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Best Halloween Events in DC for Kids and Families: Halloween Festivals, Trunk-or-Treats, and More

National Zoo's Boo at the Zoo is one of the DC area's most popular Halloween events. Photo by Juan-Carlos Briceno, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
National Zoo's Boo at the Zoo is one of the DC area's most popular Halloween events. Photo by Juan-Carlos Briceno, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
9/22/24 - By Jennifer Swope

Bring on the pumpkins, candy, and costumes—it's time for Halloween events! There are lots of ways to celebrate this festive season in the DC area, from pumpkin patches and corn mazes to trunk-or-treats and ghost tours.

Here are our picks for the top Halloween events in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia in 2024. Round up your ghosts and ghouls and head to these Halloween festivals, haunted houses, trick-or-treat events, and more.

Find more spooky—and not-so-spooky—fun in our Halloween Activities Guide for DC Kids and our DC Fall Day Trips Guide. And remember, we are constantly updating our events calendar with more Halloween events and other fun things to do all over the DC area.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Show off your Halloween costumes at Harbor Halloween. Photo courtesy of National Harbor
Show off your Halloween costumes at Harbor Halloween. Photo courtesy of National Harbor

Halloween Events in DC 2024: Halloween Festivals, Haunted Houses, and Other Events

Laurel's House of Horror

Laurel, MD - Fridays - Sundays, September 20 - November 2, 2024 (plus select additional dates)
Laurel's House of Horror, DC and Maryland's largest indoor haunted house, sits inside an abandoned movie theater. The 28,000-square-foot attraction includes chilling scenes, interactive characters, and more. There are also escape rooms and paranormal investigation tours READ MORE

Witch Wartsmith's Halloween Spooktacular

Glen Echo, MD - Thursdays - Sundays, September 28 - October 31, 2024
The Puppet Co. at Glen Echo presents the Halloween Spooktacular, a funny competitive variety show where the audience gets to vote for the winner. This not-so-spooky show, filled with puns and Halloween humor, entertains both kids and parents. READ MORE

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

Springfield, VA - Daily, October 1-31, 2024
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

Workhouse Haunt: Twisted Tales of Terror

Lorton, VA - Fridays - Sundays, October 4 - November 2, 2024 (also on October 31, 2024)
The 2024 Workhouse Haunt features Twisted Tales of Terror, a themed walk-through experience leading guests on a frightening journey that brings them along abandoned, historic buildings where they will encounter terrifying characters and sights and sounds that are not for the faint of heart. READ MORE

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

Germantown, MD - Saturday, October 5, 2024
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

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

Montgomery Village, MD - Saturday, October 5, 2024
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

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

Wheaton & Cabin John, MD - Saturdays & Sundays, October 5-27, 2024
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, 2024 (also on Friday, October 11)
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

Halloween Boo Bash (at Casey Community Center)

Gaithersburg, MD - Saturday, October 19, 2024
This family-friendly Halloween party includes crafts, trick-or-treating, a costume parade, and a Monster Mash dance party. READ MORE

Halloween Family Fun Day (at RCC Hunter Woods)

Reston, VA - Saturday, October 19, 2024
Free
The Halloween Family Fun Day is great for younger kids to enjoy a non-scary festival. Little ghosts and goblins can get in the spirit of Halloween with performances by Peter McCory, a famed one-man-band, at 12pm, followed by renowned magician Eric Henning at 1:15pm. Kids up to age 8 can try their skills at games until 2pm, and are encouraged to come in costume. READ MORE

PumpkinPalooza at Alethia Tanner Park

Washington, DC - Thursday, October 24, 2024
Free
Come out for live entertainment, food, music, a seasonal scavenger hunt, and a “pick-your-own” pumpkin patch.  READ MORE

Hilloween (at Eastern Market)

Washington, DC - Friday, October 25, 2024
Free
This family Halloween festival at Eastern Market is an opportunity to gather as a community and make festive memories with friends and neighbors. Enjoy trick-or-treating, face painting, games, pumpkin decorating, a photo booth, refreshments, and more. Costumes are encouraged. READ MORE

Halloween Nights Fun & Sweets (at O St. Mansion)

Washington, DC - Daily, October 25 - November 2, 2024
Celebrate Halloween on a zany treasure hunt. Come in costume and have a spooktacular time exploring the 100-room Mansion on O, decorated especially for Halloween. READ MORE

Monster Bash (in Takoma Park, MD)

Takoma Park, MD - Saturday, October 26, 2024
Free
The Monster Bash is Takoma Park's Halloween celebration starting with dancing and fun, followed by a Costume Parade and Contest, and ending with the Costume Award Ceremony and Celebration. READ MORE

