- Updated: 10/29/2026
This list of events happening throughout the weekend is primarily for kids (ages 3+) & teens. I place a special emphasis on literacy, STEM & other educational based events as well as family fun festivities.
♥ = my recommendations & ♣ = free movie screening
Don’t forget to click the links to review the most up-to-date information prior to heading out!
Coming Up this Weekend
Friday, October 30, 2026
Washington, DC
- Friday (10/30) at 10:30 am | Story Time and Meet the Author: A Quilt of Stars at National Air & Space Museum ♥
- Young families will hear Karen’s true journey from dreaming of space to living aboard the International Space Station, join an interactive reading, and create their own dream stars. Book signing follows at the Museum store.
- Friday (10/30) at 10:30 am | School’s Out Workshop: Haunted House at National Building Museum ($) (Best for ages 6-10) ♥
- Explore Gothic and Victorian architecture through the lens of haunted houses! Participants will learn how architects use form, structure, materials, and ornament to create distinctive buildings before designing and building their own spooky structures with craft materials.
- Friday (10/30) at 11:00 am | Happy Halloween at Hardy Recreation Center in NW (Best for ages 5 & under)
- Friday (10/30) at 1:30 pm | Spooky Story Time with Deanwood Neighborhood Library at Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens
- Friday (10/30) at 4:00 pm | Roving Leaders Halloween Costume Skate Party at Kennedy Recreation Center in NW ♥
- Grab your costumes and hit the rink for a night filled with thrilling music, creepy costumes, adn roller skating fun!
- Friday (10/30) at 5:00 pm | Benning Stoddert Halloween Costume Show Off and Spook Trail at Benning Stoddert Community Center in SE
- Friday (10/30) at 5:00 pm | Riggs Halloween Bash 2026 at Riggs LaSalle Recreation Center in NE
- Friday (10/30) at 5:00 pm | Scream Fest at Harry Thomas Recreation Center in NE ♥
- All ages but 8 & under must be accompanied by a parent! Includes a pitch-black walk-through, costume contest, games, costume contest & more!
- Friday (10/30) at 5:00 pm | Ketcham Glow and Ghouls Bash at Ketcham Recreation Center in SE
- A glow party for two different age groups (11-under & 12-15 years) + costume & dance contest, and candy bag & food giveaway.
- Friday (10/30) at 6:00 pm | Thriller Flash Mob at Kennedy Recreation Center in NW ♥
- Friday (10/30) at 6:00 pm | Roving Leaders’ Drive-in Movie: Beetle Juice at Langdon Park Field & Parking Lot in NE ♣
- Friday (10/30) at 6:30 pm | Halloween Community Party at Woody Ward Community Center in SE (Best for ages 6-12)
- Halloween Community Night with popcorn, treats, a movie, and festive fun.
- Friday (10/30) at 6:30 pm | Halloween Trunk or Treat at Rosedale Recreation Center in NE
- A safe, community-focused Fall Festival where youth can collect candy and hands-on art activities!
- Friday (10/30) at 6:30 pm | Lafayette’s Halloween Special at Lafayette-Pointer Park and Recreation Center in NW (Best for ages 5 & under)
- Friday (10/30) at 7:00 pm | Smithsonian Sleepover at the American History Museum ($) ♥
- You’ll play I-Spy and the license plate game, make a pit stop, test your knowledge—and even become a presidential candidate—in a memorable overnight adventure made just for you.
- Friday (10/30) at 7:30 pm | Mamma Mia! at The National Theatre ($) (Best for ages 10+) ♥
Maryland
- Friday (10/30) at 10:30 am | Jennie the Cat: A Halloween Adventure at The Puppet Co. Theatre in Glen Echo ($) (Best for ages 4+)
- [Final Weekend] Friday (10/30) at 11:00 am | Beatrice Likes the Dark at Adventure Theatre in Glen Echo ($) (Best for ages 5+) ♥
- Friday (10/30) at 4:00 pm | Bright Beginnings ~ Diwali Story and Crafts at Germantown Library
- Listen to the story of Diwali and then get creative with two Diwali themed crafts – sparkling Diyas and colorful Rangoli.
- Friday (10/30) at 4:30 pm | Wild Rumpus at Roosevelt Center in Greenbelt ♥
- Wear your Halloween or cosplay costume* or other fancy dress, and join the celebration! Enjoy performers on the plaza followed by trick-or-treating with the Roosevelt Center merchants and Toy Story of Terror free screening at the Greenbelt Cinema.
