This is the first year that the Chamber of Commerce is putting on the trick-or-treat event, with all of the businesses on Montrose participating, but they expect that it will become an annual tradition.
It is a good way to load up on candy and other treats, like pizza. Chicago’s Pizza is making ghost pizzas complete with olives for the eyes and pepperoni for the mouth.
Organizers say this event is designed to encourage kids and their parents to enjoy the neighborhood.
“It’s kind of a sure thing. If there’s an event, there will be candy; there will be trick-or-treaters,” said Christina Pecce with the Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce.
ABC7 has seen a bunch of costumed kids and their parents up and down the street there.
Monsters are also guarding the candy in Northbrook.
More than 70 of them surround Howard Wise’s home, attracting visitors from all over.
“OMG it’s crazy. Love it. Absolutely love it. Glad I’m not living next door to it,” said visitor Ann Furby.
Wise stores the creatures in his basement all year. They come out on Halloween, and then go back into hibernation for a year. It’s a family affair.
“Look at it. Everybody loves it. It’s just a great thing to do,” Wise said.
He has been putting all of this together for more than a decade. However, he says this could be it. His son is going off to college next year, and it is too much on his own. Although, he has a lot of people trying to convince him to keep it going.
In Oak Park, the nice weather drew ghosts, goblins and every other character one could imagine to go door-to-door, asking for treats.
Chopper 7 also found busy trick or treaters going door-to-door in west suburban Hinsdale and in northwest suburban Schaumburg.
The Petrified Forest is dying to scare you on halloween Credit:Courtesy
Halloween falls on a Friday this year, making for a long weekend of frights and spooktacular events and parties in Orlando. Here’s a legion of terrifying events worth your attendance … if you dare.
13+ Films of Halloween: Halloween (1978) 1Fifteen years after murdering his sister on Halloween night 1963, Michael Myers escapes from a mental hospital and returns to the small town of Haddonfield …. 11:59 pm Friday; Enzian Theater, 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland; $11-$12.50; 407-629-0054; enzian.org.
The Allen Asylum The Allen Asylum Haunted House began as a neighborhood tradition and has become one of Orlando’s growing Halloween attractions. All donations go to local charities, with over $1,000 raised last year and a goal of $2,500 for this season. Kid-friendly preview for ages 10 & under at 6 pm. 7 pm Friday; The Allen Asylum, 9239 Cypress Cove Drive; free; 321-228-5555; theallenasylum.com.
Anthem Halloween: Heroes vs. Villains The ultimate Halloween showdown! Choose your side and bring your fiercest look for a night of epic costumes, wild beats and pure chaos. 8 pm Friday; Anthem Orlando, 100 N. Orange Ave.; free; 407-279-0609; anthemorlando.com.
Beacham Halloween Music by DJ Grape, DR3DACHEF, and costume contest offering $10,000 prize in cash and goods. This event is 21 and up. 10 pm Friday and Saturday; The Beacham, 46 N. Orange Ave.; free-$100; 407-648-8363; foundation-presents.com.
BOO! Orlando Monster mazes, comedy and interactive entertainment in a safe, family-oriented environment. Located in Lake Nona, BOO! is designed to create lasting memories without the nightmares. 5-10 pm Friday and Saturday; Nona Adventure Park, 14086 Centerline Drive; $10-$40; 407-476-3535; booorlando.com.
Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp Fall Fest Vendors and food trucks daily, mini-readings in the Berkner House from 3-9 pm., nightly Encounter the Spirits tour, and bookstore open after hours. 3-10 pm Friday and 10 am-10 pm Saturday; Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp, Cassadaga Road and Stevens Street, Cassadaga; free; 386-228-2880.
Ceiba Bar Takeover: Día de Los Muertos An unforgettable Day of the Dead celebration in partnership with Lost Explorer Mezcal. Celebrate the evening with tarot card readings, a live mariachi band and traditional Mexican dinner with expertly paired themed cocktails. 7 pm Saturday; Ceiba, 1500 Eastbeach Way; 407-387-2000; ceibaorlando.com.
Clermont Haunted House Experience terror at the Brewer & Sons Funeral Home Clermont Chapel. Thursday-Saturday; Clermont City Hall, Historic Downtown Clermont, 685 W. Montrose St.; $10; 352-394-4081.
Disney’s Hocus Pocus in Concert Live to Film Film plus the Orlando Philharmonic. 6 pm Saturday; Walt Disney Theater, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave.; $20-$153; 844-513-2014; drphillipscenter.org.
Dr. Grimly’s Halloween Trails This year, the gates open to three horrifying trails. Squeakles’ Game twists the carnival grounds into a freakish contest of fate; Sins of the Sacred turns the old monastery into a possessed sanctuary of torment; The Carvehouse is unlike anything you’ve faced before. Through Saturday; Sunsational Farms, 40541 Roger Giles Road, Umatilla; $10-$100; 352-771-2013; sunsationalfarms.com.
