Halloween activities for kids in the Washington DC area

Halloween is one of our favorite holidays and we always love finding new ideas to celebrate in and around the Washington DC area.

On the blog, I share some Halloween events in the DC area, along with some day trip ideas from DC.

This list is ongoing and will continually be updated as soon as more Halloween events are announced.

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Halloween events in DC

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Smithsonian Boo at the Zoo 

One of the best Halloween activities for kids in Washington DC is the Smithsonian Boo at the Zoo event.

Boo at the Zoo is back at the National Zoo and is perfect for kids 4-12 and will be held on October 20, 21 & 22 from 6-8pm.

Tickets will include special after-hours access for animal viewing at the Elephant Community Center, Small Mammal House, Reptile Discovery Center, and the Great Ape House.

There will also be a dance party, a souvenir tote bag and about 30 trick-or-treat stations around the Zoo.

• All guests ages 2 and older must have a ticket

• The Zoo is accessible on the Metro Red Line at the Woodley Park-Zoo Station or the Cleveland Park Station. From there it’s about a 10 minute walk away to the Zoo. 

• You can also drive and park to the event by purchasing a separate parking pass for $30 which is an add-on to your event ticket! 

• When: October 20, 21, & 22, 2023 from 6-8 pm
• Ticket prices: Reserve tickets & parking passes here
• National Zoo members: $25 | Parking $30 
• Non-members: $35 | Parking $30
• Location: 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington DC 20008

• TRICK OR TREAT AT TUDOR PLACE
• Let the kids get dressed up in their favorite costumes for a fun and spooky trick-or-treat event at Tudor Place. There will be games and crafts and other fun activities for the kids including some sugary treats as they explore the meandering paths along the gardens.
• When: October 28, 2023 from 10-11am
• Ticket Prices: (Members)-$10 kids (non-members) $15 kids, $5 accompanying adults. You must register here for this event. Capacity is limited!
• Location: Tudor Place 1644 31st Street, NW, Washington DC 20007

• HALLOWEEN HUNT AND SWEETS
• Celebrate Halloween with a visit to The Mansion on O&O Street Museum. With over 100 rooms and 70 secret doors, go on a fun Halloween-themed treasure hunt. Your admission comes with individual candy treat bags. Masks are required for your visit!
• When: Oct 27 – Oct 31, 2023 From 10 am-12 pm
• Ticket prices: $50/person-reserve tickets online here. (100% of proceeds go to support programs and artists in residence)
• Location: 2020 O St. NW Washington, DC 20036

BOOK A TOUR:

Halloween events in Maryland

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Harbor Halloween National Harbor

Come dressed in your favorite Halloween costume for a day of fun at the National Harbor on October 22, 2023. This free event features trick or treating at select restaurants from 12:30-2:30 pm.

Don’t miss a ride on the Capital wheel as well. Kids in costume get a free ride with the purchase of an adult ticket.

You can also watch Hocus Pocus on the big screen from 1-2:30 pm, a pumpkin carving contest at 2:30 pm, and a pet pawrade at 2:45 pm all on the Plaza Stage.

• When: October 22, 2023 from 12:00-3:00 pm
• Location: 150 National Plaza National Harbor, Maryland

• HALLOWEEN EYE SPY TRAIN RIDE
• Family-friendly moving scavenger hunt at Cabin John Train and Wheaton Train and Carousel locations. Each kid will receive an Eye Spy card before boarding the train. Find characters along the tracks!
• When: Trains will run Saturdays and Sundays beginning October 1 and ending October 31, 10am-6pm
• Ticket prices: $6 ages 2 and up (FREE under 2). Registration closes one day prior to the scheduled ride. Register here
• Location: (Cabin John)7410 Tuckerman LN Rockville, MD, US 20852 (Wheaton Train & Carousel) 2002 Shorefield Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20902

• HALLOWEEN IN THE GARDEN
• Family-friendly Halloween festival at the Annemarie Sculpture Gardens & Arts Center with trick or treating, fun and games, dance party, food trucks, and more spread out in the 30-acre sculpture gardens
• When: October 21, 2023 from 10am-4pm
• Ticket prices: FREE for members-$5/person non-members / 2 and under
• $8 per person at the gate
• Purchase tickets here
• Location: 13470 Dowell Rd, Solomons, MD 20688

• TRUCK OR TREAT (SOLD OUT)
• Fun Family Halloween event at the Gary J. Arthur Community Center in Cooksville, MD. Get the kids in costume to trick or treat at this unique event with trucks, tractors, emergency vehicles, and more. The kids can participate in an “I Spy” scavenger hunt as well.
• When: October 21, 2023 from 10am-3pm
• Ticket prices: $5 per child ages 2+ (under 2, free) free for adults, but must register. Register online here for a one-hour & 15 min time slot.

