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(re) discover Washington DC through the eyes of your children

Family-Friendly Fall Foliage Spots and Drives in and near Washington, D.C.

Autumn in Washington, D.C., is one of the most magical times of the year for families to get outside and experience the city’s vibrant colors. From city parks to trails just outside the District, here are the best spots to take in fall foliage with your family.

1. National Arboretum

  • Location: 3501 New York Ave NE, Washington, DC
    With its vast gardens, tree-lined pathways, and the stunning Capitol Columns, the National Arboretum is a must-visit in the fall. Families can explore different plant collections, including maple and dogwood trees that burst into reds and oranges, and enjoy picnicking at the Friendship Garden or at one of the other designated spots.

2. Rock Creek Park

  • Location: 5200 Glover Rd NW, Washington, DC
    Rock Creek Park offers a natural escape right in the city, with numerous hiking trails for all ages and levels. Choose a short trail, like the 1.5-mile Boulder Bridge Trail, for younger children, or bring bikes for an easy ride along Beach Drive. Kids can take in the vibrant fall colors, and parents can appreciate the park’s peaceful charm.

3. The Tidal Basin

  • Location: 1501 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC
    Known for cherry blossoms in spring, the Tidal Basin is also beautiful in fall when the trees around the basin turn into fiery shades of red, yellow, and orange. Families can take a scenic walk around the basin and see the nearby monuments or, for a unique view, rent a paddleboat to admire the colors from the water.

4. Mount Vernon Trail

  • Location: Starting at the Memorial Bridge, Washington, DC, and running to Mount Vernon, VA
    The Mount Vernon Trail follows the Potomac River, offering picturesque views of fall foliage on both the Virginia and D.C. sides. Start at Theodore Roosevelt Island for a peaceful hike, or take the family for a bike ride with plenty of spots to pause and enjoy the leaves.

5. Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens

  • Location: 1550 Anacostia Ave NE, Washington, DC
    Known for its water lilies in summer, Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens also offers a unique autumn experience. The grounds are covered with colorful trees and winding trails that lead you through beautiful marshes, providing a tranquil backdrop to admire the season’s colors.

6. Dumbarton Oaks Gardens

  • Location: 1703 32nd St NW, Washington, DC
    This historic garden in Georgetown offers a rich display of fall colors, especially vibrant against the elegant architecture. Children can explore the winding paths through the gardens and parents can enjoy the views of red, yellow, and orange leaves. Note that there is an admission fee, but the beauty of the gardens makes it worth a family day out.

7. The C&O Canal Towpath

  • Location: Begins in Georgetown, Washington, DC, and stretches toward Cumberland, MD
    The C&O Canal Towpath is a scenic trail along the canal with plenty of fall colors and picturesque locks. The Georgetown section is especially family-friendly and offers easy access to restaurants and cafes after your stroll. For an extended trip, head up to Great Falls for more foliage and stunning waterfall views.

8. U.S. National Mall

  • Location: Washington, DC
    It may be the heart of the city, but the National Mall also becomes a wonderful spot for fall colors. The trees surrounding the Mall and the nearby Reflecting Pool transform with the season, and it’s a great place for kids to roam, enjoy the open space, and spot monuments surrounded by vibrant leaves.

9. Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

  • Location: 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct, Vienna, VA
    Just a short drive from D.C., Meadowlark Botanical Gardens offers scenic, colorful landscapes perfect for families to enjoy. The gardens have a beautiful lake, streams, and walking trails that are all especially picturesque in autumn, along with several themed areas and a Korean Bell Garden.

Tips for Families Exploring Fall Foliage:

  • Pack a Picnic: Many of these spots have areas for a picnic, so bring some cozy blankets, warm drinks, and treats.
  • Bring Cameras or Binoculars: Kids will enjoy spotting wildlife, birds, or even capturing the beauty of fall on their own cameras.
  • Dress in Layers: The fall weather can be unpredictable, so layering up will keep everyone comfortable.
  • Plan for Crowds: Weekends at popular locations can be crowded, so consider early mornings or weekdays for a quieter experience.

For families looking to soak in the beauty of fall without a long journey, there are several stunning drives within an hour of Washington, D.C. that showcase the vibrant colors of the season. Here are some routes that blend fall foliage with picturesque landscapes, making them perfect for a family day trip.

1. George Washington Memorial Parkway

  • Distance from DC: Starts in Arlington, VA
  • Highlights: River views, historical sites
    Starting just across the Potomac River in Arlington, this drive follows the river down to Mount Vernon, George Washington’s historic estate. The tree-lined road offers spectacular fall colors along the Potomac, with scenic overlooks where families can stop and take photos. Plan a stop at Great Falls Park for a short hike to see waterfalls framed by autumn leaves.

2. The Journey to Sugarloaf Mountain

  • Distance from DC: About 50 minutes
  • Route: Take I-270 N to Sugarloaf Mountain, MD
    Sugarloaf Mountain, just across the border in Maryland, is a popular spot for hiking and picnicking with gorgeous autumn views of Frederick County. The drive itself is picturesque, passing through rolling hills, farms, and fields. Once you reach Sugarloaf, a winding drive up the mountain rewards you with panoramic views of vibrant foliage stretching for miles. Families can park and hike a short trail to the summit, where the fall colors truly shine.

3. Skyline Drive (Front Royal Entrance)

  • Distance from DC: About 1 hour
  • Route: Head west on I-66 to Front Royal, VA, the northern entrance of Skyline Drive
    While the entire Skyline Drive spans 105 miles through Shenandoah National Park, families can opt for a shorter scenic drive from the Front Royal entrance. This iconic route weaves through the Blue Ridge Mountains and offers a breathtaking display of autumn colors with plenty of overlooks to pause for photos or a picnic. Note that Skyline Drive has an entrance fee, but the views make it well worth the trip.

4. The Catoctin Mountain Loop

  • Distance from DC: About 1 hour
  • Route: Take I-270 N toward Thurmont, MD, and follow Route 77 through Catoctin Mountain Park
    This drive takes you through the stunning Catoctin Mountain Park, which is especially colorful in the fall. The winding roads through the park offer beautiful views of golden, red, and orange leaves. For an added adventure, visit Cunningham Falls State Park along the way for a family-friendly hike to a scenic waterfall framed by autumn foliage.

5. Prince William Forest Park

  • Distance from DC: About 45 minutes
  • Route: Take I-95 S to Prince William Forest Park, VA
    Located south of D.C. in Northern Virginia, Prince William Forest Park offers a lovely drive through a peaceful forest with dense fall colors. The scenic drive through the park is ideal for a relaxed day out, with picnic spots, scenic overlooks, and short trails for young children. This lesser-known park is quieter than some others, making it a peaceful place for families to explore.

6. Great Falls Park and River Road

  • Distance from DC: 30 minutes to Great Falls, VA
  • Route: Take Georgetown Pike (VA-193) from McLean, VA, through Great Falls Park
    Begin this drive in McLean, Virginia, and follow Georgetown Pike to the entrance of Great Falls Park. The road itself is scenic, passing through densely wooded areas that show off fall colors. At Great Falls Park, families can take a break to admire the majestic waterfalls and explore short trails along the Potomac River, which look especially dramatic when surrounded by vibrant fall leaves.

7. The Countryside of Loudoun County

  • Distance from DC: About 1 hour
  • Route: Take VA-267 W and follow signs to Leesburg, VA, then explore local roads
    Loudoun County is known for its vineyards, farms, and charming historic towns. From Leesburg, families can follow scenic back roads to local farms or orchards, many of which have autumn festivals with pumpkins, hayrides, and cider tastings. For those looking to relax and take in the scenery, a leisurely drive through the backroads of Loudoun offers stunning views of fall foliage along with historic farmhouses and rolling hills.

Tips for a Fall Foliage Drive with Kids

  • Plan for Pit Stops: Bring snacks or plan a stop at a local café or orchard along the way to break up the drive.
  • Pack Activities: Keep kids entertained with road trip games or fall-themed scavenger hunts.
  • Dress in Layers: As temperatures can vary, bring along layers for any planned stops.
  • Start Early: For more popular routes like Skyline Drive, an early start can help avoid crowds and get the best lighting for photos.

Spook-tacular Halloween Events for Families in the Washington, D.C. Area

As Halloween approaches, there’s no shortage of family-friendly events in and around Washington, D.C. Whether your little ones want to dress up and collect candy, explore haunted houses (not too scary!), or get creative with spooky crafts, the DMV has something for everyone. Here’s a guide to the best Halloween events for families this season:

Halloween and Fall Events:

Jennie the Cat: A Halloween Adventure at The Puppet Co: Through October 31
The Puppet Co favorites Ingrid and Mollie are bringing a charming and educational adventure to the main stage for Halloween! Come meet Jennie the Cat! This show features cuddly puppets, audience interaction, and all original music. Recommended ages 4-8.

Eye Spy Halloween Trains: Train schedule: October 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27 from 9:30am-4:30pm
Montgomery Parks’ Halloween Eye Spy Train returns! Are you ready to join for a train ride around “Trainsylvania” while searching for all of the hidden characters along the tracks?

Soul Strolls: Twighlight Tours at Congressional Cemetery: October 18-26 from 6:00pm-7:30pm
Trespass into the past and discover the secrets of some of Congressional Cemetery’s “residents.” Soul Strolls, the Cemetery’s annual twilight tours, explore the stories of individuals buried here through guided tours and costumed interpreters. Experience the history of this hallowed ground exactly the way it should be experienced in October – in twilight and darkness, happening upon vignettes and individuals under the guidance of one of our own.
Want to bring children to Soul Strolls but are looking for a more family friendly tour? The 5:00 PM tour times on Saturday (Oct 19 and Oct 26) will be curated to be more family friendly. Mature themes and topics will be dialed back with younger audiences in mind. Consider these tour times rated “PG.”

Boo at the Zoo: October 18-20 from 6:00pm-8:30pm
It’s no trick, only the sweetest treat: Boo at the Zoo, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s beloved family-friendly Halloween event. Tickets include special after-hours access for animal viewing at the Elephant Community Center, Small Mammal House, Reptile Discovery Center, Great Ape House and Think Tank, dance party, a souvenir tote bag and around 30 trick-or-treat stations around the Zoo.

