It’s the spookiest time of the year, so we’ve compiled a list of the most hair-raising events in the DMV this Halloween and beyond — from themed pop-up bars to spooky celebrations at Six Flags and kid-friendly activities, this Halloween will be one to remember.
Pre-Halloween
Revisiting Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark: A Night of Tales and Terror
When: Wednesday, October 30 from 6:30pm-8:30pm
Where: The Crown and Crow, 1317 14TH ST NW
What: The Crown and Crow are retelling tales from Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark with District Karaoke. Come dressed in costume. If you’re looking for a less chilling alternative, there will also be tarot card readings and free pumpkin decorating. Tickets for the event are $13.13.
Crumbs and Whiskers Halloween Costume Party
Photo courtesy of Crumbs and Whiskers.
When: Thursday, October 31
Where: Crumbs and Whiskers, 3211 O Street NW
What: The Kitten Cafe’s first ever costume party. The combination of your best friends, kittens and spooky-sweet treats sounds like purrr-fection. The first ten people to show up at the cat cafe locations dressed up as felines will get to hang out with some furry friends for free. Contribution is $40.
Photo Courtesy of Sixflags.
When: Through November 3
Where: Six Flags America, 13710 Central Avenue, Upper Marlboro, Md. 20721
What: The annual spooky celebration at Six Flags is here. If you love a good adrenaline rush this is the event for you, with haunted attractions, magic shows and roller-coaster thrills. Tickets start at $42.99.
Pop-Ups and Themed Bars
Spooky Lucy’s Halloween Pop-Up
Photo courtesy of Lucy’s.
When: October 16-November 3
Where: Lucy’s, 3907 14th Street NW
What: Lucy’s Bar on the Roof transforms into Spooky Lucy’s. The Halloween pop up bar promises guests scary decor, screenings of your favorite horror flicks and ghoulishly delicious cocktails.
Photo courtesy of Drink Company.
When: Through November 3
Where: Pop Up Bar, 1843 Seventh Street NW
What: Drink Company promise guests will be transported into spooky fairytales like the Black Forest with Hansel and Gretel’s house, Rapunzel’s tower and the wicked queen’s mirror. Drinks creator, Paul Taylor, created a special menu of cocktails for the PUB, including The Glass Slipper (Monkey 47 Gin, dry vermouth, orange bitters, spruce oil), The Fairest Apple of Them All (Smooth Ambler American Whiskey, maple, apple cider, vinegar, bitters) and Crumby Directions (Powers Gold Label Irish Whiskey, ginger, honey, lemon, smoked Allspice). Chef Mike O’Brien of the Berliner will serve German brats, frankfurters and soft pretzels to match the Black Forest theme.
BONUS: The grand finale of PUB Grimm, will be Halloween itself that will start at 5 p.m. and include free candy, drink specials, and a costume competition all night long. Tickets start at $15. This special will end on Nov. 3.
Photo courtesy of Morris Bar.
When: October 31
Where: Morris American Bar,1020 7th Street NW
What: Celebrate boos and booze at Morris American Bar this Halloween. There will be five unearthly cocktails for $13 each. Its first-ever Halloween party will spotlight tarot card readers, DJs and a grand prize for the best costume. Cocktails include: Corpse Reviver #2 (gin, cointreau, Lillet blanc, lemon, absinthe); Cloak and Dagger (black rum, aged rum, lime, sugar); and Late Night Reviver (gin, fernet, lime, ginger).
Day-Of Celebrations
Shutterstock Image
When: October 31 from 7pm-11:30pm
Where: Estadio, 1520 14th St NW
What: The Spanish restaurant, Estadio, is wrapping up its month-long “Espookio” celebration with a Spooktacular Halloween party. Snack on some “boo-cadillos” and “monster-ditos” from the kitchen or indulge in a Jack O’ Lantern slushito. Haunted hits will play through the night and there will be a costume contest with three top prizes. Tickets are $31 and include tapas and treats.
Halloween Trick or Treat at Pentagon City
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When: October 31 from 5pm-7pm
Where: Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, 1100 S Hayes St, Arlington, VA
What: Pumpkins, superheroes and wizards are invited to showcase this year’s frightfully-festive Halloween ensembles in Pentagon City during the mall-wide trick-or-treating festivities on Halloween evening. Spooky characters can find candy treats from participating retailers displaying a sign in the window.
But wait there is more…
Spookiest Carnival at Fifth Annual Side Yards
Courtesy of The Yards
When: Saturday, November 2nd from 5-9pm
Where: Yards Park, 355 Water Street SE, Directions can be found here.
What: The Yards, DC’s most exciting waterfront neighborhood for living, dining, shopping and relaxing, is bringing back Side Yards for its fifth year at The Yards Park! The annual nighttime circus will feature new sideshow performances, carnival games, immersive entertainment, and activities for all ages! Enjoy an evening of side-show fun including gravity-defying aerialist routines, unbelievable contortion, mind-blowing mentalism, feats of magic and mesmerism, and so much more. Guests will also have the chance to test their own wits in a pop-up carnival escape room. Other activities include face painting, tarot card readings, balloon twisting, caricature sketches and other circus fun. Photos from last year’s festivities can be found here.
