Best Halloween Events Near Me for Kids in DC
Halloween Events for Kids in DC 2023: Halloween Festivals and Other Events
Welcome the Halloween spirit with candy, jack-o’-lanterns, and costumes galore! Washington, DC suggests a myriad of thrilling manners to revel in this festive season. From pumpkin festivals and corn mazes to apple-picking adventures and beautiful Halloween train rides, the DC area has it all. Explore nearby pumpkin patches to find that perfect pumpkin and trunk-or-treat events where little ones can stock up on sweets.
Conclude your young witches and ghouls and set out to participate in the greatest Halloween events across DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia in 2023. These have Halloween festivals, captivating parades, spine-tingling haunted houses, and delightful trick-or-treat gatherings. Keep an eye out for free Halloween events as well. And for an extra dose of Halloween fun, be sure to peruse our complete Halloween Events and Activities Guide for Kids in Washington, DC.
Here’s everything in your basic guide to having an awesome Halloween in and around Washington, DC. You’ll also find essential Halloween safety advice, simple costume ideas, and family-friendly, slightly spooky snacks and movies.
Best Halloween Events Near Me for Kids in DC:
Event: Witch Wartsmith’s Halloween Spooktacular
Date: Thu Sep 28, 2023 – Sun Oct 29, 2023 (Recurring on Sundays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays)
Times: Various times
Age: 4+
Price: $15
Location: The Puppet Co. at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Boulevard, Glen Echo, MD, 20812
Contact: 301-684-5380
A funny competitive show for kids and parents where the audience votes for the winner. Not so spooky, filled with puns and Halloween humor. The approximate runtime is 45 minutes.
Highlights:
- This family-friendly show features a humorous competition where the audience participates by voting for their favorite.
- The performance was designed to be entertaining rather than scary Halloween-themed humor and puns.
- Showtimes vary, with performances on Thursdays and Fridays at 10:30 am, and Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30 am and 1 pm.
It’s advisable to verify activity dates and times on the event’s website, as they may be subject to change.
Event: Trail of Jack-O’-Lanterns
Date: Sat Oct 7, 2023 – Sat Oct 28, 2023
Times: 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm ET
Age: 2+
Price: $14
Location: Green Meadows Petting Farm, 10102 Fingerboard Road, Ijamsville, MD, 21754
Contact: 301-865-9203
Green Meadows Petting Farm’s annual Trail of Jack-O’-Lanterns features a display of glowing jack-o’-lanterns in various shapes and sizes. The event includes a farm show, fire pits, trick-or-treating, and opportunities to meet animals in the Animal Barn. Hayrides, glow necklaces, s’mores, etc. are available. Online ticket purchase is recommended.
Highlights:
- Enjoy a mesmerizing display of jack-o’-lanterns, including various shapes and sizes.
- The event offers a farm show, fire pits, and exciting trick-or-treating along the trail.
- Explore the Animal Barn and have the chance to meet furry friends.
- Additional activities like hayrides glow necklaces, and s’mores are available for purchase to enhance the experience.
- Gates open at 5:30 p.m., with the main fun beginning at 6 p.m. and the trail opening at 6:50 p.m. Online ticket purchase is recommended, and please note that no cash is accepted on-site.
Be sure to check the activity’s website for any potential changes in dates and times, as schedules may be subject to adjustments. Don’t miss the chance to immerse yourself in the magical Trail of Jack-O’-Lanterns!
Best Halloween Events Near Me for Kids in DC: Halloween Festivals, Trunk-or-Treats, and More
Lil' Pumpkins Fest
Event: Lil’ Pumpkins Fest
Date: Sat Oct 14, 2023
Time: 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm ET
Age: 10 and under
Price: Free
Location: BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown, MD, 20874
Contact: 301-528-2260
BlackRock Center for the Arts hosts the Lil’ Pumpkins Fest, featuring a bouncy house, trick-or-treating, pumpkin painting, costume parades, a haunted dance party, an Artisan’s Market, and a Biergarten for parents.
Rain date is scheduled for Saturday, October 21.
Highlights:
- Activities include a bouncy house, trick-or-treating, pumpkin painting, costume parades, and a haunted dance party, ensuring non-stop entertainment.
- An Artisan’s Market provides an opportunity to explore unique creations.
- For parents, there’s a Biergarten to relax and enjoy the festivities.
- A rain date of October 21 is set, providing a backup plan in case of inclement weather.
