Halloween Events this October in DC

There are various bar crawls happening throughout October and on “Halloweekend” for you to experience all of the local spots in all of their Halloween themed glory. Some of the drinking and social events include the Official Halloween Pub Crawl at Lansburgh Park on October 31st from 4:30 to 6:30pm, the Trick or Drink Washington DC Halloween Bar Crawl from October 28th to October 31st at Sudhouse DC, the Nightmare on M Street Halloween Barcrawl on October 29th from 1pm to 10pm, the Washington D.C. Happy Hour Halloweekend Pub Crawl at the Hard Rock Cafe on October 22nd from 4pm to 10pm, the Hip Hop Halloween Bar Crawl at Cloak & Dagger on October 29th from 9am to 5pm, as well as many, many others. Be sure to check out the links included for more details about the events and pricing. You’re sure to find local bars in the city to attend this October for special Halloween events!

Join the volunteer-run organization DC Bike Party on October 14th at 8pm in Dupont circle wearing your scariest or silliest costume. Share your love of bike riding with others on a spooky fall ride. The group goes at a comfortable “party pace” with volunteers in the front wearing yellow shirts. The route is about 10 miles lasting 2 hours with a midpoint party, and then an after party at the end. More details about the route and afterparty will be posted soon. Read more about the event and safety information here.

From October 26th to October 31st, join A Literary Feast in this annual Capitol Hill neighborhood Halloween tradition. Attend the self-guided tour of book-themed pumpkins and scarecrows across the Capitol Hill neighborhood in a celebration of the season and famous books. If you want your house to participate in the tour, you can register your house to be included on the map here and to be eligible for the voting as the most creative literary-themed display.  The winning household gets to choose a Capitol Hill public or charter school to receive a $1,000 grant. Brought to you by the volunteer driven Capitol Hill Community Foundation, join the Literary Pumpkin Walk this year. Read more about the creative event and see images of Halloween decor examples here.

Amusement parks are always a fun time, but until October 30th, Six Flags America in Bowie, MD will be hosting their annual Fright Fest event. Enjoy their amusement park rides like the Superman: Ride of Steel roller coaster and other rides in the dark as a part of Six Flags’ Fright Fest tradition. Decorated for Halloween and crawling with spooky Halloween characters and in addition to rides in the dark, guests can visit haunted attractions and enter the Scare Zones, but be sure to watch your back! Read more about the event and read up on Six Flags’ Fright Fest specific rules, aptly named “Ghoul Rules” here to prepare for thrill-packed your trip.

On October 26th, why not enjoy some Halloween themed comedy! Get tricked with comedic misdirection and enjoy the treat of laughter this month at DC Improv for Die Laughing Productions’ Halloween Whodunit 2. A night filled with fun, fright, and a mystery for you to solve, it’s up to you to solve the murder at this Halloween costume party. Halloween Whodunit 2 stars fan favorite Die Laughing Productions performers and the audience. There are roles available for willing volunteers, and everyone gets to guess who the killer is. Read more about this fun packed mystery party and get your tickets here.

At Alethia Tanner Park on October 27th, bring your family to celebrate the PumpkinPalooza for free! Join the NoMa Business Improvement District for delicious food, music from Too Much Talent Band, a seasonal scavenger hunt, a “pick-your-own” pumpkin patch, and the annual screening of Hocus Pocus which will begin at 6:45pm. This event also features award-winning children’s entertainer, The Great Zucchini, a pop-up beer garden from Red Bear Brewing Co., which is 21+ only, serving their famous All Hallows Pumpkin Lager, Gourd Riddance Pumpkin Ale, and the Farmhouse Style Cider from Mt. Defiance Cidery, as well as various other fun activities. Learn more about event details and how to reserve your pumpkin or register to attend the beer garden here.

This Halloweekend, celebrate the spooky season with an equally spooky treasure hunt. Make sure to wear your costume to explore the one hundred rooms of the mansion museum that are specially decorated for Halloween. Featured will be a treasure hunt, secret doors (which are hard to find!), candy, and a cash bar. O Museum in The Mansion is guaranteed to be a fun and haunted spot to visit this Halloween weekend. Reserve your spot and read about the event here.

As well as many Halloween events in the city, there are also opportunities to celebrate Día de los Muertos. Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is a holiday traditionally celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, though other days, such as October 31st or November 6th, may be included depending on the locality. It largely originated in Mexico, where it is mostly observed, but also in other places, especially by people of Mexican heritage elsewhere. The significance of this day is to pray and remember friends and family members who have passed away, and celebrations include creating home altars to remember the dead and eating traditional meals. On October 29th from 11:30am to 3pm, the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery is hosting Día de los Muertos Family Day at the Smithsonian American Art Museum on 8th and G Street NW. Featured will be live performances from Ballet Folklorico Mi Herencia Mexicana, Mariachi Aguila DC, and Sol y Rumba, face painting, and Día de los Muertos themed crafts for all ages. This event can also be celebrated online. Read more about this fun and free event here.

If you’re in Falls Church, VA, the Cherry Hill Park Halloween Carnival is the perfect way for your children to celebrate Halloween this year! Kids 2 to 11 years old are welcome to join the event for games, inflatables, live music, and snacks on October 29th from 1pm to 5pm. Entry is only $1 per person to be paid in cash at the door. Read more about the event and location details here.

One of DC’s largest and most iconic Halloween parties is returning this year on October 29th. Scorpio Entertainment will present a fright-filled night of dance, fog, lasers, special FX, animatronics, and more! The party features a live DJ, an open bar, a large party space for dancing, animatronics and other haunted props, as well as a costume contest. Read more about the haunted event here!

This dance event at the Black Cat features an 80’s meets Beetlejuice themed party! On October 29th at 9pm, attend this party for 5 hours packed with 80s hits. Be sure to wear your Halloween costume to the event too! For those who have never attended before, this is a Halloween dance party dedicated to the best music of the 80’s era. For more information about the event, check out the website here.

There are tons of ghost tours by foot throughout the city, but if you’re feeling a little tired of walking but still want to experience DC, consider one of our narrated golf cart tours. They are available at various times throughout the day, but the guided night tour may especially peak your interest this spooky season. The night tour allows you to experience DC sights under lights and is available for booking every day at 7:00 PM in the fall. This 2 hour “Twilight Tour” includes sundown, an exceptional display of light and color, and the night, illuminated with powerful, glowing energy. You will see and learn about the historical monuments of Washington, DC, while creating lasting memories on the Capitol Express. The Capitol building lit at night time is one of the most stunning sites in DC. You will enjoy ample opportunities to capture iconic photographs with your family and friends, from one stop to the next. This tour will be the most memorable event of your trip to the nation’s Capital. Book your narrated golf cart tour today!