It’s OCTOBER! Sweaters, merriment, cider, pumpkins and sp00o0o0okiness are in the air. If this is your first Halloween on the Hill, WELCOME! Here are a couple things to know: Halloween happens on the day of, and there *will* be trick-or-treaters. Alert parents will no doubt choose to hit up houses with candy chutes this year as well (dust off those chutes). Please don’t be like a well-meaning older woman on East Capitol Street last year who was giving away full-size candy bars… while blocking pedestrian traffic in the middle of the sidewalk. Ma’am, your heart was in the right place.
What’s fun to do out there?
First up, the Live on the Hill series has been extended and, luckily for us all, October has FIVE Fridays! Today, enjoy Aaron Myers‘ beautiful voice and spunky stage personality. The rest of the month is as follows:
October 8, Elijah Balbed
Oct 15, Zach Cutler
Oct 22, Amy Bormet
Oct 29, Imani Grace-Cooper
The Women’s March is happening on Saturday and there will be street closures around downtown. For more info about the march, click here. Traffic? Click here.
October means OKTOBERFEST! The Bavarian-inspired festival, or what I recently learned is nothing but an extended wedding celebration, is one of those things that screams autumn– and beer. Here are a few options around our area:
- Wundergarten: Märtzen style beer. Café Berlin food on Friday nights. DOGtoberfest on Saturday afternoons. Fräulein KIKI. FUN. The party contunes through October 10. More information here. Want to celebrate with a LGBTQIA twist? Then PRIDEtoberfest is more your speed! More info here.
- The Wharf: It’s happening this Saturday, 2-5 p.m. and it includes the Dachshund 500– one of the most adorable events around. You can also do Stein hoisting, and shake your groove thing. More info here.
- Biergartenhaus: Have you ever wondered how long you can hold a stein of beer at arms’ length? Wonder no more and join the fun on Thursdays for Stein hoisting! More info here.
- Cafe Berlin: Sometimes you just need really good German food and a beer. Good thing our friends at Cafe Berlin have a special Oktoberfest menu just for you.
Craving live music? The Set List is SO FULL of amazing acts. From the Anthem to Songbyrd, there is something to make you smile.
Craving brunch? Emmy Squared recently debuted their brunch menu, available Saturday and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m.. Breakfast burger paired with a peach sangria, anyone? How about a hangover pizza after all that beer? Check out their menus here and then make reservations through their site.
Do you want to practice your tango or milonga dancing? Union Market district has a weekly session on Wednesdays! More info here.
PLAN AHEAD:
The Yards will be holding their Back to the Yards totally tubular 80s party on Friday, October 8. Excellent tunage, tasty waves, a cool buzz and you’ll be fine. More info here.
(Aside for careful readers: Name the movie I referenced above and email at info@thehillishome.com. If you’re right, I’ll send you some THIH stickers!)
The March on Washington Film Festival is happening from September 30 through October 4 this year, both virtually and in person. You can buy early bird tickets here.
Can’t get enough Oktoberfest? The Brig is holding SMOKETOBERFEST on October 17. It’ll be an amazing pig roast and football. What more could you want? Tickets and info here.
The Literary Pumpkin Walk is happening on October 23 and you are invited to participate. Sign up here.
Did you say you wanted an excuse to dress up and execute your slutty CAUTION TAPE costume idea? (You’re welcome!) Check out Nightmare in Navy Yard, an outdoor pop-up celebration for masked and vaccinated ghouls and ghals. For more information and tickets, click here. (Psst– early bird tickets are cheapest!)
Are you decorating for Halloween? Send me a line at info@thehillishome.com so I can add you to the SPOOKY HILL IS HOME map! By the way: if you have gently used costumes, dig them up and get ready to donate them, or buy a costume for a little neighbor too! More details soon!
OFF-HILL BUT AWESOME:
ARTECHOUSE is a museum focusing on immersive experiences that incorporate the magic of technology and the whimsy of artistic expression. Their newest installation is called “The Life of a Neuron” and opens September 27. For more info a tickets, click here.
The Dupont Underground is back with all sorts of incredible events. Check it out here.
Want to catch an outdoor movie this fall? Rosslyn Cinema starts today with “Remember the Titans.” They’ll also have a sangria bar and food trucks. Click here for more info.
The Congressional Chorus‘s first concert of the season will be a spooky Halloween-themed romp called “A Nightmare on G Street.” More info here.
Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience is open at Bryant Street NE. The multi-sensory, multi-room experience is open weekdays 10 am-8 pm and weekends 9 am-9 pm. You can read more about it here and get tickets here. Plan to spend between an hour and a half and two hours in this exhibit. The exhibit is family-friendly, but children under 4 may become a little restless in certain areas. By the way, after your visit, stop by our friends at Metrobar and tell them we sent you! The place is super family-friendly and they have a rolling line-up of food trucks parked right outside.
Want to support a local Hispanic-owned blog in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month? Why not send us a little something via Venmo or PayPal? (It’s either this or forcing you guys to subscribe to our Substack or Patreon.)