Halloween events in Northern Virginia

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Halloween at Old town Alexandria

One of our favorite places to visit during Halloween is Old Town Alexandria. The city gets all decked out with some spooky decor and it’s always so much fun!

• One of our favorite things to do is a stroll along the historic streets. Some of the homes go all out for Halloween and it’s such a spooky sight! Don’t miss the homes on Captains Row, they really know how to do Halloween!

• GHOST AND GRAVEYARD TOUR
• Go on a Ghost & Graveyard Tour around Old Town Alexandria from October 1-30 and explore the streets of Old Town with a costumed guided tour. Hear ghost stories, legends, and folklore on this spooky walking tour around Old Town Alexandria.
• Tickets: $15 adults / $10 kids 7-17 / $14 Seniors / $14 Military- Law Enforcement / 6 and under FREE

• HALLOWEEN HOWL! Tall Ship Providence Old Town Alexandria 
• Get dressed in your Halloween Costume for some fun aboard the Tall Ship Providence in Old Town Alexandria. Enjoy story time, crafts, and activities
• When: October 28, 2023 at either 10am or 11:30am for kids 1-13
• Tickets: $20 per child, accompanying adults are free. Purchase tickets here 
• Where: Waterfront Park 1 Prince Street Alexandria, VA

• OLD TOWN TRICK OR TREAT
• Take a stroll around Old Town and trick-or-treat at many local businesses.
• When: October 28, 2023 from 11 am-4 pm
• Ticket prices: FREE
• Location: Various locations throughout Old Town Alexandria, VA 22314

• DOGGIE TREAT OR TREAT
• Bring your dogs dressed in costumes for tricks and treats from some of the boutiques in Old Town. Winners receive gift cards from The Dog Park in three different categories.
• When: Oct. 29, 2023 from 1 to 4 p.m.
• Ticket prices: FREE
• Location: Meet at The Dog Park, 705 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314

Visit Nalls Produce during the Halloween season

Nalls Produce in Alexandria always puts on a great display during the Fall and Halloween.

• Their pumpkin patch is always a hit with the kids, and during Halloween, all the leftover pumpkins are transformed into Jack-O-Lanterns.

• Make sure to visit at night and see all the Jack-O-Lanters all lit up. It’s such an amazing sight to see!

• When: End of September through Halloween Mon.-Sat. 10am-7pm (Sun. 10am-6pm)
• Ticket prices: FREE!
• Location: 7310 Beulah St. Alexandria, VA 22315

Mount Vernon Halloween 

Make sure to visit Mount Vernon during the Halloween season, for their annual Mount Vernon Halloween event.

• You can collect candy in your special Mount Vernon treat bag around the historic grounds.

• You can also look forward to some fun Halloween themed shows, 18th-century chocolate making demonstrations, costume parade, musical entertainment, and more.

• Be aware that Mansion Tours require a separte admission ticket!

• When: October 28, 2023 from 2pm-6pm
• Ticket prices: Adult tickets: Free for members NOT collecting candy / $17 for members collecting candy / $25 General Public 
• Youth tickets: $9 members / $15 general public
• Purchase online here. Tickets go on sale to the general public on September 13, 2021.
• Location: 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy. Mt. Vernon, VA 22121

Pumpkin Picking

Another fun Halloween activity with kids is the pick-your-own Pumpkin Festivals.

The DC area has lots of Fun Fall Festivals to look forward to where the kids can have fun picking their own pumpkin to carve their very own Jack-O-Lantern.

There are lots of Fall festivities to look forward to which include fall favorites like apple cider donuts, pumpkin patches, hayrides, corn mazes, apple picking, and more.

