Spook-tacular Halloween Events for Families in the Washington, D.C. Area

As Halloween approaches, there’s no shortage of family-friendly events in and around Washington, D.C. Whether your little ones want to dress up and collect candy, explore haunted houses (not too scary!), or get creative with spooky crafts, the DMV has something for everyone. Here’s a guide to the best Halloween events for families this season:

Halloween and Fall Events:

Jennie the Cat: A Halloween Adventure at The Puppet Co: Through October 31
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! This show features cuddly puppets, audience interaction, and all original music. Recommended ages 4-8.

Eye Spy Halloween Trains: Train schedule: October 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27 from 9:30am-4:30pm
Montgomery Parks’ Halloween Eye Spy Train returns! Are you ready to join for a train ride around “Trainsylvania” while searching for all of the hidden characters along the tracks?

Soul Strolls: Twighlight Tours at Congressional Cemetery: October 18-26 from 6:00pm-7:30pm
Trespass into the past and discover the secrets of some of Congressional Cemetery’s “residents.” Soul Strolls, the Cemetery’s annual twilight tours, explore the stories of individuals buried here through guided tours and costumed interpreters. Experience the history of this hallowed ground exactly the way it should be experienced in October – in twilight and darkness, happening upon vignettes and individuals under the guidance of one of our own.
Want to bring children to Soul Strolls but are looking for a more family friendly tour? The 5:00 PM tour times on Saturday (Oct 19 and Oct 26) will be curated to be more family friendly. Mature themes and topics will be dialed back with younger audiences in mind. Consider these tour times rated “PG.”

Boo at the Zoo: October 18-20 from 6:00pm-8:30pm
It’s no trick, only the sweetest treat: Boo at the Zoo, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s beloved family-friendly Halloween event. Tickets include special after-hours access for animal viewing at the Elephant Community Center, Small Mammal House, Reptile Discovery Center, Great Ape House and Think Tank, dance party, a souvenir tote bag and around 30 trick-or-treat stations around the Zoo.

Halloween in the Garden: October 19 from 10:00am-4:00pm
Are you ready for a howling good time at Annmarie’s Halloween in the Garden? Join for this family-friendly Trick-or-Treating festival. 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! So dress up the whole family and enjoy a spooktacular day at Annmarie! Click here for detailed event and safety information. 

Family Day: Halloween at Library of Congress: October 19 from 10:30am-3:30pm
Celebrate spooky season with eerie crafts, images, and more from the collections. Each Family Day includes a creative activity, connections to Library of Congress collections, a chance to talk to staff experts, and a guide to using Library resources at home.

Fall Harvest Festival at Mount Vernon: October 19 & 20
Celebrate the crisp autumn season with 18th-century activities & demonstrations at the Farm at Mount Vernon. Explore the Farm. Meet General Washington. Purchase food freshly made in an 18th-century-style oven. Watch an 18th-century cooking demonstration. Visit with the colonial surveyors to see how surveying was done. Witness an 18th-century Cooper and Wheelwright perform their craft. See how horseshoeing was performed in the 18th century with the Farrier. Watch 18th-century spinning demonstrations. Learn about 18th-century textiles and how they were dyed.

Rumpus Room Family Dance Party, Halloween Special: October 20 from 11:00am-1:00pm
Rumpus Room Family Dance Party: Halloween Special is back at Hi-Lawn! Get ready for a spooktacular day of dancing and fun for the whole family. Come dressed in your favorite costumes and boogie with us at DC’s best (and only) family dance party on the roof at Union Market. Don’t miss out on this fang-tastic event – mark your calendars now! This one always sells out! Rumpus Room is designed for kids 10 and under and their caregivers.

Glow in the Park: October 25 & 26 starting at 6:00pm
Enjoy a magical experience climbing and ziplining through the trees lit up with neon colored lights, rockin’ music, and exciting themes! Reserve your tickets in advance for this fan-favorite event! Ages 5 and up are welcome.

Hill-O-Ween: October 25 from 5:00pm-7:30pm
Capitol Hill celebrates Halloween as a community each year in front of Eastern Market on 7th St.

Sensory Inclusive Trick or Treating at B&O Railroad: October 25 from 4-6pm
All ages are invited to join the B&O for a sensory inclusive Halloween experience! With limited noise, allergen-free candy, and pre-visit resources, this event makes trick-or-treating safe and accessible for Neurodivergent visitors.  Explore the Roundhouse* collecting candy, stickers, toys, fidgets, and other goodies, and participate in activities on the turntable including games, a craft, and a sensory exploration table.  

Mystery Mansion: October 25, 26, November 1 & 2 fro 5:00pm-9:00pm
Mystery Mansion is an indoor family friendly haunted house and outdoor fest hosted by The Woman’s Club of Chevy Chase. While the haunted house is designed for guests as young as five through twelve, the Mystery Mansion experience appeals to Halloween fans of all ages. All are welcome and costumes are appreciated! Purchase your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.