- As with any event, please check the activity’s website for any potential changes in dates and times, as schedules may be subject to adjustments. Don’t miss the Lil’ Pumpkins Fest for a fun-filled day of family activities!
Halloween Eye Spy Trains
Event: Halloween Eye Spy Trains
Date: Sat Oct 7, 2023 – Sun Oct 29, 2023 (Recurring on Sundays and Saturdays)
Times: Various times
Age: 2 and up
Price: $6
Location: Cabin John Regional Park, 7400 Tuckerman Ln., Bethesda, MD, 20817
Contact: 310-341-5159
Ride the Halloween Eye Spy Trains at Cabin John Regional Park and Wheaton Regional Park. Each rider receives an “Eye Spy” card to spot seasonal items along the tracks.
Online registration closes on the morning of the scheduled ride, with limited on-site tickets available.
Highlights:
- A unique and fun experience, where riders get an “Eye Spy” card to search for seasonal items along the train tracks.
- Online registration is recommended, but a limited number of on-site tickets may be available for those who prefer to purchase them in person.
Please check the activity website for any changes in activity dates and times, as they may be subject to adjustment.
Halloween Boo Bash
Event: Halloween Boo Bash
Date: Sat Oct 21, 2023
Times: Various times
Age: 3+
Price: $25
Location: Casey Community Center, 810 South Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD, 20877
Contact: 301-258-6366
A family-friendly Halloween party featuring crafts, trick-or-treating, a costume parade, and a Monster Mash dance party.
Â
Highlights:
- Enjoy a variety of activities, including crafts, trick-or-treating, a costume parade, and a Monster Mash dance party for some spooktacular fun.
- Registrants can choose between the 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. timeslot, offering flexibility for different schedules.
Please check the activity’s website for any potential changes in dates and times, as schedules may be subject to adjustments. Don’t miss the Halloween Boo Bash for a memorable Halloween experience for the whole family!
Family Halloween Costume Party at Children's Science Center
Event: Family Halloween Costume Party at Children’s Science Center
Date: Sat Oct 21, 2023
Time: 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm ET
Age: 2-12
Price: $15
Location: Children’s Science Center, 11948 Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax, VA, 22033
Contact: 571-446-2767
The Children’s Science Center transforms into a delightfully spooky lab after hours, inviting children to wear costumes and participate in science activities.
Tickets can be purchased online.
Highlights:
- Attendees are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes and engage in various hands-on science activities, combining fun and education.
- Ticket purchase online ensures your spot for this special Halloween celebration.
As with any event, please check the activity’s website for any potential changes in dates and times, as schedules may be subject to adjustments. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy a Family Halloween Costume Party full of scientific adventures and Halloween fun!
- Event: Pumpkin Race & Fall Festival
- Date: Sat Oct 14, 2023
- Time: 11:00 am to 2:30 pm ET
- Age: All Ages
- Price: Free
- Location: North Creek Community Center, 20215 Arrowhead Road, Montgomery Village, MD, 20886
The Pumpkin Race & Fall Festival offers a unique event where decorated pumpkins on wheels face off in a race. Awards are given for the best decoration, most innovative design, best-themed pumpkin racer and driver duo, and other fun categories. The festival also features live music, food, and children’s activities.
Highlights:
- The highlight of the festival is the pumpkin race, where decorated pumpkins on wheels compete in a lively and fun competition.
- Awards are presented in various categories, including best decoration, most innovative design, and the best-themed pumpkin racer and driver duo, adding excitement to the event.
- Attendees can also look forward to live music, food vendors, and a wide range of children’s activities, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
As with any event, please check the activity’s website for any potential changes in dates and times, as schedules may be subject to adjustments. Don’t miss the chance to witness or participate in the Pumpkin Race & Fall Festival, where creativity and fun collide in a community celebration of fall!
Event: NSO Family Concert: Halloween Spooktacular
Date: Sun Oct 22, 2023
Times: Various times
Age: 5 and older
Price: $18
Location: The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC, 20566
Contact: 202-467-4600
The Halloween Spooktacular returns to the Kennedy Center, featuring a ghoulish orchestra for a ghostly performance. Kids can enjoy trick-or-treating and a Haunted Hall Musical PLAYspace. There’s a sensory-friendly performance at 2 p.m. and a standard production at 4 p.m. After the 4 p.m. show, young audience members can meet and ask questions of the artists and creative team.
Highlights:
- The concert hall welcomes a ghoulish orchestra for a ghostly performance, creating a Halloween-themed musical delight.
