TUESDAY
27
OCTOBER
The Ember ListDC area
Things to do with kids in the DC area this week
767 things to do with kids in the DC area this week, October 27 – November 2, 300 of them this weekend: story times, classes, family festivals, puppet shows and more. We reviewed 6,000+ Washington-area events to find them. Last updated October 27, 2026.
All kids & family events in the DC area — October 27 – November 2
Storytelling Spooktacular at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library offers gentle spooky tales early, followed by spine‑tingling stories later, all ages.
Halloween edition of Family Storytime features read-aloud stories, songs, rhymes, fingerplays and flannel boards at Central Library’s Barbara M. Donnellan Auditorium, for all ages.
Spooky stories, songs, fingerplays and a brief craft happen at Bladensburg, with optional costumes encouraged, for ages 5 and under.
A Halloween scavenger hunt at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens begins with a book trail featuring Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden.
Stories, music, and movement for toddlers, with Halloween costumes welcome; registration required, limited space, for ages 18‑35 months with caregiver.
Costume-friendly Halloween songs, games, bounces and bubbles for little pumpkins at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library, with a photo op; for ages 0–23 months.
Spooky-season storytime with Halloween costumes and a haunted craft at Lamond‑Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Neighborhood Library, ages 5 and under.
Pajama Storytime at Glencarlyn Library features read‑aloud stories, songs, rhymes, fingerplays and flannel boards, encouraging participants to wear pajamas, for all ages.
Pumpkin Decorating Contest (Parklands‑Turner Neighborhood Library) — participants receive pumpkins to paint and craft into favorite book characters, displayed for community voting, ages 5+.
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Ghost hunt through Hirshhorn galleries solving the mystery of footprints in Annette Lemieux’s 1988 Nomad, followed by read‑aloud, felt play and art project, for ages 6 and under.
Haunted walking tour through Georgetown’s streets, Victorian row houses and gardens ends with a light show at the Exorcist Steps and a stop at the Old Stone House.
WEDNESDAY
28
OCTOBER
Halloween-themed storytime and costume parade at Olney Library, followed by a Stay and Play session with educational toys for ages 0‑5, for ages 10 and under.
Costumed ghost hunt in Annette Lemieux’s Nomad painting, with read‑aloud, art‑making, and gallery tour at Hirshhorn Museum’s Storytime Studio, for ages 6 and under.
Costume contests and baby races with healthy snacks at Rosedale Neighborhood Library — for ages 5 and under.
Not‑so‑spooky 40‑minute storytime and optional costume parade at Damascus Community Recreation Center, 25520 Oak Drive, for newborns to age 5.
Halloween Storytime at Courthouse Library features festive stories, silly songs, and a costume parade in the children’s area, all ages, free, no registration.
Mini Golf course and Climb UPton transformed into haunted Halloween attractions at Upton Hill Regional Park — all ages.
Half-mile costumed parade with floats, bands and fire trucks rolls down Maple Avenue, a rain‑or‑shine tradition since 1946, lasting about 90 minutes, free, all ages.
Spooktacular storytime with costumes, stories, songs, fingerplays and games at South Bowie, for ages 5 and under.
A Halloween scavenger hunt at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens begins with a book trail featuring Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden.
Trick‑or‑Treat stroll through Bethesda Row provides treats from 25+ shops, a glow stick, meet‑and‑greet with Buzz, Woody and Jessie, balloon‑twist art, tote for first 50.
Spooky-season storytime with Halloween costumes and a haunted craft at Lamond‑Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Neighborhood Library, ages 5 and under.
Bilingual Spanish storytime in pajamas features stories, songs, rhymes, fingerplays, and listening activities at the Central Library Quincy Room for ages 0–5.
Music and cotton‑ball ghost crafting in the Lower Level Conference Room at Mary Riley Styles Public Library, Falls Church, for ages 5–11.
Pumpkin Decorating Contest (Parklands‑Turner Neighborhood Library) — participants receive pumpkins to paint and craft into favorite book characters, displayed for community voting, ages 5+.
Haunted walking tour through Georgetown’s streets, Victorian row houses and gardens ends with a light show at the Exorcist Steps and a stop at the Old Stone House.
THURSDAY
29
OCTOBER
Pumpkin decoration craft with spooky music and snacks in the Large Meeting Room at Southwest Neighborhood Library, for ages 5–12.
Spooky stories, crafts, games, music and contests fill the Monster Mash Party at Parklands‑Turner Neighborhood Library, ages 19 and under.
