We’ve got a week to go until the big day, but Halloween is in full swing this weekend, with costume contests, parades and parties focused on kids, adults and pets, as well as the return of the annual High Heel Race in Dupont Circle. The biggest competition for Spooky Szn is a free benefit concert at the Washington Monument with Turnstile, the Baltimore hardcore band that has spent recent weeks headlining festivals and performing on “Saturday Night Live.” Looking for something else to do? Sip $10 cocktails at Service Bar’s 10th anniversary party; dress up for a Jane Austen-themed ball; explore Maryland’s craft beers, wines and spirits at a festival in the woods; or celebrate Goatoberfest.
Thursday, Oct. 22
Service Bar’s 10th Anniversary
It’s hard to believe it has been a decade since Service Bar opened on U Street. In that time, Service has gone from being an understated neighborhood hangout with excellent drinks to a fixture on lists of North America’s 50 Best Cocktails Bars, while bartender and partner Christine Kim was named the U.S. Bartender of the Year at the Tales of the Cocktail Awards in 2025. Service has frequent collaborations with bars from across the country, and ambitious themed menus. Even with all the plaudits, the one-room bar still feels like the kind of place you can stop in with friends on a random Wednesday night to hang out and enjoy a cocktail or two. Service Bar is celebrating its anniversary this week by turning back the clock and featuring 10 classic drinks from previous menus for $10 each. Good luck picking between the Carrot Margarita and Whiskey Whiskey. 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Free admission.
Opera on Tap: Hallowonderween at Wonderland Ballroom
The singers of Opera on Tap are giving in to the darker side of opera and musical theater: The performances in the upstairs bar at Wonderland Ballroom include selections from “Faust,” “Jekyll and Hyde,” “Sweeney Todd” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” among more than 20 pieces on the program. Costumes are encouraged for audience members as well as performers. 7 to 9 p.m. Free.
Midnight Tea at Strathmore
Looking for a nightcap of tea? At Strathmore’s mansion, the usual afternoon tea gets transformed into a late-night affair, where you’ll sip herbal tea blends and enjoy nighttime treats. Afterward, take a ghost tour of the historic venue to really set the spooky tone. The easiest way to get to the mansion from the D.C. area is to hop on the Red Line and get off at the Grosvenor-Strathmore stop. Thursday and Friday, 9 p.m. $65.
Strašidla: Czech Legends and Mythical Creatures at the Embassy of the Czech Republic
Every nation has its own stories of ghastly creatures and wandering ghosts. In the Czech Republic, those include the Headless Knight, said to ride his horse through the dark streets of Prague, and the Noonday Witch, immortalized in a symphonic poem by Antonín Dvořák. Learn more about these supernatural frights while wandering through the “haunted forest” on the embassy grounds, and then have fun trying experiments with the Science Guys. 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Free; RSVP required. Intended for ages 5-10.
Party in the Park at Carter Barron
For this year’s Party in the Park, you’ll find a treasure trove of talent at the amphitheater known as the “jewel in the crown.” The lineup begins with young instrumentalist Langston Hughes II, a Prince George’s County native who plays saxophone and doubles on woodwinds, and is a composer. Actor Sadie O’Conor, known for playing Puck in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” will also perform as part of the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s contribution to the event. It’s a party, with jazz, cocktails from a mixologist and bites to enjoy under the stars of Rock Creek Park. 5:30 to 8 p.m. $300.
Friday, Oct. 23
Jane Austen Ball at Dumbarton House
Head to Georgetown’s Dumbarton House for a night of dancing, wine and dessert inspired by the Regency era. Think long gowns, romance and classical music performed by a trio as you waltz inside a mansion. You can also tour the historic rooms until 9 p.m. or take a stroll through the gardens. Want to brush up on your dance skills before the ball? Two waltz lesson sessions will be offered earlier in the day. The event is a formal celebration of Austen and the world of her novels, but it’s also a chance to meet new people over wine and dessert, so don’t worry if you don’t have a date or any dance experience. Dress in a gown or Regency-inspired attire, or opt for black tie, white tie or formal wear. 6:30 to 10 p.m. $90.94 for ball tickets, $111.68 for waltz lessons and ball tickets.
