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29 Best Things To Do in DC with Kids October 2025, According to Mommy Poppins Editors

Pumpkin Race Photo courtesy of the Montgomery Village Foundation
Pumpkin Race Photo courtesy of the Montgomery Village Foundation
9/28/25 - By Stephanie Shipman

Spooky season arrives with October, and we have the best family-friendly events for little ghosts and goblins all month long.

Halloween events and fall festivals will keep your family busy this month as you celebrate the harvest season, pick pumpkins, and dress up for trick-or-treating.

Need a break from all things autumn? Ride go-karts at Race the District in Union Market, get artsy at Capital One Center Celebration of the Arts, see Gabby's Dollhouse LIVE! in Baltimore, or attend a touch-a-truck in McLean!

We have so many more great events listed below for your family in October, but don't forget to check our family activity calendar every day, as we're always adding more events.

More Things To Do in DC This October With Kids:

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Photo courtesy of the Wharf DC
Photo courtesy of the Wharf DC

Top Things To Do in DC with Kids this October

Great Country Farms Fall Pumpkin Harvest Festival

Bluemont, VA
Daily, through October 31
Great Country Farms' fall festival includes hayrides to a pick-your-own pumpkin patch, pig races, a ninja warrior course, jumping pillows, slides, playgrounds, and much more. Don't forget to meet P-Rex the Pumpkin Eating Dino and try freshly baked cider donuts. READ MORE

InterAct Story Theatre's Bobtail BONG BONG: A Monkey’s Tale

Silver Spring, MD
Friday - Sunday, October 3-5
In this play created just for early childhood audiences, kids and families follow Bob the Monkey’s madcap misadventures and help Bob figure out why they got in trouble monkeying around. Led by InterAct Story Theatre’s Artistic Director Ali Oliver-Krueger, audience members make suggestions about how Bob could do things differently, and watch Bob and friends role-play out their ideas. Can Bob make things better by making better choices? Does it work? What happens next?  READ MORE

Old Bowie Celebrates! Festival

Bowie, MD - Free
Saturday, October 4
The Old Bowie Celebrates! Festival features live music and dance, food vendors with local and global cuisines, arts and crafts, and much more. Children can explore cultures through activities, earning stamps in their festival passports. READ MORE

Pumpkin Race & Fall Festival (at North Creek Community Center)

Montgomery Village, MD - Free
Saturday, October 4
Face off or watch as decorated pumpkins on wheels go head to head in this crazy pumpkin race. There are awards for best decoration and most innovative design, best themed pumpkin racer and driver duo, and other fun categories. Attendees can also enjoy live music, food, and lots of children's activities. READ MORE

Oktoberfest at The Wharf

Washington, DC - Free
Saturday, October 4
It’s that time of year to wear a dirndl or lederhosen for Oktoberfest. This annual event includes the Wiener 500 Dachshund Dash from 2-5pm, Polka on the Pier from 5-7pm, stein hoisting, German food, lively music, and more.  READ MORE

Capital One Center Celebration of the Arts

McLean, VA - Free
Saturday & Sunday, October 4 & 5
Designed for all ages, this two-day outdoor festival transforms the streets of Capital One Center into a multi-block celebration of the arts featuring interactive installations, hands-on workshops, live music, and culinary experiences for every generation. There's also a Kids Zone and a beer and wine garden. READ MORE

Takoma Park Street Festival

Takoma Park, MD - Free
Sunday, October 5
Enjoy over 150 vendors, live music from 18 local bands, food trucks, and more fun activities at this popular street festival. READ MORE

The Magic of Rob Lake (at George Mason Center for the Arts)

Fairfax, VA
Sunday, October 5
Be amazed by the youngest winner of The Merlin Award, also known as the “holy grail of the magic world,” and America’s Got Talent quarter finalist Rob Lake! Named “The World's Greatest Illusionist” by NBC, Rob Lake will leave the whole family breathless with this “truly magical journey... a mind-boggling evening of theater” (Los Angeles Daily News)! READ MORE

Race the District at Union Market

Washington, DC
Thursday - Sunday, October 9-12
Race the District is here! Get ready for an adrenaline-fueled weekend at Union Market District with a unique go-kart racing experience powered by K1 Speed, the world’s premier go-kart racing operator. The weekend is packed with go-karting excitement for all ages (minimum height of 58”), from seasoned racers to complete beginners. Each 15-minute race accommodates six drivers, making every race a thrilling and enjoyable experience, perfect for creating fun memories with family and friends.  READ MORE