Eden Bar’s Halloween Party Take a peek beneath the Big Top, if you dare, at our Carnival of Lost Souls. Test your skills with frightful games galore or gaze into the crystal ball and discover what horrors fate has in store for you. This traveling roadshow makes a stop in town for one night only to unleash pure pandemonium. Dress to impress in your best costume and party with your friends until the lights go out. Tickets include entry into our carnival-themed party, the costume contest and plenty of scares to remember. 8 pm Friday; Eden Bar at the Enzian, 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland; $10; 407-629-1088.
Flashback Fright An ’80s dance party featuring Beauty & the Beats. 7 pm Friday; Judson’s Live, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave.; $29.75; 407-358-6603; drphillipscenter.org.
Freesco: Halloween Edition An unforgettable night of disco, freestyle and more. 8 pm Friday; Primrose Lanes Restaurant and Bowling Club, 400 N. Primrose Drive; $13; 407-745-0862; primroselanes.com.
The Grave Rave Pop Punk Emo Night 9 pm Friday; West End Trading Co., 202 S. Sanford Ave., Sanford; free; 407-322-7475.
Halloween at DaVinci Music from the ’80s, a cash costume contest and drinks. 7 pm Friday; Cafe DaVinci, 112 W. Georgia Ave., DeLand; free; 386-873-2943; cafedavincideland.com.
Halloween at Will’s Featuring Psycho 78 as The Misfits, The Ultimate Sin as Ozzy Osbourne, Our Escape From the Grave as AFI and Interlude With a Vampire. This event is 18 and over. 8 pm Friday; Will’s Pub, 1042 N. Mills Ave.; $10; willspub.org.
Halloween Costume Contest Live music by Rhythm Me Up and DJ Dead Ringer, street performers, shops and more. The top 25 costumes compete for a share of over $1,000 in cash and prizes. Participants must be 18 or older. 6 pm Friday; The Promenade at Sunset Walk, 3251 Margaritaville Blvd., Kissimmee; free; 407-338-4811; sunsetwalk.com.
Halloween Flix at the Garden: The Nightmare Before Christmas10 am Saturday; Garden Theatre, 160 W. Plant St., Winter Garden; $5; 407-877-4736; gardentheatre.org.
Halloween Spooktacular Kids love trick-or-treating (with purchase of reusable bag) during this daytime event as they explore our decorated trail and meet colorful characters. This year be sure to check out all our immersive family Spooktacular Festivities. Select dates through Sunday; SeaWorld, 7007 SeaWorld Drive; 407-363-2613; seaworld.com/orlando.
Haunted Monster Truck Ride Clermont’s beloved Showcase of Citrus transforms into a realm of unrelenting terror. The once-familiar orange groves are no longer a safe haven — they’ve become a harrowing landscape of fear. Your only hope for survival? Climb aboard towering 16-foot-tall, 40-foot-long Monster Trucks manned by fearless Showcase Rangers, and plunge into a wild escape through the cursed fields. Through Saturday; Showcase of Citrus, 15051 Frank Jarrell Road, Clermont; $25; 352-856-0507; showcaseofcitrus.com.
The Haunting of River Ranch Have a witching-good time with immersive experiences like haunted stables, scare zones, eerie photo ops and frightfully good food and beverage booths. 7 pm Friday-Saturday; Westgate River Ranch Resort, 3600 River Ranch Blvd., River Ranch; $5-$10; 863-692-1321; westgatereservations.com.
Hulaween This year’s expertly curated bill spans the full spectrum of sound, bringing together world-renowned artists and emerging talent across electronic, jam, funk and more, featuring a mix of debut performances and genre-blurring sets. Friday-Sunday; Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, 3076 95th Drive, Live Oak; $170-$10,500; 386-364-1683; hulaween.com.
You’re Welcome: Lucy Darling Halloween Special8 pm Friday; Steinmetz Hall, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave.; $70-$118; 407-358-6603; drphillipscenter.org.
The Magic Show: Halloween Edition Spine-tingling illusions, eerie vocals and electrifying live music from America’s Got Talent finalist Drew Thomas. Friday-Sunday; Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes Resort, 4012 Central Florida Parkway; $50-$90; 321-204-7499; drewthomasmagicwowshow.com.
Nightmare at the Pointe Four venues. One night. Endless thrills. 8 pm Friday; Pointe Orlando, 9101 International Drive; free; 610-215-7939; pointeorlando.com/live.
Old Town’s Spooktacular Halloween 5 pm Friday; Old Town, 5770 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee; free; 407-396-4888; myoldtownusa.com.
A Petrified Forest APF returns for its 18th season with a new villain, a haunted strip mall, and a fully reimagined event designed to blur the line between horror and reality. The 2025 theme, “The Landlord Has Arrived,” sets the stage for an all-new storyline that pulls guests into an immersive, multi-sensory experience across three haunted trails — and beyond. 7 pm Friday; 1360 E. Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs; $36; 407-468-6600 apetrifiedforest.com.
Rage Against the DJ Halloween Takeover9 pm Friday; Tuffy’s Music Box, 200 Myrtle Ave., Sanford;free.
Richie Kotzen, John 56 pm Friday; House of Blues, Disney Springs, Lake Buena Vista; $50; 407-934-2583.
