Washington DC in the fall knows how to celebrate Halloween in style, beyond just political victories. Each October, the streets of the nation’s capital come alive for Halloween Washington DC, offering everything from kid-friendly trick-or-treating at the National Zoo to spirited all-night bar hopping for an open bar on U Street. Here’s a diverse list of the exciting and eerie annual Halloween events in and near Washington DC.
A Literary Pumpkin Walk
One of the most unique Halloween celebrations in the nation’s capital takes place each year on Capitol Hill, near the national parks in Washington DC. Residents embrace the spooky season by choosing their favorite book or character as inspiration for their decorations. Throughout the last week of October, yards are adorned with jack-o-lanterns, scarecrows, and themed decor that bring beloved stories to life.
This charming tradition transforms the neighborhood into a literary wonderland, delighting children as they trick-or-treat and enjoy the imaginative displays.
Day of the Dead Celebration
- Address: Maryland Hall, 801 Chase Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
- Website
A free family event, this Day of the Dead Celebration in Cottage City is a highly anticipated way for Washingtonians to get in the Halloween mood.
There are tons of presentations and workshops on Day of the Dead traditions, and you’ll have the chance to make your own ‘papel picado’ decorations, paint skull masks, dance to live music performances, and indulge in delicious food.
You’ll also have the chance to add to the altar alongside other attendees.
Halloween Hunt at The Mansion on O
- Address: 2020 O St NW, Washington, DC 20036
- Website
The Mansion on O & O Street Museum is renowned for being a Halloween hotspot. There are over a hundred themed rooms, each decorated to the nines. You’ll have to find one of the 70 secret doors to get to some of them – yes, you read that right: 70 secret doors!
The mysterious self-guided tour is full of tricks and treats.
Trick or Drink: Washington D.C. Halloween Bar Crawl
- Address: Sudhouse DC, 1340 U St NW Washington DC 20009
The bars in Washington DC go all out for every holiday, so obviously you can expect them to be some of the best places to spend Halloween in. Know which ones to go to with a themed bar crawl!
BarCrawlerz has been organizing holiday bar crawls for nearly five years, and their Halloween tour is always spectacular.
All of the participating bars get into it and almost everyone’s in costume (enter the costume contest while you’re there!); let’s not forget the bar drink specials!
Read more about pub crawls DC.
Heaven and Hell Halloween Block Party
- Address: 1223 Connecticut Ave NW 3rd floor, Washington DC 20036
Zebbies Garden and Decades gets together every year for a huge Halloween event, block-party style. Just a few doors down from each other, you get access to both venues. Combined, they have seven floors with seven different DJs, all playing a variety of music from house to 90s R&B.
Get in costume and get those drinks specials – it’s guaranteed to be a Halloween to remember.
Walking Ghost Tour
DC has some of the oldest neighborhoods in the nation and its history is filled with ghouls from its past. Learn all about it as you get scared out of your wits exploring places like the Oak Hill Cemetery, the home from The Exorcist, and the ghosts of Capitol Hill’s past that still haunt the neighborhood.
There are tons of companies that offer walking tours though some of my favorites are Nightly Spirits and Scary DC.
Markoff’s Haunted Forest
- Address: 19120 Martinsburg Rd, Dickerson, MD 20842
- Website
Markoff’s Haunted Forest is a terrifying experience that fully immerses you into another world. They transform the entire forest and trail into something truly horrifying and combine that with lights, actors, and amazing makeup jobs – it just feels so real!
There’s a “town” that they set up before you go into the dark forest that is filled with zombies and ghosts. Everywhere you turn, there’s someone there to make you scream.
Annual 17th Street High Heel Race
- Starting Point: 1519 17th St NW, Washington D.C 20036
- Website
Attending the annual 17th Street High Heel Race has become something of a tradition for Halloween Washington DC. What began over 30 years ago with a group of spirited drag queens racing down the street on Halloween night has grown into one of the largest outdoor Halloween events in the capital. The event has continued to attract more participants and spectators, cementing its place in Washington DC’s Halloween celebrations.
Now, hundreds of drag kings and queens come from far and wide for the event; it also attracts lots of spectators, local vendors, live music, and more, so that people can make an entire night of it.
Planning to join this event? Make sure to plan your costume and join the costume contest right before the race starts!
Cornstalkers Trail of Terror
- Address: 11765 St Linus Dr, Waldorf, MD 20602
- Website
Remember the rumors you heard growing up of people disappearing without a trace or others who are found gruesomely massacred without anyone ever finding out how? Cornstalkers Trail of Terror is housed on land where a story like that happened to a farmer and his family.
Locals say they can hear them crying out even to this day, so be alert as you walk toward the asylum where the insane are waiting for you. A great way to celebrate the Halloween season.
Field of Screams
- Address: 4501 Olney Laytonsville Rd, Olney, MD 20832
- Website
Constantly recognized as the #1 haunted attraction in the DMV by the Washington Post, it’s no surprise that hundreds of people flock to Field of Screams year after year. There are four different attractions like the Hades Hayride or the haunted Lusion Manor.
It’s the Trail of Terror where you roam a haunted forest in the pitch black of night that’ll get to you. One visit to Field of Screams and no other spooky Halloween event will compare.
More Halloween Events in Washington D.C.
- Halloweekend at the Perch
- Girls Rock! DC Halloween Cover Show at Songbyrd
- ‘Ringu’ 25th Anniversary Screening at the National Museum of Asian Art
- annual Artloween Bash
- Halloween-iversary at BabyCat Brewery
- District Fray’s Halloween party
- Nightmare on M Street Bar Crawl
- DC Halloween Crawl
- Nightmare on M Street
- 13 Nights of Halloween at Wunder Garten
- DC Witch Fest. Metrobar
- Nightmare in Navy Yard
- Hip-Hop Halloween Bar Crawl
- Halloween (Taylor’s Version)
- Pumpkin Palooza
- Pumpkins in the Park
- Silver Spring Zombie Walk
- Halloween at The Boo-ro!
- Del Ray Halloween Parade
- Leesburg Halloween Parade
- Halloween Ghost Cruise
- Nightmare at the Museum: National Gallery Night
- Swingers – The Crazy Golf Club
- National Building Museum’s Spooky History Tour
Not-So-Scary Halloween for Kids in D.C.
- Boo at the Zoo
- Annual Fall Festival at the Farm at Kelly Miller
- PumpkinPalooza at Alethia Tanner Park
- Hilloween at Eastern Market
- Air and Scare at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
- Takoma Park Monster Bash
- Halloween at Mount Vernon
- Glen Echo Fall Frolic
- Play Date at NMNH: Bats! at the National Museum of Natural History
- Mosaic District Halloween Spooktacular
- Storytime: Boos, Books and Blankets at the Hirshhorn
- Tudor Tots: Who Says Boo? at Tudor Place
