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Your D.C. Halloween Weekend: Where to party, trick-or-treat and get spooky
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Día de los Muertos takes over the Wharf on Sunday. Photo: Courtesy of the Wharf, Washington DC
It's a Halloween takeover weekend, with everything from kid-friendly fun to costume DJ dance parties, fancy masquerade soirees and Día de los Muertos celebrations.
- Pick your potion, D.C. — the calendar is stacked.
Here's where to get spooky.
🎃 Family-friendly frights
- Hill-O-Ween: Capitol Hill's beloved Halloween bash returns with trick-or-treating, face painting, pumpkin decorating and plenty of pint-sized ghouls. (Friday, 4pm, Eastern Market, free)
- Smithsonian Sleepover: Spend Halloween eve at the National Museum of American History, where kids can explore exhibits, play games and sleep among the artifacts. Breakfast included! (Friday night-Saturday morning, tickets $130+).
- Kidchella: Little monsters can dance off their sugar highs at Arena Stage's costume-friendly Halloween bash, designed for kids ages 6 and under. (Saturday, 10am-noon, $5 for kids, $10 for adults).
- Trick-or-Treat at Mount Vernon: Collect candy on George Washington's estate and watch old-school apple butter-making and blacksmith demonstrations. Kids also eat free at the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant. (Saturday, $26 for youth, $30 for adults).
- Hi-Lawn's Big Hi-Laween: Head to the Union Market rooftop for pumpkin painting, seasonal snacks, local vendors and a costume contest. (Saturday, 1:30pm, free)
- Halloween at the Roost: Bring the kids and pups for trick-or-treating, face painting, an outdoor photo booth and a dog costume contest. (Sunday, 9am-1pm, Capitol Hill)
👻 Parties, costumes and cocktails
- Halloween cocktail crawl: Four neighborhood favorites — Techo Palma, Service Bar, Eebee's and 600T — team up for a bar hop featuring two $13 Halloween cocktails at each stop. No cover charge. (Thursday, 6-11pm, free)
- Anju Halloween: Pair Korean bites with spooky specialty cocktails at this late-night celebration. The kitchen's open until 11:30pm. (Thursday, 9pm).
- Crush Costume Contests: Why have one costume contest when you can have three? The 14th Street gay bar offers $500 in prizes Friday, $1,000 Saturday and $250 for Sunday's best hot dog costume. Expect DJs and drag hosts Venetian and Lena Lett. (Friday-Sunday, times vary)
- The Hustle: '70s Disco Halloween: Dust off the bell-bottoms and boogie to Donna Summer, ABBA, Chic and more disco favorites at this 21+ dance party. (Friday, 10pm, $27, Pearl Street Warehouse)
- Haunted Circus at Chicken + Whiskey: Step behind the Peruvian chicken counter into a creepy circus-themed speakeasy, where DJ AS-ONE keeps the party going. Costumes encouraged. (Saturday, 6pm, free, 14th Street)
- It's Not a Phase: Break out your eyeliner for Hi-Lawn's rooftop Halloween party with pop-punk and emo anthems, tarot readings, local vendors and a costume contest. (Saturday, 6pm, $4+ Union Market)
- Mobius Records Halloqueen: Rock out to Queens of the Stone Age on vinyl, compete in a costume contest and stick around for DJ sets before heading to No. 9 Lounge for costume karaoke. (Saturday, 6pm, Old Town Alexandria)
- Dolly Parton Look-Alike Contest: Big wigs, bigger personalities. Channel your inner Dolly for a shot at a $250 gift card. (Saturday, 9pm, free with RSVP, Georgetown).
- Whitlow's Halloween Bash: Sip $10 cocktails served in IV bags and compete in two costume contests, with Capitals tickets and $250 up for grabs. (Saturday, 9pm, U Street)
- House of Hex at Dirty Habit: Get spooky in the courtyard with a New Orleans-inspired party featuring DJs, themed cocktails, interactive surprises and costume prizes. Admission includes a drink. (Saturday, 9pm-2am, 21+, Penn Quarter)
💃 Feeling fancy?
- Candlelight Halloween Concert: Hear eerie classical pieces and familiar tunes from "Stranger Things" and "Thriller," by the glow of candles. (Friday, 6:45pm, $70+, National City Christian Church, Thomas Circle)
- Barbouzard Masquerade: Masks and costumes are encouraged at this Champagne-fueled Halloween soirée. Dress up and your first glass of bubbly is on the house. (Saturday, 9pm, free admission)
- Fiola in Maschera: Halloween gets the Venetian treatment at this elegant masquerade, complete with Champagne, cocktails, bites, candlelight and live piano music. (Saturday, dinner, $250, Penn Quarter)
💀 Día de los Muertos celebrations
Celebrate the Mexican tradition of honoring loved ones with music, art and community gatherings.
- Taqueria Habanero's Fiesta: Bring the family for cultural performances, crafts, trick-or-treating and Halloween activities. (Saturday, noon, free, Northeast D.C.)
- Cielo Rojo's Día de los Muertos Festival: Get flash tattoos, tarot readings and face painting, browse local vendors and contribute photos to a community ofrenda. Festive attire scores a free margarita, and the best dressed wins a $100 gift card. (Saturday-Sunday, noon-7pm, free, Takoma Park)
- Día de los Muertos at Congressional Cemetery: Honor departed loved ones at this historic cemetery's community celebration, where visitors can make crafts and contribute to a shared ofrenda. (Sunday, 11am, free, Capitol Hill)
- National Portrait Gallery Día de los Muertos Festival: Celebrate with Mexican folk dancing, live music, crafts and community altars. Later, artists MasPaz and Guache bring the festivities to life with an evening projection performance. (Sunday, 5pm, free, Penn Quarter)
- Día de los Muertos at the Wharf: Dance to live Latin music from Sol y Rumba and Mariachi Imperio, decorate sugar skulls and join a sunset light procession by the waterfront. (Sunday, 3pm, free, Wharf)
✨ More weekend fun
- Wizards vs. Hornets: Washington takes on Charlotte in NBA Cup group play. (Friday, 7pm, Capital One Arena)
- Go-Go 50: The Washington Ballet kicks off its 50th season with a tribute to D.C.'s signature sound, including the world premiere of a ballet set to go-go music featuring work from Black Alley. (Friday-Sunday, $145+, Warner Theatre)
- Takoma Park Flea & Art Market: Hunt for vintage finds, records, handmade jewelry, art and other treasures at this neighborhood market. (Saturday, 10am, free, Takoma Park)
- Trini Gyals Pop-Up Shop: Shop local vendors, grab seasonal treats and enjoy Trinidadian specialties at this neighborhood market. (Saturday, noon, free, Northwest D.C.)
- Capitals vs. Wild: Washington faces Minnesota on home ice. (Sunday, 3:30pm, Capital One Arena)
- Spirit vs. Chicago Stars: Cheer on the Spirit in their final regular-season match. (Sunday, 5pm, Audi Field)