• Some of our favorite Fall Festivals in the area is Cox Farms Fall Festival which goes from Sept. 17 – 18; Sept. 24 – Nov. 7 & 8, 2022

• Great Country Farms Fall Pumpkin Harvest Festival which goes from Sept 1-30, 2022
• Clark’s Elioak Farm Pumpkin Patch open daily from 10am-5pm

READ MORE: Fun Fall Festivals in the Washington DC area

More Halloween events in Northern Virginia

• HALLOWEEKEND AT THE PERCH
• Enjoy fun Halloween activities at the Perch at Capital One Center which includes spooky golf, face painting, pumpkin painting, inflatable bounce houses, Pie eating contest, and more! There will also be a kids costume contest at 3pm as well! For adults 21+ there is also a party for you including a  costume party as well!
• When: October 28, 2023 from 12-4pm
• Adults 21+ Party is 4pm – 8pm costume contest kicking off the fun at 4pm!
• Tickets: FREE but must register online here
• Where: The Perch @ Capital One Center 1805 Capital One Drive Tysons, VA 22102

• BRICK OR TREAT MONSTER PARTY AT LEGO DISCOVERY CENTER DC
• Halloween party fun, with BOO-tastic Halloween decorations, amazing LEGO® activities, and a screening of the EXCLUSIVE LEGO® 4D Halloween movie – Monster Party and more!
• When: October 6-31, 2023
• Tickets: $28.99 and up. Purchase tickets here
• Where: LEGO® Discovery Center Washington, D.C. 6563 Springfield Town Center Suite 12004 Springfield, VA 22150

• BOO AT THE POOL
• Fun event for kids 6 months to 9 yrs. to swim for treats. Each participating child will receive a goody bag upon completion of the event. Children wearing poolside costumes will receive an additional prize. 
• When: Saturday, October 28, 2023 from 12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Ticket prices: $4 Reston resident/$8 non resident (must register here)
• Location: Reston Community Center 2310 Colts Neck Rd., Reston, VA 20191

• OLD TOWN MANASSAS HAUNTED HAPPENINGS
• Trick or treat along Center Street in historic downtown Manassas including games and more.
• When: October 28, 2023 from 10:00am-12:00 pm
• Ticket prices: FREE
• Location: Center Street in Historic Downtown Manassas

• HAUNTED TRAIL AT SALAMANDER RESORT
• The Haunted trail is geared towards kids 4-12, and goes for about 0.6 miles and features 10 actor scenes. Food & beverages will be available to purchase a la carte.
• When: October 26-29, 2023 from 6:30-9:300pm
• Ticket prices: $20/person (3 and under FREE) purchase tickets online here
• Location: 500 North Pendleton St. Middleburg, VA 20117

• HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL
• Family fun Halloween Carnival in Cherry Hill Park, including games, inflatables and more for kids ages 2-11.
• When: Oct. 28, 2023 (two time slots 1:00pm-3:00pm and 3:30pm-5:30pm)
• Ticket prices: $1 activities (cash only at the door)
• Location: Cherry Hill Park (312 Park Ave.)

• HALLOWEEN AT THE CHILDRENS SCIENCE CENTER
• Fun family costume party at the Children’s Science Center Lab. You can engage in science activities, spooky scavenger hunt, create frankenslime and more!
• When: HAUNTED LAB: September 30, 2023- Reserve tickets here
• FAMILY COSTUME PARTY OCT. 21, 2023 from 5-7 pm-Reserve tickets here
• Location: Children’s Science Center Lab 11948 Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax, VA 22033

• FCPD & FRIENDS TRUNK OR TREAT
• The Fairfax County Police Department along with other local businesses and organizations are holding a socially distanced drive-thru Trunk-Or-Treat Halloween event! 
• When: October 18, 2023 from 6pm to 8p.m.
• Ticket prices: FREE, but must register here to participate. Include the number of kids in each car to ensure enough treats!
• Location: Bull Run Regional Park 7700 Bull Run Dr, Centreville, VA 20121

• VIENNA HALLOWEEN PARADE
• Halloween Parade in Vienna featuring a “Time Machine” theme. Kids can dressed up in their favorite costume and march along in the parade. The parade route is approximately 1⁄2 mile long and lasts 1-1/2 hours.
• When: October 25, 2023 7:00 pm
• Location: Maple Avenue Vienna, VA 22180

• WORKHOUSE HAUNT NIGHTMARE HARVEST
• 30 minute walk through haunted attraction for kids 13 and up.
• When: Oct.6-31, 2023 Fridays and Saturdays from 7-11pm (Sundays at 10pm)
• Ticket prices: $30/person. Purchase tickets online here
• Location: 9518 Workhouse Way Lorton, VA 22079

