The coming days bring Halloween, Dia de los Muertos and Election Day. The D.C. area is packed with costume contests, bar crawls, pumpkin-carving contests and dance parties for adults, and concerts and seasonal activities for all ages. (We even have a whole list of events for your dog.) But don’t miss the official reopening of the Hirshhorn Museum’s Sculpture Garden, or a 5K and festival on the gorgeous grounds of the National Arboretum.
Also, because Halloween is a big party weekend, the Washington Regional Alcohol Program is bringing back its SoberRide program, which offers free $15 Lyft credits that can be used between 10 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, while supplies last. They’ll be posted on the SoberRide website at 9 each night. More than 4,000 people took advantage of this offer last year.
Thursday, Oct. 29
Late Night: Haunted Hall at the National Building Museum
The National Building Museum’s Great Hall is getting a haunted makeover for an evening of silent horror films and ghost stories. Start with a scavenger hunt through the building’s past, catch screenings of “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” (1920) and “The Phantom of the Opera” (1925) and close out the night with a performance by the band Night Hawk. Admission includes a drink ticket and access to “Visible Vault: Open Collections Storage,” “Building Stories” and “House and Home” after hours. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. $20; $15 for students.
Spooky Shaw Cocktail Crawl
This bar crawl is not as big of a production as some Halloween bar tours around town, but it’s a case of quality over quantity. The four stops are Service Bar, the neighborhood cocktail spot that regularly shows up on lists of North America’s best; Eebee’s Corner Bar, one of D.C.’s buzziest dining destinations; 600T, which is one of our favorite low-key, unmarked bars; and Techo Palma, the tropical rooftop bar formerly known as El Techo. There’s no ticket or reservation required: Just plot your course to each bar, where two Halloween-themed drinks are $13 each. 6 to 11 p.m. Free.
Pumpkin-carving Contest at St. Vincent Wine
Another week, another chance to injure yourself carve a pumpkin and try to win prizes at a bar. A $100 gift certificate is up for grabs at St. Vincent’s third annual contest, held on the Park View wine bar’s patio. Tickets include a pumpkin and carving tools — one pumpkin for every two guests — and a glass of the house spiked cider. 6 p.m. $20.
Howl-o-Ween at the Fairmont Hotel
For 15 years, the Fairmont Hotel’s canine Halloween party has been one of the best in town. All four-legged guests receive peanut butter dog treats, made by the hotel’s pastry chef, and free drinks, while humans can purchase Halloween-themed cocktails and snacks. Prizes are awarded in such categories as most adorable and most creative. 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Free.
‘Exit 8’ at the Japanese Information and Culture Center
The unsettling Japanese film “Exit 8” is based on a video game that takes place in the liminal passages of a Japanese subway station. The Japanese Embassy’s cultural center screens the “unforgettable new horror film” as part of its Halloween festivities. Note that registering for a ticket does not guarantee a seat; admission is on a first-come, first-served basis, so get there close to when doors open at 6 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Free; registration required.
Local Garage Punk Halloween Tribute Show at Galactic Panther
Wear a rock-inspired costume to Alexandria’s Galactic Panther Art Gallery for this all-ages Halloween concert, which finds local bands paying homage to legendary artists. Carrier Wave plays favorite songs by the Beatles, Apollo 66 takes on the Velvet Underground, and Fugitive Lovers honor the Stooges. 8 p.m. $18.91.
Thursday Night Halloween Crawl
Seven bars around Shaw and U Street are joining forces for multiple nights of bar crawling action. (Each event has its own ticket.) On Thursday, check in at Aslin on 14th Street before hopping to bars including Dacha, Calico and Game On Bar+Arcade, before ending at the Craft. There are DJs and drink specials along the way. 7:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. $49.77; $92.41 VIP. $55.09 for Thursday and Friday access.
