From a full weekend of Halloween festivities to a folk-music banjo and a baseball team called the Chaos Crew, here's what's worth planning for this month.
This month's three things not to miss include a Halloween season worth planning ahead for, a banjo signed by folk legends and a baseball game where the Lucky Llamas take on the Chaos Crew. Whether you're mapping out a weekend of trick-or-treating and decorated neighborhoods, wandering through 150 objects that tell the story of America's living traditions or looking for a night out where trick plays are encouraged, there's something for everyone. Grab a calendar (and maybe a costume), because some of these events sell out fast.
Don't miss out on fun, local Halloween events
With Halloween landing on a Saturday this year, families in DC, Maryland and Virginia have a full weekend of festivities to plan around. Our roundup of 20 family-friendly ways to celebrate covers community festivals like Boo at the Zoo (Oct. 16-18) and Alexandria's Fall-O-Ween, trick-or-treat events at spots like Mount Vernon and Tudor Place, and neighborhoods known for their decorations, including Chevy Chase, DC and Del Ray. For older kids who like a good scare, there are also ghost tours and haunted houses. Some popular events sell out, so book early.
New exhibition celebrates the American Folklife Center
"Alive in Many Hands," a new exhibition from the Library of Congress's American Folklife Center, explores America's living cultural traditions through more than 150 objects, photos, recordings and films. It marks the Center's 50th anniversary and is part of the Library's America 250 celebration. Highlights include an 1890 wax cylinder of Passamaquoddy songs, believed to be the earliest ethnographic field recordings, a banjo signed by Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Lead Belly and Burl Ives, and a sewing machine used to assemble AIDS Memorial Quilt panels. Together, the items show how people create, share and sustain traditions through music, food, work, play and community. An online version of the exhibition is also available.
A fun baseball experience for all ages
Boom Ball, a high-energy, co-ed "show baseball" experience, will come to Prince George's Stadium in Bowie on Oct. 3, as the finale of its 2026 national tour. The two-hour, six-inning event pits the Lucky Llamas against the Chaos Crew in a fast-paced twist on the game, with trick plays, crowd interaction and a music-filled atmosphere. Players include former collegiate and minor league standouts, softball stars and reality TV sports personalities. Boom Ball is designed for families, sports fans and first-timers alike. Tickets and details are at BoomBallTour.com.
