16 Spooktacular Halloween Celebrations in the DMV
At Jennifer Young Homes, we’re all about community and connection, and with Halloween just around the corner, we couldn’t be more thrilled! We’re rolling out the red carpet for 17 spooktacular ways to celebrate this festive season right here in the DMV! Whether you’re on the hunt for family-friendly fun or some adult-oriented adventures, we’ve got something to tickle everyone’s spooky fancy. So grab your costumes and get ready for a hauntingly good time! Wishing you a Halloween filled with joy, laughter, and a sprinkle of magic!
1. Trick-or-Treating at Mount Vernon
Date: October 26, 2024
Location: George Washington’s Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon, VA
Website: Trick-or-Treating at Mount Vernon
Step into an 18th-century Halloween at Mount Vernon! From 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, families can collect candy around the historic grounds while enjoying live entertainment, including magic shows and puppet performances. Experience the charm of George Washington’s estate with activities like a straw bale selfie station and music of the Revolution. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to celebrate Halloween in a historic setting!
2. Nightmare in Navy Yard
Date: October 26, 2024
Location: Capital Turnaround, Washington, DC
Website: Nightmare in Navy Yard
Get ready for a night of frights at DC’s largest Halloween party! From 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM, enjoy special effects, animatronics, and a haunting atmosphere filled with spooky decorations. Dance the night away with two DJs and participate in a costume contest for a chance to win prizes. With an open bar and food trucks on site, this adults-only event promises a thrilling night out!
3. Air & Scare
Date: October 26, 2024
Location: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Chantilly, VA
Website: Air & Scare
The Air & Scare spooky celebration at the Udvar-Hazy Center is happening this Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. This family-friendly event features creepy crafts, spooky experiments, and Halloween-themed activities throughout the museum. Dress up in your best costume and explore the wonders of aviation while enjoying festive fun suitable for all ages. Don’t miss out on this unique blend of education and Halloween spirit!
4. Silver Spring Zombie Walk
Date: October 26, 2024
Location: Ellsworth Plaza, Quarry House Tavern, and AFI Silver Theatre, Silver Spring, MD
Website: Silver Spring Zombie Walk
Join ghouls and zombies for a night of fun starting at Ellsworth Plaza! The gathering kicks off with a DJ dance party before moving to Quarry House Tavern for an after-party. Moviegoers can also catch a screening of the classic thriller Shaun of the Dead at AFI Silver Theatre (free for the gathering; movie tickets start at $8). This annual costumed event is perfect for those looking to embrace their spooky side while enjoying live music and community spirit!
5. PumpkinPalooza
Date: October 26, 2024
Location: Alethia Tanner Park, Washington, DC
Website: PumpkinPalooza
Celebrate fall at PumpkinPalooza from noon to 5:00 PM! This free event features a pick-your-own pumpkin patch, live entertainment, seasonal scavenger hunts, and delicious food from local vendors. Bring the whole family for an afternoon filled with fun activities that capture the spirit of Halloween while embracing the beauty of autumn.
6. Del Ray Halloween Parade
Date: October 30, 2024
Location: Del Ray neighborhood, Alexandria, VA
Website: Del Ray Halloween Parade
Join one of Del Ray’s favorite traditions at this family-friendly parade starting at 2:00 PM! Kids (and pets!) are invited to march in their best costumes along Mount Vernon Avenue. The parade concludes with live music and awards for categories like best costume and most creative float. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate community spirit while enjoying Halloween festivities!
7. Brick-or-Treat Monster Party
Date: October 1 – 31, 2024
Location: LEGO Discovery Center, Springfield, VA
Website: LEGO Discovery Center Events
The LEGO Discovery Center transforms into a Halloween wonderland with monster LEGOs, a Potion Kitchen experience, scavenger hunts, and spooky games. Costumed guests receive a special treat! Enjoy the exclusive 4D LEGO® Movie, “The Great Monster Chase,” and participate in Halloween-themed building activities.
8. Eye Spy Trains
Date: October 5 – 27, 2024 (Saturdays and Sundays)
Location: Cabin John Regional Park and Wheaton Regional Park, Rockville and Wheaton, MD
Website: Montgomery Parks Events
Embark on a spooky adventure through “Trainslyvania” on the Montgomery Parks’ miniature trains. This popular Halloween-themed ride offers fun for the whole family. Advance online ticket purchase is recommended to secure your preferred date and time.