Friday, Oct. 30
Hill-o-Ween at Eastern Market
For two decades, Hill-o-Ween has been Capitol Hill’s Halloween neighborhood block party. The street outside Eastern Market is closed to make room for a puppet theater, a dance party, face painting and games, while a moon bounce and other activities take place inside the market’s North Hall. 4 to 6 p.m. Free.
Heavens to Betsy at the Black Cat
While Corin Tucker’s best-known band, Sleater-Kinney, has moved toward the musical mainstream, the singer-guitarist is exploring her minimalist roots with a revival of her first group. Reunited after more than three decades, Tucker’s duo with drummer Tracy Sawyer has just released “Baby’s Gone,” an album of early ’90s material. The 16 songs are prime riot-grrrl rock — raw, direct and impassioned. 8 p.m. (doors). $42.
Uptown Zombie Apocalypse Bar Crawl
Dress like a zombie, a survivor of the zombie apocalypse, or something equally creative at a 14th Street bar crawl to benefit Ward 1 Mutual Aid. Visit Lyman’s Tavern, Little Coco’s or Toro Bar in any order you choose, but you’ll need to buy a drink at each bar to enter the costume contest at Lyman’s, which begins at 11:30 p.m. A portion of cocktail sales at Toro and Little Coco’s benefit mutual aid, as do all beer sales at Lyman’s. 6 p.m. to midnight. Free.
Halloween at Songbyrd Music House
Costumes aren’t just for audiences at Songbyrd this weekend. Friday night is the annual benefit for the nonprofit Girls Rock! DC, featuring local artists paying tribute to their favorite bands, including RenRiot performing as Paramore and the Frizz covering No Doubt. Dress as your favorite ’90s or 2000s musicians. (Friday at 7 p.m. $20.) On Halloween, the Union Market venue hosts the Night of 1,000 Taylors, with covers performed by the Fearless Eras band and Swifties encouraged to dress as their favorite era to win prizes. (Saturday at 7 p.m. $25.75.)
The Best Halloween Music Videos Ever at Number Nine
What’s your favorite funny/scary/eerie Halloween music video? There’s a good chance you’ll hear it a Number Nine Lounge in Dupont, courtesy of VJs Back2Back, who are taking over the video bar beginning at 7 p.m. Reminder: All drinks are two-for-one from 5 to 7 p.m. 7 p.m. Free.
Chinatown Funk Express Halloween Edition at Lucky Danger
Les the DJ spins pop, funk and retro music from Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Hong Kong and across the Asian diaspora at this Halloween edition of Lucky Danger’s dance party. Dress like your favorite pop idol, browse a special night market with ’80s and vintage goods, get a tarot reading, or just enjoy cocktails and dancing. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. $23-$28.75.
Night of the Flick at the Mall at Comet Ping Pong
Zombies, capitalism and 1970s mallrats collide in horrific fashion during “Dawn of the Dead,” one of the greatest horror films ever made. Comet Ping Pong’s month-long series of movies set in shopping malls winds up with George Romero’s 1978 cult classic. Fittingly, the pizzeria and music venue is hosting a “pop-up spooky mall market” before the film, in addition to the usual retro trailers; arrive early for good seats. Mall market open 4 to 8 p.m.; film begins at 9. Free.
Pet Costume Contest at Juneberry Garage
Bring your costumed pooch to Juneberry Garage’s happy hour to enter a competition sponsored by Livewell Animal Hospital at the Parks. There will be pup cups and giveaways, but prizes will be selected through an online vote. 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Free.
Hoochie Daddy at the Atlantis
A new LGBTQ+ dance party makes its debut at the Atlantis this weekend, featuring drag performer and DJ Cake Pop!, who has seemingly performed everywhere in D.C., and DJ Matt Bailer of Peach Pit and Mixtape. Disco, vocal house and banging pop remixes are the soundtrack for a costume party where the suggested attire is: “The hotter, weirder, gayer, the better.” 10 p.m. $32.50.