Farm Day in Cherry Hill Park

Falls Church, VA - Free
Saturday, October 11
Farm Day in Cherry Hill Park has fall-themed family activities including a petting farm, pony rides, pumpkin painting, scarecrow making (bring your own long pants and a sleeved shirt), live music, tours of the Cherry Hill Farmhouse and barn, blacksmith demonstrations, and more. READ MORE

Animal Tea Party at Frying Pan Farm

Herndon, VA
Saturday, October 11
Join Frying Pan Farm for a cozy tea party on the farm. Bring your favorite stuffed animal, help decorate for the party, and read a story. Enjoy drinks and cookies in an environmentally friendly tea set and meet one of the farm's animals. READ MORE

Touch-a-Truck at McLean Community Center

McLean, VA - Free
Monday, October 13
If your children love vehicles, visit Touch-a-Truck! This free event allows kids to touch, sit in, and explore some of their favorite cars and trucks. READ MORE

National Fossil Day at Museum of Natural History

Washington, DC - Free
Wednesday, October 15
Museum scientists invite families to take a closer look at museum fossils in honor of National Fossil Day. Visitors will hold and touch real fossils as well as observe experts in the museum's labs. READ MORE

Gabby's Dollhouse LIVE! at The Lyric

Baltimore, MD
Saturday, October 18
In this a-MEOW-zing musical show, Gabby unboxes a special acorn that needs the magical touch of a rainbow to grow. But when CatRat causes a color cat-astrophe and breaks the rainbow, Gabby and the Gabby Cats must find the colors again to set things right. READ MORE

Kids Euro Fest (at Embassy of Spain - Spanish Cultural Center)

Washington, DC- Free
Saturday, October 18
Bring the whole family to the Embassy of Spain - Spanish Cultural Center for this year's family day, with performances, crafts, and workshops from over a dozen European embassies, each dedicated to teaching and entertaining children ages 2-12.  READ MORE

The Big Build at National Building Museum

Washington, DC - Free
Saturday, October 18
The Big Build is a hands-on festival exploring a variety of unique, interactive activities with roofers, plumbers, home remodelers, construction workers, carpenters, designers, and artisans. The Museum’s Great Hall will be filled with interactive booths including a nail driving contest and a structural engineering station with an earthquake simulation to discover how buildings can be built to be more stable.  READ MORE

Georgetown Fall Market

Washington, DC - Free
Saturday, October 18
Take part in the Fall-Themed Georgetown street market. Enjoy sidewalk shopping, outdoor dining, and fall-themed programming like pumpkin painting, fall festival food & beverages, balloon animals and live music. READ MORE

Fall Carnival and Fall Harvest Days at Frying Pan Farm Park

Herndon, VA - Free (parking $10)
Saturday & Sunday, October 18 & 19
Enjoy a weekend of fall fun including games, rides, and fair food. You can also explore the farm on Fall Harvest Day. Watch the cider press in action, milk a goat or a cow, shell corn, peel apples, meet the farm animals, and see traditional farm demonstrations. READ MORE

Turkish Festival

Washington, DC - Free
Sunday, October 19
Celebrate the Turkish Festival with Turkish foods, live music, folk dancing, arts and crafts, and kids' games.  READ MORE

Wicked Corn Maze & Fall Festival

Gambrills, MD
Various dates, through November 2
Explore eight acres including a corn maze, hayrides, pumpkins, corn pits, pony rides, a petting farm, zip lines, slingshots, straw pyramids, jumping pillows, and so much more. Enjoy festival treats including fresh-dipped corn dogs, kettle corn, and snow balls. READ MORE
Air & Scare at Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center . Photo courtesy of the event.
Air & Scare at Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center . Photo courtesy of the event.