My Gym Halloween Party: October 25 from 5-5:45pm & 6-6:45pm
Looking for not too spooky family fun this Halloween?  Find it at My Gym’s Halloween Party!  Join for circle time, games, costume parade, and loads of fun!  Each child leaves with a My Gym Halloween treat. Book your spot today!  Must sign up ahead of time.

Family Program: Trick or Fruit at US Botanic Garden: October 25 from 6:00pm-8:00pm
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!

DPR Halloween Events: October 25-31
It’s Halloween in DC and DPR is hosting events in all eight wards this 2024 Halloween season! Make plans to attend one of the themed events taking place throughout the District. 

Trick or Treat at Tudor Place: October 26 from 10:00am-12:00pm
Wear your Halloween costume and search for treats (not tricks) in every corner of the garden. Enjoy crafts, activities and period games amid lovely autumn plant life. This outdoor event will take place rain or shine.

Air & Scare at Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center: October 26 from 10:00am-3:00pm
Join us for our annual Halloween event at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center to explore the spooky side of air and space. This year, the event will take place both inside and outside at the Museum.

Dia de Los Muertos at Smithsonian American Art Museum: October 26 from 11:30am-3:00pm
Celebrate Día de los Muertos with the Smithsonian American Art Museum! Bring the whole family to see exciting live performances, including traditional Mexican folk dance by Corazon Folklorico, a mariachi performance by Mariachi Aguila DC, and a showcase of different Latin American music genres and dances with Sol y Rumba. Attendees ages 12 and younger can enjoy face painting throughout the day, while visitors of all ages can participate in hands-on craft activities. Round out the day by exploring the museum’s collection with our Día de los Muertos-themed scavenger hunt

Glen Echo Fall Frolic: October 26 from 1:00pm-4:00pm
Join for some Halloween fun at Glen Echo Park! Activities include decorating a Trick-or-Treat bag and other crafts, a festive fall photo-op (say that 10 times!), a costume contest (will you win for “Most Spooky,” “Most Creative,” or “Best Group?”), and Trick-or-Treating at our resident art studios and galleries. We focus on the arts-y & crafts-y more than the scary, but we love to see all the costumes – even the scary ones!

Trick or Treat at Mount Vernon: October 26 from 2:00pm-6:00pm
Celebrate Halloween with 18th-century entertainment and activities. Collect candy in your special Mount Vernon treat bag around the historic grounds. Watch Halloween-themed Punch & Judy shows at 3pm & 4:30pm. See an 18th-century bake oven demonstration with Half Crown Bakehouse on the 12-acre field. Sample a rusk (twice-baked bread pieces) with chocolate cream from a recipe dating back to the 1760s and using American Heritage Chocolate. And more!

Día de los Muertos at National Museum of the American Indian: October 27 from 10:00am-5:00pm
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a time for commemorating our ancestors. Rather than a period of mourning, it is an occasion for celebrating with family—both living and dead—and honoring the cycle of life.

Van Ness Spooktacular: October 27 from 10:00am-2:00pm
Everyone’s favorite kid-friendly Halloween event is returning to Forest Hills Playground this year. Parents and kids of all ages are invited to dress in their favorite costumes and gather at Forest Hills Playground for spooky-inspired activities followed by Trick or Treating at small businesses along Connecticut Ave in Wakefield, Forest Hills and Van Ness from 12:30pm-2pm.

Halloween at the Harbor: October 27 from 12:00pm-3:00pm
Enjoy trick-or-treating, a pumpkin carving competition, pet pawrade and more. This family-friendly party is sure to be a wicked good time!

NSO Family Concert: Halloween Spooktacular!: October 27 2:00pm & 4:00pm
An annual tradition! The Concert Hall transforms into a ghostly sight when ghoulishly attired National Symphony Orchestra musicians celebrate Halloween with fa-boo-lous new works and spooky old classics.

28th Annual Del Ray Halloween Parade: October 27 at 2:00pm
One of Del Ray’s favorite traditions takes place along Mount Vernon Avenue, beginning at E. Bellefonte Avenue. Children, pets, and decorated strollers are invited to march and show off their costumes! This parade ends with live music and an award presentation at the Mount Vernon Rec Center field. This hometown favorite event is a must-see!

37th Annual 17th Street High Heel Race: October 29 from 7:30pm-9:00pm
The Annual 17th Street High Heel Race is a time to celebrate the diversity of DC’s LGBTQ+ community and join thousands of costumed spectators cheer on costumed drag queens, drag kings and community members as they race down 17th Street NW. Lively and filled with local drag entertainment and much more, you won’t want to miss this DC tradition!

