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

There are so many places to celebrate Halloween in the DC area. Photo courtesy of Howard County Maryland
There are so many places to celebrate Halloween in the DC area. Photo courtesy of Howard County Maryland
9/24/23 - By Jennifer Swope

Bring on the candy, the jack o' lanterns, and the costumes—it's time for Halloween! With so many fun Halloween events in DC, there are lots of ways to celebrate this festive season. The DC area has everything from pumpkin festivals and corn mazes to apple picking and fall and Halloween train rides. There are also plenty of pumpkin patches near DC to find that perfect pumpkin ands trunk-or-treats where kids can load up on candy.

So round up your young witches and ghouls and head out to one of these top Halloween events in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia in 2023, including Halloween festivals and parades, haunted houses, trick-or-treat events, and even some free Halloween events. Don't forget to check out our Halloween Events and Activities Guide for Kids in Washington, DC for even more Halloween fun.

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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 2023: Halloween Festivals and Other Events

Witch Wartsmith's Halloween Spooktacular

Glen Echo, MD, Thursdays-Sundays, September 28 - October 29, 2023
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

Halloween Eye Spy Trains

Wheaton & Cabin John, MD - Saturdays & Sundays, October 7-29, 2023
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

Ijamsville, MD - Fridays & Saturdays, October 7-28, 2023 (& Sunday, October 8)
Put on your 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 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

Lil' Pumpkins Fest

Germantown, MD - Saturday, October 14, 2023
Free
BlackRock Center for the Arts' Lil' Pumpkins Fest includes a bouncy house, trick-or-treating, lil' pumpkin painting, costume parades, a haunted dance party, an Artisan's Market, and a biergarten for the parents. READ MORE

Pumpkin Race & Fall Festival

Montgomery Village, MD - Saturday, October 14, 2023
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 Boo Bash

Gaithersburg, MD - Saturday, October 21, 2023
This family-friendly Halloween party includes crafts, trick-or-treating, a costume parade, and a Monster Mash dance party. READ MORE

Family Halloween Costume Party at Children's Science Center

Fairfax, VA - Saturday, October 21, 2023
The Children's Science Center becomes a frightfully fun lab after hours. Wear a costume and participate in science activities. READ MORE

Halloween Family Fun Day

Reston, VA - Saturday, October 21, 2023
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 one-man band) and Bob Brown's Puppets. There are also carnival games and treats. Kids are encouraged to come in costume. READ MORE

NSO Family Concert: Halloween Spooktacular

Washington, DC - Sunday, October 22, 2023
Halloween Spooktacular returns this October to the Kennedy Center where the concert hall welcomes a ghoulish orchestra for a ghostly performance. READ MORE

Harbor Halloween

National Harbor, MD - Sunday, October 22, 2023
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

PumpkinPalooza at Alethia Tanner Park

Washington, DC - Thursday, October 26, 2023
Free
Come out for live entertainment, food, music, a seasonal scavenger hunt, and a “pick-your-own” pumpkin patch.  READ MORE

Hilloween

Washington, DC - Friday, October 27, 2023
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 Night Hunt with Sweets

Washington, DC - Friday - Tuesday, October 27-31, 2023
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

Rattle Your Bones at Port Discovery

Baltimore, MD - Friday, October 27, 2023
Port Discovery celebrates Halloween with a night full of pumpkin-themed games, ghost stories, a Halloween game show, and more. All the activities and crafts were created with little ones in mind.  READ MORE

Pumpkin Plunge at The St. James

Springfield, VA - Friday, October 27, 2023
This fun event includes a pumpkin plunge, pumpkin carving, a water inflatable obstacle course, a glow party, candy, games, and more.  READ MORE

Spooktacular Halloween: Scavenger Hunt for Junior Detectives

Washington, DC - Daily, October 28-31
Young sleuths should grab their magnifying glasses to help uncover illusions, riddles, and a chance to win candy treasures all while dressed up in their favorite Halloween costume. READ MORE

Fall Frolic at Glen Echo

Glen Echo, MD - Saturday, October 28, 2023
Come out to Glen Echo Park for this free family event. Assemble a Halloween-themed craft activity in the Bumper Car Pavilion (one bag per child in attendance, while supplies last), trick-or-treat around the park, take a fall-themed family photo, participate in the costume contest at 3:15pm, or join the costume parade at 3:30pm. READ MORE

Monster Bash

Takoma Park, MD - Saturday, October 28, 2023
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

The Pumpkin Patch Express

Baltimore, MD - Saturday & Sunday, October 28 & 29, 2023
Take a ride on the B&O Railroad Museum's Pumpkin Patch Express to the First Mile Stable, where kids can decorate pumpkins, make scarecrows, play games, take photos, enjoy autumn snacks, and meet the horses. READ MORE

Boo! at The Little Towns

North Bethesda, MD - Saturday & Sunday, October 28 & 29, 2023
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