Halloween in the Garden: October 19 from 10:00am-4:00pm
Are you ready for a howling good time at Annmarie’s Halloween in the Garden? Join for this family-friendly Trick-or-Treating festival. The garden will be decorated for the season with lots of great Halloween and fall decor, with fun photo ops around every corner! More than 60 local businesses and organizations will be here handing out treats for the kids, plus there will be fun and games, a DJ dance party, food trucks, and more! So dress up the whole family and enjoy a spooktacular day at Annmarie! Click here for detailed event and safety information. 

Family Day: Halloween at Library of Congress: October 19 from 10:30am-3:30pm
Celebrate spooky season with eerie crafts, images, and more from the collections. Each Family Day includes a creative activity, connections to Library of Congress collections, a chance to talk to staff experts, and a guide to using Library resources at home.

Fall Harvest Festival at Mount Vernon: October 19 & 20
Celebrate the crisp autumn season with 18th-century activities & demonstrations at the Farm at Mount Vernon. Explore the Farm. Meet General Washington. Purchase food freshly made in an 18th-century-style oven. Watch an 18th-century cooking demonstration. Visit with the colonial surveyors to see how surveying was done. Witness an 18th-century Cooper and Wheelwright perform their craft. See how horseshoeing was performed in the 18th century with the Farrier. Watch 18th-century spinning demonstrations. Learn about 18th-century textiles and how they were dyed.

Rumpus Room Family Dance Party, Halloween Special: October 20 from 11:00am-1:00pm
Rumpus Room Family Dance Party: Halloween Special is back at Hi-Lawn! Get ready for a spooktacular day of dancing and fun for the whole family. Come dressed in your favorite costumes and boogie with us at DC’s best (and only) family dance party on the roof at Union Market. Don’t miss out on this fang-tastic event – mark your calendars now! This one always sells out! Rumpus Room is designed for kids 10 and under and their caregivers.

Glow in the Park: October 25 & 26 starting at 6:00pm
Enjoy a magical experience climbing and ziplining through the trees lit up with neon colored lights, rockin’ music, and exciting themes! Reserve your tickets in advance for this fan-favorite event! Ages 5 and up are welcome.

Hill-O-Ween: October 25 from 5:00pm-7:30pm
Capitol Hill celebrates Halloween as a community each year in front of Eastern Market on 7th St.

Sensory Inclusive Trick or Treating at B&O Railroad: October 25 from 4-6pm
All ages are invited to join the B&O for a sensory inclusive Halloween experience! With limited noise, allergen-free candy, and pre-visit resources, this event makes trick-or-treating safe and accessible for Neurodivergent visitors.  Explore the Roundhouse* collecting candy, stickers, toys, fidgets, and other goodies, and participate in activities on the turntable including games, a craft, and a sensory exploration table.  

Mystery Mansion: October 25, 26, November 1 & 2 fro 5:00pm-9:00pm
Mystery Mansion is an indoor family friendly haunted house and outdoor fest hosted by The Woman’s Club of Chevy Chase. While the haunted house is designed for guests as young as five through twelve, the Mystery Mansion experience appeals to Halloween fans of all ages. All are welcome and costumes are appreciated! Purchase your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.

My Gym Halloween Party: October 25 from 5-5:45pm & 6-6:45pm
Looking for not too spooky family fun this Halloween?  Find it at My Gym’s Halloween Party!  Join for circle time, games, costume parade, and loads of fun!  Each child leaves with a My Gym Halloween treat. Book your spot today!  Must sign up ahead of time.

Family Program: Trick or Fruit at US Botanic Garden: October 25 from 6:00pm-8:00pm
Explore plants that produce edible fruits throughout the Conservatory at this fun evening program for families. Hear stories about what makes each plant interesting, learn about the environments they grow in, and experience the fruits with all of your senses, including taste! Costumes highly encouraged!

DPR Halloween Events: October 25-31
It’s Halloween in DC and DPR is hosting events in all eight wards this 2024 Halloween season! Make plans to attend one of the themed events taking place throughout the District. 

Trick or Treat at Tudor Place: October 26 from 10:00am-12:00pm
Wear your Halloween costume and search for treats (not tricks) in every corner of the garden. Enjoy crafts, activities and period games amid lovely autumn plant life. This outdoor event will take place rain or shine.

Air & Scare at Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center: October 26 from 10:00am-3:00pm
Join us for our annual Halloween event at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center to explore the spooky side of air and space. This year, the event will take place both inside and outside at the Museum.

Dia de Los Muertos at Smithsonian American Art Museum: October 26 from 11:30am-3:00pm
Celebrate Día de los Muertos with the Smithsonian American Art Museum! Bring the whole family to see exciting live performances, including traditional Mexican folk dance by Corazon Folklorico, a mariachi performance by Mariachi Aguila DC, and a showcase of different Latin American music genres and dances with Sol y Rumba. Attendees ages 12 and younger can enjoy face painting throughout the day, while visitors of all ages can participate in hands-on craft activities. Round out the day by exploring the museum’s collection with our Día de los Muertos-themed scavenger hunt

Glen Echo Fall Frolic: October 26 from 1:00pm-4:00pm
Join for some Halloween fun at Glen Echo Park! Activities include decorating a Trick-or-Treat bag and other crafts, a festive fall photo-op (say that 10 times!), a costume contest (will you win for “Most Spooky,” “Most Creative,” or “Best Group?”), and Trick-or-Treating at our resident art studios and galleries. We focus on the arts-y & crafts-y more than the scary, but we love to see all the costumes – even the scary ones!

Trick or Treat at Mount Vernon: October 26 from 2:00pm-6:00pm
Celebrate Halloween with 18th-century entertainment and activities. Collect candy in your special Mount Vernon treat bag around the historic grounds. Watch Halloween-themed Punch & Judy shows at 3pm & 4:30pm. See an 18th-century bake oven demonstration with Half Crown Bakehouse on the 12-acre field. Sample a rusk (twice-baked bread pieces) with chocolate cream from a recipe dating back to the 1760s and using American Heritage Chocolate. And more!

Día de los Muertos at National Museum of the American Indian: October 27 from 10:00am-5:00pm
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a time for commemorating our ancestors. Rather than a period of mourning, it is an occasion for celebrating with family—both living and dead—and honoring the cycle of life.

Van Ness Spooktacular: October 27 from 10:00am-2:00pm
Everyone’s favorite kid-friendly Halloween event is returning to Forest Hills Playground this year. Parents and kids of all ages are invited to dress in their favorite costumes and gather at Forest Hills Playground for spooky-inspired activities followed by Trick or Treating at small businesses along Connecticut Ave in Wakefield, Forest Hills and Van Ness from 12:30pm-2pm.

Halloween at the Harbor: October 27 from 12:00pm-3:00pm
Enjoy trick-or-treating, a pumpkin carving competition, pet pawrade and more. This family-friendly party is sure to be a wicked good time!

NSO Family Concert: Halloween Spooktacular!: October 27 2:00pm & 4:00pm
An annual tradition! The Concert Hall transforms into a ghostly sight when ghoulishly attired National Symphony Orchestra musicians celebrate Halloween with fa-boo-lous new works and spooky old classics.

28th Annual Del Ray Halloween Parade: October 27 at 2:00pm
One of Del Ray’s favorite traditions takes place along Mount Vernon Avenue, beginning at E. Bellefonte Avenue. Children, pets, and decorated strollers are invited to march and show off their costumes! This parade ends with live music and an award presentation at the Mount Vernon Rec Center field. This hometown favorite event is a must-see!

37th Annual 17th Street High Heel Race: October 29 from 7:30pm-9:00pm
The Annual 17th Street High Heel Race is a time to celebrate the diversity of DC’s LGBTQ+ community and join thousands of costumed spectators cheer on costumed drag queens, drag kings and community members as they race down 17th Street NW. Lively and filled with local drag entertainment and much more, you won’t want to miss this DC tradition!

Bethesda Row Trick or Treat: October 30 from 5:30pm-7:30pm
Come dressed in your spookiest or most festive costumes and make your way to Bethesda Row for an evening of family-friendly Halloween fun. Explore the neighborhood’s restaurants and shops where you can snag some delectable treats and surprises. Pose for a photo with our lively costume characters and be sure to share your unforgettable moments with us on social media for a frightfully fantastic prize! Tickets for children must be purchased in advance and all proceeds will be donated to Manna Food Center.

Spooktacular on Connecticut Avenue: October 31 from 3:00pm-6:00pm
The Chevy Chase Citizens Association is reviving Spooktacular – to be held on Connecticut Avenue in Chevy Chase, DC. Restaurants and store owners will provide goodies for costumed trick-or-treaters.

Halloween Spooktacular at Mosaic: October 31 from 4:00pm-7:00pm
Grab your costume and join for a Spooktacular Halloween at Mosaic! From store open to store close, stop by your favorite shops for trick-or-treating and then lay out your blankets, spread out your candy, and enjoy Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire on our big screen in Strawberry Park, starting at 6pm.

Pumpkin Chunkin at Great Country Farms: November 2-3 from 9:00am-5:00pm
Bring your leftover jack-o-lantern to our smashin’ stations and let it fly! The Silo Drop and the Zip Wire Sploosh let you do the smashin’ yourself or bring your pumpkin to the Pumpkin Drop Zone and add it to our upside down “fireworks display” as the pumpkins are dropped from a 40ft lift. You will be sure to love giving your pumpkin one final ride. What happens to all those smashed pumpkins?… the pigs and cows love to eat them and we compost the rest.

El Día de los Muertos at National Portrait Gallery: November 2 from 5:00pm-8:30pm
Join us for our annual celebration of el Día de los Muertos—one of the National Portrait Gallery’s biggest events of the year—with live music, Mexican folk-dance performances, workshops, and a variety of activities for all ages. Create calaveras and papel picado to decorate the community altar, get your face painted to look like la Catrina, and more! Take the celebration to the streets as you witness the live video mapping projection by artists MasPaz and Guache. The artists will create their work live from the Martin Luther King Jr. Library, projected onto the G and 9th street façade.

Día de los Muertos at The Wharf: November 2 from 4:00pm-7:00pm
Celebrate Día de los Muertos with your family and friends at The Wharf. Sip on Modelo while you discover beautifully decorated altars honoring loved ones, listen to live music by the Latin Celtic band La Unica, and light up the night during the community lantern procession. The family-friendly afternoon will include free activities for the kids including face painting, sugar skull decorating, and more. Don’t forget to dress the part by wearing colorful colors, skulls, and flowers!

