The 5 Best Halloween Events and Activities in D.C.

The nation’s capital is a great place to be, especially during the year’s spookiest season. Every year, the residents of Washington, D.C., flock to the city’s variety of Halloween-themed events to enjoy the sights, sounds, and scares of October. Whether you’re looking for a Halloween date night idea or a place to take the kids for a spooky weekend, there’s an event for you in Washington, D.C., this fall.

At Koons Clarksville Chevrolet Buick GMC, we’re proud natives of the Washington, D.C., area and Halloween is one of our favorite holidays. To make sure our neighbors enjoy the season as much as we do, we’ve put together this guide to some of the best Halloween events in the area.

Boo at the Zoo

Washington, D.C., is home to one of the most expansive and best-loved zoos in the nation, the Smithsonian National Zoo. Every year, it hosts the Boo at the Zoo event, a family-friendly celebration of the Halloween season. The event provides a safe and fun place for kids under the age of 12 to go trick-or-treating alongside some of their favorite critters. 

While the zoo hasn’t yet announced exact details about its 2022 event, visitors can anticipate browsing some of their favorite exhibits, decorated for Halloween. The zoo also typically offers snacks and train rides as well. If you’re looking for a spooky event that’s fun for the whole family, be sure to get your tickets as soon as they’re available.

Washington, D.C., Ghost Tour

Washington has a long history, including some dark and eerie secrets. For those looking to explore the spookier side of our nation’s capital, look no further than the Washington, D.C., Ghost Tour. This event is offered by U.S. Ghost Adventures, a national company that provides haunted tour experiences all over America and owns some of the nation’s most notorious haunted houses.

Tours take place nightly and start at the Treasury Building at the intersection of 15th Street NW and F Street NW. The tour lasts approximately an hour and covers a little over a mile, during which visitors will hear some of the darkest supernatural tales from the district’s history.

The tours are led by experienced guides with a knack for storytelling, and the tour includes eight stops at famous haunted locations, including the president’s church. You might just see the six ghosts in white cloaks that are rumored to appear when the church’s bell tolls. If you’re feeling especially adventurous, you can even book the extended tour, which includes a total of 12 stops.

Field of Screams

Field of Screams is one of Washington’s best-loved haunted attractions and has a long history of providing thrills to locals. The attraction has even gained recognition as a top Halloween destination from publications like The Washington Post and the Baltimore Sun. Located just outside of Washington in Olney, Maryland, Field of Screams is much more than just a haunted house. It’s a massive Halloween-inspired theme park with plenty of terrifying activities for you and your friends.

The centerpiece of the park is the Super Screams Haunted Trail, which is the longest outdoor haunted trail in the country. This attraction combines the Haunted Trail and the Trail of Terror, which features 13 small haunted houses. The Trail of Terror promises woods full of zombies, so get ready for a thrilling experience for your whole party. 

Aside from the trails, visitors can also visit the Slaughter Factory haunted house and participate in Halloween-themed carnival games. If you’re looking for some serious scares this Halloween, consider picking up tickets online and taking a drive out to Olney.

PumpkinPalooza

For those looking for something more family-friendly and low-key, PumpkinPalooza is a great event. Sponsored by the NoMa Business Improvement District, this annual celebration of fall held in Alethia Tanner Park. While the details of 2022’s event are still to be announced, past festivals have included a range of activities for the whole family, including a pumpkin patch where you can pick out your next jack-o’-lantern.

Previous PumpkinPaloozas have also included live entertainment, costume contents, fall-themed refreshments, and scavenger hunts. Best of all, the event is free, so be sure to stay tuned and check PumpkinPalooza’s webpage for additional details.

Día de los Muertos at the Wharf

Over the years, the traditional Mexican celebration of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) has gained increasing recognition throughout the United States. Washington’s famous waterfront complex, the Wharf, holds an annual celebration of Día de los Muertos that’s a great way to celebrate Mexican culture and the coming of fall. This year, the street festival will take place on Oct. 24. 

Although exact details haven’t been released yet, visitors can count on musical performances, fantastic food and beverages, and holiday-themed activity. Feel free to dress up when you go and enjoy the sights, sounds, and tastes of Day of the Dead this fall. The Wharf is offering prizes for the most authentic outfits.

So, there you have it. That’s a quick overview of some of our go-to fall festivities in Washington. What do you think? Did we miss any events you love? If you’re a Washington native and want to share your favorite Halloween haunt, feel free to drop us a line and we’ll see if we can include it. We hope this list helps you enjoy the season, whether you live in the area or you’re driving in to visit. 

Your Trusted Dealership in Clarksville, Maryland

If you’re looking for a trusted local dealership in the Washington, D.C., area, look no further than Koons Clarksville Chevrolet Buick GMC. We have an extensive inventory of new and used vehicles at great prices and our friendly staff is happy to help you find your next vehicle. Koons Clarksville is also the perfect place to sell your vehicle. We’re constantly  expanding our inventory and we’d love to buy your vehicle, no matter the make or model. We pride ourselves on offering excellent prices and trade-in values, and you can easily value your trade before you come in.

Image by Szabó János is licensed with Unsplash License

Tags: Halloween, Washington DC
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