Bethesda Row Trick or Treat: October 30 from 5:30pm-7:30pm
Come dressed in your spookiest or most festive costumes and make your way to Bethesda Row for an evening of family-friendly Halloween fun. Explore the neighborhood’s restaurants and shops where you can snag some delectable treats and surprises. Pose for a photo with our lively costume characters and be sure to share your unforgettable moments with us on social media for a frightfully fantastic prize! Tickets for children must be purchased in advance and all proceeds will be donated to Manna Food Center.

Spooktacular on Connecticut Avenue: October 31 from 3:00pm-6:00pm
The Chevy Chase Citizens Association is reviving Spooktacular – to be held on Connecticut Avenue in Chevy Chase, DC. Restaurants and store owners will provide goodies for costumed trick-or-treaters.

Halloween Spooktacular at Mosaic: October 31 from 4:00pm-7:00pm
Grab your costume and join for a Spooktacular Halloween at Mosaic! From store open to store close, stop by your favorite shops for trick-or-treating and then lay out your blankets, spread out your candy, and enjoy Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire on our big screen in Strawberry Park, starting at 6pm.

Pumpkin Chunkin at Great Country Farms: November 2-3 from 9:00am-5:00pm
Bring your leftover jack-o-lantern to our smashin’ stations and let it fly! The Silo Drop and the Zip Wire Sploosh let you do the smashin’ yourself or bring your pumpkin to the Pumpkin Drop Zone and add it to our upside down “fireworks display” as the pumpkins are dropped from a 40ft lift. You will be sure to love giving your pumpkin one final ride. What happens to all those smashed pumpkins?… the pigs and cows love to eat them and we compost the rest.

El Día de los Muertos at National Portrait Gallery: November 2 from 5:00pm-8:30pm
Join us for our annual celebration of el Día de los Muertos—one of the National Portrait Gallery’s biggest events of the year—with live music, Mexican folk-dance performances, workshops, and a variety of activities for all ages. Create calaveras and papel picado to decorate the community altar, get your face painted to look like la Catrina, and more! Take the celebration to the streets as you witness the live video mapping projection by artists MasPaz and Guache. The artists will create their work live from the Martin Luther King Jr. Library, projected onto the G and 9th street façade.

Día de los Muertos at The Wharf: November 2 from 4:00pm-7:00pm
Celebrate Día de los Muertos with your family and friends at The Wharf. Sip on Modelo while you discover beautifully decorated altars honoring loved ones, listen to live music by the Latin Celtic band La Unica, and light up the night during the community lantern procession. The family-friendly afternoon will include free activities for the kids including face painting, sugar skull decorating, and more. Don’t forget to dress the part by wearing colorful colors, skulls, and flowers!

Día de los Muertos at The Kennedy Center: November 4 at 7:30pm
Celebrate the Mexican holiday, el día de los muertos, the day of the dead, with a concert dedicated to music by Mexican composers, conducted by NOW’s Artistic Director Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez, a native of Guadalajara, Mexico.

Side Yards at The Yards: November 8 from 5:30pm-8:30pm
The Yards, DC’s most exciting waterfront neighborhood for living, dining, shopping, and relaxing, is welcoming back Side Yards, the community’s favorite fall celebration of everything extraordinary for its ninth year. This year’s event promises a fresh twist with thrilling Lucha Libre performances, fan-favorite sideshow acts, including daring sword swallowers, magicians and mind-bending contortionists, as well as face painting and interactive activities for all ages to enjoy. With glow-in-the-dark giveaways, glitter tattoos, a live DJ, and more, there is something eye-popping for every guest at Side Yards! The event is free to attend, but registration is required on Eventbrite.

Corn mazes:
Liberty Mills Farm
Summers Farm
Montpelier Farm
Wayside Farm

Date nights:
Screams & Disease Tours at Lee-Fendall House: October 18, 25, 26 & 29 from 7:00pm-9:00pm
Relive the bloody and dark history of the Lee-Fendall House when it served as a Civil War hospital.

Night of the Living Zoo: October 25 from 7:00pm-11:00pm
Get ready for a spine-chilling evening at the Night of the Living Zoo! The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is bringing its adults-only Halloween party back from the dead. Your ticket grants you after-hours access to the Zoo, an open cocktail bar, two entertainment stages and tantalizing food options available for purchase. The Reptile Discovery Center and Great Cats exhibits will be open for animal viewing from 7 to 9 p.m. Flash tattoos are available with additional purchase. Proceeds from the event support the Zoo’s conservation work to save endangered species. Ages 21+

Adults (and older kids):
Markoff’s Haunted Forest
Field of Screams
Ebe Haunts Trail of Terror
Fields of Fear
Six Flags Fright Fest
Laurel’s House of Horror
Haunted Hayrides