Día de los Muertos at The Kennedy Center: November 4 at 7:30pm
Celebrate the Mexican holiday, el día de los muertos, the day of the dead, with a concert dedicated to music by Mexican composers, conducted by NOW’s Artistic Director Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez, a native of Guadalajara, Mexico.

Side Yards at The Yards: November 8 from 5:30pm-8:30pm
The Yards, DC’s most exciting waterfront neighborhood for living, dining, shopping, and relaxing, is welcoming back Side Yards, the community’s favorite fall celebration of everything extraordinary for its ninth year. This year’s event promises a fresh twist with thrilling Lucha Libre performances, fan-favorite sideshow acts, including daring sword swallowers, magicians and mind-bending contortionists, as well as face painting and interactive activities for all ages to enjoy. With glow-in-the-dark giveaways, glitter tattoos, a live DJ, and more, there is something eye-popping for every guest at Side Yards! The event is free to attend, but registration is required on Eventbrite.

Wayside Farm

Corn mazes:
Liberty Mills Farm
Summers Farm
Montpelier Farm
Wayside Farm

Date nights:
Screams & Disease Tours at Lee-Fendall House: October 18, 25, 26 & 29 from 7:00pm-9:00pm
Relive the bloody and dark history of the Lee-Fendall House when it served as a Civil War hospital.

Night of the Living Zoo: October 25 from 7:00pm-11:00pm
Get ready for a spine-chilling evening at the Night of the Living Zoo! The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is bringing its adults-only Halloween party back from the dead. Your ticket grants you after-hours access to the Zoo, an open cocktail bar, two entertainment stages and tantalizing food options available for purchase. The Reptile Discovery Center and Great Cats exhibits will be open for animal viewing from 7 to 9 p.m. Flash tattoos are available with additional purchase. Proceeds from the event support the Zoo’s conservation work to save endangered species. Ages 21+

Adults (and older kids):
Markoff’s Haunted Forest
Field of Screams
Ebe Haunts Trail of Terror
Fields of Fear
Six Flags Fright Fest
Laurel’s House of Horror
Haunted Hayrides

Fall events in and around Washington, DC

In addition to checking things off our fall bucket list and jumping in the car soon to look at fall foliage, there are plenty of fall events happening in the next few months that will allow families to experience Washington, DC. Don’t miss out on a fall favorite; apple and pumpkin picking!

Adam’s Morgan Porchfest: October 14

The Great Pumpkin Race & Fall Festival: October 14

Bethesda Row Arts Festival: October 14-15

Boo at the Zoo: October 20 – 22

Oxon Hill Farm Fall Festival: October 21

Fall Harvest Festival at Mount Vernon: October 21 – 22

NSO Family Concert- Halloween Spooktacular: October 22

First Studio at The Kreeger Museum: October 28

Day of the Dead/Día de los Muertos at the National Museum of the American Indian: October 29

El Día de los Muertos Festival: November 2

Diwali Family Festival at National Museum of Asian Art: November 5

Bluey’s Big Day at The Kennedy Center: November 21-26

Enchant: November 24 – December 31

Disney’s Frozen at The Kennedy Center: December 20, 2023 – January 21, 2024

Order new seasonal treats from Milk Bar.

  • Pumpkin Coffee Cake + Truffles. This popular flavor returns for fall at all bakeries. A vanilla cake is layered with cinnamon “goo,” crunchy cinnamon streusel, pumpkin cheesecake filling and pumpkin frosting. It’s then topped with the *best* part of coffee cake – heaps of coffee cake topping. Available online and bakeries nationwide.
  • Caramel Apple Pie Cake. Layers of caramel cake are slathered in a combination of gooey apples and vanilla caramel, and have hidden bits of cinnamon pie crumb in the center. True to pie form, the cake is topped with a layer of ice cream frosting and mini “scoops” of ice cream crumb. Available online and bakeries nationwide. 

DC Family Weekend Fun Guide

Our Halloween guide is full of family fun! This weekend Spooky History Tour at the National Building Museum and the Eye Spy Halloween Trains begin in addition to Halloween events that have already begun. Find out where you can pick pumpkins and sip cider in the fall festivals, farms and orchard post.

All weekend

You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown at Adventure Theatre
Everyone’s favorite characters come to life on the stage through October 29. With charm, wit, and heart, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown explores life’s big questions through the eyes of the Peanuts gang as they play baseball, fly kites, struggle with homework, swoon over crushes, and celebrate the joys of friendship. Growing up is serious business! 

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show at Imagination Stage
This show kicks the season off, with one-quarter of its performances in Spanish
and three-quarters of them in English. Using more than 70 beautiful, larger-than-life puppets and original music, this special event follows all your favorite characters from “Brown Bear, Brown Bear,” “The Very Busy Spider,” “10 Little Rubber Ducks,” and, of course, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.” The show is best for ages 3-8 and is based on Eric Carle’s books. Playing through October 22.

Disney on Ice at Eagle Bank Arena
Glide and dance your way into the worlds of Frozen & Encanto with music and dancing alongside Elsa and Mirabel, celebrating the amazing gifts that make each of us unique. Enhance your Disney On Ice show ticket with a preshow Character Experience that includes games, storytelling, crafting and interactive time with Elsa and Mirabel. Bring your personal device for photo opportunities.

Friday

6:30pm-9:00pm: Coco Screening & Salsa Dance Class at Color Burst Park
Learn to salsa with the pros and then enjoy a screening of the Disney classic Coco, which takes place in Mexico and was inspired by Día de los Muertos. Salsa Dance Class: 6:30pm – 7:00pm and Coco Screening: 7:00pm – 9:00pm.

6:30pm-11:30pm: Drive-in at Union Market: Selena
Let’s roll down the windows, feel that warm breeze and turn up the radio at the 11th Annual Drive-In at Union Market. This is a cinephile and foodie match made in heaven with better-than-average concessions. 

Saturday

9:00am-3:00pm: Open Streets Georgia Avenue
Open Streets is returning to Georgia Avenue in the fall of 2023! Three miles of Georgia Avenue will be closed to vehicles to allow people to walk, run, bike, and play. The route will include hourly programmed classes and demonstrations, including yoga, dancing, and more! The event is free and suitable for all ages and abilities. No cars, just people!

10:00am-4:00pm: First Saturday at National Gallery of Art
All activities are free, and most are first come, first served. Some activities require registration. On the first Saturday of each month the East Building comes alive with art making for all ages, films, pop-up experiences, and more. See link above for the schedule of fun events.

10:00am-3:00pm: The Kreeger Museum Open House
Join a family-friendly celebration of art, music, and nature! This event is free and open to all with live jazz music, art-making activities, and food trucks. Entrance to the Museum will be free of charge and our permanent collection will be on view. See link above for the schedule of fun events.

10:00am-6:00pm: Art on the Avenue
For 28 years, Art on the Avenue has inspired future artists by providing free art projects hosted by local non-profits at the Kids Art Corner— a festival favorite. The festival also has endless art, food, entertainment and art.

11:00am-4:00pm: Chuseok Family Festival at the National Museum of Asian Art
Join to celebrate Chuseok, Korean Thanksgiving Day, with food, performances, and more! Celebrate Chuseok, Korean Thanksgiving Day, with NMAA! Learn about both past and current traditions of one of the biggest holidays in South Korea. Take pictures in traditional Korean clothing known as hanbok and view a charye table display, which is a traditional feast prepared for a family’s ancestors. Enjoy special performances, food talks, programming from local community groups, and more!

11:00am-4:00pm: Taste of Bethesda
The 31st annual event will feature Bethesda’s best restaurants, five stages of live entertainment, an activity area for kids and more! 

12:00pm-4:00pm: Chili Cook Off at The Sandlot at The Boro
All are welcome to stop by and enjoy chili tastings, lawn games, a bar, live music from acclaimed singer-songwriter Brian Dunne and his band.

12:00pm-6:00pm: College Park Day
This is the City of College Park’s signature event and features many activities, entertainment, and fun to celebrate the community. The event is open to the public and free to attend.

Sunday

10:00am AND 1:00pm: Red Panda Art Studio has a day of workshops for all ages! Join in the morning for an all-ages workshop or in the afternoon for a Tween Crafty Club!

10:00am-5:00pm: Southwest Fall Festival
Get ready to embrace the cozy vibes of autumn at our Fall Festival! Celebrate the season with fun activities, delicious treats, and a festive atmosphere! Book Bazaar starts at 10:00am and all activities start at 1:00pm.

Ultimate guide to Halloween in and around Washington, DC

Fall festivals, orchards & farms can be found here

Halloween and fall events:
Kids Boo Fest at Six Flags: September 16 – October 29
Enjoy rides per usual and then enjoy the family-friendly classic adventure of trick-or-treat around the park! Enjoy special daytime attractions such as our all-new kid-friendly Haunted House walkthrough experience.

Witch Wartsmith’s Halloween Spooktacular at The Puppet Co: September 28 – October 29
Witch Wartsmith (the sister of Witch Wartsmith from our Legacy and touring show Rapunzel,) hosts the annual Halloween Spooktacular and you get to vote on the winner! Part contemporary competition show, part vintage telethon, and part punpalooza, this spooky variety show will tickle your funny bone. Some of our contestants may change year to year, so come back to see old and new friends alike!

Spooky History Tour at the National Building Museum: October 5 – November 1
Explore the haunting legends of the National Building Museum through stories collected over the decades. Hear tales of the historic site which defy easy explanation, while exploring the hidden features of the breathtaking structure. After-Hours Tours are recommended for ages 13 and up.

Eye Spy Halloween Trains: October 7 – 29
Halloween Eye Spy Train event returns in October. Online tickets are now available for purchase. Tickets are $6 each and our train will be running every weekend in October from 11am to 6pm, weather permitting of course. Purchase tickets for Cabin John’s Eye Spy Trains or Wheaton’s Eye Spy Trains.

Lil Pumpkins Festival at BlackRock Center for the Arts: October 14
Calling all lil’ pumpkins for the cutest festival you’ve ever seen – join us for hourly costume parades, pumpkins, refreshments and more!

2nd Annual Halley Rise Fall Festival: October 14
Come celebrate fall at the Farm at Halley Rise! From free kid-friendly scavenger hunts, to farm tours, to bouquet making stands, there’s something for everyone. We’ll have live music from the wonderful band, The Dirty Grass Players, the Roaming Rooster Food Truck will be on-site selling delicious lunch, and A.M. Kettle will be selling a variety of popcorn! Bring your family, and enjoy a day filled with fun fall activities!