Daft Disko at Flash
For fans of Daft Punk and their electro-house/French touch/techno/filtered disco comrades-in-arms — Justice, Boys Noize, Soul Wax, Étienne de Crecy, Mr. Oizo, and forebearers like Giorgio Moroder or Chic — it doesn’t get much better than Daft Disko, a New York-based French house dance party that makes the occasional foray down to D.C. No robot helmets are required for this early show on Flash’s rooftop deck, but hey, it is Halloween eve. 6 to 10 p.m. $45.40.
Crooked Beat Records Grand Reopening
Months after a flood devastated Crooked Beat Records’ basement shop in Del Ray, causing over $100,000 in damage, the decades-old record store is officially celebrating moving into a new location a few blocks away, at 2101B Mount Vernon Avenue. The day begins at 11 a.m. with a solo set by musician and Inner Ear Studio founder Don Zientara, and an acoustic set by guitarist VJ Hyde from hardcore band Old Knife. The shop opens at noon, with free T-shirts, giveaways and raffles. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Free.
Saturday, Oct. 31
Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden reopens
The Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden reopens to the public on Halloween after being closed for almost four years. The elegant new design, created by Japanese architect and artist Hiroshi Sugimoto, features new and inviting entrances from the Mall into the garden. Visitors will find around 60 sculptures on view — the museum says this is an increase of 50 percent from the previous layout — from artists including Auguste Rodin, Henri Matisse, Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore. Look for new handbuilt stone walls that create outdoor “rooms,” open space for outdoor installations and events, and the reopening of the tunnel leading to the museum’s plaza. Saturday’s grand reopening celebration includes talks with artists whose work is on display in the garden, including Yoshitomo Nara and Chatchai Puipia; hands-on sketching and sculpture-making activities; a scavenger hunt; and an art studio for kids and teens. Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sculpture Garden opens to the public at 11. Free.
Friends of the National Arboretum Fall Festival and 5K
There are two ways to celebrate fall at the National Arboretum on Saturday: a 5K that follows closed roads through the 451 acres of gardens and forest in the morning, and a family-friendly festival that follows. The latter, which is open to everyone, not just runners, includes a plant sale, workshops on planting seasonal vegetables, lawn games, a “Thriller” dance party, family activities, trick-or-treating and a Halloween costume contest. Race at 8:30 a.m.; festival at 10 a.m. Race, $60; festival admission free.
Dupont Circle Fall Harvest Festival
Held in the middle of Dupont Circle, this family- and pet-friendly festival features live bluegrass music from Shannon Leigh and the Good Bygones; a pumpkin patch where anyone can pick a gourd to paint and decorate (while supplies last); and separate costume contests for kids, adults and pets with a $100 top prize. 1 to 4 p.m. Free.
Haunted Light Show at the Exorcist Steps
Few D.C. landmarks have as much horror-movie cred as Georgetown’s “Exorcist” steps, where the 1973 film’s climactic scene was shot. On Halloween night, local “The Exorcist” enthusiast Andrew Huff is bringing a free light-and-fog show to the 75-step staircase, giving fans a chance to see the iconic location in a different light. Make an evening of it with DC by Foot’s 90-minute Ghosts of Georgetown tour to explore the area’s haunted history, which starts outside the Old Stone House and ends at the steps. 7 to 11 p.m. Free.
Fright Fête at Lost City Books
Ever dreamed of being trapped in a bookstore after everyone else has gone home? What if it was haunted? You’ll find out at Lost City Books’ Fright Fête, an after-hours party at the Adams Morgan bookstore. Costumes are required — the more nerdy and literary, the better — for dancing in the aisles to DJ Kristy la rAt, free flash tattoos, drinks and socializing. Tickets include your first beverage. 8 p.m. to midnight. $45.
Halloween in the Heights at Sycamore and Oak
Both a costume contest and a dance contest are being held at Congress Heights’ Sycamore and Oak, an all-ages party with a haunted house, live music, pumpkin painting, caricature artists and candy giveaways. 5 to 8 p.m. Free.