Night of the Living Zoo Halloween Party at the National Zoo
The National Zoo’s Night of the Living Zoo trades the classic trick-or-treating bags for cocktails, and costumed guests age 21 and older can roam select animal exhibits after dark before hitting the dance floor with the live DJ set. Done with dancing? Grab unlimited drinks from the pop-up bar, get a flash tattoo, have your tarot cards read or make room for a little “Zoostrology.” 7 to 11 p.m. $75.
U Street Signs at Franklin Hall
The Office of Disability Rights’ Division of Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing and national organization Deaf in Government are among the groups hosting an ASL Social for Halloween at sports bar Franklin Hall. You don’t have to know sign language to attend, but you should wear a Halloween costume; there will be prizes for the best. Appetizers are provided while they last. ASL interpretation and closed captions will be provided. 5 to 8 p.m. Free.
Saturday, Oct. 24
Turnstile at the Washington Monument
Turnstile is easily the biggest band in hardcore punk today, and whether you prefer the Baltimore quintet’s early, straight-ahead hardcore or the glossy, melodic sheen of its latest album “Never Enough” — critic Chris Richards called the latter “all rush, all urgency, a crushing avalanche of sensation, ballistic and beautiful” — the band is a tour-de-force live. In a seeming nod to forebears Fugazi, who performed a pair of benefit concerts at the Sylvan Theater on the Washington Monument grounds in the 1990s, Turnstile is wrapping up its Never Enough tour with a free concert at the Washington Monument, raising money for humanitarian causes for Palestinians and in Sudan and Lebanon through Human Concern International. (The concert is free, but the band is strongly encouraging fans to make a donation.) The show is slated to begin at 3 p.m., although you’ll want to arrive earlier to find a spot to see the stage. Blankets and water bottles are fine to bring; coolers, lawn chairs, alcohol and glass bottles are not. 3 p.m. Free; donations requested.
Air & Scare at the National Air and Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center
A uniquely Washingtonian trick-or-treat experience finds kids in Halloween costumes gallivanting through an airplane hangar filled with priceless aircraft like the Concorde and the space shuttle Discovery. The National Air and Space Museum’s Air & Scare event at the Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly includes indoor trick-or-treat stations with candy, Halloween-themed crafts and spooky science experiments, story times, photo opportunities with Star Wars characters and a new Air & Scare costume fashion show. Free tickets for outdoor activities have been claimed, but check the museum’s website to see if more become available. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free admission; $15 for parking.
Mount Vernon Fall Harvest Family Days
Go back in time to experience what autumn felt like during the colonial era at Mount Vernon’s Fall Harvest Family Days. The weekend-long festival includes plenty of demos with dressed-up interpreters, where visitors can learn all about 18th-century pumpkin crops, soap making, wheat-treading and other seasonal chores. An actor portraying George Washington discusses his approach to farming in Mount Vernon’s Interpretive Center. Activities for kids include a chance to play lawn games of the day like cup and ball, as well as visits with livestock, including sheep, horses, oxen, hogs and turkeys. Through Sunday. 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. $30 for ages 12 and up, $16 for children ages 6 to 11 and free for children ages 5 and under.
Black on the Block at Nationals Park
More than 100 Black-owned businesses from the D.C. area and beyond will gather at Nationals Park for a day of shopping, food and live entertainment. Black on the Block, a traveling vendor festival, is making a stop in the District, giving shoppers a chance to support Black entrepreneurs and get a head start on holiday gifts. Four DJs will provide the soundtrack while you browse the vendors and dance between shopping stops. Tickets are required, and the event sold out last year, so plan accordingly. 1 to 7 p.m. $20, free for children 12 and younger.
Spooky Pooch Howl-o-Ween Celebration at Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens
Take your furry friend on a tour of 25 acres of Marjorie Merriweather Post’s gardens during Hillwood’s annual Spooky Pooch Howl-o-Ween party. Tickets include access to the grounds for a human and one or two dogs, as well as entry to the costume contest, which includes categories like “most glamorous” and “best homemade costume.” Themed cocktails and dog treats are available for purchase. 4 to 6 p.m. $13 adult; $5 ages 6 to 18; Free for ages 5 and younger.