Spooky Empire The dark side of Comic Con: Central Florida’s horror-entertainment convention. Friday-Sunday; Hyatt Regency Orlando, 9801 International Drive; $40-$299; 407-284-1234; spookyempire.com.
Step Into the Spirit: Día de los Muertos Immerse yourself in a celebration of Día de los Muertos at the Museum of Illusions. Guests of all ages can enjoy colorful decor, themed illusions and interactive exhibits that honor Mexican traditions celebrating life, family and remembrance. Noon-6 pm through Sunday; Museum of Illusions Orlando, 8441 International Drive; $19-$27; 833-541-0992; moiorlando.com.
Thornton Park Halloween Block Party Thornton Park District presents the 12th Annual Halloween Block Party featuring Halloween costume contest with prizes, DJs and outside bars with drink specials, plus Vaudeville Entertainment with Cirque-themed performers. This event is 21 and over. 8 pm Friday; Thornton Park, Summerlin Avenue and Washington Street; $15-$20; 407-752-9763; thorntonparkdistrict.com.
Thrill the Night Michael JacksonThriller-inspired Halloween costume party. A night of champagne, chills and killer moves. Sip themed cocktails, beer and wine and dance to DJ Nela spinning all night. 8 pm Friday; Flutes Champagne Bar, 480 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park; free; 321-972-5716.
Vampirates!A haunted high-seas spectacle where bloodthirsty buccaneers, audience participation, and cursed treasures await the bravest of souls. Through Friday; Pirates Dinner Adventure, 6400 Carrier Drive; $40; 407-248-0590.
WJRR 101.1 presents Afterween8 pm; West End Trading Co., 202 S. Sanford Ave., Sanford; $10.11; 407-322-7475.
Lovers of indie bookstores and spine-chilling festivities should head to Fright Fête at Lost City Books in D.C.’s Adams Morgan neighborhood this Friday.
Lovers of indie bookstores and spine-chilling festivities should head to Fright Fête at Lost City Books in D.C.’s Adams Morgan neighborhood this Friday.
This is the fifth Fright Fête hosted on Halloween by Lost City Books. At the event, guests can expect costumes, dancing, snacks and refreshments, a live DJ and even free flash tattoos.
“It’s great if you already have plans on Halloween, but maybe this can be like a first stop for you and a friend … before going on to the next thing. Some people who love indie bookstores and maybe don’t go to house parties in that kind of way — they’re welcome to stay at Lost City the whole night,” said Jonny Teklit, events manager at Lost City Books. “We just try and make it fun. We try and make it a party that we as staff would want to attend as well.”
Tickets to the Fright Fête cost roughly $53 per person.
Nightmare on U Street Get boo-zy this Halloween at Whitlow’s on U Street. This Friday, expect the bar to be filled with live music, specialty drinks and a $500 prize for the winner of their costume contest. Those who arrive between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. also get a free JELL-O shot.
D.C. Zinefest Head to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday for the annual celebration of zines, known as D.C. Zinefest. The festival is being hosted on the fourth and fifth floors with workshops hosted in The People’s Archive in the library.
Fall Family Fun Day For some of the best seasonal, family-friendly fun, the Brookland Arts Walk is hosting a puppet show on Saturday along with a photo booth and other activities.
Adams Morgan PorchFest One of the city’s biggest neighborhood music festivals is back for the fall season. Adams Morgan PorchFest is being hosted at dozens of businesses with over 100 bands participating.
Día de los Muertos The Wharf is celebrating Día de los Muertos this Saturday in partnership with the Mexican Cultural Institute and Fiesta D.C. The family-friendly festival includes live music, cultural performances, a Modelo beer garden, face painting and sugar skull decorating.
Maryland
Ball-o-ween/Baddie-ween The Bethesda Theater is hosting a Halloween costume party, called Ball-o-ween/Baddie-ween, with sounds from Dylan Ali, the Styles Band, Tyra the Zombie, and Stardust, with headliner TikTok star and rapper Adamn Killa. Tickets cost $35.
“Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror” The Mansion in North Bethesda, Maryland, is hosting a live music screening of the 1922 film, “Nosferatu,” accompanied by Strathmore’s very own AIR musicians. The event is this Saturday with tickets that cost approximately $35 per person.
Carla Hall on “Carla and the Tin Can Cake Party” This Sunday, celebrity chef and TV star Carla Hall is hosting a story time at People’s Book in Takoma Park, Maryland, to read her book, “Carla and the Tin Can Cake Party.”
Virginia
Halloween Dog Costume Contest Lost Boy Cider in Alexandria, Virginia, is celebrating the spookier things in life with pups this Friday. Their Halloween dog costume contest includes more than just prizes. The public can also enjoy special cider releases and Thai food on site.
Taylor-Ween: A Taylor Swift Halloween Dance Party The Fearless Eras, performers who are “not just a cover band — it’s an experience,” are performing at the State Theatre in Falls Church this Friday. The cost is $20 per person.
Halloween Night of Devilish Music Jammin Java in Vienna isn’t hosting a Monster Mash, but instead a Halloween Night of Devilish Music with bands and performers like the Aidan Leclaire Band, BUKO BUKO and Lena Taynham. The event costs approximately $20 to attend.
