Ultimate guide to Halloween and fall in and around Washington, DC

There are many orchards and fall festivals that are adhering to social distancing guidelines for those of you who want to pick a pumpkin or sip warm apple cider this fall. We have been crossing off items from our fall bucket list and hope you are starting to enjoy the fun that comes with fall too. Here are the guidelines DC recommends in regards to Halloween and Día de los Muertos.

Outdoor and drive-in Halloween themed movies:
Park Up DC: child and adult movies
DC Party Box: spooktacular drive-in movies October 9-25
Capitol Riverfront movie series: movies through October 30
Halloween drive-up movie night: October 30

Halloween and fall events:
DC Party Box is aiming to save Halloween 2020 with a contactless drive thru trick or treating Halloween experience in Rockville and drive-in movies, complete with trick-or-treating (get candy and give-aways for the whole family) and interactive exhibits (LED screens, live actors, etc).

Creepy Climb at Summit Ropes: October 10, 17, 24 & 31
Creepy Climb starts this Saturday, October 10th at 6:45pm. Our once a year event will be held every Saturday evening thru October 31st. This is truly a unique experience that combines the ultimate indoor adventure with a low-level light display featuring all of your favorite Halloween haunts! There are only 40 passes available each Saturday, and they are selling out fast! This is an event you don’t want to miss, so click the button below to book your reservation. Your reservation is 75 minutes, which includes training, harnessing and 60 minutes of ropes adventure time. This is only held once a year so Book NOW!

Soul Strolls at Congressional Cemetery: October 16-17 & 23-24
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 “Dozen Decent Docents.” Hour-long tours depart every 15 minutes between 6 and 10 pm. Adult tickets are $35; children 12 and under are $15.

Glow in the Park: October 16, 24, 30 & 31
Glow in the Park at the Adventure Park at Sandy Spring is available on select dates but some are sold out. 2 hours of climbing & ziplining, additional 40 minutes for the intial orientation. Tickets available every 10 minutes starting at 6pm until 8:20pm.

Halloween Toddler Time at B&O Railroad: October 22 at 10:00am
During this special Halloween Toddler Time, all participants enjoy a socially-distant craft at 10 AM and Halloween story time  at 10:30 AM in our Roundhouse, followed by a costume parade, with pre-filled goodie bags available for pick-up at the end! Costumes recommended but not required. Event included with admission. Free for B&O Members.Story: Little Blue Truck’s Halloween by Alice Schertle

Drive thru at the Zoo: October 24 & 25 SOLD OUT
Start your engines and prepare for some spooky fun during Boo Drive Thru, sponsored by Mars Wrigley, a special edition of the beloved children’s trick-or-treating event. Pack your car full of ghouls, ghosts, princesses and superheroes and cruise down the Zoo’s North Road, all in support of Friends of the National Zoo. Supernatural sights await along your drive—and so do treat bags stuffed with M&Ms, Twix and more!

Fall Harvest Festival at Mount Vernon: October 24 & 25
Celebrate the crisp autumn season with 18th-century activities & demonstrations at the Farm at Mount Vernon.

Halloween in the Garden: October 24
Join Anne Marie Sculpture Garden for a socially-distanced, low-touch/no-touch day of Halloween fun and games!  Working with local health department, they have reconfigured the beloved Halloween event into a family-group based celebration of the fall season.  Activities will be spread out across 30 acres, giving families plenty of room to social distance!  Dress up, put on your masks, and come enjoy an awesome day of socially-distanced trick-or-treating, low-touch/no-touch games, great photo opps, music, and yummy food and drinks! 

Fall Frolic at Lee-Fendall House: October 24
Enjoy some safe and seasonal fun with the family in the garden of the Lee-Fendall House during our Fall Frolic! Put on your Halloween costumes and join for crafts, a ghost hunt, a Trick or Treat walk, and more! Sessions are at 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM, and 4:00 PM. Timed tickets must be purchased in advance. Only 10 participating children per session, plus accompanying family members, face masks are required.

