Ultimate Guide to Halloween in and around Washington, DC

Saturdays and Sundays only– 10:00am-6:00pm-: Eye Spy Train at Wheaton
All aboard the Wheaton Eye Spy Halloween Train! NO LONGER HAUNTED! This “not so scary” train ride is fun for the whole family – it’s all about fun, not fright! Each child will receive an Eye Spy card before boarding the train. As you ride through the woods of Wheaton Regional Park, look all around to find Halloween friends hiding, and mark them off the Eye Spy card. They’ll have fun Halloween activities in the Train Station Party Room, where snacks will also be available for purchase. Costumes are encouraged! Please bring a canned food donation for your neighbors in need – they’ll donate them to Mid-County United Ministries in Wheaton.

Saturdays and Sundays only– 10:00am-6:00pm : Eye Spy Train at Cabin John Regional Park
All aboard the Cabin John Eye Spy Halloween Train! NO LONGER HAUNTED! This “not so scary” train ride is fun for the whole family – it’s all about fun, not fright! Each child will receive an Eye Spy card before boarding the train. As you ride through the woods of Cabin John Regional Park, look all around to find Halloween friends hiding there, and mark them off the Eye Spy card. They’ll also show free Halloween movies inside the Train Station Party Room and have other fun Halloween activities for the kids. Costumes are encouraged! Please bring a canned food donation for your neighbors in need – they’ll donate them to Manna Food Center. The ticket price is $6 which includes one train ride. Children under age 2 are free with a paying adult (sitting on a lap).

Oct. 12– 6:00pm-9:00pm: Spooky SPY Family Night at International Spy Museum
Ditch your Halloween costume and change your whole identity! Has your brother been spying on you? Is grandma really a secret agent? Does dad really have lethal ninja skills? Now’s your chance to find out as your family of spies gains exclusive afterhours access to the Museum! Test your family’s spy skills as you run top secret missions, go deep undercover and transform your appearance with the help of professional make-up artists, challenge yourself in Code Cracker competitions, explore all forms of spy tradecraft, and enjoy SPY snacks. Come in disguise as your favorite spy! Ages: 5 and up* (one adult required for every five KidSpy agents)

Oct. 19-21– 5:30pm-8:30pm: Boo at the Zoo
With more than 40 treat stations, animal demonstrations, decorated trails and opportunities to learn about some seriously spooky animals, this frightfully fun evening is a magical time for the whole family.

Oct. 19, 20, 26 & 27 (various times): Soul Strolls in Congressional Cemetery
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.

Oct. 20–12:00pm-5:00pm: Air and Scare at National Air and Space Museum (Virginia Location)
Explore the spooky side of air and space at Air & Scare, our annual Halloween event at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va. Participate in creepy crafts, spooky science experiments, and other Halloween-themed activities. Arrive in costume to get into the Halloween spirit and enjoy safe indoor trick-or-treating.

Oct. 21 & 22–9:00am-5:00pm: Fall Harvest Family Days at Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon celebrates the autumn season with Fall Harvest Family Days! The entire family enjoys autumn activities including wagon rides, wheat treading in the 16-sided barn, 18th-century dancing demonstrations, a straw bale maze, farrier (blacksmithing) demonstrations, corn husk dolls demonstrations and early-American games and music.

Oct. 21– 12:00pm-2:30pm: Harbor Halloween
Harbor Halloween presented by DARCARS! 12pm – 2pm Trick-or-Treat at participating stores and restaurants 12:30pm Hocus Pocus 2:30pm Chef pumpkin carving contest. Visit the Plaza for DARCARS “Trunk or Treat!” Pick up your complimentary DARCARS trick or treat bag*. Plus, enjoy special activities, including pumpkin decorating, a Halloween coloring station, and a fabulous family fall themed photo station.

Oct. 26– 5:30pm-7:30pm: Hilloween at Eastern Market
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.

