Halloween may have originally began as a Celtic celebration of the end of the harvest (and the start of a new year), but today, the occasion has taken on a spirit of its own (pun intended) — and DC is no exception. In our nation’s capital, there’s no shortage of inventive ways to experience the magic of the year’s spookiest week — from pop-up bars to parties, pumpkins, and so much more.

Keep reading for our list of the frighteningly ghoulest ways to spend your time this Halloween season. No tricks, only treats!

#1 Catch A Spooky Comedy Show: Head to Boundary Stone for an evening with Grassroots Comedy, where the organizers are calling the lineup a “scream come true.” Stand-up performances include former District resident Brittany Carney, Haywood Turnipseed Jr., Christian Escoto, Ross Benoit, and Rosalie Rubio. The event will be “ghost hosted” by Dana Fleitman.

#2 Embark On A Bar Crawl: The Annual Hip-Hop Halloween Bar Crawl on U Street is back for a seventh year. There will be plenty of drink specials — including $5 “Spooky Shots” at every stop — and no cover charge for every participating bar. DJs from across the region will be performing, and participants can grab free swag while supplies last. Oh, and costumes are highly encouraged.

#3 Embrace The Occasion With A Classic: Darn it, Janet? On Halloween, head to Lincoln Theatre for The Rocky Horror Picture Show‘s 48th Anniversary Spectacular Tour. We’re talking about the original, unedited movie, complete with a live shadow cast, audience participation, a costume contest, and more lovely frights in store.

➤ Here are a few more ways to enjoy the fall season in DC:

• Where to Get the Best Pumpkin Spice Latte in DC
• Fall Getaways Close to DC
• Embrace the Fall Season with these Spirited Cocktails

#4 Sip Haunted Spirits: This national company is taking over bars across the country for its seasonal Halloween pop-up — including cocktail bar Trouble Bird in Navy Yard. Visitors who dare enter can expect dungeon-like decorations that pay homage to goth, horror, and all things Halloween — along with a cocktail list to match. Sip on an earthy Hellfire Fizz made with rye, carrot juice, sherry, and greek yogurt, or the Satanic Panic, a spirit-free cocktail made with tequila alternative, miso falernum, and lime.

#5 Go For A Halloween Scavenger Hunt: To mark the season, the O Museum in the Mansion is hosting a “Halloween Nights Fun & Sweets” event. Visit the cash bar, search for secret doors, and show off your spooky best in the costume contest.

#6 Stroll Through A Cemetery: Waltzing through a graveyard may sound like something only Wednesday Addams would find romantic, but cemeteries were in fact once considered popular gathering places and picnic spots. If you’re looking to partake in a macabre spread, Congressional Cemetery allows picnickers, but suggests you notify the office beforehand. You might even find a recipe on the tombstones!

#7 Get Scary Lost In A Corn Maze: Perhaps you’ve already maneuvered a corn maze this fall, but this week offers the perfect opportunity to try one with some eerie upgrades. Turn up the terror at Montpelier Farms, where you can navigate the corn stalks at night by flashlight. (General admission ranges from $14 to $19.) And if you’re looking to put your luck to the test, Markoff’s Haunted Forest has a corn maze you wander while blindfolded. Beyond the maize, there’s also a wagon ride and haunted trail (free to $50).

#8 Party In A Haunted Hotel: Dress to impress at the Watergate Hotel’s inaugural Halloween Masquerade, where partygoers can sip cocktails, take in great views of the city, dance to DJ-spinning tunes, and participate in a costume contest for a chance to snag a free stay in the hotel’s presidential suite (Sat, $30+, Downtown).

Planning a move? Buying or selling real estate in DC isn’t scary when you work with the right team. Get in touch with our team directly by calling us at 202.280.2060 or emailing us at jsmira@jennsmira.com.