnival
October 26
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. The cost to attend and participate in carnival activities is $1 per person (children under 2 years are free).
Something Wicked: Supernatural Shakespeare
October 26
Folger Shakespeare Library
Washington, DC
Head to the recently reopened Folger Shakespeare Library for this Family Workshop that will explore the spooky side of Shakespeare. Costumes are welcome, but not required. There are two sessions available, and they are geared for different ages. Kids from 5 to 7 should attend the 11:30am session and kids from 8 to 14 should attend the 1pm session. This event is FREE, but registration is required.
Halloweekend
October 26 & 29
College Park Aviation Museum
College Park, MD
From 10:30am until 3:30pm, 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 27
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 2 (12:45pm), 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 and the Carousel (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.
NSO Family Concert: Halloween Spooktacular
October 27
Kennedy Center
Washington, DC
This annual event celebrates Halloween and Día de los Muertos 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. Visitors who arrive early will have the opportunity to trick-or-treat and to try out instruments at the Haunted Hall Musical PLAYspace. Tickets can be purchased online.
Del Ray Halloween Parade
October 27
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. Children, parents, pets, and strollers in costumes are invited to march and show off their Halloween costumes. Awards will be given out for the very best ones! Attendees will also enjoy live music at the end of the parade.
Do you know of any Halloween events we should add?! Please let us know in the comments.
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