Oct. 26– 6:00pm-7:00pm & 7:00pm-8:00pm: BOO-stravaganza at Frying Pan Park
Celebrate the Halloween season with this variety event at Frying Pan Farm Park. This year, the event is outside at the Kidwell Farm. Attendees enjoy a variety of themed games, go trick-or-treating to animals, and enjoy a wagon ride. Finish the evening with a small treat bag for the road. Reservations are required. There are two sessions – at 6 and 7 p.m. The cost is $10 per person.

Oct. 26– 7:00pm-8:30pm: Legends by Lantern at College Park Aviation Museum
What happened to the College Park Postmistress? See the airfield by lamplight while hearing tales of airmail. Warm up after your adventure with fall cider and share some ghost stories of your own.
Advance registration appreciated. 21+

SOLD OUT Oct. 27– 3:30pm-6:30pm: Trick-or-Treating at Mount Vernon
Participate in a special scavenger hunt, take a wagon ride on the 12-acre field, and create a boo-tiful Halloween craft in this unforgettable evening. Come and see wool carding, spinning, and fish net making in the historic area before greeting “Martha Washington” on the piazza of the Mansion. In order to burn off all the extra excitement, try 18th-century dancing in the upper garden. Historic chocolate-making demonstrations and chocolate tastings will take place. A children’s costume parade around the Mansion will begin at 5 p.m. and prizes will be awarded for most fang-tastic “George” and “Martha” costumes! Trick-or-Treating at Mount Vernon takes place rain or shine. Purchase Tickets.

Oct. 27– 10:00am-1:00pm: Trick or Treat at Tudor Place
Get into the Halloween spirit! Explore the Tudor Place garden as the seasons change, and trick or treat throughout the site. Make your own superhero bracers and festive owl decoration. Play traditional outdoor games, enjoy face painting, and paint your own pumpkin to take home. Costumes suggested but not required. This outdoor event will take place rain or shine. Please dress for the weather!

Oct. 27– 10:00am-5:00pm: Trick or Treat with the BOOtiques
Start your Halloween fun a few days early and stop by the dozens of shops in the Old Town Boo-tique District. We will dish out treats to your little ghosts and goblins! For a map and list of participating stores click here.

Oct. 27 (various times beginning at 10:30am): 5th Annual Pumpkin Hunt at Lee-Fendall House
The Lee-Fendall House Annual Halloween Pumpkin Hunt returns to Alexandria on Saturday, October 27. Alexandria’s ghosts and goblins will fill the museum’s garden with hundreds of colorful toy-filled Halloween pumpkins for local children to discover. Other activities include crafts, refreshments, spooky stories, and a costume parade. Every participating child will receive a toy pumpkin.  The Hunt schedule is Saturday, October 27 at 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM and 2:30 PM. All children of elementary school age or younger are eligible to participate in the Halloween Pumpkin Hunt. Older children and adults are welcome to enjoy all other activities. Advance tickets are $15 for participating children, and $5 for adults. The museum will not be open for regular tours. To make your family’s reservation for this year’s Halloween Pumpkin Hunt, follow the links to purchase tickets on Eventbrite.

Oct 27– 12:00pm-4:00pm: Pumpkin Rock n Roll at Warner Circle Park
The park will be transformed into a full-blown Halloween extravaganza. Participate in a fun costume contest and parade, and enjoy family-friendly attractions including festival-style musical performances, food trucks, inflatable rides and slides and a rock wall. The main event is a derby race of Halloween pumpkins-turned-boxcars! Admission is free.

Oct. 27– 1:00pm-4:00pm: Fall-O-Ween at Market Commons
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Oct. 27– 1:00pm-4:00pm: Glen Echo Fall Frolic
Glen Echo Park Partnership’s annual Halloween-themed family event. It’s open to the public, and visitors of all ages are invited to the Park to explore the arts through hands-on crafts, Halloween activities, trick-or-treating and visiting open studios. It’s a safe and fun Halloween event with something for everyone! See schedule of events online. The Halloween celebration will conclude with a costume parade through the Park at 3:30p.m. (weather-permitting).