Pumpkin Rock N' Roll (at Warner Circle Park)

Kensington, MD - Saturday, October 26, 2024
Free
Pumpkin Rock N’ Roll is a Halloween extravaganza with family-friendly attractions including live musical performances, a pumpkin derby race, food trucks, and a hay maze. READ MORE

Trolley-ween at the National Capital Trolley Museum

Colesville, MD - Saturday, October 26, 2024
Visitors are encouraged to get into the Halloween spirit and have fun making crafts, learning about streetcar signal lights, riding an antique streetcar, and more. READ MORE

Boo at the Pool (at RCC)

Reston, VA - Saturday, October 26, 2024
Dive into trick-or-treating at the pool. Kids of different swimming abilities can collect treats that are both floating and under the water. Each child receives a goody bag after the event, and kids wearing costumes poolside get an additional prize. READ MORE

Falls Church Halloween Carnival

Falls Church, VA - Saturday, October 26, 2024
The annual family-friendly Halloween Carnival in Falls Church features fun activities for kids ages 2-11, including games, inflatables, live music, and snacks. READ MORE

Family Day: Halloween at the National Museum of the Marine Corps

Triangle, VA - Saturday, October 26, 2024
Free
The National Museum of the Marine Corps hosts a spooktacular Halloween Family Day. Participants can enjoy a host of seasonal activities, a puppet show, a costume contest, and trick-or-treating. READ MORE

Halloween Bark Bash @ One Loudoun

Ashburn, VA - Saturday, October 26, 2024
Free
This event combines the best of pet shows and Halloween festivals. The festival includes a pet costume contest, trick-or-treating, dogs for adoption, a photo booth, and more. READ MORE

Halloween On Ice (at Fairfax Ice Arena)

Fairfax, VA - Saturday, October 26, 2024
Skate alongside ghosts, witches, and more at Fairfax Ice Arena's annual Halloween On Ice public ice skating event. There are games, prizes, and a costume parade starting at 1:30pm. READ MORE

Boo! at The Little Towns

North Bethesda, MD - Saturday & Sunday, October 26 & 27, 2024
The Little Towns is hosting a spooktacular Halloween fun fest for the entire weekend. Kids are encouraged to dress in costume while participating in creepy crafts, glitter tattoos, a photo booth, a spooky scavenger hunt, thrilling music and dancing, a costume parade, and trick-or-treating. READ MORE

Ghost Town at Burke Lake Park

Fairfax Station, VA - Saturday & Sunday, October 26 & 27, 2024
Burke Lake Park transforms into Ghost Town for the weekend, with activities including Halloween crafts, a bounce house, train and carousel rides, mini golf, and more. READ MORE

NSO Family Concert: Halloween Spooktacular

Washington, DC - Sunday, October 27, 2024
Halloween Spooktacular returns this October to the Kennedy Center where the concert hall welcomes a ghoulish orchestra for a ghostly performance. READ MORE

Van Ness Main Street's Spooktacular

Washington, DC - Sunday, October 27. 2024
Free
Parents and kids of all ages are invited to dress in their favorite costumes and gather at Forest Hills Playground for spooky-inspired activities followed by trick-or-treating. READ MORE

Harbor Halloween

National Harbor, MD - Sunday, October 27, 2024
Free
Enjoy an afternoon of spooktacular fun for the whole family, including trick-or-treating at select stores and restaurants, kids' activities, a Halloween movie, a pet pawrade, and a chef pumpkin-carving contest. READ MORE

Great Falls Halloween Spooktacular

Great Falls, VA - Sunday, October 27, 2024
Free
The annual Great Falls Halloween Spooktacular on the Great Falls Village Centre Green features a pet parade and costume contest, a ghostly haunted house, live music, and more. Kids are encouraged to wear costumes and trick-or-treat with local merchants. READ MORE
Trick-or-treat at Mount Vernon before the big day. Photo courtesy of Mount Vernon
Trick-or-treat at Mount Vernon before the big day. Photo courtesy of Mount Vernon

Halloween Events in DC 2024: Trunk-or-Treats and Trick-or-Treat Events

Zoo Boo! at Maryland Zoo

Baltimore, MD - Friday - Sunday, October 4-27, 2024 (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

Truck or Treat (at Gary J. Arthur Community Center)

Cooksville, MD - Saturday, October 12, 2024
Costumed kids can trick-or-treat at a variety of trucks, tractors, emergency vehicles, and more while meeting their hometown heroes at this "wheely" fun event. READ MORE

