Check out these 20 ways to celebrate Halloween across the DMV — from costume parades to candlelit ghost tours.

Halloween falls on a Saturday in 2026, which means families across DC, Maryland and Virginia can take advantage of a full weekend's worth of activities. Whether your crew wants a costume parade down Main Street, a neighborhood famous for its porch decor or a ghost story that's just spooky enough, we have it covered.

Below, we've rounded up 18 family-friendly ways to celebrate — organized by community festivals, trick-or-treat events, famous decorated neighborhoods, as well as family-friendly ghost tours and haunted houses for the braver goblins.

HALLOWEEN COMMUNITY FESTIVALS AND PARTIES

Halloween Eye Spy Trains

Wheaton and Cabin John Regional Parks, MD

Kids ride the miniature trains and spot pumpkins, ghosts and black cats along the route. This year's roundups list weekends from Oct. 3 to Nov. 1. Tickets are $6 at Cabin John and $9 at Wheaton (includes a carousel ride).

  • Date: Weekend, Oct. 3-Nov. 1
  • Address: Cabin John Train, 7410 Tuckerman Lane, Rockville, MD; 2002 Shorefield Road, Wheaton, MD

Halloween Outdoor Movie Night

Rockville, MD

Grab a blanket and settle in for an outdoor screening of "Hocus Pocus" at The Milton at Twinbrook Quarter. The event is a relaxed, low-key way to kick off the season without fighting a crowd and also includes free popcorn, face painting and Halloween treats.

  • Date: 5:30 p.m. Oct. 9
  • Address: Milton at Twinbrook Quarter, 850 Festival St., Rockville, MD

Boo at the Zoo

Washington, DC

The Smithsonian's National Zoo throws one of the region's most beloved family Halloween parties, taking place this year Oct. 16-18. Kids in costume can collect treats at trick-or-treat stations scattered around the zoo, watch animals enjoy pumpkin enrichment and stroll past Halloween scenes along the Olmsted Walk. The event is included in the zoo's regular admission. Admission is $35 per person, members get 15% off, and parking is $30 in advance or $40 the day of. Members also get early entry at 5 p.m.

  • Date: 6-8:30 p.m. Oct. 16-18
  • Address: Smithsonian's National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC

Falloween

Manassas Park, VA

A newer addition to the Manassas Park fall lineup, the Falloween event will feature spooky arts and crafts, interactive games along with local vendors and entertainment.

  • Date: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 17
  • Address: Manassas Park, 100 Park Central Plaza, Manassas Park, VA

Halloween Party and Costume Parade

Chevy Chase, MD

Come dressed up for the costume parade at 6 p.m., then stick around for refreshments, crafts, games and a trip through the Haunted House. Trippy Tacos food truck will be parked on-site from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., serving up tasty bites for purchase. Want to skip the line? Pre-order details will be shared in the weekly Village blast emails and posted on the Village website homepage. Prefer to order in person? Walk-ups are welcome too!

  • Date: 5:30-7 p.m. Oct. 28
  • Address: The Village Hall, 5906 Connecticut Ave., Chevy Chase, MD

Del Ray Halloween Parade

Alexandria, VA

The 30th annual parade is at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, on Mount Vernon Avenue, starting at E. Bellefonte Avenue. Kids, pets and decorated strollers march, and it ends with music and awards at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center field. USA Today has named it one of the country's top Halloween parades.

  • Date: 2 p.m. Oct. 25
  • Address: Starting at East Bellefonte Avenue, Alexandria, VA

Ghost Town at Burke Lake Park

Fairfax Station, VA

Billed as a "not spooky" Halloween event, this Ghost Town is a fun and light way for everyone to get into the Halloween spirit. It's a strong pick for preschoolers and other younger kiddos who aren't a big fan of frights. Online tickets are $20 and include the train, carousel, mini golf, crafts and themed activity areas.

  • Date: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 24-25
  • Address: Burke Lake Park, 7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station, VA

Leesburg Kiwanis Halloween Parade

Leesburg, VA

Running since 1957, this is one of the oldest Halloween parades in the eastern United States. In recent years it's been held before Halloween so families can enjoy both the parade and trick-or-treating without a scheduling conflict. Floats, marching bands and community groups will make their way from Ida Lee Park down King Street to Fairfax Street. The parade, which is also a food drive for Loudoun Hunger Relief, is free to attend and to march if you would like to participate.

  • Date: 6:30 p.m. Oct. 28
  • Address: Ida Lee Park, down King Street to Fairfax Street, Leesburg, VA

Fall-O-Ween

Alexandria, VA

The City of Alexandria's family Halloween celebration at John Carlyle Square Park will be full of fun for the whole family. The event features a kids' costume parade, a pet costume parade, a festive marketplace, holiday arts and crafts plus a Día de los Muertos celebration woven into the day. Prizes will be given out for best costumes and there will be plenty of food and drinks for everyone to enjoy.