- Friday (10/30) at 5:00 pm | Trunk or Treat at Beltway Plaza in Greenbelt
- Join the Greenbelt Police Department for its annual Trunk or Treat, a safe and festive Halloween event for Greenbelt families. Kids can dress up, explore decorated trunks, collect candy, and enjoy an evening of community connection with GPD and event partners.
- Friday (10/30) at 5:30 pm | Halloween Parade & Trunk or Treat at Thomas S Stone Elementary School Parking Lot in Mount Rainier
- Friday (10/30) at 5:30 pm | A Magical Night of Wizardry at Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro ($) ♥
- Includes enchanted beverages, magical snacks, spellbinding crafts, and a screening of a favorite wizard-inspired film. Brave guests are also invited to journey through the Enchanted Watkins Forest, if you dare.
- Friday (10/30) at 6:00 pm | Sax, Spoken Word & Vocals – Let’s Celebrate at Arts’tination National Harbor
- A free evening of live music, poetry, and cultural expression at Arts’tination in National Harbor.
- Friday (10/30) at 6:00 pm | Spooktacular 2026 at Color Burst Park in Columbia ♥
- Includes trick-or-treat trail, live music, dancing, pumpkin patch, pumpkin decorating, games, glitter tattoo artist, interactive photo ops + watch contestants show off their costumes on the halloween catwalk at 7:15pm.
- Friday (10/30) at 6:30 pm | Spooky Movie & Pumpkin Paint at Allentown Splash, Tennis & Fitness Park in Fort Washington ($) (Best for ages 3-12)
- Come dressed for the season and decorate your pumpkin while watching a family-friendly Halloween movie.
- Friday (10/30) at 7:00 pm | Drive-In Movie featuring Coco at Prince George’s Stadium in Bowie ♣
Northern Virginia
- Friday (10/30) at 10:00 am | A BOOtanical Halloween Scavenger Hunt at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna ($)
- Friday (10/30) at 1:30 pm | Afternoon Tea and a Movie: Hocus Pocus at Aurora Hills Library in Arlington ♣
- Friday (10/30) at 5:00 pm | Spooky Dry Ice Science at Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Annandale ($) ♥
- Discover the states of matter through dry ice science as we make bubbling concoctions, screaming spoons and Boo bubbles.
- Friday (10/30) at 6:00 pm | 4th Annual Haunted Mini Golf and Haunted Trail at Pohick Bay Regional Park in Lorton ($)
- Experience the excitement of Halloween with family-friendly haunted attractions, a terrifying haunted trail, and plenty of festive surprises around every turn.
- Friday (10/30) at 6:30 pm | Boo-Fest at Charles Houston Recreation Center in Alexandria ($) ♥
- Festivities will include a costume parade, carnival games, moon bounce, arts and crafts, spooky stories, and more!
- Friday (10/30) at 6:30 pm | Family Masquerade Ball at Mount Vernon Recreation Center in Alexandria ($) ♥
- Enjoy dancing, photo opportunities, a best-dressed costume contest, and refreshments.
- Friday (10/30) at 7:00 pm | Spooky Serpents at Potomac Overlook Regional Park in Arlington ($) (Best for ages 7+) ♥
- Come scare yourself silly and get an up-close look at the amazing snakes that call the nature center home, and watch a Naturalist feed them some tasty mice!
- Friday (10/30) at 7:00 pm | A Night of Fiery Dragons & Daring Queens at Old Town Books Junior in Alexandria ($)
- Favorite middle grade fantasy of 2025 returns with a heart-pounding sequel, an author visit, and a costume contest!
- Friday (10/30) at 7:00 pm | Bat Walk at Riverbend Park in Great Falls ($) (Best for ages 5+)
- Celebrate international bat week at Riverbend Park. Learn about the fascinating lives of these flying mammals as you participate in an educational scavenger hunt through the woods. Conclude the evening with a naturally crafted bat decoration to take home.
Saturday, October 31, 2026
Washington, DC
- Saturday (10/31) at 8:30 am | FONA’s Fall 5K & Festivities at National Arboretum in NE
- This run or walk will take you past garden collections brightly colored with fall foliage, over tree-lined rolling hills, and along streams winding their way to the Anacostia River. Compete in a Halloween costume contest and enjoy other seasonal activities like trick-or-treating, a “Thriller” dance party, and more, offered by DC Squared. Festivities start at 10:00 am.