Treats, snacks, games and crafts on the library’s patio, moving indoors if it rains, optional costumes encouraged, for ages 12 and under.
Halloween party on the library’s fifth floor features storytime, crafts, snacks, a movie, and a costume parade beginning at 4:30 PM, for ages 13 and under.
Halloween stories, songs, movement and surprises fill the PreSchool Story Time at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library, costumes optional, for ages 3–12.
Costume-clad trick-or-treaters visit service desks for candy and participate in spooky activities at Gum Spring Library, for ages 10 and under.
Halloween family storytime features read‑aloud stories, songs, rhymes, fingerplays and flannel boards at Glencarlyn Library, for all ages.
Trick-or-Treat at Ashburn Library offers candy, activities, and crafts for kids in Halloween costumes, ages 10 and under.
A Halloween scavenger hunt at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens begins with a book trail featuring Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden.
Costumed Halloween skating with a parade, plus crafts and treats in party rooms at Wheaton Ice Arena, for ages 5 and under.
Monster Mash at Capitol View Neighborhood Library offers music, Evil Laugh Winners announcement, Art Vote, teen “Thriller” dance‑off and 4:30 pm story‑time, costumes encouraged, for ages 19 and under.
Miss Amy leads stories, songs, movement and Halloween‑themed activities at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library, space limited, tickets pick up at 3:30 p.m., for ages 3–12.
Campfire at Meadowside Nature Center features marshmallow roasting, s’mores building, and spooky story sharing; pre‑registration required, all ages.
A Halloween image scavenger hunt runs through Gum Spring Library, where participants record black letters from finds and spell a word for a prize, ages 10 and under.
Trunk or Treat at Alexandria Police Headquarters features decorated police, fire and emergency vehicles offering treats and first responder meet‑ups; costumes encouraged, free, all ages.
Creepy crafts and ghoulish games fill the Halloween Spooktacular at Brambleton Library, with a YouTube channel subscription option for more programs, for ages 5–10.
Halloween fun in the library’s large meeting room includes mini pumpkin decorating on a first‑come, first‑served basis, with costumes encouraged, for ages 19 and under.
Spooky Halloween craft hour at Petworth Neighborhood Library features pumpkin decorating and bookmark making, for ages 19 and under.
Create a custom Halloween candy bag using sublimation prints and a heat press at Gum Spring Library, limit one bag per person, supplies limited, ages 5 and up.
Costumed scientists present curious creatures and spooky specimens in the Ocean Hall, including a NOAA chimaera photo, for an eerie educational experience.
Studio A hosts a Halloween costume craft session at Adele H. Stamp Student Union where participants bring ideas and use supplies to make masks, outfits, or costume elements.
Haunted walking tour through Georgetown’s streets, Victorian row houses and gardens ends with a light show at the Exorcist Steps and a stop at the Old Stone House.
Kings Park Library hosts a Halloween paper quilling class where participants shape paper, select wooden backgrounds, and optionally turn creations into magnets, ages 8+.
FRIDAY
30
OCTOBER
A Halloween parade moves from Richardson Park to Thomas Stone Elementary parking lot, followed by trunk‑or‑treat, arts and crafts, and light refreshments.
Halloween stories and a costume parade in the library meeting room, then the night's big event follows, for ages 5 and under.
Trunk or Treat (Beltway Plaza Rear Parking Lot) — Decorated trunks hand out candy, pumpkin carving runs alongside, partners Franklin Park and Mission BBQ, for all ages.
Music, dancing, a story, a short parade and trick‑or‑treating fill the Halloween Dance Party at Cascades Library, costumes encouraged for ages 10 and under.
Halloween Storytime at Westover Library’s Children’s Area features themed read‑alouds, songs, rhymes, fingerplays and flannel boards, with costumes encouraged, all ages.
Boo-Fest at Charles Houston Recreation Center features a costume parade, carnival games, moon bounce, arts and crafts, and spooky stories, all ages.
Halloween edition of Family Storytime features read-aloud stories, songs, rhymes, fingerplays and flannel boards at Central Library’s Barbara M. Donnellan Auditorium, for all ages.
Costume party at 121 Centerway features plaza performers, merchant trick‑or‑treating, and a short film at Greenbelt Cinema, free for all ages.
Mini Golf course and Climb UPton transformed into haunted Halloween attractions at Upton Hill Regional Park — all ages.
Costumed participants enjoy themed read‑aloud stories, songs, rhymes, fingerplays, flannel boards and a craft activity at Aurora Hills Senior Center for all ages.