My Gym Halloween Party: October 24, 30 & 31
Dress up in your favorite costume (and mask!) and join for a 45 minute Halloween-themed circle time, games, a costume parade, and not so spooky fun! They’ve decorated and planned for both In Gym and Outdoor entertainment to make it fun and exciting for the kids as well as safe and comfortable for parents. Every child will leave with a My Gym Halloween Treat! My Gym Potomac – In Gym Events (Up to 9 children/adults) on Oct. 24th 10am and 11am & Oct. 31st 10am and 11am. Outdoor Events: Inverness Recreation Club field: Oct. 24th 3pm and 4pm & Oct. 30th 4pm and 5pm

Virtual Halloween Concert: October 30 at 6:30pm
What do Sharon and Randi and their family do for Halloween during a pandemic? They dress up in costumes and make music together, of course! Fans of all ages are invited to dress up in their Halloween attire and join Sharon and Randi for a very special LIVE virtual show, SKINNAMARINK with Sharon and Randi, Back by Popular Demand!

Trackside Trivia: Halloween Edition at B&O Railroad: October 30
from 6:00-10:00pm
Trackside Trivia returns for a frightfully fun night of spooky trivia, drinks, food, and laughs! Whether you want to scare the competition stiff or just distract them with laughter, costumes are encouraged. We’re even holding a special Halloween themed scavenger hunt to keep you on your toes! Pre-ordered tickets include one free drink.

Hill-O-Ween: October 30 from 5:30-7:30pm
Capitol Hill celebrates Halloween as a community each year in front of Eastern Market on 7th St. Count on moon bounces, hay rides, treats, face painting and many, many costumes.

“Halloween Party” LIVE Virtual Family Concerts: October 31 at 12:00pm and 5:00pm
Double the fun, a family ticket grants admission to one or both livestreams! To join in the fun, fans of all ages should plan to grab their superhero capes, their instruments (or noisemakers), their dancin’ shoes, and a stuffed animal (for their heads)! Halloweeny stuffed animals like cats, bats, or even friendly monsters would be great for kids to bring to this show.

The Station at Riverdale Park’s: October 31, from 1:00pm-4:00pm
Join this FREE, family-friendly Halloween event. The Station will be hosting socially-distanced outdoor activities including mini golf, a self-guided photo scavenger hunt, prize raffle, and more! Guests can also enjoy food and drinks from The Station’s retailers including Denizens, District Taco, and more as well as a food truck on-site, and of course, candy.

Rockville Sweet Treat Drive Thru & Car Costume Contest: October 31 from 1:00pm-5:00pm
Join a fun and safe way to Trick-or-Treat in your car while maintaining social distancing. Celebrate this Halloween in style, get the family together and decorate your car in the Halloween spirit and you could win a prize! Children will also be able to take home a goodie bag with Halloween cookie (gluten free), crafts and candy. So, grab your keys, dress up in your favorite costumes, and make your way to the park to collect sweet treats and crafts at fun Halloween stations throughout the parking lot.

Mister G Help Save Halloween virtual concert: October 31 at 4:00pm and 7:00pm
There will be two worldwide virtual concerts from the historic Academy of Music Theatre. Tickets are FREE, but space is limited so sign up here to claim a front row seat in your living room. Each family that reserves their free spot to our Help Save Halloween costume party will also receive a printable activity pack.

Halloween Spooktacular: October 31
Enjoy trick-or-treating, socially-distanced fun and activities, a family-friendly movie, pizza, popcorn and more at The St. James. Halloween Spooktacular is a great way to enjoy a fun-filled, safe Halloween evening. Bring your own blanket for socially-distanced family movie night in The St. James Field House. Your ticket includes the following: Trick-or-treating (pre-wrapped candy only), Halloween activities and fun (masks required), 1 slice of pizza, 1 bag of popcorn, Spot in the Field House to watch Hotel Transylvania.

Corn mazes:
Liberty Mills Farm– Virginia’s largest corn maze
Winterbrook Farm– Maryland’s largest corn maze
Summers Farm
Montpelier Farm
Wayside Farm

Date nights:
Halloween Hayride & Haunted Bonfire
Enjoy a tractor driven hayride in the darkness with demons and devils. We will then gather around a HAUNTED bonfire where we can enjoy roasting hotdogs, marshmallows and making s’mores (all will be provided and included in the ticket)! 

Grief & Ghost Tours at Lee-Fendall House: October 23 & 24, 30 & 31
Celebrate Halloween with a look at Victorian mourning traditions coupled with stories of tragic deaths and mysterious occurrences at the Lee-Fendall House. Customs such as draping the mirrors after a death, funeral practices, hair jewelry, mourning clothing, and séances will be explored. These tours offer a rare opportunity to see the house after dark. Tickets are $10 and must be reserved in advance due to limited space. Face masks are required.

Markoff’s Haunted Forest
Field of Screams
Ebe Haunts Trail of Terror
Fields of Fear
Shocktober
Six Flags Fright Fest