Alexandria Fall-O-Ween John Carlyle Square in Alexandria is hosting a Fall-O-Ween celebration with holiday desserts, a kids’ costume contest and a pet costume contest. The free event is this Saturday.
ALX Jazz Fest Pop Up Series On Sunday, enjoy a free jazz performance and spoken word performance at Alexandria’s Four Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market. The performers are musician Jordan Curls with poetry by Dehejia B. and Chet Been Cool.
Have an event you’d like featured in WTOP’s Things to do in the D.C. area weekly guide? Let us know!
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The Halloween Mini Box at Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken.(Photo courtesy Scott Suchman) The Halloween Mini Box at Astro Doughnuts…
The Halloween Mini Box at Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken.(Photo courtesy Scott Suchman)
The Halloween Mini Box at Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken.(Photo courtesy Scott Suchman)
Eat, drink and be scary at these spooky and delicious Halloween pop-ups and events in the D.C. area.
WTOP rounded up several foodie-focused events for consideration, from a Halloween murder mystery dinner to an Adams Morgan party with themed potions and costume contests to a Navy Yard pop-up dedicated to the legacy of D.C.’s football team — talk about spooky!
The 14th Street location of Chicken + Whiskey opened a “spookeasy” pop-up bar with no cover charge and live DJs spinning eerie beats on Thursdays through Saturdays. Costumes encouraged as you drink your boos … I mean, booze.
The self-pour Navy Yard bar, Tap99, has a pop-up dedicated to D.C.’s football past, but with a Halloween twist. The “Spirits of RFK Stadium” pop-up transforms the space into a frightful escape with pom-pom-waving skeletal cheerleaders, skulls in football helmets and cobweb-draped hallways.
It’s not necessarily very Halloween-y, but McClellan’s Retreat is hosting a cocktail menu inspired by the film, “Wicked.” From “Glinda’s Goblet” to “Elphaba’s Elixir,” enjoy these and other themed cocktails before the theme changes for the holiday season.
For frightful cocktails and an ambience sure to send shivers down your spine, head to this rotating pop-up bar in Alexandria, Virginia’s Del ray neighborhood. The menu features plenty of bubbling potions and other brews, plus themed bites like a “spider pretzel,” with “cobwebbed” queso.
Themed Halloween tasting menus and other tasty treats at DC-area restaurants
CarnEvil Nights at Dirty Habit This spine-chilling soiree on Oct. 31 is a twist on typical carnival shenanigans. With costumes encouraged, the CarnEvil Nights event includes a live DJ, themed drink and food specials, a costume contest and other spooky surprises. This event is for those ages 21 and older only. Tickets cost approximately $35 per person with one complimentary drink offered.
Hot Cider Cart at Le Diplomate On Oct. 31, Le Diplomate in D.C. is transforming their signature ice cream cart into a hot cider cart with mini cinnamon sugar doughnuts. These treats are complimentary to guests from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The French brasserie is also hosting a Halloween costume contest.
Haunted Heights: A Halloween Prix-Fixe Dinner at VUE Rooftop At one of the city’s best rooftop venues, expect a night of tricks, but mostly treats at this prix-fixe dinner at the Hotel Washington’s VUE Rooftop. The one-night-only dinner includes three courses, cocktails and a live DJ. With reservations possible via OpenTable, the Halloween event on Oct. 31 costs $185 to attend.
Halloween Mini Boxes at Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken is selling festively decorated mini doughnuts for the spooky season. There are Halloween Mini Boxes and Stranger Things Mini Boxes featured at the D.C. and Shirlington locations, each priced at $35.
“Halloweed” Donuts at Donisima For spooky-themed doughnuts with a Latin-inspired flair, head to Donisima at The Square in D.C. for their pumpkin spice alfajor doughnut, a flor de canela doughnut with a cinnamon glaze and a cinnamon caramel or their bloody velvet doughnut for those who love red velvet flavor. These treats are available from Oct. 25 through 31.
And more Halloween events to enjoy at DC-area restaurants and bars
Don your favorite mask, and be prepared for a night of revelry with a vintage-inspired cocktail bar, a live DJ and themed cocktails. The approximately $25 ticket includes a welcome shooter. This event is for those ages 21 and older only. Costumes are required.
In the lower level of Astro Beer Hall’s Shirlington location, expect to be transported back to the 1980s with a Halloween party themed after the “Stranger Things” TV show. Along with themed cocktails and a photo booth, also expect a costume contest for a chance to win a $100 gift card.
The Popal Group, which is known for restaurants like Lapis, Pascual, Lutèce, and Maison Bar à Vins, is hosting a spooktacular Halloween party in Adams Morgan. On the evening of Halloween, each of the group’s restaurants are offering a special signature cocktail, plus JELL-O shots and other themed drinks to enjoy. This event is for those ages 21 and older only. Early admission costs $15 per ticket, while general admission costs $20 per ticket. Be sure to also bring a costume as there is a costume contest expected during the evening’s festivities.
