Happy almost Halloween! We’ve got 25 things to do for every member of the family. Teen-friendly events, an age group who can sometimes be overlooked on Halloween, are marked with “Great for teens.” Many events require tickets or registration, so check on those requirements before you head out the door. Happy haunting!
1. Goblin Golf at Burke Lake Park
Take the kids to celebrate Halloween at Burke Lake Park’s “Goblin Golf.” The festive experience includes goody bags for all. Ghosts and goblins appear from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays for the month of October.
2. Haunted Wine Tours at the Winery at Bull Run
No kids or perhaps yours are out of the house? Now through November 6, check out Haunted Wine Tours at the Winery at Bull Run, a lantern-led walking tour. You’ll check out the historic and hallowed grounds as guides lead you. Spirits of the battlefield come to life and share stories as you sip delicious Virginia wines.
3. Halloween Family Fun Day at Reston Community Center
On October 22 from noon until 2 p.m., come dressed in your favorite costume. Be ready to enjoy one-man-band Peter McCory followed by Bob Brown’s Puppets in “Monster Madness.” Ghosts and goblins up to age 8 are welcome to try games until 2 p.m. All children must be accompanied by an adult (age 18-plus) throughout the event.
4. Great for teens: Halloween Sugar Cookie Decorating Class at Fran’s Cake & Candy Supplies
On October 29, head to Fran’s Cake & Candy Supplies for a special workshop for students ages 13-plus. Mayra Garcia (from celebrateMe!) will lead a class that teaches kids how to make their own icing to fill and outline cookies. Everyone who participates in the class will receive eight pre-baked cookies ready for decorating. BYOA — Bring Your Own Apron! Children ages 10-12 can attend, too, if they are accompanied by an adult.
5. Tipsy Titanic Drag Brunch: Spooky Edition at Trummer’s
An afternoon of great fun is to be had at Trummer’s in Clifton with “Tipsy Titanic Drag Brunch: Spooky Edition.” Evita Peroxide is back and better than ever for a spooky iteration of Halloween fun.
6. Air & Scare at the Air and Space Museum: Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center
The annual Halloween event will be October 29 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Events will be both inside and outside. There will be story time with Star Wars characters, a puppet show, obstacle course, costume contest, and more.
7. Halloween Carnival at Cherry Hill Farmhouse
Have some Halloween fun at a carnival at Cherry Hill Park in Falls Church. There will be inflatables, carnival games, candy, and more. Children are welcome to bring a trick-or-treat bag from home to collect candy. Costumes are, of course, welcome!
8. Great for teens: Teen Halloween Eats & Treats at McLean Community Center
Kids ages 13-17 are welcome to attend this chef-led cooking event on October 29, where they can make items like “Gobb” salad, eyeballs and worms (aka spaghetti and meatballs), bloody s’mores (strawberry and chocolate s’mores), and more.
9. Trunk-or-Treat at Floris United Methodist Church
This free event includes a parking lot packed with decorated cars full of candy on October 29, 3-5p.m. All children must be accompanied by an adult. While the church’s goal is to give out nut-free candy, parents should be advised some may contain nut products or were manufactured in a facility that works with nut products.
10. Sensory-Friendly Trick-or-Treat at The Arc of Northern Shenandoah Valley and Access Independence
A sensory-friendly trick-or-treat event will be held on October 21, at The Arc of Northern Shenandoah Valley. Children with autism and other disabilities may find the event more calming and welcoming than other Halloween-themed events. The evening begins at 4:30 p.m.
11. Temple Hall Farm Regional Park Pumpkin Patch
Still haven’t found the perfect pumpkin? Temple Hall Farm has got you covered. Make a whole day out of it when you go on a wagon ride, visit the farm animals, and take a trip down some hill slides. It’s open daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. for the month of October.
