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Brick-or-Treat, Oktoberfest, and More Fun Things To Do in DC This Weekend with Kids

Bring your little ghouls and goblins to the Brick-Or-Treat: Monster Party – Kids Halloween Event at LEGO Discovery Center. Event photo courtesy of LEGO
Bring your little ghouls and goblins to the Brick-Or-Treat: Monster Party – Kids Halloween Event at LEGO Discovery Center. Event photo courtesy of LEGO
10/2/24 - By Jennifer Swope

Looking for the best things to do in DC this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.

More Halloween events are opening as we welcome October, including LEGO Discovery Center's monthlong Halloween celebration, Brick-or-Treat: Monster Party.

Oktoberfest events continue with Oktoberfest at The Wharf, where local dachshunds participate in the Wiener 500 Dachshund Dash. And Fort Belvoir Oktoberfest runs all weekend with carnival rides, German food, and more.

More Things To Do in DC This Week with Kids:

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Pumpkin Race & Fall Festival photo courtesy of the Montgomery Village Foundation
Pumpkin Race & Fall Festival photo courtesy of the Montgomery Village Foundation

Top Things To Do in DC This Weekend With Kids

Brick-Or-Treat: Monster Party – Kids Halloween Event at LEGO Discovery Center Washington, DC

Springfield, VA - Daily, through October 31
Daily from October 1-31, families can get into the Halloween spirit as LEGO® Monsters take over LEGO Discovery Center Washington, DC and throw a Monster Party you don't want to miss. Brew up fun at the Potion Kitchen, a place to create potions of all sorts by combining your building creativity. Plus, enjoy monster-ific activities and an exclusive 4D Halloween movie, The Great Monster Chase. READ MORE

Fort Belvoir Oktoberfest

Fort Belvoir, VA - Thursday - Sunday, October 3-6
Free
Fort Belvoir Army Garrison celebrates Oktoberfest by welcoming the general public to its annual four-day event featuring carnival rides, games, German cuisine, music, dancing, and large inflatables for the entire family.  READ MORE

Jennie the Cat: A Halloween Adventure (at The Puppet Co. Playhouse)

Glen Echo, MD - Thursdays - Sundays, October 4 - November 5 (also on November 4 & 5)
When Jennie receives a Halloween card that calls her a scary cat, she feels like she’s been put in a box. Does she have to be scary? Join Jennie as she meets new friends with some spectacular tricks and treats to share, like skateboarding, shadow puppetry, and pumpkin carving. Who will Jennie choose to be?  This show features cuddly puppets, audience interaction, and all original music. READ MORE

She Persisted at Adventure Theatre

Glen Echo, MD - Fridays - Sundays, October 4 - November 3
Fourth-grader Naomi’s field trip to a women’s history museum turns into a time-travel adventure where she encounters inspirational women who have overcome barriers and made waves throughout US history. From activists and athletes to artists and more, the musical features the stories of female trailblazers such as Harriet Tubman, Virginia Apgar, Ruby Bridges, Sally Ride, Florence Griffith Joyner, and Sonia Sotomayor.  READ MORE

Zoo Boo! at Maryland Zoo

Baltimore, MD - Fridays - Sundays, October 4-27 (except October 18-20)
The Maryland Zoo's Zoo Boo! features lots of trick-or-treat stations throughout. Kids can wear costumes, collect candy, and visit the animals. There are also games, prizes, contests, and live entertainment. READ MORE

Oktoberfest at The Wharf

Washington, DC - Saturday, October 5
Free
It’s that time of year to wear dirndl or lederhosen for Oktoberfest. This annual event includes the Wiener 500 Dachshund Dash (from 2-5pm) where the speediest dachshunds in DC race for fame and fortune on the District Pier race track to benefit Rural Dog Rescue. READ MORE

Open Streets: 7th Street NW

Washington, DC - Saturday, October 5
Free
Three miles of 7th Street NW close to cars and open the street for people to walk, bike, scoot, and play. With classes and demonstrations including yoga, arts and crafts, live music, and more, there's something for all ages and abilities. READ MORE

Family Pajama Party: Diwali Celebration (at Casey Community Center)

Gaithersburg, MD - Saturday, October 5
Families are invited to come celebrate Diwali by making a cultural craft, enjoying dramatic play, and playing fun games all themed around Diwali traditions. The evening finishes with a story about Diwali.  READ MORE

Harvest Festival at Agricultural History Farm Park

Derwood, MD - Saturday, October 5
The annual Harvest Festival at the Agricultural History Farm Park celebrates farm life with traditional crafts, activities, music, and food. Visitors can try farm activities such as candle dipping, tin-smithing, quilting and spinning; paint pumpkins and build scarecrows; play historic games; enjoy live music and storytelling; experience farm equipment exhibitions and demonstrations; meet heritage farm animals; visit craft demonstrators; and take a hayride around the farmstead. READ MORE