- Saturday (10/31) at 10:00 am | Open Studio: Sculpture Garden Reimagined at Hirshhorn Museum
- Celebrate by using materials such as miniature trees, faux moss, and figurines to build miniature sculpture gardens of your own!
- Saturday (10/31) at 10:00 am | Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) at National Museum of the American Indian ♥
- Enjoy family-friendly activities throughout the day, including dance performances by Grupo los Tecuanes, making paper marigolds to be placed on a Catrina statue, and making papel picado(perforated paper decorations) with David Amorozo.
- Saturday (10/31) at 10:00 am | The World & Me: Bat Week Extravaganza with special guests… Arachnids! at National Museum of Natural History ♥
- See bat and spider specimens up close, make art celebrating bats and spiders, and learn other ways you can support bats and spiders all year long! Feel free to wear your favorite bat or spider attire.
- Saturday (10/31) at 10:30 am | Halloween Crafts and Festivities for All Ages at DAR Museum
- Make your own spooky luminary or try your hand at printmaking, creating one-of-a-kind Halloween keepsakes to take home. Then explore the period rooms for a Halloween scavenger hunt, where “ghostly” dolls and costume displays lurk among the collection, plus plenty of treats along the way.
- Saturday (10/31) at 11:00 am | Stamp and Scream at National Postal Museum ♥
- Families can explore hands‑on artmaking, join a museum‑wide costume parade, and discover seasonal stories and activities around every corner…. Costumes encouraged!
- Saturday (10/31) at 11:00 am | Kids Drum Circle at Petworth Library in NW (Best for ages 3-6)
- Age-appropriate musical instruments will be provided: hand drums, tambourines, shakers, and rhythm sticks.
- Saturday (10/31) at 11:00 am | Halloween Story Time at Francis A. Gregory Neighborhood Library in SE
- Stories with an autumn, Halloween or celebratory theme.
- Saturday (10/31) at 12:00 pm | Story Time and Meet the Author: Suit Up for Launch with Shay! at the National Air and Space Museum ♥
- Join spacesuit technician and author Sharon McDougle for a very special story time. Learn along with Shay about the spacesuits that astronauts wear to protect them in space. Afterwards, participate in a craft activity that has you imagining yourself in a spacesuit.
- Saturday (10/31) at 12:00 pm | Roving Leaders Wheels Up, Hay Down at Reservoir Park (McMillan) Community Center and Park in NW ♥
- Enjoy seasonal treats, games, and activities for all ages!
- Saturday (10/31) at 12:00 pm | Pumpkin Painting: Creative Minds at Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum
- Saturday (10/31) at 12:00 pm | Southwest Library presents: Monster Movie Matiness featuring The Nightmare Before Christmas at Southwest Neighborhood Library ♣
- Saturday (10/31) at 12:00 pm | Fall Festival at Woodridge Neighborhood Library in NE ♥
- Includes character story times, face painting, bumper cars, photo booths, pumpkin patch & more!
- Saturday (10/31) at 1:00 pm | Pumpkin Painting at Shepherd Park Neighborhood Library in NW
- Saturday (10/31) at 2:00 pm | Halloween Spooktacular Trick-or-Treat at Union Market in NE ♥
- A night of family-friendly trick-or-treating around Union Market District. Visit participating retailers for spooky shopping and treats! Free and open to kids 12 and under.
- Saturday (10/31) at 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm | Mamma Mia! at The National Theatre ($) (Best for ages 10+)
- Saturday (10/31) at 3:00 pm | Trick-or-Treat at the Library! at Lamond-Riggs Neighborhood Library in NE
- Saturday (10/31) at 3:00 pm | Trick-or-Treat at Petworth Neighborhood Library in NW
- Saturday (10/31) at 5:00 pm | Halloween in the Heights 2026 at Sycamore & Oak in SE ♥
- The space transforms into a playful haunted experience with a haunted house, live beats, prize dance contests, face caricatures, pumpkin painting, candy giveaways, and a costume contest with prizes.
- Saturday (10/31) at 6:00 pm | Halloween Hype at Emery Heights Community Center in NW
- Costume & registration required for entry!
Maryland
Prince George’s County & Howard County
- Saturday (10/31) at 9:00 am | Bike with a Cop at Wilde Lake Playground and Barn in Columbia
- Halloween costumes are welcome.