Michelin-starred restaurant JÔNT is hosting an immersive and delicious masquerade event Oct. 31. On Halloween night, guests can sip on Champagne and enjoy exquisite cuisine as secrets, whispers and hidden tokens unfold. With wine pairings included, the event is hosted at 5:30 p.m. or 8:45 p.m. with a cost of $695 per person.
Celebrate Halloween at this natural wine party in D.C. Along with bottomless pours, the late-night event also includes a costume contest, DJs and dancing, as well as snacks. There will also be flash tattoos from local artists to benefit the D.C. Migrant Fund. Tickets cost approximately $80 per person.
This festival doesn’t just cross into one bar, but over 10 across the Navy Yard neighborhood, including The Bullpen, Royal Sands Social Club and Problem Child. All day long, enjoy drink specials at participating bars with costumes encouraged for the event. Tickets cost approximately $26.
The Ned’s Club and HEIST are presenting Sinister Séance, an experience with immersive rooms, eerie performances and a live DJ set. The event includes an open bar and bites. For those ages 21 and older, the early bird general admission fee is approximately $275, while the regular general admission fee costs roughly $312.
With costumes encouraged, attendees for the Halloween drag brunch at Perry’s can expect tons of fun, including a costume contest, brunch buffet and cocktails and, of course, queens dressed in Halloween costumes. Tickets cost approximately $18 per guest.
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For those seeking something scary, delicious, enlightening or family-friendly this Halloween season, there’s something in D.C. for every haunt of life.
It’s time to party it up this spooky season. For those seeking something scary, delicious, enlightening or family-friendly, there’s something in the D.C. region for every haunt of life. Here’s your guide on what to expect this year.
For those seeking family-friendly or pup-approved fun
Howl-o-Ween Dog Costume Contest At Dacha’s Navy Yard location, lovers of fluff can come and participate in a pet costume contest or browse through a vendor marketplace. Tickets for the Oct. 11 event cost $10 or $20 for a contest entry.
Howl-O-Ween Bar(k) Crawl Invite your favorite furry friend to come to The Yards in D.C. for the Howl-O-Ween Bar(k) Crawl. This event transforms several of the outdoor patios in the neighborhood into Halloween playgrounds for dogs and their humans. Expect Halloween-themed treats, cocktails and happy hour bites. The event on Oct. 15 is free to attend.
Boo at the Zoo The Smithsonian National Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo is back Oct. 17-19 with 30 trick-or-treat stations throughout the park. The $35 general admission includes after-hours access to the Small Mammal House, Elephant Community Center and Reptile Discovery Center. Guests can also expect a live giant pumpkin carving, a roaming magician and a troupe of costumed actors bringing Halloween characters to life.
The Haunted Library For those aged 13 and up, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library is hosting an hour of reading scary stories. The free event is Oct. 22.
PumpkinPalooza Alethia Tanner Park in D.C. is hosting a pick-your-own pumpkin patch, live Smurf costumed characters and a costume parade, a screening of the “Hotel Transylvania” film, and a petting zoo at their annual PumpkinPalooza event. The event is Oct. 22.
Haunted House Decorating Drop in at the National Building Museum on Oct. 25 for an arts and crafts session where children can design their own haunted houses. Preregistration is recommended, but not required. The program costs $7 per child and $10 per adult.
Air & Scare The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, is hosting a Halloween event Oct. 25 for families to dress up and enjoy trick-or-treat stations, special story times and puppet shows and creepy crafts within the museum. Air & Scare is free to attend, but the outdoor portion of the event requires tickets.
Trick-or-Treating at Mount Vernon Come with costumes and bags Oct. 25 for children and their families to collect candy at the historic presidential home. Tickets to trick or treat at Mount Vernon cost $30 per adult and $25 per youth.
For foodies or those craving bottomless pours
An Evening of Poisons and Potions The U.S. Botanic Garden is inviting the public to sip on sinister spirits and wicked potions Oct. 17. For $35, adults ages 21 and up can enjoy a cocktail or mocktail, while exploring the garden after hours.
Murder at the Masquerade Michelin-starred restaurant JÔNT is hosting an immersive and delicious masquerade event Oct. 31. On Halloween night, guests can sip on Champagne and enjoy exquisite cuisine as secrets, whispers and hidden tokens unfold. With wine pairings included, the event is hosted at 5:30 p.m. or 8:45 p.m. with a cost of $695 per person.
Spooky-Danza Celebrate Halloween with the Spooky-Danza natural wine party at Sonny’s Pizza in D.C. Along with bottomless pours, the late-night event Oct. 31 also includes a costume contest, DJs and dancing, as well as snacks. There will also be flash tattoos from local artists to benefit the D.C. Migrant Fund. Tickets cost approximately $80 per person.
For the lovers of art, music and history
Ghosts of Georgetown Explore Georgetown in this family-friendly tour all month long to learn about the dark secrets hidden within the neighborhood. The one-and-a-half-hour walking tour costs approximately $39 per adult or $25 per child.