Miss Adams Morgan Pageant After-Party at Her Diner
After the 38th Miss Adams Morgan is crowned, the party moves to H.E.R. Diner for themed Halloween cocktails and dancing to a DJ. (You don’t need to attend the pageant to attend the after-party.) 10 p.m. Free.
Funset: The Boo Fest at Woolly Mammoth
The Funset crew hosted its last outdoor dance party of the season at the Dew Drop Inn last weekend, but if you thought you would have to wait until the spring for another fix of the best mix of house, throwback R&B, funk and soul in D.C., well, surprise: The Funset is back at Woolly Mammoth Theatre’s lobby for a costume-optional Halloween party. Hosts Harry Hotter and Jahsonic are joined by guests DJ Marauder and Alex Love. Cocktails will be available, but no tickets or reservations are required. 8 to 11 p.m. Free.
BabyCat Brewery Halloween-iversary parties in Bethesda and Kensington
Now that BabyCat Brewery has two taprooms in Montgomery County, its owners get to celebrate their favorite holiday twice as often. The brewery’s first Halloween at its airy Bethesda taproom features a DJ, a costume contest and its signature beers, while the original Kensington bar has live music from Stringtown and Vinyl Fever, plus costume contests. Still haven’t checked out one of the locations? A free shuttle bus will run between the two taprooms, beginning at 4 p.m. Doors open at noon. Free.
Wisconsin Avenue Woof Walk
Georgetown’s dog-friendly version of a bar crawl finds owners and costumed canines visiting shops up and down Wisconsin Avenue. Participants check in at Milo and Mav, a coffee shop and dog boutique at 32nd and N streets NW, before heading out to collect treats from businesses in the neighborhood. The costume contest, at 1 p.m., awards prizes for the best overall, most creative and best human-dog duo. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free for humans; $28.45 per dog.
Dolly Parton Look-Alike Contest in Georgetown
If you’ve ever wanted to test your Dolly Parton impression in public, here’s your chance. The 1310 Kitchen & Bar (located inside the Georgetown Inn) is hosting a Dolly look-alike contest, with $250 in cash for the winner and an invitation to appear on Fox5 D.C.’s morning broadcast in full Dolly glam. Big hair, bigger lashes and rhinestones are practically mandatory, but you can also skip the competition and watch a room full of Dolly impersonators vie for the title. 9 to 11 p.m. Free, RSVP required.
Haunted Circus Halloween Party at Chicken + Whiskey
Chicken + Whiskey’s is going all in on the haunted-circus theme for a 12-hour party that runs until 3 a.m. Dommie x Odessian gets the music started in the afternoon on Saturday, and then DJ As-One takes over for the rest of the night at the whiskey bar. Specialty cocktails and spooky decor set the scene, but the main attraction for anyone who takes their costume seriously is the 11 p.m. contest, with prizes for first, second and third place. 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. Free.
All Hallows Orange Wine Monster Mash at Reveler’s Hour
For some people, the color orange signifies pumpkins or changing colors of leaves at this time of year. At Reveler’s hours, it means … orange wine. The Adams Morgan wine bar is pouring special orange wines from Portugal to Georgia and beyond on Halloween while offering prizes for the best costumes. 5 p.m. Free; wine prices vary.
Church on Sunday Fifth Anniversary at Culture
Five years after launching at Cafe Saint-Ex, Church on Sunday has become an essential house music experience, held at venues across D.C. For the party’s fifth anniversary, it’s taking over Culture in Ivy City and welcoming special guest DJ Kenny Dope of the legendary production and remix team Masters at Work. Support comes from Lofreq (the local DJ team of Underdog and Jahsonic), Ebb King and Geena Marie. Wear a costume, but wear your most comfortable dancing shoes and bring a fan. 3 to 9 p.m. $28.38.