- Saturday (10/31) at 10:00 am | Evergreen Cemetery Remembrance Event at Joe’s Movement Emporium in Mount Rainier ♥
- Family-friendly activities include invasive removal, crafts, community art project & live music!
- Saturday (10/31) at 12:00 pm | Brush Pen & Chill Studio: Halloween Edition at Creative Suitland Arts Center (Best for ages 6+)
- Saturday (10/31) at 3:00 pm | ¡Día de los Muertos con Arte Para Todos at Joe’s Movement Emporium in Mount Rainier ♥
- Saturday (10/31) at 3:30 pm | All Ages Show at Bobby McKeys Dueling Piano Bar at National Harbor ($)
- Saturday (10/31) at 6:00 pm | A Spooky Good Time at Tucker Road Athletic Complex in Fort Washington ($) (Best for ages 3-17) ♥
- Bring your candy bags for a fun night of trick-or-treating. Activities will also include a costume contest, candy, games, pumpkins, a haunted hayride, and a haunted house!
- Saturday (10/31) at 6:00 pm | Halloween Trunk or Treat at Kentland Community Center in Landover ♥
- Come celebrate Halloween with us in a safe environment with family and friends! Participate in a car decorating for a chance to win a prize! Wear your favorite costume and join the fun.
Maryland
Montgomery County
- Saturday (10/31) at 10:00 am | Boo Bash at Dave & Busters in Silver Spring ($)
- Saturday (10/31) at 10:30 am | Halloween Storytime and Costume Parade at White Oak Library
- Saturday (10/31) at 10:30 am | Not-So-Spooky Stories and Fun at Wheaton Library
- Includes Halloween songs and stories in a light-hearted, playful atmosphere with a craft and costume parade through the library.
- [Final Weekend] Saturday (10/31) at 11:00 am & 2:00 pm | Beatrice Likes the Dark at Adventure Theatre in Glen Echo ($) (Best for ages 5+) ♥
- Saturday (10/31) at 12:00 pm | Trolleyween Weekend at National Capital Trolley Museum in Colesville ($) ♥
- Explore Halloween-decorated streetcars in Street Car Hall, take part in a themed scavenger hunt with prizes, and enjoy unlimited rides aboard our historic streetcars.
- Saturday (10/31) at 1:00 pm | Community Celebration: Día de Los Muertos at Meadowside Nature Center in Rockville ♥
- Guests are invited to bring offerings to loved ones of all kinds to share in a community art exhibit, and will be invited to explore themes of rest and renewal through culturally-themed art activities.
- Saturday (10/31) at 1:00 pm | Little Creepy Critters Costume Campfire at Locust Grove Nature Center in Bethesda ($) (Best for ages 3-7)
- Celebrate nature’s creepiest with a special presentation featuring our live animal ambassadors. Then come around the campfire to roast a sweet marshmallow treat. Costumes encouraged!
- Saturday (10/31) at 1:00 pm | Halloween at House of Sport: Trick or Treat Scavenger Hunt at Dick’s House of Sport in Gaithersburg
- Saturday (10/31) at 1:00 pm | Fall Frolic at Glen Echo Park ♥
- Activities include Halloween arts & crafts, a festive fall photo-op (say that 10 times!), Trick-or-Treating at our resident art studios and galleries, and a costume contest (will you win for “Most Spooky,” “Most Creative,” or “Best Group?”) + live Halloween musical performances!
- Saturday (10/31) at 1:00 pm | Little Creepy Critters Costume Campfire at Locust Grove Nature Center in Bethesda ($) (Best for ages 3-7)
- Snakes, spiders, and toads… do these critters give you the jitters? Celebrate nature’s creepiest with a special presentation featuring our live animal ambassadors. Then come around the campfire to roast a sweet marshmallow treat. Costumes encouraged!
- Saturday (10/31) at 3:00 pm | Learning Through Art ~ Día de los Muertos at Germantown Library ♥
- Enjoy music, face painting, crafts, and fun facts about this meaningful tradition.
- Saturday (10/31) at 5:30 pm | Trunk or Treat at Marilyn J. Praisner Community Recreation Center in Burtonsville
- Families are invited to walk through a festive parking lot filled with creatively decorated car trunks and enjoy trick-or-treating in a safe and fun environment.