Fall Festival at City Ridge: October 14 – 15
Celebrate Fall at City Ridge’s Two-Day Fall Festival & Artisan Market. Enjoy a Pop-up Pumpkin Patch, Autumnal Crafts, Food Trucks and more in the Heart of DC.

Boo at the Zoo: October 20 – 22
Guests can feast their eyes on spellbinding habitats decorated with Jack-O-Lanterns, spooky enrichment and tasty treats for the animals. Fiendishly fun vignettes featuring frolicking skeletons and fantastical creatures liven up the Zoo’s main pathway, Olmsted Walk. Tickets include special after-hours access for animal viewing at the Elephant Community Center, Small Mammal House, Reptile Discovery Center, a souvenir tote bag and around 30 trick-or-treat stations around the Zoo.

Soul Strolls at Congressional Cemetery: October 20 – 29
Trespass into the past and discover the secrets of some of Congressional Cemetery’s “residents.” Soul Strolls, the Cemetery’s annual twilight tours, explore the stories of individuals buried here through guided tours and costumed interpreters. Experience the history of this hallowed ground exactly the way it should be experienced in October – in twilight and darkness, happening upon vignettes and individuals under the guidance of one of our own. Hour-long tours depart every 15 minutes between 6pm and 9:30pm.

Grief and Ghost Tours at Lee-Fendall House: October 20, 21, 27 & 28
Explore Victorian mourning traditions coupled with stories of tragic deaths and mysterious occurrences at the Lee-Fendall House. Customs such as draping the mirrors after a death, funeral practices, hair jewelry, mourning clothing, and séances will be explored. These tours offer a rare opportunity to see the house after dark! Tours will be offered every half an hour starting 7:00 with the last tour at 9:00 PM. Tickets are $15 per person.

Grief and Ghost Tours at Lee-Fendall House: October 20, 21, 27 & 28
Explore Victorian mourning traditions coupled with stories of tragic deaths and mysterious occurrences at the Lee-Fendall House. Customs such as draping the mirrors after a death, funeral practices, hair jewelry, mourning clothing, and séances will be explored. These tours offer a rare opportunity to see the house after dark! Tours will be offered every half an hour starting 7:00 with the last tour at 9:00 PM. Tickets are $15 per person.

Grief and Ghost Tours at Lee-Fendall House: October 20, 21, 27 & 28
Explore Victorian mourning traditions coupled with stories of tragic deaths and mysterious occurrences at the Lee-Fendall House. Customs such as draping the mirrors after a death, funeral practices, hair jewelry, mourning clothing, and séances will be explored. These tours offer a rare opportunity to see the house after dark! Tours will be offered every half an hour starting 7:00 with the last tour at 9:00 PM. Tickets are $15 per person.

Fall Harvest Festival at Mount Vernon: October 21 – 22
Celebrate the crisp autumn season with 18th-century activities & demonstrations at the Farm at Mount Vernon. Explore the Farm. Meet General Washington. Purchase food freshly made in an 18th-century-style oven. Watch an 18th-century cooking demonstration. Visit with the colonial surveyors to see how surveying was done. Witness an 18th-century Cooper and Wheelwright perform their craft. See how horseshoeing was performed in the 18th century with the Farrier. Watch 18th-century spinning demonstrations. Learn about 18th-century textiles and how they were dyed.
NSO Family Concert- Halloween Spooktacular: October 22
An October tradition! The Concert Hall transforms into a ghostly sight when ghoulishly attired
National Symphony Orchestra musicians perform new and old classics to celebrate Halloween
and Dia de los Muertos. Praised for his “easygoing and engaging podium presence” (Playbill),
Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser leads this festive family concert. Most enjoyed by ages 5+.

Halloween at the Harbor: October 22
Enjoy trick-or-treating, a pumpkin carving competition, pet pawrade and more. This family-friendly party is sure to be a wicked good time!

36th Annual 17th Street High Heel Race: October 24
The Annual 17th Street High Heel Race is a time to celebrate the diversity of DC’s LGBTQ+ community and join thousands of costumed spectators cheer on costumed drag queens drag kings and community members as they race down 17th Street NW. Lively and filled with drag entertainment a parade and much more you won’t want to miss this DC tradition!

Mystery Mansion: October 26 – 29
A ten-room haunted house packed with chills, thrills, and a smidge of Maryland history, Mystery Mansion has scares that are just right for younger children. This is a 100% “No Contact” haunted house!  Older students and adults will enjoy the stories, special effects, and devious characters. If you are 10 years or older (no exceptions) you can visit The Crypt, a slightly scarier experience for those who dare. Before and after Mystery Mansion, enjoy Bonfire Bash!  Bonfire Bash will take place each night with fire pits, Halloween movies, live entertainment, food, beer & wine, face painting, and s’mores! Mystery Mansion & Bonfire Bash take place at 7931 Connecticut Avenue, one mile inside the beltway. Free parking is available behind the club house.

Super, Awesome & Amazing Halloween Spooktacular: October 27
Enjoy trick-or-treating, inflatables, photo booth, games, a family-friendly movie, costume contest, popcorn and more!

My Gym Halloween Party: October 27
Looking for not too spooky family fun this Halloween?  Find it at My Gym’s Halloween Party!  Join for circle time, games, costume parade, and loads of fun!  Each child leaves with a My Gym Halloween treat. Book your spot today!  Must sign up ahead of time.

Hill-O-Ween: October 27
Capitol Hill celebrates Halloween as a community each year in front of Eastern Market on 7th St.

Glow in the Park: October 27 – 28
Enjoy a magical experience climbing and ziplining through the trees lit up with neon colored lights, rockin’ music, and exciting themes! Reserve your tickets in advance for this fan-favorite event! Ages 5 and up are welcome.

Dia de Lose Muertos at Smithsonian American Art Museum: October 28
Celebrate Día de los Muertos with the Smithsonian American Art Museum! Bring the whole family to see exciting live performances, including traditional Mexican folk dance by Ballet Folklorico Mi Herencia Mexicana, an exhilarating mariachi performance by Mariachi Aguila DC, and a showcase of different Latin American music genres and dances with Sol y Rumba. Attendees ages 12 and younger can enjoy face painting throughout the day, while visitors of all ages can try out our featured Día de los Muertos-themed crafts. Have fun with a Día de los Muertos scavenger hunt that will take you through the museum’s new Many Wests: Artists Shape an American Idea exhibit.

Trick or Treat at Tudor Place: October 28
Celebrate the fall season with games and crafts at Tudor Place. Wear your Halloween best to explore the garden’s meandering paths and find festive activities, fun and sugary treats. All ages are welcome; this program is best enjoyed by children ages three to eight. This outdoor event will take place rain or shine.

Air & Scare at Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center: October 28
Join for the annual Halloween event at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center to explore the spooky side of air and space. This event will take place both inside and outside the Udvar-Hazy Center. At Air & Scare, you’ll get some spooky discoveries and some science fun. All visitors are welcome to wear costumes to the Museum. Air & Scare will feature: Trick or treat stations with free candy and snacks. Creepy crafts, spooky experiments, and other Halloween-themed activities for family members of all ages. Special story times and puppet shows for the youngest Halloween revelers. Photo opportunities with your favorite Star Wars characters.

Trick or Treat at Mount Vernon: October 28
Collect candy around the historic grounds and celebrate Halloween with 18th-century entertainment and activities. Collect candy in your special Mount Vernon treat bag around the historic grounds. Snap a selfie at our Straw Bale Selfie Station in front of the Mansion on the Bowling Green. Watch your children in a Costume Parade on the historic grounds. Greet the General & Lady Washington in the historic area.

Halloween at The Boo-ro: October 28
Pull out all the stops and don your coolest costume for The Best In Show Costume Contest! Humans and dogs alike will strut the runway for a chance to win a gift card to a selected Boro retailer. Other activities will include a Monster Bash dance party, Halloween crafts for the kids, a spooky themed reading from Turning the Page, tarot card readers and Witch’s Brew cocktails from El Bebe. As the day turns to night, stick around for a spooky screening of the cult classic “Hocus Pocus.”  The movie night, sponsored by Tysons Community Alliance and Showplace Icon Tysons, will begin at 6:30 p.m. and include a popcorn bar offering movie snacks.

The Pumpkin Patch Express at B&O Railroad: October 28 – 29
Join for a ride to the First Mile Stable where you’ll deboard for photo taking, game playing, scarecrow making, and pumpkin decorating! Come as you are or in your best Halloween costume to match the décor onsite. There will even be an opportunity to meet the horses and enjoy autumn snacks before boarding the train back to the Museum. 

Van Ness Spooktacular: October 29
Everyone’s favorite kid-friendly Halloween event is returning to Forest Hills Playground this year. Parents and kids of all ages are invited to dress in their favorite costumes and gather at Forest Hills Playground for spooky-inspired activities.

Day of the Dead/Día de los Muertos at the National Museum of the American Indian: October 29
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a time for commemorating our ancestors. Rather than a period of mourning, it is an occasion for celebrating with family—both living and dead—and appreciating and honoring the cycle of life and death. Bring the whole family to participate in activities, including dance performances, papel picado artist demonstrations, the unique art of sawdust carpets, and paper marigold and mask making. Visitors are also invited to leave photos and mementos of their loved ones on the ofrenda (altar) or commemorate them by writing their name on a butterfly and attaching it to the memorial arch. 

27th Annual Del Rey Halloween Parade: October 29
The parade begins at Mt. Vernon Avenue south of E. Bellefonte, and continues down to the Mt. Vernon Recreation Center fields at Mt. Vernon and Commonwealth Avenues for live music and an awards presentation for the pet & stroller contests, plus best decorated house and business.  All are invited to march and show off their finest Halloween garb! **Registration for the Pet Costume Contest and Stroller Competition will be done prior to the parade start. 

Rumpus Room Family Dance Party, Halloween Special: October 29
The Rumpus Room, DC’s only daytime dance party for families, returns for Halloween at Hi-Lawn on the rooftop of Union Market! You’ll be getting (slightly) spooky, outdoors under the sun, so put on your costumes and come dance! Costumes are highly encouraged, but not required. Get ready for a dance floor filled with little ghosts, goblins, witches, dragons, and pumpkins of all ages. Relive your night-life glory days with your little ones in tow. The soundtrack for the day will be a family-friendly mix of dance floor classics, current hits, guilty pleasures and Halloween tunes, all at a child-friendly volume. Hi-Lawn will be open for food and beverages at 11:00 am!

