Photo by Claudia Holwill
It’s one of my favorite times of the year on the Hill! The leaves are changing color, you can smell the fireplaces warming living rooms all around, and graveyards are popping up in front yards. From Trick-or-Treating to haunted houses, there is no shortage of ways to enjoy Halloween festivities on Capitol Hill. Looking to get into the action? Here are just a few of our top picks and tips:
Hilloween: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 5:30-7:30pm. This is one of the Hill’s best traditions: 7th Street SE closes between North Carolina Avenue and C Street SE so that families and neighbors can gather for hayrides, games and fun.
Trick-or-Treating: This seems like a no-brainer to me, but apparently some communities schedule this for times that are more convenient with school schedules. On the Hill, we stick with the tradition date of October 31st. The youngest kids often start as early as 5 or 5:30pm, with the biggest groups filling the sidewalks around 6-8pm.
“A Taste of Wine and Murder”: Sunday, Oct. 27 from 7-10pm. Wisdom & Labyrinth (Games and Puzzles) are teaming up for a MuRdEr MyStErY party. Each participant will be given a minor role and two clues that will help them solve the mystery. Tickets include a Wisdom specialty cocktail and light hors d’ouevres. 35 people max–reserve your space here.
Thriller: Saturday, Oct. 26 from 7:30-9:30pm. Learn the iconic choreography of Michael Jackson’s Thriller at Joy of Motion. Age 18 and above, all levels welcome. $25 in advance, $30 day of workshop. But your tickets here.
Ghosts and Goblins Soiree at Congressional Cemetery: Saturday, Oct. 26 8pm. Liven up your spooky schedule by attending a party amongst the dead at Congressional Cemetery’s Ghosts and Goblets. With visits from some of the cemetery’s 65,000 friendly inhabitants and one of the creepiest Halloween atmospheres in town, this is the party you won’t want to miss. General admission includes four drink tickets, guided twilight tours of the cemetery, a heated tent, live entertainment and visits from some of the 65,000 local “residents.” General Admission: $60 Buy. tickets here.
Sweets for the Sweet on the lawn of the Folger Library: Oct 31 5:30-8pm. Trick or treaters are welcomed to the Folger front lawn for a treat from our Macbeth witches’s cauldron, in celebration of Halloween. The first 100 children dressed as Shakespearean characters receive a special treat! Pint-sized Lady Macbeths, queens and kings, fairies and soldiers, even donkeys and bears welcome.
Doggy Costume Contest: Saturday, Oct 26 1pm. Howl to the Chief is hosting its annual costume contest at Lincoln Park this Saturday. 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes in each category, gift bags (while they last), vendors will be there with free samples of their products, and Rural Dog Rescue will be there with adoptable dogs! Register in advance at the store to avoid the lines on the day of the event.
And finally, don’t forget to enter your pet in our costume contest!