Costumes, crafts, games, candy, and a spooky sensory challenge await at Lovettsville Library, for ages 10 and under.
Mystery Mansion in Downtown Silver Spring offers a family‑friendly haunted house with live music, firepits, s’mores, and timed indoor scares, for all ages.
Halloween Pop-up Fun at Thomas Jefferson Library offers a creepy bat craft, monster scavenger hunt, and costume treat, for ages 3–10 and 13–18.
A Halloween scavenger hunt at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens begins with a book trail featuring Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden.
Exciting games, a spooky haunted house, arts and crafts, snacks, and prize draws await at the Family October Fest, Patrick Henry Recreation Center, for all ages.
Sensory-friendly trick-or-treat at Segra Field Parking Lot offers accessible Halloween fun with an LCPL activity table and treats, hosted by Loudoun PRCS, all ages.
Jennie the cat explores Halloween with puppets, skateboarding, shadow puppetry, pumpkin carving, original music and audience interaction at the Puppet Co. Playhouse, $17.93, for ages 4+.
Whip up witch's brew, vampire bloodbath, or creepy‑crawly slime, customizing colors and adding eyeballs or insects, at Sherwood Regional Library’s Meeting Room, for ages 5–10.
Spooky Stories (Aurora Hills Center) — Share a family‑friendly spooky story and enjoy Halloween fun, open to all ages, no 55+ Pass required.
Spoooky-themed movie matinee series screens Ghostbusters, Monster House, Hotel Transylvania, Monster’s Ink, and Beetlejuice in the Main Meeting Room, with limited snacks, for ages 19 and under.
Costumed self‑guided stroll through Meadowside’s enchanted forest, solving riddles and puzzles while collecting treats on natural trails with roots, rocks, and uneven surfaces; flat closed‑toed shoes recommended.
Halloween tales and roasted marshmallows around a community campfire at Clearwater Nature Center, with marshmallows and roasting sticks provided; bring hot dogs, other food, non‑alcoholic drinks.
Haunted mini golf and a terrifying trail wind through Pohick Bay Regional Park, offering spooky family‑friendly attractions and festive surprises.
Spooky Dry Ice Science (Hidden Oaks Nature Center) — bubbling concoctions, screaming spoons, and Boo bubbles demonstrate states of matter, for ages 5 and up.
Spooky cover sets by RenRiot, Niiasii, The Frizz, Savage and more rock the Songbyrd Music House, raising funds for Girls Rock! DC; all ages.
Spooky stories and marshmallow roasting around a campfire at Locust Grove Nature Center, with costumes encouraged; registration covers one child and an adult.
Haunted walking tour through Georgetown’s streets, Victorian row houses and gardens ends with a light show at the Exorcist Steps and a stop at the Old Stone House.
SATURDAY
31
OCTOBER
Costume-clad participants hear autumn and Halloween-themed stories and receive small gifts at the Francis A. Gregory Neighborhood Library, for ages 5–12.
Trick-or-treat among the stacks at Lamond‑Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Neighborhood Library, with costume showcase and treat bags while supplies last, ages 19 and under.
Celebrate Halloween with games and activities at Purcellville Library’s Annual Halloween Bash, ages 10 and under.
Live music, games, food, contests and candy fill the Old Firehouse Center for a Halloween costume celebration, free admission, for all ages.
Trick or Treat at Tudor Place offers treats, costumes, coffee, cider, crafts, games and face‑painting outdoors, rain or shine; Member child $15, child $20, adult $10, for ages 3–13.
Halloween-themed stories, activities and a costume parade in the Centreville Library lobby, for ages 0–5 with adult.
Nova Labs hosts a Monster Bash Halloween Party with swamp punch, spooky games, potluck scary foods and costume encouragement for makers, ages 3–13.
Halloween fun at Glen Echo Park features Trick‑or‑Treat bag decorating, crafts, a fall photo‑op, costume contest, studio Trick‑or‑Treating, music by the Washington Conservatory of Music, and free admission.
Halloween-themed storytime with gentle tales followed by a costume parade at White Oak Library, for ages 10 and under.
Spooky classics performed by ghoulishly attired National Symphony Orchestra musicians at Lisner Auditorium, Washington, in a Halloween celebration concert, for ages 2 and up.
Not‑Too‑Scary Halloween storytime at Oakton Library features interactive stories, songs and action rhymes, for ages 0–5 with a caregiver.
Halloween bingo sessions, games, crafts and other activities fill Oakton Library’s conference and meeting rooms, with costumes encouraged, ages 10 and under and 13 and up.