Halloween Events & Halloween Weekend in Washington, DC

Zoo Boo! at Maryland Zoo

Baltimore, MD
Fridays - Sundays, October 3-26
The Maryland Zoo's Zoo Boo! features lots of trick-or-treat stations throughout. Kids can wear costumes, collect candy, and visit the animals. There are also games, prizes, contests, and live entertainment. READ MORE

Goblin Golf at Burke Lake Park

Fairfax Station, VA
Saturdays & Sundays, October 4-19
Enjoy festive mini golf at Burke Lake Park with Halloween decorations, treats, and appearances by ghosts and goblins. READ MORE

Trail of Jack-O'-Lanterns at Green Meadows Petting Farm

Ijamsville, MD
Fridays - Sundays, October 4-26
Put on a costume and head to Green Meadows Petting Farm's annual Trail of Jack-O'-Lanterns to see glowing jack-o'-lanterns in all shapes and sizes. There's also a farm show, fire pits, trick-or-treating along the trail, and the chance to meet furry friends in the Animal Barn. Hayrides, glow necklaces, s'mores, and more are available for purchase.  READ MORE

Workhouse Haunt

Lorton, VA
Fridays - Sundays, October 10 - November 1
The 2025 Workhouse Haunt features Apokalypse: Kingdom of Shadows, a themed walk-through experience leading guests on a frightening journey that brings them along abandoned, historic buildings where they will encounter terrifying characters and sights and sounds that are not for the faint of heart. READ MORE

Truck or Treat (at Gary J. Arthur Community Center)

Cooksville, MD
Saturday, October 11
Costumed kids can trick-or-treat at a variety of trucks, tractors, emergency vehicles, and more while meeting their hometown heroes at this "wheely" fun event. READ MORE

Boo at the Zoo at the National Zoo

Washington, DC
Friday - Sunday, October 17-19
At Boo at the Zoo, kids can dress up and go trick-or-treating at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute while viewing animals at the Elephant Community Center, Small Mammal House, Reptile Discovery Center, Great Ape House, and Think Tank.  READ MORE

Hilloween (at Eastern Market)

Washington, DC - Free
Friday, October 24
This family Halloween festival at Eastern Market is an opportunity to gather as a community and make festive memories with friends and neighbors. Enjoy trick-or-treating, face painting, games, pumpkin decorating, a photo booth, refreshments, and more. Costumes are encouraged. READ MORE

Halloween on the Farm (at Frying Pan Farm Park)

Herndon, VA
Friday, October 24
Come trick-or-treat on the farm! Visit with farm animals, create crafts, play games, tour the decorated farmhouse, and enjoy fall on the farm. READ MORE

Trick-or-Treat at Tudor Place

Washington, DC
Saturday, October 25
Head to Tudor Place for its annual fall family program, Trick-or-Treat at Tudor Place. Enjoy treats in the garden, fall-themed crafts, a potion (science) activity, face painting, and more! Costumes are encouraged. READ MORE

The Great Halloween Lantern Parade & Festival

Baltimore, MD - Free
Saturday, October 25
At the Halloween Lantern Parade & Festival, attendees can make their own lanterns, enjoy delicious food, dance, and visit the Artist Market. There's also a costume contest for kids. The parade includes illuminated floats, stilt walkers, marching bands, and more. READ MORE

Air & Scare at Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

Chantilly, VA - Free
Saturday, October 25
See the spooky side of air and space at the Air & Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. At this popular event, kids can enjoy trick-or-treating, creepy crafts, spooky science experiments, photo ops with Star Wars characters, and other Halloween-themed activities. READ MORE

Harbor Halloween

National Harbor, MD - Free
Sunday, October 26
Enjoy an afternoon of spooktacular fun for the whole family, including trick-or-treating at select stores and restaurants, kids' activities, a Halloween movie, a pet pawrade, and a chef pumpkin-carving contest. READ MORE

Del Ray Halloween Parade

Alexandria, VA - Free
Sunday, October 26
Del Ray’s annual Halloween Parade starts at Mount Vernon Avenue, south of E. Bellefonte, and continues down to the Mount Vernon Recreation Center play fields. Costumed kids, pets, and strollers can march in the parade. READ MORE

Great Falls Halloween Spooktacular

Great Falls, VA - Free
Friday, October 31
The annual Great Falls Halloween Spooktacular on the Great Falls Village Centre Green features a pet parade and costume contest, a ghostly haunted house, live music, and more. Kids are encouraged to wear costumes and trick-or-treat with local merchants from 5-7 pm. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center
Chestnut Ave. & 9th St.
George Mason University Center for the Arts
Embassy of Spain - Spanish Cultural Center
Gary J. Arthur Community Center
Great Falls Village Centre