Lil' Pumpkins Fest (at BlackRock Center for the Arts)

Germantown, MD - Saturday, October 5
Free
BlackRock Center for the Arts' Lil' Pumpkins Fest includes trick-or-treating, costume parades, a spooky dance party, an Artisan's Market, and a biergarten for the parents. READ MORE

Old Bowie Celebrates! Festival

Bowie, MD - Saturday, October 5
Free
The Old Bowie Celebrates! Festival features live music and dance, food vendors with local and global cuisines, arts and crafts, and much more. Children can explore cultures through activities, earning stamps in their festival passports. READ MORE

Pumpkin Race & Fall Festival (at North Creek Community Center)

Montgomery Village, MD - Saturday, October 5
Free
Face off or watch as decorated pumpkins on wheels go head to head in this crazy pumpkin race. There are awards for best decoration and most innovative design, best themed pumpkin racer and driver duo, and other fun categories. Attendees can also enjoy live music, food, and lots of children's activities. READ MORE

Art on the Avenue (in Del Ray)

Alexandria, VA - Saturday, October 5
Free
Held every year in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, Art on the Avenue celebrates the art, music, and cultural diversity of the region. There are artists in a wide range of mediums displaying and selling their art, live music by local performers, and food available for purchase from the many great restaurants in Del Ray. The Kids' Art Corner has free craft projects available to take home. READ MORE

Farm Day in Cherry Hill Park

Falls Church, VA - Saturday, October 5
Free
Farm Day in Cherry Hill Park has fall-themed family activities including a petting farm, pony rides, pumpkin painting, scarecrow making (bring your own long pants and a sleeved shirt), live music, tours of the Cherry Hill Farmhouse and barn, blacksmith demonstrations, and more. READ MORE

Green Spring Gardens Fall Festival

Alexandria, VA - Saturday, October 5
Free
Families can enjoy activities and classes at the Green Spring Annual Family Fall Festival, including vendors selling plants and other items, a silent auction, a book sale, and a bake sale. READ MORE

Oktoberfest Neighborhood Block Party at Prince of Peace Church

Springfield, VA - Saturday, October 5
Free
Enjoy live music, food, drinks, a beer garden, lots of children's activities, door prizes, and more at Prince of Peace's Oktoberfest event. The event happens rain or shine. READ MORE

Parktober Fest at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park

Chantilly, VA - Saturday, October 5
Free
At this free fall festival, families can enjoy live music, local food and drinks, area artisans and vendors, nature crafts, and more. READ MORE

Vienna Oktoberfest

Vienna, VA - Saturday, October 5
Free
Families can celebrate Oktoberfest at this annual festival held in Vienna. Guests can expect a beer/wine garden, German food, music, and free kids' activities. READ MORE

Wheaton Family Theatre Series: Tom Teasley - A Journey Around the World through Music

Wheaton, MD - Saturday & Sunday, October 5 & 6
Free
Tom Teasley, award-winning percussionist, world musician, and composer, returns to Wheaton. Tom dazzles audiences with an inspiring cross-cultural musical journey around the world, weaving ancient musical traditions with modern technology.  READ MORE

Halloween Eye Spy Trains (at Cabin John and Wheaton Regional Parks)

Bethesda & Wheaton, MD - Saturdays & Sundays, October 5-27
Take a ride through "Trainsylvania" aboard Cabin John Regional Park's and Wheaton Regional Park's Halloween Eye Spy Trains. Each rider receives an “Eye Spy” card with seasonal items to look for along the tracks. READ MORE

Trail of Jack-O'-Lanterns at Green Meadows Petting Farm

Ijamsville, MD - Saturdays & Sundays, October 5-27
Put on a costume and head to Green Meadows Petting Farm's annual Trail of Jack-O'-Lanterns to see glowing jack-o'-lanterns in all shapes and sizes. There's also a farm show, fire pits, trick-or-treating along the trail, and the chance to meet furry friends in the Animal Barn. Hayrides, glow necklaces, s'mores, and more are available for purchase.  READ MORE

Goblin Golf at Burke Lake Park

Fairfax Station, VA - Saturdays & Sundays, October 5-20
Enjoy festive mini golf at Burke Lake Park with Halloween decorations, treats, and appearances by ghosts and goblins. READ MORE

Takoma Park Street Festival

Takoma Park, MD - Sunday, October 6
Free
Enjoy over 150 vendors, live music from 18 local bands, food trucks, and more fun activities at this popular street festival. READ MORE

Encanto: The Sing-Along Film Concert (at Hylton Performing Arts Center)

Manassas, VA - Sunday, October 6
Disney Concerts presents Encanto: The Sing-Along Film Concert tour, where Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Academy Award®-winning film comes to life in a one-of-a-kind concert event. See the entire feature-length film and an on-stage band playing all the record-breaking hit songs from the beloved soundtrack. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

7th Street NW between Rhode Island Ave & E Street
Chestnut Ave. & 9th St.