Storytelling, spooky crafts, and a sneak peek of The Woodsman by West Springfield High School at Pohick Regional Library, for ages 10 and under and 13 and up.
Costumed participants enjoy Halloween Storytime with themed read-alouds, songs, rhymes, fingerplays and flannel boards, introducing listening skills and picture books at Aurora Hills Library’s Eads Room, all ages.
Halloween themed storytime in Lower Level Conference Room at Mary Riley Styles Library, Falls Church; limited space, first‑come‑first‑served, for ages 18 months to 4 years with a caregiver.
Sensory-friendly story time with reading, songs, dancing, and flexible participation at Chevy Chase Neighborhood Library, encouraging costumes and movement, for ages 12 and under.
Costumed kids gather in the library’s children’s area for a spooky storytime, for ages birth to 5.
Wheaton Library hosts a Not-So-Spooky Storytime with Halloween songs, stories, a craft activity, and a costume parade for ages 5 and under.
Make a Halloween craft, trick‑or‑treat, and enjoy refreshments at Middleburg Library, for all ages.
A Halloween scavenger hunt at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens begins with a book trail featuring Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden.
Spooky interactive storytime on the lawn behind Kings Park Library, with a costume parade and treats, invites blankets and snacks, all ages.
Bingo sessions at 1:00 and 2:00, plus games, crafts, and other activities throughout Oakton Library, with costumes encouraged, for ages 10 and under and 13 and up.
Hidden Halloween characters around the library await discovery, with a small prize for locating them all; costumes encouraged, no registration required, for all ages.
Spooky stamps, hands‑on art, a museum‑wide costume parade, and a Wizard of Oz stamp station where participants design a Toto costume at the National Postal Museum.
Ghost Stories Campfire (Arlington County) — Stories, animal guests, games, songs and provided S’mores around the Long Branch or Gulf Branch fire ring, all ages.
Costume‑filled night in a parking lot of decorated car trunks, offering safe trick‑or‑treating; vehicle decorators register by Oct. 16, all ages.
Costumed trick-or-treating at Mosaic District shops followed by a Hocus Pocus screening on a big screen in Strawberry Park.
Monster Mash playday at Upper Marlboro Library offers silly, spooky games and socializing for kids ages 5 and under.
Jennie the cat explores Halloween with puppets, skateboarding, shadow puppetry, pumpkin carving, original music and audience interaction at the Puppet Co. Playhouse, $17.93, for ages 4+.
Trick-or-Treating at Mount Vernon — 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, Virginia.
Halloween-themed movie screenings of Spooky Buddies, Monsters Inc., and The Nightmare Before Christmas at Southwest Neighborhood Library, for ages 5–12.
Trick-or-treating through Union Market District retailers offers spooky shopping and treats, free, for ages 12 and under.
Costume contest, candy, games, pumpkins, haunted hayride, and haunted house fill the Tucker Road Athletic Complex for an annual Halloween trick‑or‑treat night.
Trick-or-Treat! (Petworth Neighborhood Library) — Library hosts a costume showcase and candy collection for trick-or-treaters, featuring princesses, superheroes, and more, ages 19 and under.
Halloween crafts, candy, and face painting fill an afternoon at Pinstripes, with kids encouraged to wear costumes.
A Halloween image scavenger hunt runs through Gum Spring Library, where participants record black letters from finds and spell a word for a prize, ages 10 and under.
Free swim access to the Warm Water Pool, beach area and Lap Pool at RCC’s Terry L. Smith Aquatic Center, featuring RCC Spooktacular info, all ages.
Hunters Woods Plaza hosts outdoor games, trunk‑or‑treating with candy and non‑candy treats, apple cider, a costume parade, a “Hocus Pocus” screening, and a Spooktacular Splash at RCC’s pool.
Trunk or Treat at Kentland Community Center offers car decorating contests, costume displays, and prizes in a safe Halloween celebration.
Artist Playground: Halloween Edition (Herndon Fortnightly Maker Lab) — Themed Halloween craft and coloring page session, materials provided, for ages 3–10.
Spook‑Tacular Family Dueling Piano Show (172 Fleet St., National Harbor, Maryland) — for all ages.
Hocus Pocus (Justice Forum, The Kennedy Center) — Free Millennium Stage film screening of three resurrected 17th‑century witches haunting modern Salem, starring an unsuspecting boy, all ages.
Adaptive Recreation's Got Talent Show performs at Segra Field Parking Lot, with a library info table offering treats, for all ages.
17 more events through Monday, November 23.