Soul Strolls Experience the Congressional Cemetery like never before with this hourlong walking tour, which navigates those interred there and the secrets buried alongside them. Soul Strolls is a rain-or-shine event recommended only for adults due to mature themes. The “second wave” of ticket sales open Oct. 10 for walking tours that are hosted Oct. 17, 18, 24, 25, 31 and Nov. 1.
An Evening with Jack the Ripper The local lecture series, known as Profs and Pints, is heading to D.C.’s Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital for a gripping presentation on Jack the Ripper. Luxx Mishou, who is a former instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy, plans to discuss the infamous case and whether the sensational press coverage surrounding the murders helped or actually hindered the search. And, of course, the lecture will tackle the biggest question of all: Who was Jack the Ripper? Tickets for the Oct. 15 event cost approximately $15 per person.
COVEN: A Halloween Dance Party Head to the Black Cat in D.C. for a night of dancing and tarot readings Oct. 23. Guests can also get excited for spooky vendors and a witchy photo booth. Tickets cost $13 in advance.
Girls Rock! D.C. Halloween Benefit Five bands are performing for this Halloween fundraiser for Girls Rock! D.C., a group that provides music programs for young people. The event is at Songbyrd Music House in Northeast D.C. on Oct. 26. Tickets cost approximately $25.
Early American Witch Hunts Another Profs and Pints lecture to consider is this event on the colonial hysteria that led to the tragedy of Salem. Richard Bell, a history professor at the University of Maryland, will lead the lecture Oct. 27. Tickets cost approximately $15 per person.
D.C. WitchFest On Oct. 11, head to the 3400 block of 11th Street NW for D.C. WitchFest. This event promises a magical afternoon of tarot readings, astrology readings as well as witchy crafts and spells. Admission is free.
HORRORGVSM IV For something that is not only spooky, but a little sexy too, D.C. Braulesque is hosting a horror-themed burlesque show at D.C. Brau on Oct. 25. General admission costs $25, while VIP costs $40.
All About Bats in the District Learn about the science of bats with local expert Kelly Russo-Petrick at this free event at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. The event is Oct. 25. Preregistration is encouraged.
Creature Feature For adults only, Rhizome is hosting a Halloween drag show hosted by performer Exquisite Corpze. The event is Oct. 30 with tickets that are free, but donations are appreciated.
Nightmare in Navy Yard On Oct. 31, Scorpio Entertainment is hosting the sixth annual Nightmare in Navy Yard with three DJs, three dance floors, themed cocktails and food trucks. But don’t forget the spooky decor and animatronics! Tickets cost approximately $45 per person.
Halloween Drag Bingo + Dinner Head to the D.C. restaurant Unconventional Diner on Oct. 31 for a drag bingo and dinner event hosted by India L. Houston. This Halloween event costs $60 per person with a buffet and five bingo cards included. Cocktails, mocktails, beer and wine are available a la carte.
Fantom Comics x Dupont Underground Halloween Party In the deep subterranean depths of Dupont Circle, or Dupont Underground, Fantom Comics is planning a Halloween party with live DJs and video games. Ticket prices cost $20 for first release and will increase as Oct. 31 nears.
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Halloween-themed pop-up “Nightmare on Orange” is back this fall at The Courtesy Bar.
The Winter Park bar invites its guests to frightfully delight in festive decor, themed signature cocktails and a seasonally spooky takeover now through Nov. 2.
This year’s drinks menu offers poisons such as “Bite of the Shinigami,” with falernum and apple cider, a pumpkin-y ginger “Phoenician Scream,” and “In Blackest Night,” a vermouth and ginger concoction.
The takeover tradition is in high demand. The bar recommends making a reservation for groups of four to eight (reservations for groups of one to three aren’t being taken at this time). Reservations are currently available through Oct. 22, the bar’s website says, but the next and final round of reservations will open up Oct. 1.
And of course, walk-ins are welcome, if you’re brave enough.
The bar offers some pro-tips for those daring enough to arrive as a walk-in. To make the most out of your ghostly impromptu adventure:
Try to arrive early, right when the bar opens, or closer to when it closes.
If there’s a wait, stick close to the bar. Once notified via text that your table is ready, you will only have two minutes to claim your spot, and the entire party must be in tow.
And while guests wait, The Courtesy offers an outdoor mobile bar on Fridays, Saturdays and eventually Thursdays, where those in line can sip on cocktails as they wait.
The pop-up will run through Nov. 2, and will operate during normal business hours and Mondays. Best of luck and happy hauntings!
For the seventh year, family-friendly Halloween event Gators, Ghosts and Goblins is set to bring even more adrenaline to Gatorland than usual.
This year’s daytime event is set to feature new sights and characters over three weekends in October. New highlights in 2025 include the Swamp Ghost’s Monster Movie Museum, where guests can meet Cyrus the Gravedigger as he shares lessons about movie monsters inside an abandoned theatre.
In Cryptids vs. Aliens Hauntzones, Skunk Ape needs help saving the world from extra-terrestrials. Attendees can also hop aboard the Cryptid Express to spot swamp-dwelling creatures like Moth Man, Chupacabra and Jersey Devil.
