The start of spooky season is upon us and no matter how you like to celebrate, you will find the best Halloween events in the Washington, DC area. The district has something perfect for everyone with dining cruises, thrilling tours, trick-or-treating events, and some of DC’s best activities and haunts. Halloween isn’t just for kids so dress up in your favorite costume, grab your little goblins, and get into the spirit of the season.
Air & Scare
Explore the spooky side of air and space at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center on October 26, 2024, from 10 am-3 pm. The entire family will have a great time at this indoor and outdoor event. Free tickets for the outdoor portion are required and available here. Free candy and snacks at trick-or-treat stations, creepy crafts, spooky experiments, and other Halloween-themed activities for all ages are just a few things planned to get in on the fun. Special story times and puppet shows for the youngest Halloween enthusiasts will get everyone in the spirit. All visitors are welcome to wear costumes to the museum, but masks are prohibited. Don’t forget to take a photo with your favorite Star Wars character.
Boo at the Zoo
Get ready for a wildly good time at the Smithsonian’s National “Boo at the Zoo” with a family-friendly event on October 18-20th. This enormously popular event is back to enjoy the season’s festivities while visiting 30 trick-or-treat stations as you feast your eyes on the Zoo’s amazing animals interacting with jack o’ lanterns and other Halloween-themed enrichment. Enjoy the spooktacular decorations along the main walkway and gather your goodies in a souvenir tote bag. If you’re looking for a more spine-chilling experience, Night of the Living Zoo is for you!
Ghost Tour
Uncover the chilling secrets hidden beneath Washington, DC’s most iconic figures and landmarks. From presidents and assassins to conspirators and heroes, the spirits of the past still roam the capital’s historic streets. Reveal tales of tragedy, despair, and the hauntings that continue to lurk in DC today with a DC Ghost Tour if you dare!
Mount Vernon Trick-or-Treating & Tour
Gather candy across the historic grounds and enjoy Halloween with 18th-century festivities and activities at Mt. Vernon. Bring your whole gang to witness a magic show, a baking demonstration, a straw bale selfie station, live music, and much more! Join City Cruises on select dates through October for a truly American experience with the only round-trip Mount Vernon Cruise direct from Washington, DC. You’ll get three hours to explore the estate and gardens along with a narrated riverfront tour as you pass both historic and modern landmarks such as the Naval War College, Ronald Reagan National Airport, Old Town Alexandria, National Harbor, and Fort Washington. Purchase onboard breakfast, lunch, and anytime snacks while you sit back and relax on the water and take a break from the festivities.
Nightmare in the Navy Yard
Experience a frightfully good time as Nightmare in Navy Yard, DC’s biggest Halloween dance party returns on Saturday, October 29th. You’ll be put under a spell with animatronics, a live DJ, an open bar, and special FX lighting lasers. Come dressed in costume and enter a scene straight from your nightmares.
Sail into the Spooky Season with a Dining Cruise
A dining cruise is a perfect way to celebrate the Halloween season with a unique blend of festive fun, stunning waterfront views, and delicious cuisine. City Cruises Washington DC has several options that your whole crew will love.
Enjoy the eerie ambiance of the city’s illuminated skyline during a Washington DC Premier Dinner Cruise on the Potomac River. Dine on a chef-prepared plated meal, craft cocktails, and exceptional service as you soak in sweeping views of Washington, DC’s iconic landmarks such as the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial from the warm and comfortable indoor areas and the open-air decks while our DJ plays all your favorite hits.
Revel in a beautiful evening under the stars with a fun and picturesque Washington DC Signature Dinner Cruise on the Potomac River. Turn your dinner into an incredible night out with a delicious chef-curated buffet for all ages, savored alongside the breathtaking backdrop of the city skyline. Stay warm and cozy no matter what the weather has in store in our comfortable indoor spaces. Marvel at iconic landmarks as you dine and dance into the night with live DJ entertainment, games, and a fully stocked cash bar.
Treat your family to a Washington DC Premier Bottomless Mimosa Brunch Cruise as you bask in the Halloween season. Enjoy a picturesque day dining on the Potomac River and indulge in a chef-prepared buffet meal featuring savory and sweet classics, bottomless mimosas, top-notch service, and beautiful panoramic views from the comfort of our climate-controlled interior spaces and open-air decks. You will not be disappointed.
Frights and Delights: Halloween Fun in the Nation’s Capital
There are a lot of ways to celebrate the Halloween season this fall in the district. Bring on the crisp weather, pumpkins, candy, and costumes, and get ready for this festive time of year in the DC area because no one does it quite like our Nation’s Capital. Whether you’re looking for a frightening experience or a casual family-friendly vibe, Washington, DC offers a wide variety of fun things to do for Halloween making it a thrilling destination for all ages.