Halloween celebrations on the Hill are starting to kick off! While we have some of the best trick-or-treating around, you don’t have to wait until the 31st to get into the holiday sprit. From pumpkin carving to cemetery tours to doggie costume contests, there is no shortage of events for kids of all ages.
No Halloween would be complete without a ghost hunt! Learn a little history at the same time in the local library. The Northeast and Southeast libraries will be hosting “Haunted History and Ghost Hunts” during which you’ll learn the history of the two libraries (and their ghosts!). You will also get a lesson in Paranormal Investigations, the tools you need, and how to review your evidence and findings. The Northeast Library tour is on Friday the 23rd from 4-9pm and the Southeast Library will hold theirs on Saturday the 25th from 4-9pm. The events are free but you must RSVP in advance. Register by calling the Northeast Library at 202-698-1363 or the Southeast Library at 202-698-3377.
Our very own Congressional Cemetery is always ready to help us get into the holiday spirit. The Dead Man’s Run has already passed but there are plenty of more opportunities to explore the historic grounds … such as twilight tours, because few things are as spooky as walking around a cemetery at night. “Soul Strolls” take place over four nights, October 16th and 17th, and October 23rd and 24th. Tours will take place between 6 and 9 pm, and beer and wine will be for sale. Adult tickets are $20; children 12 and under are $10. Buy your tickets HERE. Comfortable shoes are encouraged, as are flashlights. Tours will not stay on the paths, so please be ready for uneven terrain.
Also at Congressional Cemetery, Fulcrum Property Group is hosting their annual Halloween party at Congressional Cemetery on Sunday, October 25 from 3-6pm. RSVP here.
Want to carve a pumpkin but without the messy cleanup at your own house? Then head over to the Frager’s Garden Center on Saturday, October 24 from 10-12 for pumpkin carving and painting. You buy the pumpkin, and they will provide all of the supplies.
Double up on the pumpkin fun by heading to the Capitol Riverfront for Pumpkins in the Park. From 11am until 1pm on Saturday the 24th, there will be pumpkin painting and decorating, face painting, a giant pumpkin moonbounce, music from Rainbow Rock, and more! This event is FREE and open to all and pumpkins will be available on a rolling basis. Canal Park’s North Block is located at the corner of 2nd Street SE & I Street SE, just two blocks from the Navy Yard/Ballpark Metro Station, New Jersey Avenue exit. Visit the Canal Park website for more transportation options.
If you think Halloween is just for kids, you are clearly not a pet owner. Howl To The Chief and Rural Dog Rescue are bringing back the Annual Howl-O-Ween Costume Contest on Saturday October 24th from 1PM – 3PM at Lincoln Park. Keep an eye out on the Facebook page for more details. Even if you don’t have a furry one in your house, swing by to see the creativity of our local dog owners.
Also on Saturday the 24th, the Hill Center will have a Halloween Cookery Class with Peter Ogburn from 11am-1pm. The menu will include kid-friendly foods, but with a creepy twist (think: monkey (cauliflower) brains). The cost is $49 for an adult and child, $15 for each additional child, and you can sign up here. Costumes are strongly encouraged, and you should bring your own apron.
Hilloween returns with food, drinks, face painting and much much more. Stop by 7th Street SE between North Carolina Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue from 5:30 and 7:30 to see the neighborhood kids dressed up and gearing up for a night of trick-or-treating. Read more about what the organizers have in store here.
Up for a family friendly movie? The Argonaut is hosting dinner and a movie! Drop your kids off for the movie upstairs, and then enjoy some grownup time downstairs. Win-Win! The cost is $30 for one kid, $50 for two, and $70 for three.
One of my favorite traditions is returning to H Street: Thriller! Joy of Motion will again host a chance to learn the entire Thriller routine from the iconic Michael Jackson music video on Friday the 30th from 7:30-9:30pm. The two-hour workshop will teach you every count of the Thriller dance, and you will have the chance to perform in groups, take pictures and videos, and compete in a Dance-Off and Best Costume Contests. All levels welcome, and painted faces and costumes are highly recommended. Ages: 19 and up. $25 advanced registration; $30 day of workshop.
On Saturday the 31st, CHAW’s Halloween SPOOKtacular will take place from 2-4:30pm–perfect timing to get you warmed up for trick or treating. Building tours and the art gallery opening will be held from 2-2:30. Then, at 2:30, enjoy the Halloween SPOOKtacular Concert, followed by a reception with donuts & cider at 3:30.
Trick-or-Treat! Trick or Treating will kick off around 5pm for the wee-ones on Saturday the 31st. The older kids will stay out as late as 9 or sometimes later. The masses are on East Capitol Street (if you live there, start stocking up on candy now), but the side streets will offer great decorations and candy as well. And Walter Street (between 12th and 13th Streets SE) will be closing their block off to traffic again this year as they welcome neighborhood kids to trick or treat throughout the evening.
Do you have a Capitol Hill Halloween event you’d like added to our guide? Let us know in the comments!
Updated: Also be sure to check out these events!
- Sunday, October 25, the United Methodist Church will be holding their Fall Festival at 421 Steward Square SE from 4-5:30pm. There will be face painting, a bounce house, a costume parade and more. More information can be found on their Facebook Page.
- Stanton & Greene Haunted Affair: Friday, October 30, check in for the night for an elegant affair amongst the most delightfully debonaire and deceased socialites and tastemakers at the glamourous Stanton & Greene in Capitol Hill. An evening of dancing, cocktails and excitement await you, hosted in our gorgeous upstairs loft with a spooky photo booth, live dj, and costume contests with enticing prizes. Complimentary light bites will be offered and our full dinner menu will be available for purchase in our downstairs dining room. It’s a Halloween party to die for… Join us at the new Stanton & Greene Bar and Restaurant for our Haunted Hotel Halloween Event! Doors Open at 9:00 PM Please arrive in costume.
- Capitol Hill Montessori Haunted Harvest: Saturday, October 25 6-9pm at 215 G Street NE. There will be a Haunted House, ghoulish games, a zombie dance party, pumpkin painting and mad science experiments. There is also a chili cook-off from 6-7:30 with $1 per taste.
- Join Waterfront Church for our Great Pumpkin Party! This is a free event for families with candy, jumpers, face painting, games and more! Event Location: Courtyard Marriott Navy Yard | 140 L Street SE | 2nd Floor Email info@waterfrontchurchdc.co
m for additional info. - Barktoberfest, hosted by the Washington Area Rescue League (WARL), returns on Saturday, October 25 at Yards Park from 1-5pm. There will be beer, food, music, a puppy kissing booth (yes, you read that right), costume contests, shopping, and much much more. Tickets are $10 for non-drinking guests and $35-$50 for general admission or VIP. All proceeds go to WARL. Buy your tickets here.
- Sweets to the Sweets! Come to the Folger Shakespeare Library on Halloween from 5:30-8pm for treats, candy, Shakespeare lines, and more. Special treats for anyone dresses as a Shakespeare character!