- Saturday (10/31) at 3:30 pm | Coco Live-to-Film Concert at Strathmore in North Bethesda ($) ♥
- AMP presents Disney Pixar’s CocoLive-to-Film Concert on Tour, featuring a screening of the complete film with Oscar- and Grammy-winning composer Michael Giacchino’s musical score performed live by the 20-member Orquesta Folclórica Nacional de México.
Northern Virginia
Arlington County
- Saturday (10/31) at 10:00 am | Halloween Munchkin Treats at Cookology ($) (Best for ages 5-7) ♥
- Craft spooky boo brownies that ooze with gooey goodness, perfect for a scare-worthy snack. But the frightful fun doesn’t stop there – little ones will also whip up adorable Turkey dog mummies, complete with a drizzle of honey monster sauce for a touch of sweetness.
- Saturday (10/31) at 10:00 am | Halloween Scavenger Hunt at Central Library
- Saturday (10/31) at 10:30 am | Halloween Storytime at Aurora Hills Library
- Halloween Storytime combines themed read-aloud stories, songs, rhymes, fingerplays and flannel boards and introduces children to listening skills, picture books, the library, and the joy of reading!
- Saturday (10/31) at 11:00 am | Fun with Pumpkins at Long Branch Nature Center ($) (Best for ages 6-12) ♥
- Discover pumpkins and their many amazing uses. Try some pumpkin treats and make a pumpkin craft to take home!
- Saturday (10/31) at 2:00 pm | Halloween Bark Party: For Dogs & Dog Lovers at Glencarlyn Library
- Dogs and Dog Lovers will get treats, review the dog library, and more. Dogs (and people) are encouraged to dress up for a best-dressed Halloween costume contest!
- Saturday (10/31) at 3:00 pm | Ghost Stories Campfire at Fort CF Smith Park ($) (Best for ages 8+)
- This engaging program will be filled with entertaining activities that may include stories, special animal guests, games, songs and of course, S’mores!
Northern Virginia
City of Alexandria
- Saturday (10/31) at 10:00 am | Parent & Me Haunted Halloween Candy Apples & Spooky Creations Studio Class at Tiny Chefs ($) (Best for ages 5-12) ♥
- Saturday (10/31) at 10:00 am | Floating Pumpkin Patch at Chinquapin Park Recreation and Aquatics Facility ($) ♥
- Celebrate the season by picking a pumpkin from the water, creating a craft, and taking home a festive goodie bag. Activities are offered in 45-minute time slots to ensure everyone has plenty of space to enjoy the event.
- Saturday (10/31) at 11:00 am | Alexandria Fall-O-Ween at John Carlyle Square Park
- Whether you’re looking to shop for handmade Halloween décor, indulge in sweet treats, or watch a costume parade, this festival has it all.
- Saturday (10/31) at 12:00 pm | Pumpkin Palooza at Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden ($) ♥
- Activities will include pumpkin decorating, a craft station, face painting, and games.
- Saturday (10/31) at 2:00 pm | This is Halloween Community Concert at Washington St. United Methodist Church ♥
More Northern Virginia Events
- Saturday (10/31) at 10:00 am | Autumn Leaves Hike and Craft at Riverbend Park in Great Falls ($)
- Hike through the fall foliage and identify trees. Find that perfect autumn leaf and make a craft keepsake.
- Saturday (10/31) at 10:00 am | A BOOtanical Halloween Scavenger Hunt at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna ($)
- Saturday (10/31) at 10:00 am | Old Town Manassas Fall-o-Ween at Manassas Museum
- Includes arts & crafts, Halloween-themed treats, plus entertainment for the whole family.
- Saturday (10/31) at 2:00 pm | Trick-or-Treating at Mount Vernon ($)
- Collect candy around the historic grounds and celebrate Halloween with 18th-century entertainment and activities. Plus, kids can eat free at the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Saturday (10/31) at 4:00 pm | Mosaic Halloween Spooktacular in Fairfax ♥
- Stop by your favorite shops for trick-or-treating and then lay out your blankets, spread out your candy, and enjoy Hocus Pocus.
- Saturday (10/31) at 6:00 pm | 4th Annual Haunted Mini Golf and Haunted Trail at Pohick Bay Regional Park in Lorton ($)
- Experience the excitement of Halloween with family-friendly haunted attractions, a terrifying haunted trail, and plenty of festive surprises around every turn.