• COX FARMS FIELD OF FEARS
• Haunted attraction for kids 14 and up, featuring Cornightmare, Dark Side Hayside and more!
• When: Friday and Saturday nights Sept. 22 – Nov. 4, 2023 (plus Sunday Oct. 8) 7:30-11 p.m. (last entry 10 p.m.)
• Ticket prices: $30-$40 depending on day. Purchase online tickets here
• Location: 15621 Braddock Rd. Centreville, VA 20120

Theme Park Halloween Events

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Six Flags Kids Boo Fest

Another fun Halloween event to look forward to is the Kids Boo Fest at Six Flags. Let the kids dress up in their favorite Halloween costumes and enjoy a day of thrills.

The kids can enjoy the Halloween festivities by day, at the Boo Fest family-friendly Halloween experience which features some not-so-spooky fun for the whole family including a trick-or-treat trail.

Grown-ups can look forward to the Fright Fest event at night and enjoy some spooky fun at their haunted attractions, spooky shows, and more.

• When: Select dates from Sept. 16-Oct. 29, 2023
• Ticket prices: Starts at $29.99
• Location: 13710 Central Ave. Upper Marlboro, MD 20721
• Visit the website here to keep up to date on the upcoming Halloween events at Six Flags.

Halloween at Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Celebrate the Halloween season with a visit this fall to Busch Gardens Williamsburg. For 2022, the kids can celebrate a Sesame Street Halloween event dressed in their favorite costumes.

• This not so scary event includes some family friendly fun like trick or treating, a costume parade, dance parties, scavenger hunt, a hay maze, and The Counts Spectacular, which is a fun interactive show featuring the Count, Elmo, Abby, and more.

• For the adults, Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream is back with five haunted houses, shows, party zones and more.

• When: The Counts Spectacular Sept. 24-Oct. 29, 2023 Saturdays & Sundays 10am-5pm
• Howl-O-Scream select nights from Sept. 8 to Oct. 31, 2023
• Ticket prices: Prices start at $49.99
• Location: 1 Busch Gardens Blvd. Williamsburg, VA 23185
• *Visit the website

The Great Pumpkin Fest at Kings Dominion

The Great Pumpkin Fest at Kings Dominion is a fun Halloween event for kids. 

• Let the kids dress up in their favorite Halloween costume and pick up a treat bag to participate in some scare-free Halloween activities for kids, which include pumpkin decorating, a hay maze, character meet and greets, games, live entertainment, and more!

• The older kids and adults can look forward to Kings Dominion Halloween Haunt. The Halloween Haunt features thrilling rides, haunted mazes, scare zones, and spooky live shows, which is not suitable for the younger kids.

• When: Select nights on Saturdays and Sunday’s from 12pm-6pm, starting Sept. 23-Oct. 29, 2023
• (Halloween Haunt goes from 7pm-12am)
• Ticket prices: Starts at $45
• Location: 16000 Theme Park Way Doswell, VA 23047
• *Visit the website

Hersheypark Halloween

Another fun Halloween event to take the kids to is Hersheypark Halloween in Hershey Pennsylvania.

• Take the kids trick or treating along the Trick or Treat Trail that starts at Hershey’s Chocolate World and makes its way to the Boardwalk at Hersheypark.

• There are 13 stops along the trail for the kids to collect some candy. You can also enjoy some fall sweets which include pumpkin shakes, donuts, and a pumpkin pie funnel cake sundae!

• You can also look forward to Character Glow dance parties, lights-out coasters, a flashlight tour through ZooAmerica, Dark night scare zones, and more!

• When: Sept 15-Oct. 29, 2023
• Ticket prices: Any day tickets starting at $49.95 per person
• Location: 100 W. Hersheypark Dr. Hershey, PA 17033
• Visit the website

The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place

For the littlest trick-or-treaters, Sesame Place in Philadelphia has a fun not so scary Halloween event.

• You can expect Halloween-themed shows, an interactive scarecrow scavenger hunt, rides, and an opportunity to see the kid’s favorite Sesame Street character all dressed up for Halloween.

• There will also be a Halloween dance party, costume contest, and more.

• When: Sept.16-Nov. 5, 2024
• Ticket prices: Starting at $39.99
• Location: 100 Sesame Rd. Langhorne, PA 19047
• *Visit the website

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