Spooktacular on Connecticut Avenue: October 31 from 2:00pm-5:00pm
The Chevy Chase Citizens Association is reviving Spooktacular – to be held on Connecticut Avenue in Chevy Chase, DC. Restaurants and store owners will provide goodies for costumed trick-or-treaters.

El Día de los Muertos Festival: November 2
Join the annual celebration of el Día de los Muertos – one of the National Portrait Gallery’s biggest events of the year! Visitors will enjoy live music, dance performances by a local folk dance company, workshops and a variety of activities for all ages. Artists MasPaz and Guache will project their live video artwork, “La Común Unidad: Caminando con los Ancestros,” highlighting the artists’ ancestral cultural heritage. Create calaveras and papel picado to decorate the community altar, get your face painted to look like la Catrina – and more! NPR is the media partner.

Montgomery County Halloween and fall fun events page

Corn maze at Winterbrook Farm

Corn mazes:
Liberty Mills Farm
Summers Farm
Montpelier Farm
Wayside Farm

Date Night:
Markoff’s Haunted Forest
Field of Screams
Ebe Haunts Trail of Terror
Fields of Fear
Six Flags Fright Fest
Shocktober
Halloween Night at O Street Mansion
Laurel’s House of Horror
Haunted Hayrides

Fall festivals:
Maryland Renaissance Festival: Weekends, August 26 – October 22
Frederick Oktoberfest: September 29-30
Oktoberfest at The Boro: September 30
PIKEtoberfest: October 1
Takoma Park Street Festival: October 1
Taste of Bethesda: October 7
Adam’s Morgan Porchfest: October 14
Bethesda Row Arts Festival: October 14-15
Volta Park Fall Festival: October 21
Glen Echo Fall Frolic: October 28

Pups:
Spooky Pooch Howl-o-ween Celebration: October 21
Hightail it to Hillwood Estate, Museum & Garden with your four-legged friend for some Halloween fun! Inspired by Marjorie Post’s affection for dogs and the memorial dog cemetery she created at Hillwood, we welcome you and your four-legged friend to join us for Halloween fun! Explore the gardens and participate in the annual costume competition. Strut your mutt and size up the other canine contestants.

Hirshhorn Howl-O-Ween: October 22
Join for a morning of dress-up, art activities, and furry fun at Hirshhorn Howl-o-Ween, our annual costumed celebration for dogs and their whole family. The one time of the year when Hirshhorn visitors can share art encounters with their well-behaved pets, Hirshhorn Howl-o-Ween invites dog owners and dog lovers of all ages to the Museum’s Plaza for a pre-Halloween party, featuring: Breakfast snacks, coffee, mimosa bar, and dog-friendly treats. Halloween-themed art making for humans and peanut butter “paw-traits” for dogs. A seasonal family photo booth.

Bark Social Breed Meet-Up: Halloween Costume: October 23
Calling all dog lovers and all breeds! Whether you love coordinating your costume with your dog, or just can’t resist a dog in costume, join us for this super fun costume party!

Howl-O-Ween at Gateway Park: October 27
They’ll have pet-themed vendors, raffles, giveaways, a beer and wine bar, and pet portrait sketches on-site! Dog costumes are strongly encouraged, as we will be hosting our annual Halloween dog costume contest. To enter, you must register on-site at the Rosslyn BID table between 3:30-5:30 p.m. 

Bonus:
Order new seasonal treats from Milk Bar. Pumpkin Coffee Cake + Truffles. This popular flavor returns for fall at all bakeries. A vanilla cake is layered with cinnamon “goo,” crunchy cinnamon streusel, pumpkin cheesecake filling and pumpkin frosting. It’s then topped with the *best* part of coffee cake – heaps of coffee cake topping. Available online and bakeries nationwide. Pumpkin Milk Bar Pie. The popular pie returns for fall. It has a gooey, buttery, fudgy consistency of a pecan pie mixed with the quintessential pumpkin flavor you can’t resist during fall. Available online and bakeries nationwide. Caramel Apple Pie Cake. Layers of caramel cake are slathered in a combination of gooey apples and vanilla caramel, and have hidden bits of cinnamon pie crumb in the center. True to pie form, the cake is topped with a layer of ice cream frosting and mini “scoops” of ice cream crumb. Available online and bakeries nationwide. 

Fall festivals, farms, orchards and events in and around Washington, DC

It’s that time of year when the weather is beginning to cool, cute fall outfits await, PSL’s are back and kids are hoping to start jumping in leaves soon. It also means making memories at local apple orchards, fall festivals and picking pumpkins. Have a favorite place to add to our list? Let us know in the comments!

Larriland (2415 Woodbine Rd., Woodbine, MD 21797)
Open – November 5
Gaze across the fields dotted with thousands of orange pumpkins, each one waiting to become a jack-o-lantern for your porch. The farm is decorated for Halloween with ghosts and goblins to delight and scare you. The fields are laden with crisp, succulent vegetables. The orchards are bent down with apples. It’s the last harvest to reap before the cold winter sets in. And fall is the perfect time to enjoy a tall glass of freshly squeezed sweet apple cider. 20 minute hayrides available on Saturdays and Sundays in late September and October. The Straw Maze, built in a confusing pattern with large round bales of straw, is a delightful place to get lost. The Straw Maze is open every day the farm is open in late September and October. The Boo Barn is for children ages 4 – 6. It is a dark passage in the bottom of the Red Barn and is filled with animated, not too scary ghosts and goblins. The Boo Barn is open every day the farm is open in late September and October. Apple fritters and Food trucks on Saturdays and Sundays in October.

Great Country Farms (18780 Foggy Bottom Rd., Bluemont, VA 20135)
Open – November 5
Open daily for apple picking and corn maze from Sept 1-30. They also have flashlight family nights through the corn maze September 29 & 30. On Saturdays & Sundays, they add in live music, marshmallow roasting, pig races & cider pressing demonstrations. Check out the Zurschmeide Family’s antique 1865 Cider press. Sample freshly pressed cider and see how it used to be produced! Apple picking is October 1-8. Fall Pumpkin Harvest Festival is from October  1-31, adult cornmaze & pumpkin chunkin taking place November 4 & 5. Purchase tickets online.

Gaver Farm (5501 Detrick Rd., Mount Airy, MD 21771)
Open – October 31
The Fall Fun Fest is home to over 65 farm attractions including a corn maze, farm animal barnyard, mini mazes, games, playgrounds, bike tracks, educational opportunities and family fun. 

Clark’s Elioak Farm (10500 State Rte 108 Ellicott City, MD 21042)
Open – November 5
Petting farm animals, hayrides, cow train rides, pony rides, birthday parties, educational tours, enchanted pine tree forest, special weekend events, enchanted forest attractions (from an old theme park) and fall season pumpkin patch. You can purchase tickets when you arrive.  

Homestead Farm (15604 Sugarland Rd., Poolesville, MD 20837)
Open 7 days a week
Pick your own apples and pumpkins, live animals to see and browse market goodies such as apple cider, mums and honey.

Summers Farm (5620 Butterfly Ln. Frederick, MD 21703)
Open – October 31
Admission includes 45+ fall fun activities. For a full schedule of special events, visit the entertainment page. For a complete listing of activities available at Summers Farm, visit the attractions page.

Leesburg Animal Park (19270 James Monroe Hwy., Leesburg, VA 20175)
Open – November 5
Enjoy the giant hill slides, hay wagon rides, pet and feed animals, free apple and cider snack with admission, free mini-pumpkin, kids maze and live entertainment, pedal carts, bounce pillow and live music. Specials on weekends include camel rides and entertainment.

Cox Farms (15621 Braddock Rd., Centreville, VA 20120)
Open- November 7
The Fall Festival is filled with family-friendly entertainment and TONS of attractions including slides, cornmaze, swings, animals, hayrides and more.

Butlers Orchard (22200 Davis Mill Rd., Germantown, MD 20876)
Open – October 29
Admission to pick your own pumpkins, hayrides, hilltop hop jump pads, tractor pull, jump in the hayloft, visit barnyard buddies, twisted corn maze, live music on weekends, playground, spiderweb, play in the corn box, straw maze, swoop down the giant slides, corn hole games & pedal tractors. Open Wednesday-Sundays, reservations are highly recommended.

Wayside Farm (5273 Harry Byrd Hwy., Berryville, VA 22611)
Open-October 29
Watch the pig races, get lost in the maze or sit under the tree, head to the playground or animals and play pumpkin checkers. There is a hay mountain and hayrides too. Get lost in the 10-acre corn maze. This year the maze is baby Yoda themed.

Loudoun Fall Farm Tour
October 21 & 22
Over two dozen locations are part of this exciting tour through rural Virginia. 

Readers also recommend:
Montpellier Farm
Weber’s Cider Mill
Pumpkin Playground at Burke Nursery

Fall festivals:
Maryland Renaissance Festival: Weekends, August 26 – October 22
Frederick Oktoberfest: September 29-30
Oktoberfest at The Boro: September 30
PIKEtoberfest: October 1
Takoma Park Street Festival: October 1
Taste of Bethesda: October 7
Adam’s Morgan Porchfest: October 14
Bethesda Row Arts Festival: October 14-15
Volta Park Fall Festival: October 21

Date Night:
Markoff’s Haunted Forest
Field of Screams
Ebe Haunts Trail of Terror
Fields of Fear
Six Flags Fright Fest
Shocktober

Ultimate guide to Halloween in and around Washington, DC

We have it all– dogs parades, date nights including frights and of course family-friendly Halloween events! If you are looking for orchards and fall festivals you can find that here. We have been crossing off items from our list of 12 things to do in October.

Halloween and fall events:
Creepy Climb at Summit Ropes: Weekends October 7th – 31st
A nighttime haunted house filled with spooky creatures and scary heights.  Explore the darkened world of Summit Ropes like you’ve never experienced before.  The Ropes Course transforms into a scary world of zombies, goblins, ghouls, and ghosts.