At Bubba’s Bug-B-Gone, fend off oversized insects and meet the half-human, half-capy Creepybaras. Then head to Gator Grotto, where ghostly captains are ready to scare your boots off.
The event also features interactive characters, animal meet-and-greets, photo ops, vendors, games and a live DJ. Plus, kids can join the Halloween Costume Parade and receive candy. Costumes are encouraged, as long as they aren’t too scary.
Gators, Ghosts and Goblins takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on select weekends in October: Oct. 11 and 12; 18 and 19; 25 and 26. Entry is included with park admission purchase.
For the seventh year, family-friendly Halloween event Gators, Ghosts and Goblins is set to bring even more adrenaline to Gatorland than usual.
This year’s daytime event is set to feature new sights and characters over three weekends in October. New highlights in 2025 include the Swamp Ghost’s Monster Movie Museum, where guests can meet Cyrus the Gravedigger as he shares lessons about movie monsters inside an abandoned theatre.
In Cryptids vs. Aliens Hauntzones, Skunk Ape needs help saving the world from extra-terrestrials. Attendees can also hop aboard the Cryptid Express to spot swamp-dwelling creatures like Moth Man, Chupacabra and Jersey Devil.
At Bubba’s Bug-B-Gone, fend off oversized insects and meet the half-human, half-capy Creepybaras. Then head to Gator Grotto, where ghostly captains are ready to scare your boots off.
The event also features interactive characters, animal meet-and-greets, photo ops, vendors, games and a live DJ. Plus, kids can join the Halloween Costume Parade and receive candy. Costumes are encouraged, as long as they aren’t too scary.
Gators, Ghosts and Goblins takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on select weekends in October: Oct. 11 and 12; 18 and 19; 25 and 26. Entry is included with park admission purchase.
Be warned, Orlando: Howl-O-Scream is back at SeaWorld Orlando for yet another Halloween season.
Howl-O-Scream 2025 kicks off Friday, Sept. 5, and runs through Nov. 1 on select days and nights.
Ranked as the Best Theme Park Halloween Event in 2023 by USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards, Howl-O Scream this year brings brand new haunted houses, new scare zones, themed bars and more.
There will be a total of five haunted houses, six scare zones, five bars and two live shows, in addition to roaming hordes and yet-to-be-released surprises.
The list of all-new haunted houses includes a rotting Victorian orphanage, home to every arachnophobe’s worst nightmare, The Black Widow, at the “Widow’s Nest.” Meanwhile, “The Collector’s Curse” invites guests into a cave filled with ill-fated ancient relics, and “The Rave Yard” offers the dead’s (and undead’s) favorite place to party.
Also making an appearance is Havoc, Howl-O-Scream’s new charred Ambassador of Darkness, who debuted in the new show Throttle during the event’s first-ever fashion show to kick off the season.
“This wasn’t just a fashion show … it was a celebration of creativity, horror and five years of building Orlando’s scariest tradition,” said Cindi Miller, vice president of entertainment at SeaWorld Orlando. “To see the crowd cheer on Havoc’s first appearance was a reminder of how far this event has come and where it’s heading next.”
SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Sprint 5K run also returns on Oct. 2 for guests looking to indulge in a late-night run for their lives. Those who survive all the way to the finish line will celebrate a well-earned victory at an exclusive post-race after party.
And for those who still have a remaining appetite, this year’s limited-time food and beverage options include bites such as Zombie Tacos, Monster Munch Mac ’n’ Cheese, and more available at themed food huts throughout the park.
While Howl-O-Scream is intended for mature audiences, SeaWorld Orlando also offers its family-friendly Spooktacular event, running now through Nov. 2.
First, for the fashion-focused, the DAR Museum is diving into the histories of costumes in old and new films with its event called Terror in the Seams. The Thursday event costs $25.
In an interview with WTOP, Kevin Lukacs, curator of education at the DAR Museum, said, “We’re taking these classic horror films that many of us know and love and obsess over, like James Wales’ 1931 classic ‘Frankenstein’ to the 1992 ‘Dracula,’ that’s very love-it-or-hate-it, and so we’re looking at these films from the eyes of fans and historians.”
You do not have to be a member of the museum to attend the event.
On Halloween, Atlas Doghouse in Northeast D.C. is hosting a “Howl-o-ween Costume Pawty” for furry friends, with ghostly games and spooky treats included. Costumes are optional, but encouraged.
The Library of Congress’ Thomas Jefferson Building is offering a Halloween Happy Hour on Thursday with food, drinks and candy. Visitors also get the chance to experience the grand Main Reading Room, arguably one of the city’s most beautiful spaces.
The Howard Theatre is also hosting a Monsters Ball on Halloween. Costing $59 per person, the event includes a live music immersive show with aerialists and dancers included.
If you’re searching for drinks, head to popular dive bar Lyman’s Tavern for a costume contest and a pinball tournament Thursday. A portion of the sales go to the Ward 1 Mutual Aid Fundraiser.
On Saturday, Eckington Hall in Northeast D.C. is hosting a free Halloween costume party along with a market on the patio.