Howl-O-Ween at Dacha Navy Yard
Dogs walk the runway at Dacha’s annual Howl-O-Ween, a fundraiser for City Dogs and City Kitties Rescue. Unlike many other parties, there’s no judging panel at the Navy Yard beer garden — the audience decides which dogs have the funniest, scariest or best overall costumes. Browse vendors, sip cocktails for charity, or get a photo in the photo booth. Noon to 4 p.m. $12.51; $33.85 for admission and entry into the dog costume contest.
Craftoween at Merry Pin
Whether you have a costume or not, D.C. craft shop Merry Pin’s Craftoween is hosting a day full of creativity. Bring a costume for an all-ages swap, or dye an outfit the perfect shade of witchy black. You can also make spooky garlands or terrariums, or create ghosts from scraps of fabric, with all crafts pay-as-you-go. Stick around for happy hour and a screening of “Practical Magic” after. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Free admission; Prices vary.
U Street Halloween Bar Crawl
The annual U Street Halloween Bar Crawl takes over seven venues on U and the surrounding blocks, each with a different musical theme, like “Love Bites” (classic R&B) at District Alley or “Dead Presidents” (throwback hip-hop) at Red Lounge. A new bar joins the party each hour, encouraging participants to explore, while each location offers drink specials. Once the crawl “officially” wraps, there’s an after-party at SOST. 2 to 10 p.m. $31.69.
Wanderland Beer Festival at Symphony Woods
“Woodland whimsy” and “flannel-core forest chic” are among the suggested looks for Wanderland, a Maryland beer, wine, cider, mead and spirits festival that sprawls throughout Columbia’s Symphony Woods. Visitors get unlimited tastes of adult beverages from all corners of the Free State, and will encounter live music, stilt walkers, hula hoopers and other performers while roaming the grounds. There’s also a kids’ area with face painting and activities. Food trucks and vendors will be available on-site, and some producers will sell bottles of beer and wine to take home. Noon to 5 p.m. $55; $20 for designated drivers and ages 13 to 20; Free for ages 12 and younger.
Acoustics and Ales: Witchy Waters Edition at Black Hill Regional Park
Join a flotilla of witches for a paddle across Lake Seneca at this outdoorsy party, organized by Montgomery Parks. BYO kayak or paddleboard and don a spooky witch costume for the sunset tour. Once back on land, gather around a fire to enjoy s’mores, local beers and dinner options, such as tacos and pizza. Dueling pianists provide the entertainment. Kids and dogs are welcome to attend. Admission is free, but participants in the Witchy Paddle must preregister. 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.; paddling begins at 4:30. Free; food and drinks purchased separately.
Rustico and Buzz Bakery 20th anniversary
Before ChurchKey, the Sovereign or Bluejacket were beer destinations, there was Rustico. The Alexandria restaurant and bar was the proving ground for the craft beer menus that beer director Greg Engert would later hone at ChurchKey or the massive Snallygaster beer festival, offering classic old-world beer styles and rare bottles alongside contemporary American counterparts. To mark two decades in business, Rustico is hosting a brunchtime party in its parking lot, with live music and grilling and — oh yes — a trove of rare beers and whiskeys. Bring the kids for crafting and face painting, or bring your costumed dog for treats. (If you don’t have one, adoptable dogs will also be at the party.) Make sure you raise a glass to another decade of being a neighborhood fixture. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free.
Allie Cat Antiques Pop Up at Red Derby
Allie Cat Antiques, a vintage pop-up that sets up shop at different locations, is bringing its antique goodies to Red Derby in Columbia Heights. Browse size-inclusive vintage and antique clothing, including womenswear and lingerie, along with accessories that could come in handy if you’ve procrastinated on your Halloween costume. You’ll also find a chance to enjoy an $8 espresso martini while shopping at the neighborhood bar and mingling with fellow vintage lovers. 5 to 8 p.m. Free.