Saturday, Oct. 31 — For kids
Día de los Muertos at the National Museum of the American Indian
Learn how to make sweet, orange-infused pan de muerto, or bread of the dead, at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian’s festivities. Visitors can also watch folk dances from Grupo los Tecuanes, make tissue paper marigolds and write messages on the museum’s Butterfly Memorial Arch. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free.
NSO Halloween Spooktacular at Lisner Auditorium
The National Symphony Orchestra might be haunting Lisner Auditorium instead of the Kennedy Center, but its tradition of performing spooky symphonic tunes for a family audience at its Halloween Spooktacular — think music from Harry Potter as well as classical standards — continues, as will the tradition of orchestra members dressed in their Halloween best. 2 p.m. $29.30.
Kidchella at Arena Stage
Baby’s first rave gets a monster-mash makeover at Kidchella, a two-hour dance party for babies, toddlers and children up to age 6. Expect silly monster music, bubbles and plenty of room for little ones to show off their dance moves, with costumes encouraged. It’s a chance for the youngest members of the family to get in on the festivities without waiting for bedtime to be over. 10 a.m. to noon. Free for babies; $5 for children ages 1-6; $10 for adults.
Fall Frolic at Glen Echo Park
An artsy take on Halloween, Glen Echo Park’s Fall Frolic includes trick-or-treating at the artist studios around the former amusement park, live music performed by the Washington Conservatory of Music, craft activities and a costume contest. 1 to 4 p.m. Free.
‘Coco’ live-to-film concert at the Music Center at Strathmore
The 20-member Orquesta Folclórica Nacional de México performs the Oscar-winning score from “Coco” — the 2017 Pixar animated film inspired by the holiday — as the movie plays on the big screen. Before you watch this imaginative cartoon set in the Land of the Dead, go shopping at a “Recuerdos” art market organized by Strathmore and the Montgomery County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. The market, stocked with handcrafted goods from local businesses and artisans, is open from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday and 12:30 to 2 p.m. on Sunday, running for an extra hour after each show. (Kids are also invited to wear a costume on Halloween, and pick up a souvenir trick-or-treat bag on the way home). Saturday at 3:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. $28-$78.
Stamp and Scream Family Festival at the National Postal Museum
The National Postal Museum is booked and busy with spooky crafts, a costume parade and educational activities. Make a glowing jack-o’-lantern to take home, try spooky silhouette printmaking or hunt for hidden critters in the museum’s first installation. Stop by the African American Museum’s kids station to learn about the “The Wizard of Oz” and “The Wiz” before designing a colorful costume of your own for Toto the dog. Kids can also browse or check out books from the mobile library hosted by the D.C. Public Library. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free.
Trolleyween at the National Capital Trolley Museum
The perfect not-too-scary Halloween event for transit-loving kids features spookily decorated historic trolleys, trick-or-treating and a scavenger hunt among the displays in the museum, as well as unlimited rides on the trolleys and streetcars. Costumes are suggested; art activities are available for an additional fee. Noon to 5 p.m. $10-$15; free for children younger than 2.
Trunk-or-Treat Halloween Skate at Anacostia Park
Looking to get the kids some exercise as well as Halloween treats? The skating pavilion at Anacostia Park offers a free family Trunk-or-Treat and roller skating party hosted by Friends of Anacostia Park. There are three costume contests, for ages 10 to 13, 6 to 9, and 5 and younger, beginning at 3 p.m. 1 to 4 p.m. Free.
Halloween Masquerade with Rocknoceros at Jammin’ Java
Let the kids put on their costumes a few hours early for this special concert at Vienna’s Jammin’ Java, which features beloved kids’ performers Rocknoceros. 11 a.m. $15.
