Halloween around DC isn't one night anymore. It starts the first weekend of October and runs right up to the 31st, and a lot of the best kid events have nothing to do with walking door to door in the dark. These are the ones we'd plan around this year, with the details that matter when you're the one holding the candy bag.
Some need timed tickets bought ahead, some are free and first come, first served, and a few run every weekend all month. Dates and prices come from each organizer's own site.
All October
Brick-or-Treat at LEGO Discovery Center
FROM $24.99LEGO's Halloween takeover, included with regular admission. Online tickets start at $24.99 and the same ticket is $27.99 at the door.
💡 Parent tip: It's all indoors, which makes it the rainy-day backup on this list.
See our full guide →Halloween Eye Spy Trains
$6-$9Miniature train rides with an Eye Spy card of spooky things to find along the track. Cabin John is $6 a rider. Wheaton is $9 and includes a carousel ride. Under 2 ride free with a paying adult.
💡 Parent tip: Buy online at ActiveMontgomery. The trains don't run in the rain.
See our full guide →Goblin Golf at Burke Lake Park
$12Halloween mini golf with treats included. You book a 50-minute session, and sessions start on the hour from 11am to 4pm. Under 2 free.
💡 Parent tip: Book through Fairfax County Parks before you drive out.
See our full guide →Big Halloween Dates
Boo at the Zoo
$35Trick-or-treating through the Zoo after dark. Treat stations fill a free goodie bag, and there's a kids' dance party, a pumpkin patch photo spot and after-hours access to the Small Mammal House, Elephant Community Center and Reptile Discovery Center. Everyone over 2 needs a ticket, and members save 15%.
💡 Parent tip: Parking is $30 if you buy it ahead and $40 that night, and tickets are nonrefundable. Adults can't wear full-face masks, and scooters and balloons stay home.
See our full guide →Air & Scare at the Udvar-Hazy Center
FREEThe Air and Space Museum's annual Halloween family day, with trick-or-treating among the aircraft at the Udvar-Hazy Center. Admission is free.
💡 Parent tip: Admission is free but parking is not, so plan on paying to park.
See our full guide →Hill-O-Ween at Eastern Market
FREECapitol Hill's biggest Halloween festival, right outside Eastern Market, with face painting and a dance party. Costumes are encouraged for kids and grown-ups.
💡 Parent tip: Eastern Market Metro is a short walk away, and it's over by 6, which makes it an easy after-school stop.
See our full guide →Parent Tips 💡
- ✓Do a costume test run. Wear it to one daytime event first so you find the itchy parts before the big night.
- ✓Check candy labels. Boo at the Zoo says plainly that it is not a nut-free event, and most treat stations aren't either.
- ✓Eat before evening events. A fed kid lasts a lot longer at a 6pm trick-or-treat than a hungry one.
- ✓Bring a light. A glow stick or small flashlight helps you spot your kid in a crowd after dark.
- ✓Buy timed tickets early. Boo at the Zoo tickets are nonrefundable, so pick the night you're sure about.
Questions Parents Ask
What are the best Halloween events for toddlers in DC?
For little ones we'd start with the daytime events: the Halloween Eye Spy Trains, Brick-or-Treat at LEGO Discovery Center, and Hill-O-Ween at Eastern Market, which wraps up by 6pm. Boo at the Zoo runs in the evening, so it works better for kids who can handle a later night.
How much does Boo at the Zoo cost?
Tickets are $35 per person for 2026, and Zoo members save 15%. Everyone over 2 needs a ticket. Parking is extra: $30 if you buy ahead or $40 on the night.
Are there free Halloween events for kids in DC?
Yes. Hill-O-Ween at Eastern Market on October 30 and Air & Scare at the Udvar-Hazy Center on October 24 are free to attend, though Udvar-Hazy charges for parking.
Is there Halloween fun every weekend in October?
Yes. The Halloween Eye Spy Trains run every Saturday and Sunday in October, Goblin Golf runs the first three weekends, and Brick-or-Treat is open daily all month.
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