Witch Wartsmith’s Halloween Spooktacular at The Puppet Co: through October 31

Eye Spy Halloween Trains: through October 30
Halloween Eye Spy Train event returns in October. Online tickets are now available for purchase. Tickets are $6 each and our train will be running every weekend in October from 11am to 6pm, weather permitting of course. Purchase tickets for Cabin John’s Eye Spy Trains or Wheaton’s Eye Spy Trains.

Halloween Hunt at The Mansion on O Street: October 14 -31
Decorated for Halloween just for this hunt – come celebrate the BOO season on this zany treasure hunt. Have fun searching for Autumn & Halloween themed items found only at The Mansion. Prizes additional. There are over 100 rooms and 70 secret doors (yes 70!). They guarantee you can see at least 60 of our legendary rooms — but be warned secret doors are tricky to find — if you find 2 or 3 you are an above average sleuth.

DPR Halloween Events: October 19-31
It’s Halloween in DC and DPR is hosting events in all eight wards this 2022 Halloween season! Sign up today and make plans to attend one of our themed events taking place throughout the District.  It’s all tricks and no treats in the place. Browse the events and sign up today….if you dare!

Soul Strolls: Twighlight Tours at Congressional Cemetery: October 21-22
Trespass into the past and discover the secrets of some of Congressional Cemetery’s “residents.” Soul Strolls, the Cemetery’s annual twilight tours, explore the stories of individuals buried here through guided tours and costumed interpreters. Experience the history of this hallowed ground exactly the way it should be experienced in October – in twilight and darkness, happening upon vignettes and individuals under the guidance of one of our own. Soul Strolls take place over four nights, October 14-15 and October 21-22. Hour-long tours depart every 15 minutes between 6pm and 9:30pm.

The Pumpkin Patch Express at B&O Railroad: October 22-23 & 28-31
Join us for a ride to the First Mile Stable as passengers deboard for photo ops and pumpkin decorating.  Come as you are or in your best Halloween costume to match the décor onsite. There will even be an opportunity to meet the horses and enjoy autumn snacks before boarding the train back to the Museum. 

Mystery Mansion: October 21, 22, 23, 28, 29 & 30
A ten-room haunted house packed with chills, thrills, and a smidge of Maryland history, Mystery Mansion has scares that are just right for younger children. This is a 100% “No Contact” haunted house!  Older students and adults will enjoy the stories, special effects, and devious characters. If you are 10 years or older (no exceptions) you can visit The Crypt, a slightly scarier experience for those who dare. Before and after Mystery Mansion, enjoy Bonfire Bash!  Bonfire Bash is a Fall Festival with fire pits, Halloween movies, live entertainment, food, beer & wine, face painting, and s’mores! Mystery Mansion & Bonfire Bash take place at 7931 Connecticut Avenue, one mile inside the beltway. Free parking is available behind the club house. Tickets are available now on the web site.

DPR Halloween Events: October 19-31
It’s Halloween in DC and DPR is hosting events in all eight wards this 2022 Halloween season!

Grief and Ghost Tours at Lee-Fendall House: October 21, 22, 28, & 29
Explore Victorian mourning traditions coupled with stories of tragic deaths and mysterious occurrences at the Lee-Fendall House. Customs such as draping the mirrors after a death, funeral practices, hair jewelry, mourning clothing, and séances will be explored. These tours offer a rare opportunity to see the house after dark! Tours will be offered every half an hour starting 7:00 with the last tour at 9:00 PM. Tickets are $15 per person. Tours will be limited to 12 participants and tickets must be purchased in advance. Face masks are recommended.

My Gym Halloween Party: October 21 4:00pm-4:45pm and 5:00pm-5:45pm
Looking for not too spooky family fun this Halloween?  Find it at My Gym’s Halloween Party!  Join for circle time, games, costume parade, and loads of fun!  Each child leaves with a My Gym Halloween treat. Book your spot today!  Must sign up ahead of time.

Kids Night Out at Confetti: October 21 from 5:30-8:00pm
A fun-filled Halloween I SCREAM Party (drop-off) for 1st-6th graders! Your child will enjoy an evening full of creating memories with friends, pizza, age-appropriate Halloween games, a costume contest, a glow-in-the dark dance party and, of course, ice cream!

Halloween in the Garden: October 22 from 10:00am-4:00pm
Join us for a family-friendly Halloween festival at our beautiful 30-acre park. With timed-entry tickets and activities spread across the park, there will be lots of room for everyone. More than 50 local businesses and organizations will be here handing out treats for the kids, plus there will be fun and games, a DJ dance party, food trucks, and more! So dress up the whole family and enjoy a spooktacular day at Annmarie! Click here for detailed event and safety information.  

Fall Festival at Halley Rise: October 22 from 11am-2pm
This first-ever festival will feature fun family-oriented activities like a scavenger hunt, pumpkin painting and lawn games like corn hole will be accompanied by local bluegrass band, The High and Wides. Festival goers can also purchase food from José Andrés’ Pepe Food truck. 

Fall Frolic at Lee-Fendall House: October 22 from 10:00am-4:00pm
Enjoy some fall themed family fun in the garden of the Lee-Fendall House during our Fall Frolic event! Join us for activities catered to children ages 3-12. Activities include a “ghost” hunt, crafts, a costume parade, and more! Timed tickets must be purchased in advance. Sessions start at 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 3:00 PM and are limited to 20 children each. Tickets are $15 per participating child ages 2-12. Accompanying adults are $5 each and infants under 2 are free.

Fall Harvest Festival at Mount Vernon: October 22 & 23
Celebrate the crisp autumn season with 18th-century activities & demonstrations at the Farm at Mount Vernon. Explore the Farm. Meet General Washington. Purchase food freshly made in an 18th-century-style oven. Watch an 18th-century cooking demonstration. Visit with the colonial surveyors to see how surveying was done. Witness an 18th-century Cooper and Wheelwright perform their craft. See how horseshoeing was performed in the 18th century with the Farrier. Watch 18th-century spinning demonstrations. Learn about 18th-century textiles and how they were dyed.

Día de los Muertos at The Wharf: October 23 from 2:00pm-5:00pm
Celebrate the Day of the Dead at The Wharf. Live music, street food, a beer garden, face painting, sugar skull decorating, and more to District Pier in partnership with Modelo and Fiesta DC.

Montgomery Parks Spooktacular: October 23 from 10am to 1pm 
Calling all little goblins and ghouls, celebrate the spooky season at Montgomery Parks Spooktacular. This free kids’ Halloween event features several attractions and performers to get your little ones in the Halloween spirit! Check out some magic tricks at the magician’s corner, add to your costume at the face painting area, and create a Halloween art project at the craft station.

Día de los Muertos at the Wharf: October 25 from 2:00pm-5:00pm
Join us to celebrate the Day of the Dead at The Wharf on Sunday, October 23. We’re bringing live music, street food, a beer garden, face painting, sugar skull decorating, and more to District Pier in partnership with Modelo and Fiesta DC.

35th Annual 17th Street High Heel Race: October 26 from 6:30pm-9:00pm
The Annual 17th Street High Heel Race is a time to celebrate the diversity of DC’s LGBTQ+ community and join thousands of costumed spectators cheer on costumed drag queens, drag kings and community members as they race down 17th Street NW. Lively and filled with local drag entertainment, a parade, and much more, you won’t want to miss this DC tradition, co-hosted by Rayceen Pendarvis and Citrine the Queen.

Bethesda Row Trick or Treat: October 26 from 5:30pm-7:30pm
Bring your ghosts and goblins for an evening of fun, treats, bites and retail scare-apy. Tickets are required per child (not adult) and all proceeds go directly to Manna Food Center.

Art Cart Halloween at Hirshhorn: October 27 from 10:00am-12:00pm
Get inspired by Kusama’s creativity for Halloween and create your own wearable work of art. Together we will learn about Kusama’s life and process (including her love of pumpkins), explore monochromatic materials, and get into the holiday spirit. 

Spooktacular at Color Burst: October 27 from 6:00pm-8:00pm
Happy Halloween! Join us for happy haunts, trick-or-treats, and more at Spook-tacular at Color Burst Park! Spook – tivities will include: Pick your own pumpkin and give it a spooky makeover, Get creative with haunted craft stations, Listen to spooky storytimes, Trick-or-Treat around Color Burst Park, Enjoy Halloween cartoons on the big screen. Costumes are highly encouraged! Giveaways and crafts are first come, first served. Event is free and family friendly. All activities are first come first served. Picnic blankets and snacks for movie night are welcome.

Glow in the Park: October 28 & 29
Enjoy a magical experience climbing and ziplining through the trees lit up with neon colored lights, rockin’ music, and exciting themes! Reserve your tickets in advance for this fan-favorite event! Ages 5 and up are welcome.RESERVE TICKETS

Hill-O-Ween: October 28 from 5:30pm-7:30pm
Capitol Hill celebrates Halloween as a community each year in front of Eastern Market on 7th St.

Spooky Season Virtual Party with The Story Pirates: October 28 at 7 pm
Eric from the Story Pirates Podcast has been interviewing monsters, ghouls, and ghosts on the Story Pirates Spooky Season bonus episodes to try to choose the most fangtastic Halloween costume. What will Eric decide to wear for Halloween?! And most importantly: what will Story Pirates fans wear to the FREE spooktacular virtual Halloween party?! RSVP is required by clicking HERE. Free admission.

Boo at the Zoo: October 28, 29 & 30 from 5:30pm-8:30pm
It’s no trick, only the sweetest treat: Boo at the Zoo, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s beloved family-friendly Halloween event. Tickets include special after-hours access for animal viewing at the Elephant Community Center, Small Mammal House, Reptile Discovery Center, Great Ape House and Think Tank, dance party, a souvenir tote bag and around 30 trick-or-treat stations around the Zoo.

Dia de Lose Muertos at Smithsonian American Art Museum: October 29 from 11:30am-3:00pm
Join the Smithsonian American Art Museum in celebrating Día de los Muertos! Bring the whole family to see exciting live performances from Ballet Folklorico Mi Herencia Mexicana, Mariachi Aguila DC, and Sol y Rumba. Enjoy face painting and our featured Día de los Muertos–themed crafts for all ages. If you are unable to make it in person, or want to continue the celebration online, visit our Family Zone for more crafts, coloring pages, and performance videos.

Trick or Treat at Tudor Place: October 29 from 10:00am-1:00pm
Wear your Halloween costume and search for treats (not tricks) in every corner of the garden. Enjoy crafts, activities and period games amid lovely autumn plant life. This outdoor event will take place rain or shine.