12. The National Zoo’s “Boo at the Zoo”
One of the best Halloween events in the DMV is the Smithsonian National Zoo’s “Boo at the Zoo.” From October 28-30 from 5:30-8:30 p.m., visit for after-hours access at the Elephant Community Center, Great Ape House, Reptile Discovery Center, and more. Kids can collect candy from 30 trick-or-treat stations around the zoo in a souvenir tote bag.
13. Halloween on the Farm at Frying Pan Farm Park
All ages are welcome to Frying Pan Farm Park on October 29 for an evening of spooktacular fun. There will be craft-making, tours of the farmhouse, and plenty of other fun activities. The program runs in three one-hour time slots and children will need to be accompanied by a registered adult.
14. Ghost Town at Burke Lake Park
Burke Lake Park in Fairfax is hosting its “Ghost Town” on October 29 and 30 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Kids can enjoy carousel and train rides, pumpkin painting, bouncy houses, and a trick-or-treat house, too.
15. Great for teens: Haunted Nightmares at High Hill Farm
Older children will love being scared at High Hill Farm’s Halloween event. It’s open varied hours through Halloween. There are corn mazes, escape rooms, a haunted house, moonlit hayrides, and more. Haunted Nightmares’ FAQ says, “For each person who exits the building calm and collected with a smile on their face, five others leave running and screaming.” Teens will thrive on seeing who will leave “calm and collected” and who will be the ones “running and screaming.”
16. Great for teens: Teen Halloween Party at Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library in Alexandria
October 26 from 5-7 p.m., teens ages 13-18 are welcome to don a costume and visit for some Halloween treats, games, and a mask decorating contest.
For nearly 80 years, the Town of Vienna has hosted a Halloween parade. The parade includes floats and other entertainment down Maple Avenue from Branch Road to Center Street on Wednesday, October 26.
18. Halloween Baby & Toddler Time at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library in Alexandria
Bring the little ones (ages 0-23 months) to visit Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library in Alexandria for a Halloween-themed morning on the Columbus Street Lawn on October 25 at 11 a.m. Enjoy Halloween-themed songs, rhymes, and games.
Visit Shipgarten in McLean on October 29, 1-6 p.m., for an afternoon of free treats, live music, and character performances.
20. Spooktacular Family Crafternoon at AR Workshop Alexandria
On Sunday, October 30, in connection with the 8th Annual Doggie Trick or Treat, visit for a “Crafternoon” where kids can make a Halloween treat tote or another spooky-themed project. You also can make a project for your dog like a custom dog leash holder or sign. Kids ages 7 and older are welcome to be dropped off. All ages welcome.
21. Kids Halloween-Themed Martial Arts Trial Class
Life Champ Martial Arts is featuring a Halloween-themed class perfect for shy kids to “help them become the best they can be,” on October 29 at 11 a.m.
22. Drive-thru Trunk-or-Treat at Heritage Baptist Church in Ashburn
Are you all trunk-or-treated out? Heritage Baptist Church in Ashburn is hosting a creative take on the popular Halloween event. On October 28, head to the church to drive along a route that is lined with volunteers and decorated trunks. As each car drives by, there will be a mark directing you to stop, be greeted by a volunteer, and stick your bucket out of your car window to get some candy.
23. Maggiano’s Tysons Corner Kids’ Halloween Cooking Class
This hands-on cooking experience is recommended for ages 4-12 on October 23. Kids can decorate Halloween cookies and do themed crafts. Before that, a breakfast buffet will be offered.
24. Family Day: Halloween at the National Museum of the Marine Corps
Head to the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle for a Halloween celebration on October 29, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The National Capital Trackers “O” Gauge Model Railroad Club will be displaying model trains, hands-on activities, and a spooky-themed puppet show.
25. 4th Annual Halloween Bark Bash
The outdoor event at One Loudoun on October 29, noon-3 p.m., brings together local pet-focused businesses, animal rescue groups, and pet owners.
Feature image, anoushkatoronto/stock.adobe.com
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