Halloween on the Hill

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This year, with Halloween falling on a Sunday, we have three jam-packed days leading up to the big night of Trick-or-Treating.  Kick things off with Hilloween on Friday — it’s one of the best block parties all year — and then take a ghost tour before dressing up as a zombie for Thriller.  Speaking of Zombies, the Atlas has you covered with zombie and horror movies all weekend long.  There are also costume contests for the dogs, more ghost tours, costume parties, and even a burlesque show.

And then there is Trick-or-Treating.  I grew up trick-or-treating on the Hill, so I will admit that I am somewhat biased when I say that it is the best show in town.  But because many of my friends lived in the suburbs, I did spend a few Halloweens in other neighborhoods, and it just never compared.  Not only do you hit five times the number of houses in the same distance, the homeowners on East Capitol Street decorate to a level you just don’t see in many other areas.  Yes, you have “the cool haunted house” in [insert neighborhood here], but that’s just one house.  Try five of them on one block.  And it’s not just East Capitol Street (although you do have the highest concentration of amazing decorations there).  All over the Hill you will find makeshift political graveyards, massive spiders, scary noises…the works.  Every year I make the time to walk down East Capitol Street to check out the houses and the great array of costumes on the neighborhood kids.  Young or old, this is something you need to see if you have not done so yet.

Read on for the full rundown of every spooky and fun Halloween event you could possibly want this weekend.

Friday, October 29

Hilloween: Start off your night at Eastern Market for the famous Hilloween.  There will be hay rides, moon bounce, costumes … everything a kid could want.  And Tunnicliffs will be grilling up some burgers and selling beers on their patio, so it also includes fun for the parents.  If you’ve never been, and even if you don’t have kids, stop through to check it out – it’s a great time with or without kids.

Ghost Ships: Also on Friday night, the Navy Yard is presenting the annual “Ghost Ship Barry” from 6 to 7 pm for kids 12 and under, and 7:30 to 9:30 pm for ages 13 and up.  “Hundreds have served on-board but some never left.” Boo! RSVP by calling 202-433-0280.

Haunted Hill Round 1: Go find our local ghosts on a Haunted Hill Tour with THIH’s Robert and Tim at 7 pm. Spots are still available for both, but are filling up fast. Contact reservations@walkingshtick.com to save a slot. Full details are available at WalkingShtick.com.

Thriller on H Street: Later on that night, head to H Street for Thriller!  You can either just watch, or put on your best zombie costume and join the massive performance. Meet in the Auto Zone parking lot at 9pm to learn the moves from Joy of Motion. If you missed last year’s performance, get a peek of the rehearsal here:

Zombie Movies: And if you want some more Zombie fun, come in to the Atlas at 11pm for the legendary horror film Night of the Living Dead.

Masquerade Ball at the Rock and Roll Hotel: To wrap up the night, the Rock and Roll Hotel will have a Masquerade party — doors open at 8:30 pm, band starts at 9:30 pm.  Admission is free with a mask and $5 without.  I assume zombie makeup will count as a mask but you may want to call in advance to confirm.

Saturday, October 30

Haunted Hill Round 2: For a second chance to go on a neighborhood ghost tour, join THIH’s Robert and Tim at 7 pm for a Haunted Hill Tour. Spots are still available for both, but are filling up fast. Contact reservations@walkingshtick.com to save a slot. Full details are available at WalkingShtick.com.

image by adriennewojo on Flickr

Doggie Costume Contest and Parade: At 2pm grab your four-legged friend and head to Lincoln Park for the annual doggie costume contest and parade.  The costumes are always very creative and impressive so add this to your list if you aren’t on the Mall keeping the fear alive.

Ghost Tours at the Cemetery: What creepier place to spend Halloween than in a cemetery?  Congressional Cemetery is hosting their annual Ghost and Goblets Gala from 6 to 8 pm, featuring a “candlelight” tour with guest-ghost appearances by John Philip Sousa, Matthew Brady, and others.  There will also be a showing of Thomas Edison’s 1910 version of “Frankenstein” in the chapen and organ preludes performed on the newly renovated chapel organ.  Reservations are required, tickets are $75 and can be ordered by emailing tickets@congressionalcemetery.org.  The Cemetery will also give their Sinners and Scoundrels Tour on Saturday morning at 11am.  There is no cost, just meet at the Chapel.

There is apparently some sort of rally on the mall, or maybe it’s two.  Something about fear and sanity…I don’t know, I can’t find anything about it online.  But I have a feeling the city will be pretty packed and with Saturday night being the big night to dress up and head to the bars, Georgetown and Adams Morgan will be full of crazy lines.  So why not avoid it all and stay closer to home?  Most bars will have some sort of Halloween contest, and then there are the bars along on H Street.

Rock and Roll Hotel: DC Roller Girls Garage Rock and Soul Halloween Party!  Music by Billy Woodward and The Senders, The Blackberry Belles, Dirty Names, The Dupont Circles, and DJ Mac.  Doors open at 8 pm and the shows start at 9 pm.  Admission is $10

Palace of Wonders: Voodoo Nights: Mayhem, Music and Goulesque.  Live music by The Ubangis, live sideshow & burlesque hosted by Jonny Porkpie with Rev. Valentine, DC’s sideshow girl Mab Just Mab, Baltimore’s Kay Sera and the High Priestess of Burlesque Jo Boooobs!!  There will also be a costume contest with prizes, post show DJ and band dance party with live go-go dancing by Candy Del Rio.  Advance tickets available at www.redandblackbar.com

Little Miss Whiskey’s: Will have a Halloween Ball with “SPOOKtacular DJs” All Good Funk Alliance, Juan Zapata, Jaesunel, & DJ Meegs.  $3 PBR Tallboys all night, & “make messy as we check out the video release for AGFA’s single ‘Slingshot Boogie.’”  Tickets are $15 and must be purchased online.  No costume, no entry, no joke. $80 get you admission and free drinks at Jimmy’s and Little Miss Whiskey’s for the night.

Jimmy Valentine’s: Halloween Homecoming Bash featuring Boo-tastic DJs Junebullet, Natty Boom & head hostess vAnniety Kills.  Doors open at 9 pm, $3 tallboys all night.  $15 entry.  No costume, no entry, no joke.  Tickets must be purchased in advance online. $80 get you admission and free drinks at Jimmy’s and Little Miss Whiskey’s for the night.

Sunday, October 31

To get in the Halloween mood, Atlas will be showing creepy classic films all day long. Admission to each film is $5, or see all four for $10. Buy Tickets at http://www.atlasarts.org/index.php or 202.399.7993

• The Bat featuring Agnes Moorehead from Bewitched at 2pm
• House on Haunted Hill with Vincent Price at 3:30pm
• Little Shop of Horrors (the original with a young Jack Nicholson) at 5pm
• The Brain That Wouldn’t Die, a camp classic, at 6:30pm

Haunted Hill Round 3: THIH’s Robert and Tim will offer a kid friendly version of our Haunted Hill tour at 1 pm on Sunday with a special flat rate of $20 per family. Contact reservations@walkingshtick.com to save a slot. Full details are available at WalkingShtick.com.

image uploaded by PumpkinWayne on Flickr

Freebies for costumes: Stay in costume on Sunday and walk your dog over to Metro Mutts, who will be giving away free prizes to all costumed pets and owners…Halloween cookies, scratching posts, toys, etc.

Trick-or Treat! (smell my feet, give me something good to eat!) East Capitol Street is one of the absolute best scenes around on Halloween.  The houses are decked out like you wouldn’t believe, so even if you don’t have kids, take a walk to check out how well the Hill does Halloween.