Whether you’re looking for family-friendly fun, or a night out on the town, we’ve got you covered this Halloween. Explore local activities to make this a weekend to remember!
Maryland Activities:
The 19th Annual Great Halloween Lantern Parade & Festival
Patterson Park, 27 S. Patterson Park Avenue
October 28, 3:30 p.m.
During the day, a family festival in Patterson Park includes lantern building, kids’ costume contests, sugar skull making, live music and performers, craft vendors, hayrides, family activities and more! Everyone is welcome to dress in costume and carry a lantern in the parade! This event has been moved to Sunday due to rainy weather reports.
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AVAM’s Free Fall Halloween Celebration
American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Highway
October 30, 4-7 p.m.
Enjoy free admission to the museum and stop by the Jim Rouse Visionary Center to create your own paper monster.
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ZooBooo!
Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
October 26-28, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Parents and kids of all ages: Get your costume ready and join the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore for free tick-or-treating, costume contests, fun carnival games, bounce houses, live entertainment, food, and more. ZooBooo! Is free with zoo admission, but some games may require additional fees.
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Federal Hill-O-Ween Bar Crawl
Federal Hill
October 27, 5 p.m.-12 a.m.
Lindy Promotions, Miller Lite and the Federal Hill Hospitality Association present the 8th annual Federal HillOween. This blood-pumping, spooktacular bar crawl is coming for you! This eerie eve of Halloween galore will feature costume contests, food specials and more. Baltimore’s 8th annual Federal Hill-O-Ween will be a bone-chilling bash of unbeatable good times! The pub crawl features 14+ Federal Hill establishments; drink, food and shooter specials; and more. Registration/check-in is from 5-10 p.m. in the Mother’s Federal Hill Grille parking lot.
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Halloween 2018: Baltimore Horror Story
Power Plant Live!, 34 Market Place
October 28, 8 p.m.
Baltimore’s largest Halloween party. Tickets include access to every bar in the complex, a costume contest and live music.
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KidsPeace Trick-or-Trot 5K/1-Mile Walk
Oriole Park at Camden Yards, 333 W. Camden Street
October 27, 8 a.m.
This race begins and ends at Oriole PArk at Camden Yards, and all proceeds benefit KidsPeace Foster Care and Community Programs of Maryland. Costumes are encouraged, and pre – and post-race parties will include costume contests, face painting, food and more.
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BOOseum Bash!
Port Discovery Children’s Museum, 35 Market Place
October 27, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Boogie to hair-raising tunes, have a boo-tiful design painted on your face, or learn about creepy, crawly and cool bugs. Don’t forget to wear your costume!
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Washington, D.C.:
Boo at the Zoo
Smithsonian National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW
October 19-21
With 40 treat stations, Halloween-themed trails, live entertainment, and after-hours access to animal exhibits, you won’t want to miss the National Zoo’s annual family event. Be sure to come in costume!
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Death Becomes Us PUB (Pop-Up Bar)
1843 7th Street NW
Sunday through Thursday, 5 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. | Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.
For a limited time, you can enjoy creative specialty drinks at this pop-up bar created by Drink Company and Brightest Young Things. The bar features three true crime vignettes dedicated to the Salem Witch Trials, the case of Elizabeth Bathory, and the Black Dahlia murder.
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17th Street High Heel Race
17th Street NW
October 30, 7pm
A tradition for over 30 years, the 17th Street High Heel Race invites participants, most of whom are in drag, to race a quarter-mile in heels. Join the fun by cheering them on! The parade starts at 7 and the race starts at 9pm.
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The Mansion on O Street
2020 O Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
Visiting the wondrous Mansion on O & O Street Museum is quite the experience, especially when you journey through the historic venue on a scavenger hunt (Oct. 24). View the Mansion in its finest Halloween attire as you search through its many themed rooms and secret doors for seasonal and Halloween-themed prizes. You can also bring along your own shopping bag and purchase goodies from the mansion.
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Virginia:
Trick-or-Treating at Mount Vernon
George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
October 27 3:30-6:30pm
In addition to trick-or-treating at the Mount Vernon estate, guests can follow a scavenger hunt, take a wagon ride, and create a Halloween craft. The historic roots of this area will be present in the 18th century dancing, historic craft demonstrations, and costume prize awarded to the best George and Martha costumes!
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City of Falls Church Halloween Carnival
Falls Church Community Center, 223 Little Falls St., Falls Church
October 29, 5:30-8:00 p.m.
For $2 per child ages 2 and up (and free for infants and adults), you can enjoy an evening that includes games, a moon bounce, face painting, crafts, a haunted house, candy, and a “creepy creature” animal show. There are two age-appropriate sessions, one for infants through kindergarten from 5:30-6:30 p.m. followed by one for first through fifth-graders from 7-8 p.m. Wrap up the evening with a free screening of Disney Pixar’s Coco.
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Fields of Fear
15621 Braddock Road
Friday and Saturday nights September 21-November 3, plus “Bonus Night” Sunday, October 7
If you’re looking for scares this Halloween, head to the Fields of Fear after dark. The friendly Imaginature Trail takes a dark turn for Fields of Fear, transforming into The Forest: Back 40, which consists of half a mile of fear. The Forest joins two other haunted attractions at Fields of Fear, the Dark Side Hayride and the Cornightmare. The Firegrounds feature several bonfires, a six-lane slide, music, karaoke, entertainment, tasty treats, Foamhenge, and more! Recommended minimum age is 12 years old.
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The Glow: A Jack O’ Lantern Experience
Lake Fairfax Park
October 26-28
Experience the Glow, featuring a wonderland of over 5,000 hand-carved illuminated pumpkins transformed into landscapes, iconic figures, and structures. Meet the master carvers on-hand to demonstrate their skills and give our carving tips. Make sure to bring your camera!
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Sources: Visit Baltimore, Washington.org, Inside Nova, FXVA.com