Air & Scare at Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center: October 29 from 10:00am-5:00pm
Join us for our annual Halloween event at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center to explore the spooky side of air and space. This year, the event will take place both inside and outside at the Museum. The tickets required for outdoor activities are sold out, however you’re welcome to enjoy our indoor activities without a ticket. Air & Scare will take place rain or shine. Some outside activities may be curtailed, but many will scream on. Bring rain protection if it’s gloomy.  We will also host an online costume contest you can enter from home or from the event. This is your chance to win some extra Halloween treats.

Halloween Storytime & Party with Arts on the Horizon: October 29 from 10:30am-11:30am
Join us for a fun and festive Halloween party and interactive storytime! We will explore the wonders of the fall season and all things Halloween! Together we will use music and creative movement to explore new and exciting stories. After the storytime, stick around to create some fun Halloween and fall themed crafts. Wear your Halloween costumes (adults too!) and get ready to move and groove with stories, music, and movement. The event will be held outside on the front lawn. In the case of rain, the event will be moved inside.

Trick or Treat at Mount Vernon: October 29 from 2:00pm-6:00pm
Celebrate Halloween with 18th-century entertainment and activities. Collect candy in your special Mount Vernon treat bag around the historic grounds. Watch Halloween-themed Punch & Judy shows at 2:30 & 4:00 p.m. on the Bowling Green. Watch and Learn about 18th century magic in the Upper Garden at 3:30 & 5:00 p.m. See an 18th-century chocolate-making demonstration and sample a chocolate treat (while supplies last) in the North Grove. Learn about 18th-century Wool Carding along the South Lane. Watch sparks fly at the Blacksmith Shop. Enjoy musical entertainment on the Bowling Green. Find out about our Hog Island sheep, a breed dating back to Washington’s time, at the Stables.

Halloween Spooktacular: October 29 from 1:00pm-10:00pm
The St. James Halloween Party is a great way to enjoy a fun-filled, safe Halloween day inside our complex. 2 events in 1 day! 1:00 PM-4:00 PM: Pumpkin Plunge, Pumpkin Carving and Water Inflatable Obstacle Course. 7:00 PM-8:00 PM: Trick-or-Treating, Field Games and Inflatables 8:00 PM-10:00 PM: Hocus Pocus 2! – Movie in the Field House (Bring your blanket!). 2 separate tickets will be available for purchase, and can also be bundled into one!

Rumpus Room Family Dance Party, Halloween Special: October 30 from 11:00am-1:00pm
The Rumpus Room, DC’s only daytime dance party for families, returns for Halloween! This October we’ll be getting (slightly) spooky, outdoors under the sun, so put on your costumes and come dance with us! Get ready for a dance floor filled with little ghosts, goblins, witches, dragons, and pumpkins of all ages. Relive your night-life glory days and show off those rusty moves with your little ones in tow. The soundtrack for the day will be a family-friendly mix of dance floor and Halloween classics, all at a kid-friendly volume.

Halloween at the Harbor: October 30 from 12:00pm-3:00pm
Enjoy trick-or-treating, a pumpkin carving competition, pet pawrade and more. This family-friendly party is sure to be a wicked good time!

Van Ness Spooktacular: October 30 from 10am-3:00pm
Everyone’s favorite kid-friendly Halloween event is returning to Forest Hills Playground this year. Parents and kids of all ages are invited to dress in their favorite costumes and gather at Forest Hills Playground for spooky-inspired activities followed by Trick or Treating at small businesses along Connecticut Ave in Wakefield, Forest Hills and Van Ness. Click the link for the schedule of events.

PIKEkids Trick-or-Treating: October 30 from 10:00am-2:00pm
PikeKIDS annual Trick or Treat is back! Bring your little ones for a fun morning of Trick or Treating around the neighborhood and stay for brunch. Tickets required and all proceeds benefit Manna Food Center.

Fall Festival at City Ridge: October 30 from 12:00pm-4:0pm
Throughout the day, attendees can enjoy a variety of seasonal activities from painting pumpkins to jumping around the Halloween bounce house. Local DC food truck favorite, Reba’s, will also be on-site serving up funnel cakes and other sweet treats for attendees to enjoy among Halloween hits played by a local DJ. Registration is completely free and can be accessed via this link.

Halloween Spooktacular at Mosaic: October 30 from 9:00am-8:00pm
From store open to store close, stop by your favorite shops for trick-or-treating! Shop around at our FRESHFARM Farmers Market from 9 AM – 2 PM, and get your face painted at the Vienna Singing Princesses pop-up tent from 12 PM – 6 PM in Strawberry Park. Lay out your blankets, spread out your candy, and enjoy The Addams Family on our big screen in Strawberry Park, starting at 6 PM.

Spooktacular on Connecticut Avenue: October 31 from 2:00pm-5:00pm
The Chevy Chase Citizens Association is reviving Spooktacular – to be held on Connecticut Avenue in Chevy Chase, DC. Restaurants and store owners will provide goodies for costumed trick-or-treaters.

Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo: Mexican Geniuses: November 2
Celebrate Día de los Muertos surrounded by the artwork of two of Mexico’s most celebrated artists – Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. Mexican Geniuses, the immersive experience celebrating this iconic duo, will host an all day Dia de los Muertos celebration honoring the symbolic relationship between the living and the dead with programming for families in the morning, and an adult fiesta in the evening. 

Día de los Muertos at The Kennedy Center: November 4 at 7:30pm
Celebrate the Mexican holiday, el día de los muertos, the day of the dead, with a concert dedicated to music by Mexican composers, conducted by NOW’s Artistic Director Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez, a native of Guadalajara, Mexico.

Side Yards at The Yards: November 5 from 5:30pm-8:30pm
Guests are invited to enjoy contortionists, magicians, escape artists, sword swallowers, aerialists, lollipop lyra performers and other spook-tacular performances. Attendees are also able to take part in interactive activities including tarot card and palm reading, balloon artistry, and glitter tattoos, and warm up with hot cocoa and bites from Agua 301 and Due South Dockside. You can find photos from last year’s event linked here.

Corn maze at Winterbrook Farm

Corn mazes:
Liberty Mills Farm
Summers Farm
Montpelier Farm
Wayside Farm

Date nights:
Grief & Ghost Tours at Lee-Fendall House: October 21, 22, 28 & 29 from 7:00pm-9:00pm
Celebrate Halloween with a look at Victorian mourning traditions coupled with stories of tragic deaths and mysterious occurrences at the Lee-Fendall House. Customs such as draping the mirrors after a death, funeral practices, hair mementos, mourning clothing, and séances will be explored. These tours offer a rare opportunity to see the house after dark! Tickets are $15 per person. Tours groups will be limited to 10 participants and tickets must be purchased in advance.

Vampire Ball at Synetic Theater: October 28
Festivities start with a performance of Dracula at the theater. Then, guests head one floor up to the Marriott for an exclusive Halloween bash featuring a costume contest, dance party, and all the snacks and drinks that a ghoul could ask for. Gather all your Basic Witches for a party to wake the dead! Costumes very strongly encouraged. 21 and over please. 

Adults only:
Markoff’s Haunted Forest
Field of Screams
Ebe Haunts Trail of Terror
Fields of Fear
Six Flags Fright Fest
Shocktober
Laurel’s House of Horror
Haunted Hayrides

Pups:
Spooky Pooch Howl-o-ween Celebration: October 22 from 3:00pm-5:00pm
Hightail it to Hillwood Estate, Museum & Garden with your four-legged friend for some Halloween fun! Inspired by Marjorie Post’s affection for dogs and the memorial dog cemetery she created at Hillwood, we welcome you and your four-legged friend to join us for Halloween fun! Explore the gardens and participate in the annual costume competition. Strut your mutt and size up the other canine contestants. 

Howl-O-Ween at Gateway’s Interim Dog Park!: October 28 from 1:00pm-5:00pm
There will be a variety of pet-themed vendors, raffles, and giveaways to share with your pups. Dog costumes are strongly encouraged as we will be hosting our annual Halloween dog costume contest. To enter, you must register on-site at the Rosslyn BID table between 3:30-5:30pm.

Hirshhorn Howl-O-Ween: October 29 from 10am-11:30am
Join with your well-behaved costumed dog for a morning of dress-up and art in the Hirshhorn’s outdoor Sculpture Garden. Advance registration is required.

Halloween Best in Show at The Boro: October 29 from 3:00pm-8:30pm
Join The Boro for the ultimate dog costume contest at Boro Park! Pets will be able to strut the doggy catwalk and pose for judges with one winner crowned “Best in Show”. The top three looks will take home a prize-packed doggy gift basket. Don’t have a dog? Join us anyways for some fall family fun! This spooktacular day will be filled with trick-or-treating, games, and Halloween crafts. It is guaranteed to be a paws-itively wonderful day! The show doesn’t end there! Join us at 6:30pm in The Sandlot for a spooky screening of Scooby Doo (2002) on the big screen complete with a popcorn bar!

sPETacular Halloween Parade: October 30 from 2:00pm-4:00pm
The Shepherd Park Citizens Association is hosting its second popular Spet-tacular Halloween Parade and Costume Contest at the dog park at The Parks at Walter Reed. Start prepping your doggie (and human) costumes. We hear the judges are serious and the competition will be fierce! Dress up your dog to impress and win a prize in each weight category: Small (up to 24 lbs), Medium (24-55. lbs.), and Large (55+ lbs.). Prizes courtesy of One Leg Up Pets, Big Bad Woof Pet Store, and other local businesses. Celebrity judges include Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis-George, Vicki Davis of Urban Atlantic, and Ashley Mercado of One Leg Up Pets. Master Heath Bryan Leone is our Honorary Master of Ceremonies.

Bark Social Fall Fest & Puppy Parade
Various activities and themes throughout October. Click link above for more details.

Bonus:
Order new seasonal treats from Milk Bar. Taking the classic fall favorite,  apple cider doughnuts, and remixing it with a uniquely Milk Bar spin, a brand new cake and truffle combo is meant to transport you to your favorite fall memory.

Theatre and musical productions for families in and around Washington, DC

Kennedy Center Performances:

Air Play – November 4-6

Sleepover at the Museum – Saturday, October 15 at 2:00pm & 4:00pm
The National Symphony Orchestra will perform Karen LeFrak’s Sleepover at the Museum. It combines music and adventure to tell the story of a boy named Mason and his birthday party and scavenger hunt at a natural history museum. It’s sure to keep the kids excited!