- Kids can participate in trick-or-treating and explore a special Haunted Hall Musical PLAYspace, enhancing the Halloween festivities.
- A sensory-friendly performance is available at 2 p.m., ensuring inclusivity, with a standard production at 4 p.m.
- Following the 4 p.m. performance, young audience members have the chance to meet and ask questions of the artists and creative team, offering a unique behind-the-scenes experience.
As with any event, please check the activity’s website for any potential changes in dates and times, as schedules may be subject to adjustments. Don’t miss the NSO Family Concert: Halloween Spooktacular for a musical journey into the spirit of Halloween!
Event: Harbor Halloween
Date: Sun Oct 22, 2023
Time: 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm ET
Age: All ages
Price: Free
Location: National Harbor, 165 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, MD, 20745
Contact: 1-877-628-5427
Harbor Halloween offers an afternoon of spooktacular fun for the entire family, featuring trick-or-treating at select stores and restaurants, kids’ activities, a Halloween movie, a pet parade, and a chef pumpkin-carving contest. Kids in costume ride the Capital Wheel for free with the purchase of an adult ticket.
Highlights:
- Enjoy a wide range of activities, including trick-or-treating at select stores and restaurants, kids’ activities, a Halloween movie, a pet parade, and a chef pumpkin-carving contest.
- An enticing offer allows kids in costume to ride the Capital Wheel for free when an adult ticket is purchased.
As with any event, please check the activity’s website for any potential changes in dates and times, as schedules may be subject to adjustments. Don’t miss the opportunity for an unforgettable Harbor Halloween filled with family fun and Halloween delights!
Halloween Family Fun Day
Event: Halloween Family Fun Day
Date: Sat Oct 21, 2023
Time: 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm ET
Age: 0-8
Price: Free
Location: RCC Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston, VA, 20191
Contact: 703-390-6163
A Halloween Family Fun Day designed for younger children to enjoy a non-scary festival, featuring performances by Peter McCory (a one-man band) and Bob Brown’s Puppets, carnival games, treats, and a costume-friendly atmosphere.
Children must be befriended by adults at every time.
Highlights:
- The event features live performances by Peter McCory, a one-man band, and Bob Brown’s Puppets, adding entertainment and fun.
- Attendees can participate in carnival games and indulge in treats, all while coming dressed in Halloween costumes.
- It’s important to note that children must be befriended by adults at every time for a safe and enjoyable experience.
As with any event, please check the activity’s website for any potential changes in dates and times, as schedules may be subject to adjustments. Don’t miss the opportunity for a memorable Halloween Family Fun Day for the little ghosts and goblins in your family!
Best Halloween Events Near Me for Kids in DC: Halloween Festivals, Trunk-or-Treats, and More
Event: Hilloween
Date: Fri Oct 27, 2023
Time: 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm ET
Age: All Ages
Price: Free
Location: Eastern Market, 225 Seventh Street, SE, Washington, DC, 20003
Contact: (202) 656-8503
Hilloween is a family Halloween festival held at Eastern Market, offering a community gathering and an opportunity to create festive memories with friends and neighbors. Activities include trick-or-treating, face painting, games, pumpkin decorating, a photo booth, refreshments, and more. Costumes are encouraged.
Highlights:
- The event aims to bring the community together and create festive memories with activities such as trick-or-treating, face painting, games, pumpkin decorating, and a photo booth.
- Refreshments and more will be available, ensuring a delightful and memorable Halloween experience.
- Participants are encouraged to wear costumes, adding to the festive atmosphere and allowing everyone to get into the Halloween spirit.
As with any event, please check the activity’s website for any potential changes in dates and times, as schedules may be subject to adjustments. Don’t miss Hilloween, a perfect opportunity to come together with the community and enjoy a spooktacular evening of Halloween fun and festivities!
Event: Halloween Night Hunt with Sweets
Date: Fri Oct 27, 2023 – Tue Oct 31, 2023 (Recurring)
Time: 4:00 pm ET
Age: All ages
Price: $50
Location: The Mansion on O, 2020 O Street NW, Washington, DC, 20036
Â
Halloween Night Hunt with Sweets offers a zany treasure hunt in a 100-room Mansion on O, specially decorated for Halloween. Participants are encouraged to come in costume and enjoy a spooktacular exploration. Children under 17 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Proceeds from tours support the artist-in-residence, heroes, and other programs at O Street Museum.
Highlights:
- Participants are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes, enhancing the spooky atmosphere and adding to the Halloween spirit.