The Rock and Roll Playhouse plays the music of David Bowie at the Atlantis
Expect to see a lot of painted faces at the Atlantis on Saturday afternoon, as the club opens early for an all-ages tribute to David Bowie. The Rock and Roll Playhouse performs songs from across Bowie’s career, so parents can sing along to “Space Odyssey” and “Rebel Rebel” as their kids play with parachutes or do the limbo — and are exposed to some amazing music. Noon. $27.25; kids younger than 1 free.
Sunday, Nov. 1
El Día de los Muertos Festival at the National Portrait Gallery
This Día de los Muertos party, held in the National Portrait Gallery’s Kogod Courtyard, is one of the museum’s biggest events of the year. Expect live music and Mexican folk dancers performing in the Portrait Gallery’s covered Kogod courtyard, as well as interactive elements, such as workshops where you can learn how to make papel picado (tissue paper banners). The party spills out to the street, as artists MasPaz and Guache project videos onto the building’s facade from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. 5 to 8:30 p.m. Free, online registration encouraged.
Día de los Muertos at the Wharf
From face painting and sugar skull decorating to a beer garden from Modelo, there are activities for all ages at the Wharf’s Día de los Muertos party. Visitors are encouraged to dress colorfully or even in glow-in-the-dark clothes to shine in the event’s community light procession. As the sun sets, pick up an LED candle and join in the walk along the waterfront. 3 to 6 p.m. Free, online RSVP encouraged.
Día de los Muertos evening picnic at MoCA Arlington
The lawn at the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington is the center of the action for a Día de los Muertos picnic, complete with performances such as poetry readings, folklórico dance from Los Quetzales and music from Mariachi Estrella. Pick up tacos and tortas from Arlington food trucks and enjoy family-friendly activities (including a catrina parade, loteria games and calavera mask decorations). The museum is going to be decked out with an altar designed by artist David Amoroso, and the galleries are staying open late for the occasion. 5 to 8 p.m. Free, reserve tickets online.
Día de los Muertos at Congressional Cemetery
Remember your loved ones at Congressional Cemetery’s annual Día de los Muertos celebration. Bring photos or mementos to add to the community altar, held in the historic cemetery’s chapel, and participate in craft activities, like painting sugar skulls and making paper flowers. Leashed dogs are welcome outdoors. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free.
Sunday Love Season Finale at Berhta
By the end of October, many of our favorite outdoor activities have gone into hibernation for winter. This weekend, it’s time to say farewell to Sunday Love, which is wrapping up its season at Berhta instead of sister club Flash. The afternoon begins with a drum circle and wellness session before live house and funk performed by Aline Umber and an extended set by Parisian underground house DJ trio Apollonia. Don’t miss art installations and a curated marketplace of local vendors. 2:30 to 10 p.m. $51.08-$56.75.
Tuesday, Nov. 3
Election-night Viewing Parties
In D.C., election night is treated like a sporting event in local bars, with results shown on big-screen TVs with full sound.
On Capitol Hill, Union Pub has drawn up a “Midterm Massacre” menu featuring $9 cocktails and shooters inspired by various races: The Texas Dead Man’s Draw comes with one red tequila shot and one blue tequila shot. Crowds of staffers will watch at multiple bars and on the patio.
Progressive-minded Busboys and Poets is showing results at all eight area locations. Eli Clifton, author of “Israel’s Lobby,” is featured in conversation at the flagship 14th and V location.
Forget prediction markets: Teddy & the Bully Bar is giving away brunch for four at its party if you can call 16 Senate and gubernatorial elections. Happy hour specials run all night, and a Teddy Roosevelt impersonator will join the fun at the Dupont bar.
Adams Morgan’s Pitchers is turning results into a game during free-to-play Election Bingo, with prizes as well as food and drink specials.
Shaw’s Tavern, known for its political viewing parties, will have Taco Tuesday and margarita deals all night.
Too much? There are all-day happy hour specials at bars as diverse as the Midlands Beer Garden in Park View, Metrobar on Rhode Island Avenue and Boundary Stone in Bloomingdale.
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