Trick-or-Treating is one of the most fun nights for kids. Making sure your little ghouls and goblins head to the best trick or treating spots is ideal! These amazing neighborhoods take Halloween seriously. Pop by historic row houses decorated with pumpkins and cobwebs or friendly neighborhoods with suburban streets covered in spooky decor! Here are 30 family-friendly places to go trick-or-treating across DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
Top DC Area Neighborhoods to Trick-or-Treat
If you plan to trick-or-treat in a different neighborhood. Please head there early to find parking and either eat dinner beforehand or pop by a local restaurant. Since Halloween is on a Friday, I highly encourage families to make a reservation or grab a bite from a fast casual restaurant.
Of course, everyone should be respectful and clean up after themselves! Put candy wrappers in your pocket to discard later or bring a bag to collect your groups’ trash and throw it away later. Halloween is fun and we want to keep spreading kindness with manners and keeping it tidy for fellow trick-or-treaters and the generous people passing out candy!
Washington, DC Trick-or-Treating Locations
1. Capitol Hill and East Capitol Street in DC
This is a top Halloween destination for families! Find rowhouse after rowhouse passing out candy. The Streets are flat and walkable, but can get crowded! Oftentimes, people passing out candy will be at the top of the steps or near their gate at the bottom of the steps.
2. 31st Street, NW in Georgetown DC
Historic charm meets spooky elegance in Georgetown. Homes go all out with cobwebs, ghosts, and twinkling lights, while trick-or-treaters fill the narrow streets in picture-perfect costumes.
3. Lamont Street in Mount Pleasant in DC
Mount Pleasant’s Lamont Street is a sight to see! Think old school block parties with car-free streets. Find themed displays and creative costumes galore.
4. Bloomingdale in DC
This neighborhood knows how to have fun with the community! Find families walking up lots of stoops with candy-filled houses. The vibe is cozy, safe, and full of good energy.
5. Brookland DC
Brookland is a lovely neighborhood with space for everyone. See charming decorations, walkable sidewalks, and even some homes that turn their yards into mini haunted space.
6. Chevy Chase DC
Beautiful homes, wide sidewalks, and festive porch lights make Chevy Chase one of the best spots for little ones to go door-to-door. The candy-to-step ratio is excellent — and the decorations are family-friendly, not frightening.
7. Embassy Row and Dupont Circle in DC
For a unique experience, trick-or-treat around Embassy Row! Some embassies hand out candy with cultural flair so it is both fun and educational. Plus, check out Dupont Circle for rows of rowhouses that are handing out treats.
8. Glover Park in DC
This charming close-knit community has lots to explore with friendly neighbors and safe streets perfect for little ones. Parking can be tricky, so get there early!
9. Tenleytown in DC
Tenleytown has a suburban feel with blocks of participating houses. Some families even set up candy tables or themed displays for extra fun.
10. Palisades in DC
Known for its Fourth of July parade, Palisades also shines on Halloween. Homes are beautiful and decorated with flair. Pop by Jettie’s for a meal!
Maryland Trick-or-Treating Locations
11. Wyngate in Bethesda, MD
This quiet neighborhood is filled with families who are ready to celebrate with trick-or-treaters! Find gorgeously decorated homes, safe sidewalks, and plenty of candy.
12. Edgemoor in Bethesda, MD
Just a short walk from downtown Bethesda, Edgemoor feels festive but not overwhelming. The houses are close together and neighbors are often outside ready to greet little ones.
13. Wood Acres in Bethesda, MD
Tree-lined streets with friendly faces and lots of pumpkins make Wood Acres a favorite fall spot. Young families looking for a safe neighborhood feel, head here!
14. Kensington, MD
Kensington has charming, small-town streets that transform into a Halloween happy place. Families decorate with mostly not-so-scary Halloween decor.
15. Takoma Park, MD
This artsy community brings lots of creativity to Halloween. See handmade decorations, one-of-a-kind costumes, and friendly, welcoming neighbors.