9. Trick-or-Fruit
Date: October 25, 2024
Location: United States Botanic Garden, Washington, DC
Website: U.S. Botanic Garden Events
Experience a unique twist on trick-or-treating by exploring fruit plants throughout the Botanic Gardens. Learn about various plants and sample some of their fruits. Costumes are encouraged for this free, family-friendly event. Registration is required.
10. Halloween on the Farm
Date: October 25 & 26, 2024
Location: Frying Pan Farm Park, Herndon, VA
Website: Frying Pan Farm Park Events
Enjoy a rustic Halloween experience with trick-or-treating on a farm. Participate in games, explore the decorated farmhouse, visit farm animals, and engage in craft activities. Tickets are required, with one-hour time slots available for purchase online.
11. Glen Echo Park Fall Frolic
Date: October 26, 2024
Location: Glen Echo Park, Glen Echo, MD
Website: Glen Echo Park Events
This free, family-friendly event offers Halloween fun in the picturesque setting of Glen Echo Park. Kids can trick-or-treat at the park’s studios and galleries, decorate bags, participate in craft activities, and enter a costume contest. Don’t miss the fun photo opportunities!
12. Monster Bash
Date: October 26, 2024
Location: Takoma Park, MD
Website: Takoma Park Recreation Events
The Takoma Park Recreation Department is hosting this FREE family-friendly Halloween event starting at 1 PM! Enjoy a DJ and dancing, Trunk-or-Treat, and a magic show to kick off the festivities. The Costume Parade and Contest will begin at 2 PM, culminating at the Takoma Park Library/Community Center. The celebration includes a Costume Award Ceremony, games, a selfie station, and more fun activities for all ages!
13. Halloween Carnival
Date: October 26, 2024
Location: Cherry Hill Park, Falls Church, VA
Website: Cherry Hill Park Events
Costumes are encouraged at this annual family-friendly Halloween Carnival! Open from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM and again from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM, the carnival features games, inflatables, snacks, and more. Admission is just $1 per person (children under 2 years are free), making it an affordable way to enjoy Halloween festivities with the family!
14. Something Wicked: Supernatural Shakespeare
Date: October 26, 2024
Location: Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, DC
Website: Folger Shakespeare Library Events
Head to the recently reopened Folger Shakespeare Library for this FREE family workshop exploring the spooky side of Shakespeare! Costumes are welcome but not required. There are two sessions available: one for kids aged 5 to 7 at 11:30 AM and another for ages 8 to 14 at 1 PM. Registration is required for this engaging and educational event.
15. Halloweekend
Date: October 26 & 29, 2024
Location: College Park Aviation Museum, College Park, MD
Website: College Park Aviation Museum Events
From 10:30 AM until 3:30 PM on both days, your little ghouls and goblins can enjoy tricks and treats at the College Park Aviation Museum! The event includes games and other family-friendly activities that are included with your museum admission. It’s a perfect way to celebrate Halloween while learning about aviation history!
16. Harbor Halloween
Date: October 27, 2024
Location: National Harbor, MD
Website: National Harbor Events
Kick off your Halloween celebrations early at this FREE family-friendly event! Enjoy an outdoor screening of Hocus Pocus 2 at 12:45 PM, a pumpkin carving contest, and trick-or-treating at over 30 participating businesses. Children in costumes will receive a free ride on The Capital Wheel and the Carousel (with adult admission). Don’t forget to register your pet for the Pet Pawrade!
Happy Halloween from Jennifer Young Homes!
As we wrap up our guide to Halloween celebrations in the DMV, everyone at Jennifer Young Homes wishes you a safe and happy Halloween! Remember, finding the perfect home is about so much more than just the property itself—it’s about becoming part of a vibrant community where you can create lasting memories and truly thrive. If you’re inspired to explore new neighborhoods or considering a move within the DMV area, our team is here to help you find your perfect home.
Happy haunting! We hope to see you out enjoying these fantastic community events this Halloween season!