Yousuke Yukimatsu
This Osaka, Japan-born DJ packs his room-rattling sets with tracks by little-known Japanese acts, yet his approach is indebted to such visceral 1990s British “big beat” outfits as Underworld, the Prodigy and the Chemical Brothers. With his head shaved and his chest usually bared, Yousuke Yukimatsu melds body and machine to choreograph intensely physical sonic marathons. 10 p.m. $65-$77.
Spooky Science Festival at Because Science
Get into the spooky spirit with a weekend of hands-on science experiments, creepy crafts and Halloween-themed activities at Because Science. Stop by for free drop-in activities, including a monster genetics lab, spooky magnets and invisible ink painting, or sign up for a ticketed workshop to make slime, a beaded bracelet or a wooden luminary. The activities change each day, so you can visit Saturday or Sunday for a different lineup of experiments and crafts. Through Sunday. Noon to 5 p.m. Free activities; $9 for select workshops.
Big Spooky Dyke Market at Transmission
The Dyke Market is going full Halloween mode for its first spooky-themed edition, taking over every floor of Transmission with more than 20 LGBTQ+ vendors and artists from across the DMV. Shop queer-owned businesses, get your tarot cards read, play games, flirt, of course, and dance to DJ sets, all while surrounded by the local sapphic community. Costumes are highly encouraged so wear your best, because prizes are up for grabs in a costume contest. 1 to 5 p.m. Tickets required from 1 to 4 p.m.
Coven: A Halloween Dance Party at the Black Cat
Round up your own coven (or just your crew) and head to the Black Cat for a night of dance floor magic with DJs $et and Dianamatic, plus pole-dance performances, a seasonal art and vendor market, tarot readings and pop-up tattoos. Wear a costume if you want to take a stroll down the Black Cat’s catwalk. 9 p.m. $15-$20.
Peach Pit Dance Party at DC9
Looking for somewhere to dress like the Sanderson Sisters, show off your “Good Burger” costume or dance like Urkel? The Peach Pit’s 1990s Halloween party delivers all the back-in-the-day hits, with jock jams, pop princesses and mosh pit-worthy grunge, thanks to DJ Matt Bailer. 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. $7.21 in advance; $13.39 at the door.
Hallowzine at Fantom Comics
The DC Zinefest is a few weeks away, but there’s an early Halloween treat at Fantom Comics in Dupont Circle. Hallowzine features readings by local zine-makers and a zine swap that promises to be all treats with no tricks. 6:30 p.m. Free.
Deadstock Yard Sale at Femme Fatale
Weekends are made for yard sales, but if you’re looking for something a little more curated, Femme Fatale, a retail shop in Cleveland Park, is hosting a vintage sale featuring collectors and sellers ready to part with their finds, specifically the ones they’ve been holding onto forever. Along with clothing, browse jewelry, belts, shoes and home goods. The best part? Organizers promise seriously discounted prices, and bargaining is welcome. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free.
Pumpkins and ‘Toy Story 5’ at Rosedale Conservancy
Rain postponed last weekend’s screening of “Toy Story 5” at the Rosedale Conservancy, a three-acre community park in Cleveland Park. The good news: It’s taking place this weekend, the same day as Rosedale’s annual Pumpkin Carving Party. Carving tools are supplied; BYO gourd, or purchase one there. The outdoor film begins at 6:30 p.m., and blankets and picnics are welcome. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., then 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Free.
Adams Morgan Apple Festival
Apple pie bakers in the District compete head-to-head during the Adams Morgan Apple Festival. Contests are judged by local celebrities, except for the special “people’s choice” category, where slices are offered for sale to benefit neighborhood charity Platform of Hope. The apple-themed fete is happening near the Adams Morgan Farmers Market, along with a tasting of heirloom apples from Licking Creek Bend Farm. Local businesses are also pitching in with fall-themed specials. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free.