  • Date: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 31
  • Address: John Carlyle Square Park, 300 John Carlyle St., Alexandria, VA

Trick-or-Treating at Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon, VA

George Washington's estate goes full 18th-century for the Halloween afternoon. Kids can collect candy in special Mount Vernon treat bags as they wander the historic grounds, watch a costume parade at 4 p.m., catch a Punch & Judy puppet show and an 18th-century baking demonstration and snap a photo at the straw-bale selfie station in front of the Mansion. Tickets for candy-collecting guests ages 12 and older are $31 for the public or $24.80 for members; ages 11 and younger are $26 for the public or $20.80 for members. Guests 12 and older not collecting candy are $30 for the general public; members not collecting candy are free but must register.

  • Date: 2-5 p.m. Oct. 31
  • Address: George Washington's Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, VA

COMMUNITY TRICK-OR-TREAT AND TRUNK-OR-TREAT EVENTS

Manassas Haunted Happenings

Manassas, VA

Historic Downtown Manassas hosts its long-running trick-or-treat morning where kids can visit local vendors, enter a costume parade and contest and more.

  • Date: 10 a.m.-noon Oct. 24
  • Address: Historic Downtown Manassas, 9431 West St., Manassas, VA

Falls Church Halloween Carnival

Falls Church, VA

A City of Falls Church tradition for more than 30 years, this event includes carnival-style games, an inflatable bounce house, obstacle course, candy and more. It is typically split into two timeslots in order to allow all families the opportunity to participate: from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

  • Date: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 3:30-5:30 p.m. Oct. 24
  • Address: City of Falls Church Community Center/Cherry Hill Park, 223 Little Falls St., Falls Church, VA

Halloween Trick or Treat Trail

Arlington, VA

Join The Village at Shirlington for their annual Halloween event, featuring a trick-or-treat trail through the neighborhood. Dress in your spookiest or most creative costume and enjoy a fun afternoon for the whole family, complete with candy, prizes and plenty of Halloween spirit. RSVP to receive a digital map highlighting participating shops and restaurants where candy will be available.

  • Date: 2-4 p.m. Oct. 24
  • Address: Village at Shirlington, 2700 South Quincy St., Arlington, VA

Trick or Treat at Tudor Place

Washington, DC

Enjoy more treats than tricks at this annual fall event on the Tudor Place grounds. Costumes encouraged. Celebrate our annual Trick or Treat at Tudor Place, a favorite fall tradition for families in Georgetown. Wander the gardens collecting treats, show off your costume, and enjoy coffee, cider, crafts, games, and facepainting. The event is held outdoors, rain or shine.

  • Date: 10 a.m.-noon Oct. 31
  • Address: Tudor Place, 1644 31st St. NW, Washington, DC

A Spooky Good Time

Fort Washington, MD

This spooky good time includes trick or treating, a costume contest, a haunted hayride and a haunted house, so there's something for every level of fright. It's for ages 3 to 17 and costs $5 per child for residents and $7 for nonresidents.

  • Date: 6-9 p.m. Oct. 31
  • Address: Tucker Road Athletic Complex, 1770 Tucker Road, Fort Washington, MD

NEIGHBORHOODS FAMOUS FOR DECOR AND TRICK-OR-TREATING

CHEVY CHASE, DC

Rittenhouse Street between Broad Branch Road and Utah Avenue NW is a perennial favorite — wide sidewalks, close-together houses and reliably generous candy givers make it an easy route for younger trick-or-treaters. Afterward, families often walk up Connecticut Avenue, where some local shops tend to hand out treats to kids in the early evening.

DEL RAY/OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA, VA

Del Ray's tight-knit blocks are already primed for Halloween thanks to the neighborhood's parade right before the big night, and residents keep the spooky momentum going with decorated homes on Halloween. A short drive away, Old Town Alexandria's brick sidewalks and colonial-era homes help to create an atmospheric and very walkable trick-or-treat route, especially along the residential blocks off King Street.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY GHOST TOURS AND HAUNTED HOUSES

Loudoun Museum Hauntings

Leesburg, VA

This annual 80-minute walking-tour fundraiser leads guests through historic downtown Leesburg with guides sharing spine-tingling (but not gory) stories about the town's historic homes, cemeteries and buildings, including the Loudoun County Courthouse. Other stops include Johnston House/Embark Center, Leesburg Presbyterian Church, Shoes Cup and Cork, St. James Cemetery and Charles Hamilton Houston Courthouse.

  • Date: Oct. 22-24
  • Address: Loudoun Museum, 16 Loudoun St. SW, Leesburg, VA

Alexandria Ghost & Graveyard Tour

Alexandria, VA

Several tour operators, including Alexandria Colonial Tours, run lantern-led ghost walks through Old Town's cobblestone streets nightly throughout October. The stories lean toward spooky storytelling rather than gore, making them a good but not so scary option for families with older kids who like a good legend. Tickets are required for the tours.

  • Date: Dates and times vary based on tour
  • Address: Meeting location varies

Halloween Nights Fun at the O Street Museum Mansion

Washington, DC

Explore the mansion at the O Street Museum on the days leading up to Halloween. The 100-room mansion decorates each year specifically for Halloween and includes over 80 secret doorways hidden throughout. The night includes a costume contest as well as an available cash bar and all proceeds go to support the museum as well as resident artists.

  • Date: 4-10 p.m. Oct. 23-Nov. 1
  • Address: O Street Museum Mansion, 2020 O St. NW, Washington, DC