Costume Carnival at St. Elizabeths East

A Free Halloween Night in Ward 8

Events DC is bringing back its Costume Carnival on Friday, October 30, from 5 to 7 at the Gateway Pavilion on the St. Elizabeths East campus. It's free, and it's an easy one for the whole family: music, Halloween activities and trick-or-treating, all in one spot.

Kids of all ages can come in costume and enter the costume contest for a chance to win. The flyer says more tickets just opened up, which tells me the first round went fast. Admission is free, but you do need to register through the link on the Events DC page before you go.

Two hours is a good length for little kids, and starting at 5 means you can be home for dinner and bath without wrecking bedtime. October evenings cool off quickly once the sun goes down, so pick a costume that fits over a jacket.

Parent Tips 💡

• ✓Register first. It's free, but Events DC asks everyone to sign up through the link on its page.
• ✓Get there close to 5. It's a two-hour event, and the costume contest is the part kids remember.
• ✓Layer under the costume. It gets chilly once the sun sets, and nobody wants to cover the costume with a coat.
• ✓Bring a candy bag. Trick-or-treating is part of the night.
• ✓Check the page that afternoon. Any weather updates will be on the Events DC event page.

Questions Parents Ask

When is the Events DC Costume Carnival?

Friday, October 30, 2026, from 5 to 7pm at the Gateway Pavilion on the St. Elizabeths East campus in Southeast DC.

Is the Costume Carnival free?

Yes, it's free, but you need to register through the link on the Events DC event page.

What is there to do?

Trick-or-treating, music, Halloween activities and a costume contest for kids of all ages.

How do I get there by Metro?

Congress Heights on the Green Line is the closest station to the St. Elizabeths East campus.