How to Celebrate Spooky Season in DC
On the hunt for things to do on Halloween in Washington, DC?
Halloween may have originally began as a Celtic celebration commemorating the end of the harvest, but these days, 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 spell — 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 Step Into the Morris Masquerade
Morris American Bar | October 30
Sip on spooky cocktails and dance beneath the glow of mystery at Morris American Bar’s Halloween-eve bash. Your ticket includes a welcome shooter — and the chance to turn heads in your most glamorous or ghoulish getup.
#2 Saddle Up for the Vampire Saloon
Desert 5 Spot DC | October 31
DC’s new country hotspot is going full Dracula. Dust off your boots (and your fangs) for live music, costume prizes, and cowboy-style Halloween fun.
#3 Dance the Night Away at Nightmare in Navy Yard
HQO Events | October 31
Three dance floors. Three DJs. One unforgettable fright fest. Expect laser shows, food trucks, animatronics, and a virtual reality paranormal experience at this massive Navy Yard takeover.
#4 Party for Days at The Haunted Ballroom
Clarendon Ballroom | October 31–November 2
Why attend only one party when you can haunt all three? From the Monster Ball to the Afterlife Party, Clarendon Ballroom’s weekend-long Halloween blowout is where the party doesn’t die.
#5 Join the Sinister Séance at Ned’s Club
November 1
An upscale, candle-lit affair awaits as Heist and Ned’s Club conjure spirits of Washington’s elite. Expect haunted rooms, lavish cocktails, and eerie glamour — if you can get a ticket, that is.
#6 Crawl Through U Street’s Hip-Hop Halloween
November 1
Nine bars, old-school beats, and drink specials galore. Join DC’s longest-running Halloween bar crawl and show off your costume for a chance at big prizes (and bigger bragging rights).
#7 Bring Your Pup to Howl-ween
Metropolitan Park | October 21
Halloween’s going to the dogs (literally)! This year, dress your furry friend up for trick-or-treating, coffee sipping, and the cutest costume contest in Arlington!
#8 Get Festive at The Boro’s “Boo-ro” Bash
The Boro Tysons | October 25
Magic shows, pumpkin crafts, and a doggie catwalk make this Tysons party a family favorite. Bring the whole crew — capes, masks, and pets not only welcome, but encouraged.
#9 Stroll Through Pumpkins in the Park
Canal Park | October 25
Decorate pumpkins, devour cider doughnuts, and catch live zydeco tunes at Capitol Riverfront’s cozy neighborhood celebration. The first 150 guests will even score free fall treats!
#10 Catch Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror
Lincoln Theatre | October 29
DC’s historic Lincoln Theatre transforms into a cathedral of fright as the Peacherine Orchestra scores this century-old vampire classic live.
#11 Experience Frankenstein Reimagined
Synetic Theater | November 1–23
This movement-based retelling of Frankenstein brings Mary Shelley’s monster to life — no words, just raw energy and emotion. A must-see for theater lovers seeking chills.
➤ 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
#12 Go For A Halloween Scavenger Hunt:
Take an offbeat adventure through the Mansion on O Street’s whimsical museum, where every hallway hides a hauntingly fun surprise. This Dupont Circle gem features more than 100 themed rooms and over 80 secret doors just waiting to be found. On select Halloween nights, up the ante with a costume contest for guests ($52).
#13 Stroll Through A Cemetery:
This fall, history rises from the grave. Soul Strolls 2025: Grave Robbing and Resurrection takes you deep into DC’s dark past, where actors revive the city’s most haunting tales. Meet the souls who shaped our history (for better or worse) and discover the secrets they couldn’t take to the grave.
#14 Get Lost in a Haunted Forest:
What started in 1992 with a haunted school bus roaming DC has become a legend of fear across the DMV region: Markoff’s Haunted Forest. Across three attractions, be on the lookout for smoke, strobe lights, and things that breathe down your neck. This year, don’t just walk through the madness — survive it.
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