Breaking Benjamin
As pounding as any heavy metal band, this Pennsylvania group hammers its way to surprisingly melodic choruses. Named for singer-guitarist Benjamin Burnley, the only remaining member of its original lineup, the group has maintained a consistent sound since its 2002 debut. This tour foreshadows the band’s upcoming sixth album, which has already yielded the chart-topping “Something Wicked.” 6 p.m. $35-$55.
Sunday, Oct. 25
Del Ray Halloween Parade
Kids and pets take over Del Ray’s main drag during the 30th annual Del Ray Halloween Parade, which features prizes for the best decorated wagon or stroller, the best group outfits and nonmotorized floats, and the best pet costume. The parade proceeds down Mount Vernon Avenue to the Mount Vernon Rec Center for a party with live music. 2 p.m. Free.
Harbor Halloween at National Harbor
A full day of family Halloween activities at National Harbor starts with two hours of trick-or-treating at more than 30 restaurants and shops around the neighborhood. Other activities include a free screening of “Hocus Pocus” on the giant waterfront screen at 1 p.m., a pumpkin-carving contest with local chefs at 2:30, and a pet parade with prizes for the best costume at 2:45. The Spirit Park carousel offers unlimited rides, and kids wearing costumes get free tickets to the Capital Wheel Ferris wheel with the purchase of an adult ticket. 12:30 to 3 p.m. Free.
Hands-On History: Pumpkin Carving & Harvest Traditions at the Agricultural History Farm Park
Kids and teens are encouraged to get down and dirty while learning about traditional handicrafts during the Hands-On History series at Montgomery County’s Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood. This session covers the history of pumpkin carving and associated harvest celebrations. After learning about jack-o’-lanterns, participants design and carve their own, with a little help from instructors (if needed). This is a drop-off class, so parents aren’t required to stay. 1 to 3 p.m. $15. Designed for ages 10-14.
Sensory Friendly Morning: Halloween Edition at Planet Word
Planet Word is making room for a quieter Halloween celebration, with a less-crowded museum experience designed for families with neurodivergent children and teens. Explore at your own pace, try exhibits adapted for sensitivities to light and sound, and trick-or-treat around the galleries for fidgets, bookmarks and miniature books. Costumes are welcome, but keep them on the not-so-scary side. 8:30 to 10 a.m. $0-$25 with a donation option. Intended for ages 10 and above.
Fall Festival and Flea at the Parks
The Parks at Walter Reed is hosting its first fall festival, complete with a flea market, a bounce house for kids, arts and crafts for all ages, and music throughout the day. Browse 15 vintage and home goods vendors, check out a live painting experience and see what you can take home from the festival’s giveaways. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free.
Goatoberfest at Gustave’s
Spend your Sunday hanging out with goats at Gustave’s outdoor garden in Del Ray, Alexandria. The social offers a chance to relax and pet a herd of Nigerian Dwarf goats from Walnut Creek Farm, which will be dressed in their Oktoberfest finest. Guests are encouraged to dress up, too, for a little extra festive fun. Your ticket includes one drink, with additional drinks available for purchase. Children must be at least 10 to attend. 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. $40.
Spooktacular on Van Ness Main Street
Costume up for Van Ness Main Street’s fifth-annual Spooktacular, a free Halloween celebration for kids and families. Start the morning at Forest Hills Playground for spooky activities and a magic show before heading to Connecticut Avenue for trick-or-treating at small businesses in the Wakefield, Forest Hills and Van Ness neighborhoods. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free.
Monday, Oct. 26
Buzzy Spelling Bee at Punch Social
Everyone remembers the elementary school spelling bee, whether they loved the competition or dreaded stepping up to the microphone. But have you ever tried spelling your way through a bee after a few cocktails? At Punch Social in Arlington, contestants will take on three rounds of increasingly difficult words, with a prize waiting for the last speller standing. The theme is back-to-school, so pull out your varsity jacket and school colors. Not feeling competitive? Spectators can watch without participating. 7 to 9 p.m. Free for spectators, $10 for contestants.
GWARts and Crafts at Atlas Brew Works
GWAR, the cult heavy metal band known for its outrageous costumes, theatrical stage performances and soaking the audience in fake blood, is the inspiration for a pre-Halloween craft night at all locations of Atlas Brew Works. Participants are invited to make “wonderfully weird art” to win tickets to GWAR’s December concert at the 9:30 Club. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Free.