- This treasure hunt promises a spooktacular time, allowing visitors to explore the mansion and uncover hidden surprises.
- It’s important to note that children under 17 must be accompanied by an adult at all times for a safe and enjoyable experience.
- Proceeds from the tours go to support the artist-in-residence, heroes, and other programs at O Street Museum, making this event even more meaningful.
As with any event, please check the activity’s website for any potential changes in dates and times, as schedules may be subject to adjustments. Don’t miss the opportunity to embark on a Halloween Night Hunt with Sweets and uncover the mysteries of The Mansion on O in a spooky and exciting way!
Event: PumpkinPalooza at Alethia Tanner Park
Date: Thu Oct 26, 2023
Time: 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm ET
Age: All ages
Price: Free
Location: Alethia Tanner Park, 227 Harry Thomas Way NE, Washington, DC, 20002
PumpkinPalooza at Alethia Tanner Park offers live entertainment, food, music, a seasonal scavenger hunt, and a “pick-your-own” pumpkin patch. Participants are encouraged to register to reserve pumpkins (limit of three per family). A limited number of day-of pumpkins will be available at the event while supplies last.
Highlights:
- Highlights include live entertainment, food, music, and a seasonal scavenger hunt, promising a delightful experience.
- Families can also engage in a “pick-your-own” pumpkin patch, adding a touch of autumn charm to the festivities.
- To secure pumpkins, participants are encouraged to register in advance, with a limit of three pumpkins per family.
- For those who prefer day-of registration, a limited number of pumpkins will be available at the event while supplies last.
As with any event, please check the activity’s website for any potential changes in dates and times, as schedules may be subject to adjustments. Don’t miss PumpkinPalooza for an afternoon filled with autumn fun and pumpkin-themed activities!
Event: Rattle Your Bones at Port Discovery
Date: Fri Oct 27, 2023
Time: 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm ET
Age: 10 and under
Price: $25 (members $20)
Location: Port Discovery Children’s Museum, 35 Market Place, Baltimore, MD, 21202
Contact: 410-727-8120
Celebrates Halloween with a night full of pumpkin-themed activities and games, ghost stories, a Halloween game show, and more. All the activities and crafts were created by the museum’s staff with little ones in mind. Tickets are required for entry.
Highlights:
- Port Discovery celebrates Halloween with a night full of activities, including pumpkin-themed games, ghost stories, and a Halloween game show.
- All the activities and crafts have been thoughtfully created by the museum’s staff, focusing on the interests and enjoyment of young children.
- This event promises a safe and enjoyable Halloween experience, perfect for families with young ones.
- Tickets are required for entry, so be sure to secure yours in advance.
As with any event, please check the activity’s website for any potential changes in dates and times, as schedules may be subject to adjustments. Don’t miss the opportunity to celebrate Halloween with your little ones at Rattle Your Bones, where a night of spooky fun awaits at Port Discovery Children’s Museum!
- Event: Pumpkin Plunge at The St. James
- Date: Fri Oct 27, 2023
- Time: 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm ET
- Age: 5+
- Price: $12
- Location: The St. James Sports, Wellness and Entertainment Complex, 6805 Industrial Road, Springfield, VA, 22151
The Pumpkin Plunge at St. James offers a fun event featuring a pumpkin plunge, pumpkin carving, a water inflatable obstacle course, a glow party, candy, games, and more.
Highlights:
- The Pumpkin Plunge offers a variety of activities, including a pumpkin plunge, pumpkin carving, a water-inflatable obstacle course, and a glow party.
- Participants can look forward to candy, games, and more, ensuring an exciting and memorable Halloween celebration.
- This event is designed to be family-friendly and suitable for a range of age groups.
- As with any event, please check the activity’s website for any potential changes in dates and times, as schedules may be subject to adjustments. Don’t miss the chance to participate in the Pumpkin Plunge at St. James, where a pumpkin-themed adventure awaits with plenty of fun and games for all ages.
Best Halloween Events Near Me for Kids in DC: Halloween Festivals, Trunk-or-Treats, and More
Conclusion
The DC area offers a variety of exciting Halloween events for kids. From fun shows to pumpkin festivals and spooky train rides for every age group. Make sure to check event details on their websites for any updates. Whichever event you choose, your kids are in for a fantastic and memorable Halloween season. Enjoy the festivities!
FAQs: for Best Halloween Events Near Me for Kids in DC: Halloween Festivals, Trunk-or-Treats, and More
About Author
