The end of October often means haunts and treats, but there are other ways to celebrate Halloween without spiking your heart rate.
With events ranging from a fall-themed art fair to pumpkin carvings, there is no shortage of things to do around the District that will satisfy nearly everyone’s interests. Prepare for Halloween – and the end of October – with holiday-themed events offered all throughout the week.
Monday
1920s Halloween Speakeasy Night
Celebrate Halloween in a different era with jazz music, flappers and cocktails. Head over to Engine Company 12, a vintage fire station about 20 minutes away from campus. Dive deeper into the 1920s era by attending a dance class at the fire station right before the event begins, where you can learn moves like the “Charleston” and “the lindy hop.” Wear your costume, bring friends, listen to live music and enjoy cocktails at this 1920s speakeasy-themed event.
Engine Company 12, 2225 Fifth St. NE, 7 to 10:30 p.m. Ticket prices vary from $15 for general admission to $20 with the dance class.
Tuesday
Sit, Stay, Cider: An Evening of Barks & Boos
Lost Boy Cider is teaming up with the Caring Hands Animal Hospital for a night filled with live music and a doggie costume contest. Even if you don’t have a dog to bring, you can sip on cider and adore dogs dressed in Halloween attire competing for the cutest and funniest costume. Tickets ($45) include registration for you and one dog and a complimentary pint of Lost Boy Cider’s flagship cider. All proceeds will benefit the Animal Welfare League of Arlington.
Lost Boy Cider, 317 Hooffs Run Drive, Alexandria, Va., 6:30 to 9 p.m. General admission tickets are $45 and VIP tickets are $75. 21+.
Wednesday
Pumpkin Carving with Baked & Wired
Spend Halloween eve carving pumpkins with friends at Baked & Wired. You can submit your carved pumpkin to a contest for a chance to win a Baked & Wired gift card. All pumpkins will be judged on the night of Halloween, and the best two pumpkins will be crowned king and queen of the “Georgetown Pumpkin Patch.” Attending this event does not mean you must enter your pumpkin in the contest – you can also take your pumpkin home. Baked & Wired will provide the pumpkins, carving supplies and “chaider” – chai and apple cider.
Baked & Wired, 1052 Thomas Jefferson St. NW, 4 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $10.
Thursday
Artiest Halloween Party
This Halloween-themed art party is part of a larger event – the Superfine! Art Fair. The five-day festival hosts events every day like the Artiest Halloween Party at Union Market on Thursday. At the larger fair outside of the party, people can talk to local artists while enjoying or buying their artwork. At the Artiest Halloween Party, people can dress up, listen to live music from DMV-based Bronx-native DJ Bast, enjoy drinks and admire the artwork.
Union Market, 1309 Fifth St. NE, 7 to 11 p.m. Tickets are $50. If you show your student ID, you can get a $10 pass for the whole festival.
Friday
Fright Fest at Six Flags
By Friday, Halloween may be over, but the celebrations are not. Fright Fest at Six Flags is open for its last weekend of the season. When night strikes, the zombies, ghosts and mummies come out of the woodworks to scare you and your friends. Fright Fest includes Haunted Attractions – an area of the park featuring haunted mazes and houses – and “scare zones” to prepare visitors for a fright.
Fright Fest, 13710 Central Ave., Bowie, Md., 5 to 11 p.m. Tickets vary from $45.99 for general admission, $22.73 for Haunted House passes and $65.49 for both general admission and Haunted House passes.