Sunday, November 1, 2026
Washington, DC
- Sunday (11/1) at 10:00 am | Diwali Storytime with Sana Hoda Sood at the National Children’s Museum ($) ♥
- Join DC-area author Sana Hoda Sood for a special storytime celebrating Diwali, the Festival of Lights. Sana will read from Stories of the World: Diwali, sharing the traditions, colors, and joy of one of India’s most beloved celebrations. Plus, a complimentary book is included with activity participation, while supplies last.
- Sunday (11/1) at 12:00 pm | Bison Bead Workshop at National Gallery of Art
- Make clay beads by hand with artist Cannupa Hanska Luger in this special all-ages workshop. Each bead represents one living bison in Luger’s Census (Bison Bead Project).
- Sunday (11/1) at 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm | Mamma Mia! at The National Theatre ($) (Best for ages 10+)
- Sunday (11/1) at 5:00 pm | El Día de los Muertos at National Portrait Gallery ♥
- Includes live music, Mexican folk-dance performances, workshops and a variety of activities for all ages!
Maryland
- Sunday (11/1) at 10:00 am | Pumpkin Smash at Maryland Science Center in Baltimore ($)
- Bring your own pumpkin to send flying off the roof of the Maryland Science Center.
- Sunday (11/1) at 10:15 am | Día de los Muertos Celebration featuring 123 Andres at Rockville Memorial Library ♥
- Sunday (11/1) at 10:30 am | Little Dragon Story Hour at Germantown Library (Best for ages 6 months – 4)
- An immersive Mandarin language story hour
- Sunday (11/1) at 11:00 am | Bird Walk at Driskell Park in Hyattsville
- Bring your binoculars and smartphones to identify birds passing through on their fall migration. Use the free Merlin and eBird apps to explore the local woods and see what we find. Beginner birders are welcome!
- [Final Weekend] Sunday (11/1) at 11:00 am & 2:00 pm | Beatrice Likes the Dark at Adventure Theatre in Glen Echo ($) (Best for ages 5+) ♥
- Sunday (11/1) at 11:30 am | Howard County Pride Festival at Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods in Columbia
- Includes live performances, vendors, food trucks, games, crafts & more!
- Sunday (11/1) at 2:00 pm | Coco Live-to-Film Concert at Strathmore in North Bethesda ($)
- AMP presents Disney Pixar’s CocoLive-to-Film Concert on Tour, featuring a screening of the complete film with Oscar- and Grammy-winning composer Michael Giacchino’s musical score performed live by the 20-member Orquesta Folclórica Nacional de México.
Northern Virginia
- Sunday (11/1) at 10:00 am | A BOOtanical Halloween Scavenger Hunt at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna ($)
- Sunday (11/1) at 10:00 am | Durant Brunch Bunch at Dr. Oswald Durant Memorial Center ($) (Best for ages 6-12)
- Parents get a chance to run errands or go enjoy brunch in downtown Alexandria while kids enjoy themed days filled with games, crafts, and yes, brunch!
- Sunday (11/1) at 12:00 pm | High Seas and Hardtack at Colvin Run Mill in Great Falls ($) (Best for ages 4+)
- Discover how sailors were fed during the War of 1812. Explore the mill as we grind grain using the power of the waterwheel. Meet members of Ship’s Company, a War of 1812 reenactors’ group and hear stories about life at sea. Make ship biscuits, also called hardtack.
- Sunday (11/1) at 1:00 pm | Cain’s Branch Archaeology Tour at Sully Historic Site in Chantilly ($) (Best for ages 6+)
- Hike the trail and learn about the history of abandoned sites hidden from most visitor’s view. Follow trails of forested areas and Cain’s Branch waterway to learn about the life of early inhabitants who made Sully their home.
- Sunday (11/1) at 5:00 pm | Día de los Muertos Celebration – An Evening Picnic at Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington ♥
- With family-friendly activities, vendors, food trucks, performance and games, this event celebrates the traditions and heritage of Día de los Muertos.
Sensory Friendly & Accessible
- Saturday (10/31) at 10:15 am | Sensory Storytime at Central Library in Arlington, VA (Best for ages 2-11)
- . This storytime includes an environment where lighting and music are lower, movement and conversation are encouraged, and children can engage through the senses.
- Saturday (10/31) at 10:30 am | Story Time for the Spectrum at Chevy Chase Neighborhood Library in NW
- This sensory-friendly story time is designed to be enjoyed by kids of all abilities, especially kids on the autism spectrum! Families are encouraged to come in costume.