Boo at the Zoo at the National Zoo

Washington, DC - Friday - Sunday, October 18-20, 2024
At Boo at the Zoo, kids can dress up and go trick-or-treating at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute while viewing animals at the Elephant Community Center, Small Mammal House, Reptile Discovery Center, Great Ape House, and Think Tank.  READ MORE

Trick-or-Treat at Tudor Place

Washington, DC - Saturday, October 26, 2024
Visitors are invited to wear their Halloween costumes and celebrate the fall season with games and crafts at Tudor Place. Explore the garden’s meandering paths and find festive activities, fun, and sugary treats. READ MORE

Air & Scare at Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

Chantilly, VA - Saturday, October 26, 2024
Free; Parking $15
Tickets for the outdoor portion of Air & Scare are SOLD OUT. Tickets are not required for the indoor portion. See the spooky side of air and space at the Air & Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. At this popular event, kids can enjoy trick-or-treating, creepy crafts, spooky science experiments, photo ops with Star Wars characters, and other Halloween-themed activities. READ MORE

Old Firehouse's Festival of Frights and Trunk-or-Treat

McLean, VA - Saturday, October 26, 2024
Free
Put on your Halloween costumes and visit the Old Firehouse in McLean for a night of live music, games, food, contests, and a trunk-or-treat. READ MORE

Trick-or-Treating at George Washington's Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon, VA - Saturday, October 26, 2024
Collect candy around the historic grounds and celebrate Halloween with 18th-century entertainment and activities. READ MORE
Light up the night at the Great Halloween Lantern Parade. Photo courtesy of Creative Alliance
Light up the night at the Great Halloween Lantern Parade. Photo courtesy of Creative Alliance

Halloween Events in DC 2024: Halloween Parades

Town of Vienna Annual Halloween Parade

Vienna, VA - Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Free
Hosted by the Town of Vienna and the Vienna Business Association, this annual Halloween parade gets everyone in the spooky spirit. The theme for 2024 is "Party Like it's 1999!"  READ MORE

The Great Halloween Lantern Parade & Festival

Baltimore, MD - Saturday, October 26, 2024
Free
At the Halloween Lantern Parade & Festival, attendees can make their own lanterns, enjoy delicious food, dance, and visit the Artist Market. There's also a costume contest for kids. The parade includes illuminated floats, stilt walkers, marching bands, and more. READ MORE

Del Ray Halloween Parade

Alexandria, VA - Sunday, October 27, 2024
Free
Del Ray’s annual Halloween Parade starts at Mount Vernon Avenue, south of E. Bellefonte, and continues down to the Mount Vernon Recreation Center play fields. Costumed kids, pets, and strollers can march in the parade. READ MORE
Have Halloween fun with the Peanuts gang at the Great Pumpkin Fest. Photo courtesy of Kings Dominion Soak City
Have Halloween fun with the Peanuts gang at the Great Pumpkin Fest. Photo courtesy of Kings Dominion Soak City

Halloween Festivals at Amusement Parks in 2024

Six Flags America Kids BOO Fest by Day

Upper Marlboro, MD - Select days, September 14 - October 27, 2024
Families can enjoy a fright-free Halloween experience during Kids BOO Fest by Day at Six Flags America, which features a corn maze, a trick-or-treat trail, classic rides decorated for Halloween, kids' crafts, and more. READ MORE

Six Flags America Fright Fest

Upper Marlboro, MD - Select nights, September 14 - October 27, 2024
Six Flags America's annual Halloween celebration features festive, family-friendly attractions during the day and much spookier ones once the sun goes down. READ MORE

Kings Dominion Halloween Haunt

Doswell, VA - Fridays - Sundays, September 20 - November 3, 2024
Do you dare to venture into haunted mazes or scare zones, ride terrifying rides, or watch spooky live shows? Halloween Haunt has fear around every corner, with hundreds of monsters unleashed throughout Kings Dominion.  READ MORE

Tricks and Treats at Kings Dominion

Doswell, VA - Saturdays & Sundays, September 21 - November 3, 2024
Families are encouraged to dress up in their best costumes and go trick-or-treating in Kings Dominion, while partaking in fun activities like games, live shows, costume contests, pumpkin decorating, and more. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Laurel's House of Horror
Falls Church Community Center
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Great Falls Village Centre
Gary J. Arthur Community Center
Tudor Place Historic House & Garden

About the Author

Jennifer Swope
Jennifer Swope, a DC resident since 2003, transitioned from humanitarian work to freelance editing in 2012 to stay home with her two kids. This shift sparked her passion for finding fun ways to keep them entertained—and inspired her to contribute to Mommy Poppins. When she's not navigating DC's chaos with her kids, she and her husband love watching sports, planning their next trip, and attending concerts. Follow Jennifer on Instagram @jenniferswope.
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