Oct. 27– 1:00pm-3:30pm:  8th Annual Little Goblins Parade
Presented by Moms of Logan Circle! Please save the date for this family friendly event. 1pm: Parade kicks off from Logan Circle! Treat stops up and down P Street 2pm: Little Goblins arrive at Stead Park for post-parade games and entertainment Don’t miss the marching band, stilt walker, juggler, unicyclist, Brazilian dancers, caricaturist, cookie decorating station, Caribbean band, photo booth and more!

Oct. 27– 1:00pm-3:00pm: Rosedale Pumpkin Carving Party
Bring your blankets and pumpkins. Rosedale will provide all the child-safe carving tools, plastic gloves, and tons of designs to make your Halloween pumpkin super special!

Oct. 27 & 28– (various times): Witches & Wizards at B&O Railroad
Young witches and wizards can head to the B&O because wizarding school is now in session! Learn simple science in potions class and explore the history of railroading in “magical objects” display. Grow your own plant buddy in herbology class and run through a magical maze to enter a raffle to win a railroading storybook as well as a free cone from the Charmery. All of this and more awaits you at Witches & Wizards weekend.

Oct. 27– 4:00pm-8:00pm: Haunted Garage and Day of the Dead Festival at Oyster Adams Bilingual School
Join us for a walk through the haunted garage and for traditional Day of the Dead activities such as decorating sugar skulls. Wear your costumes. There will be an inflatable obstacle course, pumpkin painting, spooky cake contest and a fortune teller. Ticket price: $10/child over 2 years of age; food concessions sold separately.

Oct. 28– 10:00am-12:30pm: Pumpkin Decorating at Tregaron
Enjoy the colors of the season and some good, messy fun at our Pumpkin-Decorating Party. We will gather by the Lily Pond. Decorating supplies (generously donated by Oriental Trading) and pumpkins will be provided. This is a knife-free event and is fun for kids of all ages. (Kids must be supervised by adults. Space is limited and registration is required here. We look forward to seeing you and your budding artists!

Oct. 28– 2:00pm & 4:00pm: NSO Family Concert: Halloween Spooktacular at Kennedy Center
An annual tradition! The Concert Hall transforms into a ghostly sight when the NSO performs new and old classics to celebrate Halloween, which this year also marks the Dia de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead) with our ghoulishly attired musicians. Arrive early for trick-or-treating and a special Haunted Hall Musical Instrument “Petting Zoo.” Age 5+

Oct. 28– 2:00pm: 22nd Annual Del Ray Halloween Parade
Don your best Halloween costume and march in the 22nd Annual Del Ray Halloween Parade, which historically has attracted thousands of participants. Awards will be given for Best Pet Costume, Best Decorated Business, Best Decorated Home, and Best Decorated Stroller. Awards will be presented in a brief ceremony after the parade, along with refreshments and goodie bags for the children. Adults, children and dogs are all welcome to join and for free.

Oct. 28– 3:00pm-5:00pm: Busy Bees Not So Spooky Halloween Party Falls Church
Dress up in your awesome costume & join us for a “Not So Spooky Halloween Bash!” Unparalleled fun in the playscape, followed by a lil’ parade leading to our party room, where each child will choose a pumpkin and a kit to turn it into their own masterpiece! Top the fun off with cupcakes and milk! Oh wait, there’s more: There will be 3 BuzzyPasses waiting to be found. One FREE birthday party to the BEST FAMILY COSTUME! Purchase tickets.

Oct. 31– 4:00pm-6:00pm: Spooktacular Trick or Treat along Connecticut Ave
Sponsored by the businesses along the Avenue. Kids can safely walk up the street “trick-or-treating” as the businesses are set-up outside. Starting at Livingston St and going up towards Chevy Chase Circle.