- Saturday (10/31) at 11:00 am | Sensory Storytelling with ReadAbility at Little Falls Library in Bethesda (Best for ages 3-8)
For Tweens & Teens
Washington, DC
- Friday (10/30) at 5:00 pm | Ketcham Glow and Ghouls Bash at Ketcham Recreation Center in SE
- A glow party for two different age groups (11-under & 12-15 years) + costume & dance contest, and candy bag & food giveaway.
- Saturday (10/31) at 1:00 pm | All About Bats in the District at MLK Memorial Library (Best for teens & adults)
- Learn about the science of bats in DC with local expert Dr. Kelly Russo-Petrick, Ph.D.
- Saturday (10/31) at 2:30 pm | Teen Studio: Sculpture Garden Opening at Hirshhorn Museum (Best for ages 13-19)
- Explore activities throughout the Hirshhorn’s campus, including building miniature sculpture gardens of your own using materials such as miniature trees, faux moss, and figurines!
- Sunday (11/1) at 2:00 pm | Teen Volunteer Project: Visiting Residents at Stoddard Baptist (Best for ages 11-18) ♥
- Join the Youth Action Institute to Stoddard Baptist Nursing Home to do crafts, play Bingo, or visit with bed-bound patients.
Maryland
- Friday (10/30) at 5:30 pm | Creepy Critters: Spooky Story Campfire at Locust Grove Nature Center in Bethesda ($) (Best for ages 10+)
- An evening of spooky stories and roasting marshmallows around the campfire. Please note that these stories will have a scary elements, so please make sure both you and your child will enjoy these tales. Costumes encouraged!
- Friday (10/30) at 6:00 pm | Library After Hours ~ Paranormal Night at Waldorf West Branch Library (Best for ages 13+)
- Spend the evening exploring the strange and unexplained during this after-hours event featuring paranormal investigation, horror-themed games, trivia, and classic scary movies. Whether you’re eager to hunt for ghosts, challenge your friends in spooky competitions, or simply enjoy a night of fright with fellow horror fans, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
- Friday (10/30) at 7:00 pm | HalloTeen Night at William Ramsay Recreation Center in Alexandria (Best for ages 12-18) ♥
- spooktacular night of thrills, chills, and Halloween fun just for teens! This is a Halloween party packed with creepy, cool activities, eerie entertainment, and lots of treats (and maybe a few tricks).
- Friday (10/30) at 7:00 pm | Sparks, S’mores and Spooky Stories at Meadowside Nature Center in Rockville ($) (Best for ages 12+) ♥
- This program kicks off with a campfire followed by the ultimate campfire tradition: roasting marshmallows and building delicious, gooey s’mores. With sticky fingers and full bellies, settle onto the benches around the warm glow of the fire to share a collection of spooky stories.
- Saturday (10/31) at 10:00 am | Le Tour d’Alexandria Library at Charles E. Beatley Central Library (Best for ages 13+)
- Explore the spooky history of Alexandria and the Library.
- Saturday (10/31) at 10:30 am & 1:00 pm | Haunted Histories Tour at the National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation in Baltimore ($)
- Walk amongst the Museum’s famed ghosts and ghouls with your tour guide. As you explore the home of the oldest commercial railroad in the country, you’ll learn about the bizarre occurrences that have baffled staff and visitors alike.
- Sunday (11/1) at 1:00 pm | Nature Charms at Burke Lake Park in Fairfax ($) (Best for ages 9+)
- Join a naturalist to learn how to preserve nature by creating resin pendants encapsulating small natural specimens. Discover how to responsibly select natural materials, while also learning how to use resin to make your own natural charm.
- Sunday (11/1) at 2:00 pm | Knit and Crochet Together + Learn to Knit & Crochet at White Oak Library (Best for teens & adults)
Northern Virginia
- Friday (10/30) at 6:00 pm | Teen Nights at Thomas Jefferson Community Center in Arlington
- Saturday (10/31) at 4:00 pm | Teen Night: Halloween at Cookology in Arlington ($) ♥
- From crafting Goosebumps Punch that will send shivers down your spine to carving out Jack-o-lantern Chicken and Sweet Potato Pot Pies that will make your taste buds scream with delight, this class is guaranteed to leave you hungry for more.
This Week's Book Recommendation
