Halloween events in DC get a bonus in 2026: October 31 falls on a Saturday, so the whole last weekend of the month is one long costume party. Here’s the lineup for kids, adults, and everyone in between, plus how to get there without circling for parking.
Quick Answer
The DC Halloween Events Worth Planning Around
Boo at the Zoo (Oct. 16–18) for families, the 17th Street High Heel Race (Tuesday, Oct. 27) for the most DC night of the year, and bar crawls or a Halloween cruise on Saturday, Oct. 31. Book anything ticketed now. The big ones sell out.
| Oct. 16–18 | Boo at the Zoo, National Zoo (ticketed) |
| Fri., Oct. 23 | Night of the Living Zoo, 21+ (ticketed) |
| Sat., Oct. 24 | Air & Scare at Udvar-Hazy (free), U Street Halloween Bar Crawl |
| Sun., Oct. 25 | Marine Corps Marathon (major road closures) |
| Tue., Oct. 27 | 39th Annual 17th Street High Heel Race, Dupont Circle |
| Fri., Oct. 30 | Hilloween at Eastern Market, 4–6pm |
| Sat., Oct. 31 | Tudor Place trick-or-treat, bar crawls, Navy Yard Bar Fest, Halloween cruises |
Halloween Events in DC for Kids and Families
Boo at the Zoo
The zoo’s biggest Halloween tradition runs three evenings, with trick-or-treat stations, jack-o’-lanterns for the animals, and after-hours exhibit access. Zoo admission is normally free, but Boo at the Zoo is a ticketed event and it’s known to sell out. Parking is $30 if you buy it in advance and $40 on the day, and it’s sold separately from tickets.
Hilloween at Eastern Market
Capitol Hill’s community Halloween festival has been running for about 20 years and is built for families with younger kids. It’s short and early, so plan to arrive right at 4pm. Eastern Market Metro (Blue, Orange, Silver) is the easy way in.
Trick-or-Treat at Tudor Place
Morning trick-or-treating at a historic Georgetown estate, which is ideal for little ones who won’t make it to evening trick-or-treating. It’s done well before nap time.
Air & Scare at the Udvar-Hazy Center
The Air and Space Museum’s Halloween family day takes over its Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles, with activities inside the hangar and out on the grounds. Plan on about 90 minutes. The event itself is free, but parking is $15.
Also worth the drive: the National Capital Trolley Museum in Colesville, MD, runs Trolley-ween. Check its site for 2026 dates.
Halloween Events in DC for Adults
Night of the Living Zoo (21+)
The zoo’s adults-only Halloween party is the grown-up version of Boo at the Zoo. Tickets cover admission, unlimited drinks, and live entertainment, with after-dark access to the Great Cats and Reptile Discovery Center. It’s expected to sell out, so book early. Take the Red Line to Woodley Park rather than driving if you’re drinking.
17th Street High Heel Race
This is the most DC Halloween night there is. The 39th annual race runs down 17th Street NW near Dupont Circle, with thousands of costumed spectators cheering on drag queens, drag kings, and anyone else brave enough to sprint in heels. It started in 1986 as a bar bet at JR’s and is now an official city event. The pre-race festival and costume contest start in the evening, and the race itself has kicked off around 9pm in past years.
The Exorcist Stairs in Georgetown
No DC Halloween list is complete without the steep stone staircase from The Exorcist. It connects M Street to Prospect Street in Georgetown, and October is when fans show up for photos. It’s free, open anytime, and an easy add-on to dinner or a bar night in Georgetown. Read our Exorcist Stairs guide for the history and the best photo angles.
Halloween Bar Crawls
With Halloween on a Saturday, the organized crawls stretch across the whole week:
- U Street Halloween Bar Crawl: Saturday, Oct. 24, starting at Cafe Saint-Ex
- The Fright Crawl: several nights Oct. 29–31, starting from spots including Aslin Beer Company and Dacha Beer Garden in Shaw
- Washington DC Halloween Bar Crawl: Saturday, Oct. 31, 3–10pm, check-in at Hard Rock Cafe downtown
- Navy Yard Halloween Bar Fest: Saturday, Oct. 31, starting at noon
Buy wristbands early. Prices usually climb as the date gets closer.
Halloween Party Cruises on the Potomac
Hornblower’s Spirit of Washington runs costume party cruises on Halloween night, including a Titanic Masquerade. Boarding is at the Wharf, which makes it easy to pair with dinner or a rooftop drink beforehand.
Make a Weekend of It
If you’re coming in from out of town for Halloween weekend, stay at the Wharf and skip the parking entirely. The Halloween cruises board right there, and the rest of the city is a short Metro ride away. Canopy by Hilton The Wharf has river-view rooms and a rooftop bar with one of the best views on the waterfront. Read our Canopy by Hilton The Wharf honest review.
Staying for Halloween weekend?
Check Rates at Canopy by Hilton The WharfMore options: hotels near The Wharf DC.
Halloween on a Saturday means DC gets a full week of it. Pick your night and book early.
Getting Around on Halloween Weekend
- Take Metro whenever you can. Dupont Circle, Eastern Market, Navy Yard, and the Wharf all have stations nearby.
- Watch the calendar. Marathon Sunday (Oct. 25) and High Heel Race Tuesday (Oct. 27) both bring road closures and towing.
- Weeknight events mean rush hour. If you’re driving to the High Heel Race or an after-work crawl, read our DC rush hour parking guide first.
- Rideshare surges late. Request your ride before the party ends, not after.
DC Parking & Towing Survival Guide
Every zone, every rule, every tow risk in the city.
DC Halloween Events FAQ
What day is Halloween in 2026?
Saturday, October 31, 2026. That puts most of DC’s biggest Halloween events on the final weekend of October.
When is Boo at the Zoo 2026 in DC?
October 16–18, 2026, from 6 to 8:30pm at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Tickets are $35, the event often sells out, and parking is sold separately.
When is the 2026 High Heel Race in DC?
Tuesday, October 27, 2026, on 17th Street NW near Dupont Circle. It’s always held the Tuesday before Halloween.
Where are the Exorcist stairs in DC?
In Georgetown, connecting M Street NW to Prospect Street NW at 36th Street. They’re free to visit anytime.
What are the best free Halloween events in DC?
The 17th Street High Heel Race is free to watch from the sidewalks of 17th Street NW. Hilloween at Eastern Market is a community festival aimed at families; check its site for any costs.
Where can adults celebrate Halloween in DC?
Organized bar crawls run in U Street, Shaw, Navy Yard, and downtown the week of Halloween, and party cruises leave from the Wharf on October 31.
Also on UnscriptedDC
UnscriptedDC is an independent Washington DC area travel guide. Event dates and times come from organizers and event listings and can change, so confirm with each event before you go. This post contains affiliate links. If you book or buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.