Elsewhere, in Alexandria, Virginia, the Galactic Panther Art Gallery is hosting a live musical performance Thursday, where bands switch instruments and play each other’s songs. The Halloween Band Switcheroo hosts four local bands: Professor Goldstein, Fake Radio, The Orange Slices and Sol Reactor. General admission costs $16.
Jammin’ Java in Vienna, Virginia, is also hosting the Vampire Glam Halloween Party on Thursday. This event features local pop artist Ari Voxx and The Sad Lads, Zeus on the Leus and Shelley Star and the Galaxy. General admission costs $15.
Through Nov. 3, catch “The Dracula Experience” in Leesburg, Virginia, for an immersive journey into the vampire legend. The hourlong experience has danger lurking around every corner and tickets priced at approximately $40 per person for those ages 13 and up and $35 for those 12 and under.
Here’s what else is happening in the D.C. area:
DC
Día de los Muertos Celebrate the Day of the Dead at The Wharf on Saturday with live music, a beer garden, sugar skull decorating and a community lantern procession. The event is expected to bring several cultural performances with a variety of food and drink offerings included. The event is free to attend with no tickets needed.
Story District’s Top Shelf Story District is gathering the best storytellers in D.C. for them to tell completely true tales at the Top Shelf event. This Saturday, the event at the Capital Turnaround includes eight stories with topics such as gay pride, women’s history and the “worst date ever.” For more details on this event, check out Kyle Cooper’s feature on WTOP.
Adams Morgan Fall PorchFest For more live music opportunities, head to Adams Morgan this Saturday for the popular PorchFest event. Across 25 porches, some of the city’s best local musical talent performs throughout the day. The event is free and open to the public.
“Dance Like There’s Black People Watching” Woolly Mammoth is hosting a hilarious, witty and brand-new show created exclusively for the D.C. theater company that features rising comedy stars, songs and sketches. The show runs from Nov. 6 through Dec. 22 with ASL-interpreted performances, open captioned performances and mask-required performances available.
“The Other Americans” Don’t miss actor, comedian and producer John Leguizamo’s performance in “The Other Americans,” a theatrical production about a “Colombian-Puerto Rican laundromat owner grappling with a failing business and buried secrets.” The show runs through Nov. 24 at Arena Stage. Special performances are also available that offer closed captioning, ASL interpretation or mask requirements.
Maryland
Hot Cider Hustle Get your running shoes ready. The Hot Cider Hustle 5K and 10K run/walk-a-thon is this Saturday.
44th Annual Pumpkin Festival Catch the tail-end of the annual Pumpkin Festival at Butler’s Orchard in Germantown, Maryland, through Sunday. This year, joining attractions such as a hayride, corn maze and pony rides is a brand-new playground. In-advance admission tickets range from $11 up to $18, depending on the day.
Gaver Farm Fall Fun Festival In Mt. Airy, Maryland, the Fall Fun Festival at Gaver Farm is running through Nov. 5, so join in on the family fun while you still can. The event includes over 65 exciting attractions, including a seven-acre corn maze. Tickets cost $14.50 on weekdays and $23 on weekends.
Virginia
“$100 and Under” Expand your art collection with lower-priced works at Alexandria, Virginia’s Del Ray Artisans Gallery. From Nov. 1 through Dec. 1, the “$100 and Under” exhibit is showcasing members’ original artworks, all priced at $100 and under. The gallery is free and open to the public.
Día de los Muertos Celebration The Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington is hosting a free Day of the Dead celebration on Friday with food trucks, family-friendly games and art making. For more Día de los Muertos events to consider, check out WTOP’s event guide here.
Alexandria Fall Fest For autumnal, family-friendly fun, head to Alexandria, Virginia, for the Fall Fest. This event includes pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting and bounce houses. Set for Sunday, tickets and parking must be purchased in advance, with no tickets available on site.
Have an event you’d like featured in WTOP’s Things to do in the D.C. area weekly guide?
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A Halloween celebration wouldn’t be complete without the right spooky music. Here are 13 tunes you need on your Halloween soundtrack to keep the frightful fun going all night long.
Thriller
Monster Mash
Time Warp
Little Red Riding Hood
Ghostbusters theme song
I Put A Spell On You
Superstition
The Adams Family theme song
Hells Bells/Highway To Hell
Bad Moon Rising
Sympathy for the Devil
Zombie
Black Magic Woman
A full-time work-from-home mom, Jennifer Cox (our “Supermom in Training”) loves dabbling in healthy cooking, craft projects, family outings, and more, sharing with readers everything she knows about being an (almost) superhero mommy.
Editor’s note:The Eagle-Tribune asked readers throughout the Merrimack Valley and Southern New Hampshire to submit their scariest, eeriest and most frightfully fun photos to showcase how they have decorated their houses for Halloween this year. Submissions will be published periodically throughout the month.
DERRY, N.H. — There are plenty of bumps in the night at 22 Crescent St. each October.
Steven Melendez has various themed displays throughout his property, including a frightful carnival and cemetery.
A 12-foot Freddy Krueger, skeletons, wolves and towering ghost are some of the menacing creatures found lurking in his yard to greet brave visitors.
