There is a chill in the air. The sun sets earlier every day. Your kid has changed her mind six times about what to wear. She is coming up with the best way to maximize her candy haul. Yep — it’s spooky season. The DMV is packed with great activities to keep your whole family busy all October long. Let Washington Family help you find the not-so-spooky places to show off your costume this year.
Some of the best activities are places you already go all the time. Many local libraries host Halloween events in the weeks leading up to the big day. Some elementary schools have parades for your little ones to show off their costumes. Consider bringing younger siblings to march alongside in their Halloween finery as well. Check with your county’s parks department to see what events are happening near you as well.
Maryland Events
A visit to the orchard makes for a terrific day out. While checking out hayrides, pumpkin patches, and apple cider doughnuts, try and snap a few good pictures for your holiday cards. Butler’s Orchard in Germantown is celebrating 45 years of pumpkin fun in 2025. General admission ranges in price from $12 to $20 with the option for additional activity purchases on site. Butler’s highly recommends purchasing ahead of time, as many days sell out in advance.
Head to Rockville Town Center Oct. 19 for Trick or Treat at the Square. From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., families can enjoy a live DJ, face painting, trick-or-treating at participated stores and restaurants, crafts and more. This kid- and pet-friendly event is a great place to test out your family costume before the big day. This free event requires no tickets.
Montgomery County Parks’ Brookside Gardens is hosting its annual BOOtanica Halloween event from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 26. Enjoy outdoor botanical-themed Halloween decorations, inside activity stations, trick-or-treating, arts and crafts projects and hands-on fall-themed scientific investigations. A costume parade for all ages and spooky stories at sunset for the older kids makes this fun for the whole family. Brookside Gardens requires each child to be registered and accompanied by an adult for the duration of their visit. Parents and caregivers do not need to register.
Virginia Events
Across the river in Alexandria, the DelRay business association is hosting its annual Halloween Parade Oct. 26. The festivities kick off at 2 p.m. along Mount Vernon Avenue, beginning at E. Bellefonte Avenue. March along with your pets, kids and decorated strollers along the parade route, ending at Mount Vernon Rec Center. Enjoy live music and an award presentation for best stroller/group costume, best pet costume, best decorated house and business contests! This free event also features a Halloween-themed scavenger hunt along Del Ray Avenue. To enter the costume contests, head over to the corner of Mt. Vernon and E. Howell avenues by 1:30 p.m.
Cox Farms in Centreville is an enormous farm with adventure enough for more than one visit. Open for pumpkin fun until Nov. 2, Cox Farms has attractions that are great for families with a wide range of children. Little ones will love the hayride, goat village and kiddie zone. Bigger kids can get their thrills with a rope swing and tall slides, and jam out to tunes on the music stage. Make sure to bring your appetite with you; Cox Farms has an extensive menu of everybody’s favorite fall treats.
Washington, D.C. Events
Looking for something a little bit outside of the box this year? Get dressed up and go boogie down at the Dance Place’s Family Spooky Disco in Northeast D.C. from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 25. Billed as a “celebration of dance, costumes and families,” the Dance Place is a perfect un-spooky place for your family to get their dancing wiggles out. Like Butler’s Orchard, the Dance Place is celebrating its 45th season.
Boo at the Zoo is a longtime local family-friendly favorite for a reason. From Oct. 17 to Oct. 19, head down to see all your animal friends with fabulous entertainment! Giant pumpkin carving demonstration? Yep — they’ve got it. A magician mystifying little ones all over the park? Of course! With more than 30 trick-or-treat stations, you’re going to need the exclusive Halloween tote that comes with your ticket purchase. The event runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. each day, but zoo members may enter at 5 p.m.
Get your trick-or-treat fill in historic Georgetown’s Tudor Place. Taking place from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 25, the annual family friendly fall program has fall-themed crafts, a science (potion) activity, and face painting. Toss on your costumes and enjoy the beautiful estate.
Before heading out to any event, be sure to check online for ticketing, rules and restrictions.
Haunts for Little Ghosts
Mystery Mansion Adventure – Chevy Chase, MD
Haunted houses don’t have to just be for the older crowd. Check out the all-ages Mystery Mansion Adventure at the Women’s Club of Chevy Chase from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. With live actors and NO jump scares, you can get your haunting thrills without any fear of fear. There are three different areas to explore, ensuring there is enough to keep the whole gang busy for an afternoon or an evening.
At Artisan Alley, have fun at the crafting workshop. Use your wild imagination to make spooky art to take home! The interactive Hall of Portraits allows your family to interact with not-so-spooky characters and check out some great ghostly decorations. The Mansion is a kid-friendly haunted house where everyone can explore the rooms filled with fun and whimsy.
Timed entry tickets for this event are required. To accommodate all guests and due to tight spaces, no strollers are permitted at this event. More ticketing and general information available online.
If you need a place for your older kids to get their scare fix without frightening your younger ones, here are some scary haunts with kid-friendly experiences. Note: Some attractions may not be suitable for those who are pregnant or have medical conditions.
Markoff’s Haunted Forest in Dickerson, MD has a scary 1-mile haunted trail for ages 12 and older but also has a before-sunset Lights On Night without actors and jump scares. Admission to the family-friendly midway is free.
Cox Farms Field of Fears is for ages 12 and older (younger than 14 must be accompanied by an adult). Visit the Firegrounds to enjoy firepits, hot apple cider, a dancefloor, karaoke and a six-lane slide.
Laurel’s House of Horror in Laurel, MD has a scary haunted house built in an old movie theater designed for children 10 and older. However, there are two escape rooms that may be suitable for younger children (at the parent’s discretion). This year there is a “Beetlejuice”-themed room with a “creepy factor” of 3/5. All children younger than 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
Katie Schubert went to a very scary haunted house while trying to impress her now-husband early on in their relationship. She hasn’t been in one since.