Jacqueline and Jason’s Block Party! – Sunday, October 16 at 1:00pm
Join us for a FREE outdoor family event hosted by Education Artist-in-Residence Jacqueline Woodson and Artistic Director for Jazz Jason Moran. There will be exciting performances, fun-filled games, and activities. A jazz performance with Jacqueline Woodson, Jason Moran and the Bandwago, DC’s Second Line band DuPont Brass, Go-go and jazz artist Sweet Cherie, The Duke Ellington School of the Arts Show Choir, Fly Zyah and DJ Malcolm Xavier, Double Dutch demos and lessons from DC Retro Jumpers, Roller Skating demo with Our Family Skate Association, Hopscotch, hula hoops, sidewalk chalk, fort building, and more. Inspired by Jacqueline Woodson’s book The World Belonged to Us.

Finding Rhythm: Grow Your Brain with Go-go Music – October 29 at 11:30am & 1:30pm
Take a journey through the musical brain with Mother Dance, Father Rhythm, and the Curious Scientist! D.C.’s own Go-go music and brain science come together for this lively show that’ll have kids singing and dancing to the beat. Learn the origins of human rhythm, how rhythm grows the brain, and where children find the source of their own power AND connection. Music neuroscientist and show creator Dr. Jessica Phillips-Silver draws together a team of master musicians and teaching artists to tell this powerful, unifying story. This isn’t the Mozart Effect—it’s the Go-go Effect!

Air Play – November 4-6
Umbrellas fly, fabrics soar over the audience, balloons swallow people, and snow swirls, filling the stage. Air Play transforms ordinary objects into uncommon beauty through a wordless, magical adventure as two siblings journey through a surreal land of air. Created by circus performers Seth Bloom and Christina Gelsone in collaboration with kinetic sculptor Daniel Wurtzel, this enchanting spectacle combines comedy, live sculpture, circus, and theater to fill both the young and young at heart with wonder.

The Day You Begin – November 19 – December 18
It’s not easy to take those first steps into a place where nobody really knows you yet…but somehow you do it. This world premiere commissioned musical is based on one of Kennedy Center Education Artist-in-Residence Jacqueline Woodson’s most popular picture books, a #1 New York Times bestseller illustrated by Rafael López and featured in its own episode in the Netflix original show Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices. Adapted by Woodson with music and lyrics by Toshi Reagon and direction by Charlotte Brathwaite, The Day You Begin is a poignant and heartening musical about finding courage to connect, even when you feel afraid.

Bluey’s Big Play – November 22-27
When Dad feels like a little bit of Sunday afternoon time out, Bluey and Bingo have other plans! Join them as they pull out all of the games and cleverness at their disposal to get Dad off that bean bag. Bluey’s Big Play is a brand-new theatrical adaptation of the Emmy Award-winning children’s television series, with an original story by Bluey creator Joe Brumm, and new music by Bluey composer Joff Bush. Join the Heelers in their first live theater show made just for you, featuring brilliantly created puppets, this is Bluey as you’ve never seen it before, brought to real life!

This Season of Broadway at The National


Imagination Stage Performances:
In the Year of the Boar – October 15-22
Adapted from the award-winning novel, this play tells the touching story of a young Chinese American girl and her family moving from China to the United States in 1947. Using humor and a rich multimedia staging, the play celebrates the bravery and sacrifice of those who bring new perspectives to our country.

S.P.I.E.S. 2 – October 29-November 20
Join S.P.I.E.S. in person, where it is more interactive than ever! This follow-up to the online hit S.P.I.E.S. & the Lost Treasure of Atlantis combines live theatre and taped adventure scenes to create a collaborative and exciting experience where each audience gets to be the hero and solve the puzzles–and no two performances are alike.

Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed – November 16-January 8
When clothing suddenly falls from the sky, Wilbur J. Mole Rat stuns the colony with his decision to get dressed! In a community where baring is caring and skin is in, can Wilbur find the courage to rock to the rhythm of his own electric guitar? Mo Willem’s beloved picture book explores what can happen when we have the courage to be ourselves.

Aquarium – January 14-February 12
Enter a fantastical island world where fish soar through the air, lemons light up the sky, and sheep go parading by. With gentle music, puppets, and props, actors lead children and caregivers in an interactive exploration of a magical place of play.

The Hula Hoopin’ Queen – February 15-April 8
Kameeka is confident that today she will finally beat her rival, Jamara, and become the Hula-Hoopin’ Queen of 139th Street in Harlem. But she has to prepare for Miz Adeline’s birthday party, and almost ruins the day. Until Miz Adeline confesses that she’s also got the itch–the hula-hoopin’ itch! Her fingers start snappin’. Her hips start swingin’. Soon everyone’s hips are swinging as the party spills out onto the street.

Wake Up, Brother Bear – March 11-April 8
Sister Bear and Brother Bear are back from hibernation to take little ones on an interactive journey through the seasons. Meet a curious butterfly, play in a rushing waterfall, and catch lightning bugs as the bears frolic through the forest in an unforgettable theatre experience.

Olney Theatre Center Performances:
Dance Nation – Through October 31
Clare Barron’s explosive off-Broadway smash kicks off Olney Theatre Center’s 2022-23 season! In this Pulitzer Prize finalist, about a tweenage dance team from Liverpool, Ohio, more is at stake than a first-place trophy. It’s a play about the puberty years, but leave the kids at home — adult actors of all ages portray the adolescent girls (and one boy) amidst their tween confusion, as well as their future adult selves. As the competition heats up, literal fangs come out, and the blood, sweat, and tears get very real in a drama about friendship, rivalry, and girls becoming women.

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast – November 9-January 1
Last winter our internationally acclaimed production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast inspired thousands of theatergoers: as People Magazine said, it’s “a tale as old as time [that] feels refreshingly new.” Now Jade Jones (Belle) and Evan Ruggiero (Beast) are back in a revival of the production that won hearts and attracted the admiration of audiences from around the country. Be our guest along with other returning cast members Bobby Smith (Lumiere), Dylan Arredondo (Cogsworth), Michael Burrell (Gaston) and the rest of the gang in the Beast’s cursed castle for an escape to a world where beauty is more than skin deep and happily ever after is just a rose petal away.

A Christmas Carol – November 25-January 1
In a season stuffed with varied versions of the classic yuletide tale, Paul Morella’s solo performance stands apart for its devotion to Dickens’ original language and storytelling genius. One extraordinary performer brings to life Scrooge and his specters, the whole Cratchett family, and celebrants of Christmases past, present, and future – more than 40 different characters in all. It’s why this production is a treasured annual tradition gathering more devotees than ever as it enters its 13th iteration

The Puppet Co at Glen Echo Performances:

Witch Wartsmith’s Halloween Spooktacular – October 1-31
Witch Wartsmith (the sister of Witch Wartsmith from our Legacy show “Rapunzel”,) hosts the annual Halloween Spooktacular and you get to vote on the winner! Part contemporary competition show, part vintage telethon, and part punpalooza, this spooky variety show will tickle your funny bone. Don’t miss this year’s performances, because some of our contestants will change year to year! With a special evening performance on Halloween! More shows coming soon!

The 34th Annual Nutcracker – November 25- January 1
Join the Puppet Co. for our 34th annual The Nutcracker! This time honored seasonal celebration includes Tchaikovsky’s familiar story of Clara and her prince, with some Puppet Co. nursery rhyme spin.

Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins – December 1-January 1
Hershel just wants to celebrate Hanukkah with the community, but the Queen and King of the Goblins have forbidden the lighting of the candles. Can Hershel save the day and lift the curse for this shtetl (village)? With a special performance at 7pm on the first night of Hanukkah, December 18th!

Arts on the Horizon Productions:


Sneakers & Gumdrop – December 2-January 1
One snowy winter morning, Mr. Gumdrop prepares for his annual holiday party!  When an unexpected and curious mouse appears, Mr. Gumdrop’s routine is thrown for a loop. Can these two wildly different characters work together to get the holiday preparations done in time?  This nonverbal, imaginative production captures the magic of making new friends and sharing ideas to accomplish big goals.

Fitting In – March 10-April 2
Three siblings find themselves in a room full of possibilities and one not so simple task- to put things in their proper place.  However, they soon discover that throwing this and that into a box is not the same as finding where it fits in. Through clowning, movement, and original music, three performers will transform everyday objects into something extraordinary. Is a blanket a blanket? Or is it the sail of a boat setting off on an epic voyage? Together, we can find the magic buried in the bottom of every box, and hidden inside the world around us!

Acro Iris – June 9-July 1
Iris is excited about taking a trip to el parque with Abuela! But while getting ready, Iris has a hard time deciding what color shirt to wear. As Iris and Abuela explore each of the colors, they discover the different ways colors appear in the world and their own unique beauty. Abuela reminds Iris that each color lives inside everyone, so even if we choose one, the rainbow is always a part of us. Told through vibrant imagery, dynamic movement, and a beautiful soundscape created by each of the performers, this sensory-rich production is inspired by a Zapoteca myth and Quechua legends about the rainbow.

Saturday Morning Live! at the National Theatre
Fun takes center stage at the National Theatre for Saturday Morning Live! Join us in the Helen Hayes Gallery space on select Saturday mornings at 9:30 and 11:00 AM for wow-inspiring children’s entertainment of all sorts, from interactive performances, puppets, dance, and music – all designed to light up imaginations and celebrate a world of wonder. It’s free. It’s fun. It’s a great way to Saturday.

Millennium Stage at The Kennedy Center presents free performances everyday, no tickets required! Shows typically begin at 5:30pm.

A Christmas Carol at Ford’s Theatre

Add to your calendar:
Disney on Ice: October 6-10
Masters of Illusion: October 22-23
Disney Junior Live: October 22
The Illusionists Magic of the Holidays: November 9
A Christmas Carol: November 23-December 31
The Washington Ballet’s Nutcracker: November 25-December 30
Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show: December 9-18
Capital City Symphony: Annual Holiday Concert and Sing Along: December 18

Additional venues:
Atlas Performing Arts CenterArts for Young Audiences
BlackRock Center for the Arts
Bloombars
Busboys + Poets
Encore Stage and Studio, Theatre for Kids, By Kids
Jammin Java
Other Voices Theatre
Strathmore
The National Theatre Saturday Morning Live!

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