16. Forest Glen & South Four Corners in Silver Spring, MD
This is a very welcoming and walkable neighborhood for families. Some streets even close off traffic to vehicles to keep trick-or-treaters safe.
17. Sligo Woods in Silver Spring, MD
Sligo Woods neighborhood spirit spills into Halloween Night. Find glowing pathways and porch displays. It’s festive but peaceful — perfect for little ones!
18. Linden Lane in Silver Spring, MD
Find historic charm combined with family fun in and around Linden Lane. The old architecture adds a bit of spooky magic on the low-traffic streets.
19. Catalina Terrace in Silver Spring, MD
Home to the famous “Catalina Haunt,” this street features amazing Halloween displays and animatronics. It’s worth the visit — just be ready for crowds!
20. Colesville, MD
Colesville families know how to decorate and some houses coordinate themed yards. Find plenty of fun and space to spread out–making it ideal for all ages.
Virginia Trick-or-Treating Locations
21. Old Town Alexandria in VA
Old Town feels like you are strolling in a Halloween movie. The cobblestone streets are lined with glowing pumpkins and houses on South Lee and Prince Streets know how to welcome adorable trick or treaters.
22. Del Ray in Alexandria, VA
Del Ray is super family-friendly and even a Halloween parade before trick-or-treating begins. Make memories with little ones in this small-town scene.
23. Ashton Heights & N. Jackson Street in Arlington, VA
This is a magical place for Halloween decor — think fog machines, sound effects, and giant inflatables. Kids love the fun energy and parents know it’s safe and easy to walk with little ones.
24. Lyon Park in Arlington, VA
Lyon Park has lovely mature trees on their streets, front porches full of jack-o’-lanterns, and lots of friendly faces. It’s a great area for families with preschoolers and elementary-aged kids.
25. Clarendon in Arlington, VA
Several streets in Clarendon turned into mini Halloween festivals. Kids in costumes will fit right into the lively and well-lit streets. Pop by a local restaurant before heading out!
26. Vienna, VA
Vienna’s neighborhood streets are full of friendly neighbors and Halloween decor. Find homeowners sitting outside with candy bowls ready for little visitors.
27. Great Falls, VA
Families in Great Falls are ready to celebrate! Find spooky mansions, hay bales, and driveways lit up with spooky displays. Some places are even a great backdrop for family photos!
28. Leesburg Animal Park’s Pumpkin Village in VA
While not a neighborhood, this fall favorite offers a safe, festive setting for little kids. Enjoy pumpkins, slides, petting animals, and mini trick-or-treat stations. We love this place!
29. Broadlands in Ashburn, VA
Broadlands is full of suburban homes and lots of candy stops. Plus, parking is a bit easier with minimal traffic and homeowners ready to greet passersby.
30. Westpost Ice Skating Rink at National Landing in Arlington, VA
Also, while not neighborhood trick-or-treating, Westpost Ice Skating Rink is opening up on Friday, October 31 at 10 am! This is a neat, family-friendly way to help celebrate Halloween.
Quick Mom Tips for Trick-or-Treating:
Safety First! Trick-or-treating is fun, but safety is always the top priority. Here are some things I talk with our children about before we head out!
- First, we stay together — we don’t run ahead or try and definitely don’t cut in line.
- We like to leave just before sundown (and take pics before it gets dark!). Plus, leaving early means shorter lines and it is easier to navigate.
- We try to bring flashlights or glow sticks and stay on well-lit streets.
- Manners matter — we make sure our kids thank the generous candy givers!
- We eat candy in moderation and bring water with us to wash it down. Which helps bring our Ph levels back to a healthy state before brushing and flossing!
- We are big on bedtime, so we try our best to still get to bed mostly on time. Sleep is so important!
- Lastly, we always do a candy safety check. If the wrapper looks tampered with, then we throw it out!
- We sift through candy to see what we plan to donate or keep.
Have the best time trick-or-treating! If you head to one of these areas to trick-or-treat, have fun! If you live in one of these areas, thank you for welcoming neighbors from all over the DMV into your neighborhood!
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