Frankenskate at Ridge Road Recreational Park

Germantown, MD - Saturday, October 28, 2023
Free
Skaters of all ages and abilities are invited to boogie around the rink to the sounds of spooky throwbacks while wearing their Halloween costumes. Refuel at the concession area with local food vendors. Take a break from the rink and lounge on the lawn or play games and enjoy treats. READ MORE

Pumpkin Rock N' Roll

Kensington, MD - Saturday, October 28, 2023
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 28, 2023
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

Reston, VA - Saturday, October 28, 2023
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

Halloween Bark Bash

Ashburn, VA - Saturday, October 28, 2023
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

Falls Church Halloween Carnival

Falls Church, VA - Saturday, October 28, 2023
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

Triangle, VA - Saturday, October 28, 2023
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 On Ice

Fairfax, VA - Saturday, October 28, 2023
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

Goblin Golf and Ghost Town at Burke Lake Park

Fairfax Station, VA - Saturday & Sunday, October 28 & 29, 2023
Burke Lake Park transforms into Ghost Town for the weekend, with activities including Goblin Golf, pumpkin painting, a bounce house, a trick-or-treat house, and more. Visitors can also ride the spooky carousel and the Frogwarts Express train. READ MORE

Great Falls Halloween Spooktacular

Great Falls, VA - Tuesday, October 31, 2023
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

Haunted Lab

Fairfax, VA - Saturdays & Sundays, through October 29, 2023
The Children's Science Center is transforming into the Haunted Lab for Halloween. In addition to not-so-spooky decorations, families can create ooey-gooey Frankenslime, go on a scavenger hunt to find spooky animals native to North America, learn about creepy crawly bugs in the Bio Zone and more. READ MORE

Mosaic Halloween Spooktacular

Fairfax, VA - Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Free
From store open to store close, stop by Mosaic District shops for trick-or-treating. At 6pm, enjoy Scooby Doo on the big screen in Strawberry Park. READ MORE

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

Springfield, VA - Daily, October 6-31, 2023
There's an awesome LEGO® Brick-or-Treat Monster Party happening this Halloween. Join the Monsters as they take over LEGO® Discovery Center Washington, DC to celebrate the release of the brand-new Halloween 4D Movie, The Great Monster Chase! It's non-stop Halloween-party fun, with spooky Halloween decorations and amazing LEGO® activities. 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 2023: Trunk-or-Treats and Trick-or-Treat Events

Boo at the Zoo

Washington, DC - Friday - Sunday, October 20-22, 2023
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

Truck or Treat

Cooksville, MD - Saturday, October 21, 2023
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

Focus Family Academy's Annual Trunk-or-Treat

Fairfax, VA - Saturday, October 21, 2023
Free
Focus Family Academy's trunk-or-treat features a haunted maze, inflatables, a costume contest, games, and of course, trunk-or-treating. READ MORE

Trick-or-Treat at Tudor Place

Washington, DC - Saturday, October 28, 2023
Visitors are invited to wear their Halloween costume 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

Chantilly, VA - Saturday, October 28, 2023
Free, but parking is $15
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

Trick-or-Treating at Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon, VA - Saturday, October 28, 2023
Put on your costume and head to Mount Vernon to enjoy trick-or-treating, 18th-century musical entertainment and activities, and to-go craft bags. READ MORE

Zoo Boo!

Baltimore, MD - Saturday & Sunday, October 28 & 29, 2023
The Maryland Zoo's 40th annual 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

OFC's Festival of Frights and Trunk-or-Treat

McLean, VA - Saturday, October 28, 2023
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

Trunk N' Treat

Rockville, MD - Sunday, October 29, 2023
Free
All families are invited to trick-or-treat among decorated car trunks, make their way over to the craft station, and finally head to a Halloween party hosted by Slush and Krust: The Party Place to be for Neurodiversity. 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 2023: Halloween Parades

The Great Halloween Lantern Parade & Festival

Baltimore, MD - Saturday, October 21, 2023
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

Town of Vienna Annual Halloween Parade

Vienna, VA - Wednesday, October 25, 2023
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 2023 is "Cartoons and Comics!"  READ MORE

Del Ray Halloween Parade

Alexandria, VA - Sunday, October 29, 2023
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 2023

Six Flags America Kids BOO Fest by Day

Upper Marlboro, MD - Saturdays & Sundays, through October 29, 2023
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 - Saturdays & Sundays, through October 29, 2023
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 22 - October 29, 2023
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

The Great Pumpkin Fest

Doswell, VA - Saturdays & Sundays, September 23 - October 29, 2023
Enjoy some fall fun with the Peanuts gang at the Great Pumpkin Fest. This scare-free festival is great for young kids with hay mazes, dancing, a magician, live music, and photo ops with Snoopy and friends. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
The St. James Sports, Wellness and Entertainment Complex
Falls Church Community Center
Great Falls Village Centre
Children's Science Center Lab
Gary J. Arthur Community Center
Tudor Place Historic House & Garden