Death Becomes Betsie at Death & Co.
Bartenders at Union Market cocktail destination Bar Betsie are taking over Blagden Alley cocktail destination Death & Co. for one night only, with a special menu that features alluring-sounding drinks like the Screw-Baldi (Campari, Tahitian Vanilla Vodka, Licor 43 and “fluffy sour orange juice”). DJ Pae Me provides the beats, and tarot card readings will be available. 6 to 9 p.m. Free admission; drink prices vary.
Tuesday, Oct. 27
17th Street High Heel Race
On Halloween night 1986, 25 contestants agreed to race up and down the 17th Street strip in Dupont Circle, from JR’s to Annie’s Paramount Steakhouse. That friendly competition has turned into one of D.C.’s most popular annual events, shutting down the street to make space for hundreds of drag queens and thousands of spectators. The race, which features a sprint from R Street to Church Street, begins at 9 p.m. and only lasts a few brief minutes, but crowds begin gathering hours earlier as the queens turn 17th Street into their catwalk, posing for photos while showing off elaborate costumes and sporting towering high heels. Arrive early for the best viewing position, as well as the prerace drag and musical entertainment. 6 p.m. Free.
Pumpkin-carving competitions
What’s more competitive than trivia night? Pumpkin carving, as you’ll find at a pair of local bars. Shaw’s Tavern mixes Halloween and Taco Tuesday at its patio Pumpkin Carving Party, where entry includes a pumpkin, carving supplies, and a plate of tacos, with $10 margarita specials. (7 to 9 p.m. $20.) Or get your most creative friends together at Susie Q’s, where the Pumpkin Carving Relay requires teams of up to six to hand off the knife to a different person every 10 minutes. Prizes are awarded for scariest, funniest and best in show (7 p.m. Entry $15-35, depending on team size.)
Wednesday, Oct. 28
NoMa PumpkinPalooza at Alethia Tanner Park
There’s no need to trek to a farm in the country when you can pick your own pumpkin from PumpkinPalooza’s free pumpkin patch. Grab a pumpkin — limit one per person, while supplies last — before checking out an alpaca petting zoo, dancing to Future Band, or getting selfies with Gru and Minion characters before an evening screening of “Minions & Monsters” on the outdoor big screen. Bring a gently used costume for the costume swap, and wear your favorite outfit to participate in a costume parade. Red Bear Brewing is hosting a beer garden, while food trucks and vendors, including Timber Pizza and Farm Kettle Corn, sell snacks. 4 to 8 p.m. Free.
Halloween Dog Costume Contest at Electric Cool-Aid
Shaw’s Electric Cool-Aid doesn’t have in an indoor area, so the popular cocktail garden is getting ready to close for the cold months. But before it does, the bar is hosting its first dog costume contest, with prizes for the best costume, the spookiest outfit and the crowd favorite. Pooches should be registered in advance. Humans must answer questions like “Dog age (in human years)” and “Briefly describe your dog’s personality.” 6:30 p.m. Free.
Astronomy on Tap: Astrobiology and Halloween Celebration at DC9
Astronomy on Tap specializes in pithy, entertaining talks about the mysteries of the universe, led by local scientists. For this special Halloween edition, featuring three experts from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, it’s all about astrobiology: How to find signs of life, where that life might be hiding beyond our galaxy, and the truth about water on Mars, including those mysterious “canals.” Attendees are encouraged to wear their best — and best might mean “nerdiest” — science-inspired Halloween costumes. (Aliens, mad scientists, let your creativity run wild.) 8 p.m. Free.
Meadowside Nature Center Altar del Día de Los Muertos and Celebration
Starting on Wednesday, Meadowside Nature Center in Rockville is hosting an altar where visitors can leave meaningful objects that remind them of loved ones, such as photos, artwork, flowers and plants, and nonperishable food. Everyone is invited back on Halloween for a party that includes themed art activities. Various times. Free, register online.
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