Fright season is upon us, and it’s going to be a thriller!
The D.C. area takes this holiday seriously and hosts some of the best Halloween events for young adults on the east coast. As interns who are new to the city, you absolutely have to get in the spirit and experience all the spooky fun this town has to offer.
From costume parties to pub crawls, we’ve got you covered for a season filled with tricks and treats:
Halloween Events Around DC 2017
PUB Dread
When: The full month of October
Where: 1839-1843 7th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
For those of age, prepare for a truly unique bar-going experience. From the same group that brought you the Game of Thrones pop-up bar and Miracle on Seventh Street now bring you PUB Dread, a spooky retreat for both savoring Fall themed drinks and watching the night’s most eclectic and bizarre costumes pass by. The event will host different themed rooms for grownup trick or treaters to wander, including a haunted forest, a crypt, a parlor filled with creepy dolls and a “Spacebar.” In celebration of All Hallows’ Eve, drinks will use such festive ingredients as apple cider and pumpkin. You will even find candy and Twizzler-flavored sodas
Night of the Living Zoo
When: October 27th
Where: Smithsonian National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
If you’re looking to spend fright night out with friends in search of some real animals, check out Night of the Living Zoo at the Smithsonian National Zoo. This is the National Zoo’s 21-and-over version of Boo at the Zoo where the animal haven will transform into a devil’s playground. You’ll have after-hours access to many zoo attractions while enjoying live entertainment, including frightfully amazing oddities and, best of all, the annual costume contest where you can show off your craziest, spookiest looks. Guests can also enjoy food from local food trucks and craft brews.
Fright Fest presented by Snickers®
When: Select days through October 29th
Where: Six Flags America, 13710 Central Avenue, Upper Marlboro, MD 20721
Is there anything more terrifying than a haunted theme park at night? For a frightfully good time, grab your friends and head to the annual spooky celebration known as Fright Fest at Six Flags America. With everything from roller-coaster thrills to haunted attractions, you’ll want to hold on to your masks for this one!
Air & Scare at the Udvar-Hazy Center
When: October 21st from 12 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Where: National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, 14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway, Chantilly, VA 20151
For a costume party that’s out of this world, you won’t want to miss this night of free, spooky fun at Air & Scare. This truly unique annual indoor romp asks that you rock your fiercest Halloween attire and get ready for an intense round of trick or treating.
17th Street High Heel Race
When: October 24th. The race starts at 9 p.m.
Where: 17th Street NW
While you’re in DC, you must check out The 17th Street High Heel Race, an epic 30-year tradition that turns one Dupont Circle neighborhood street into a shrill, Halloween-themed spectacle. Cheer on all of the “heel hobblers,” as the locals call them, as they swarm the streets decked out in full drag makeup for a quarter-mile race. Trust us, you won’t want to miss these hilarious photo ops!
Trick-or-Treat at Mount Vernon
When: October 27th and 28th
Where: George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, VA 22121
If you’re looking for a more historic way to celebrate the season, grab your fellow interns and journey back in time as you head to Mount Vernon for Halloween festivities. This event features wagon rides, craft-making, chocolate-making demonstrations and even 18th century dancing in the upper garden. Guests are even encouraged to wear their best costumes, as prizes will be awarded to those in their best George and Martha get-ups. You’ll feel the spirit of our founding father.
Halloween Hunt at The Mansion on O
When: Reservations can be made on the Mansion website.
Where: The Mansion on O Street, 2020 O Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
If you’ve been in town long enough, you may have heard of the wondrous Mansion on O Street. It is quite the experience, especially around All Hallows’ Eve. Take a journey through this historic venue on their infamous scavenger hunt to see the mansion decked out in its finest Halloween attire while you search through its 100 themed rooms and 70 secret doors for Halloween-themed prizes.
This is just a peek into the some of the best Halloween events and activities in and around the DC area.
Grab your friends, grab your colleagues and make a night of it! DC has so many exiting things to offer this holiday season, we know you won’t want to miss out. Enjoy the magic!
