Halloween Roundup: The Haunted Edition
We all know that Halloween is omnipresent throughout the month of October, and this year, like most, fall and Halloween events are a dime a dozen. To make matters worse, if Halloween doesn’t land on a weekend, as is the case this year, we are subjected to not one, but multiple (count them five) days of events that range for spooktacular to gho(a)stly. DCist has sifted through the mess to bring you a a solid list of haunted houses and family-friendly Halloween fare that seem worthy of your hand-sewn Kill Bill costume. From the imps to the devils, the wizard apprentices to the “sexy” witches, we have it all for you here in your full Halloween roundup.
For Kids and Families:
>> Hopefully, some of you out there got tickets to the National Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo this weekend before they sold out. For those of you who missed out on tickets, and have crying clowns and princesses on your hands, may we suggest you take a 45 minute drive and head up to the equally creatively titled ZooBOO at Maryland Zoo. It promises costume contests, Hay Rides, a Hay Maze, adult pie eating contests, magicians, jugglers, pumpkin painting and of course, trick or treating. While the Maryland Zoo does not have a baby panda, it does have “Fraiser” the Warthog and a doggy Halloween costume contest, both of which rate pretty high on our cute-o-meter. Saturday and Sunday, 10-4 p.m. The Zoo is located in Druid Hill Park, less than 10 minutes from Baltimore's Downtown Inner Harbor. Parking is free.
>> Closer to home, performer Nic Whimsey will be hosting a Pumpkin Party and Parade at the Discovery Theater for tykes ages 2-8. This interactive show includes a parade, facepainting and other Halloween goodies. Children are invited to arrive in costume. October 27 and 30 at 10:15 and 11:30 a.m.. Saturday Family Special on October 28 at 11 a.m. for face painting and a 12 p.m. show.
>> Get a kid interested in classical music while getting into the scary spirit of the season. Take the young person in your life (ages 7 and up) to Spooky Sounds and Scary Tales. Emil de Cou conducts this National Symphony Orchestra Family Concert in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. The conductor and the orchestra will be wearing costumes, so obvs, feel free to wear yours. Go early and visit the Instrument Petting Zoo to touch and play the instruments yourself. After the 3 p.m.performance, you can talk with the musicians and ask them questions. Sunday 1 and 3 p.m.. $15 to $18.
>> Additional fun family events can be found in our pumpkin patch post earlier this month.
Find events for all ages and the 21 and older crowd after the jump.
Frightful Events for All Ages:
>> Spend an evening with the National Symphony Orchestra Pops for conductor Marvin Hamlisch's "Marvin’s Halloween Monster Mash”. Selections include music from Phantom of the Opera, Sweeny Todd, and the theme from Psycho. Costumes encouraged. The Kennedy Center Friday, October 27 at 7 p.m. and Saturday October 28 at 8 p.m..
>> Ever wonder what D.C. ghosts may be lurking about? Find out with the Ghost Story Tour of Washington, at the potentially haunted Lafayette Square Park. Hears stories and meet spirits during this interactive production. Reservations encouraged. Friday and Saturday from 6-8 p.m., and a children’s matinee on Sunday at 2 p.m.
>> For those brave enough to mix the hair-raising scares of rollercoasters with that of ghouls and goblins, you have a choice of either Six Flags America Fright Fest or Fearfest at Paramount’s Kings Dominion. Check out their sites for further details.
>> We can't hear more terrifyingly good things about Markoff's Haunted Forest and its array of fun activities for the more active crowd, including haunted hay rides, climbing walls, ropes courses and more. The Haunted Forest is open from 6-10:30 p.m. this weekend and Halloween night, plus 6-9 p.m. on Monday. Located about 45 miles from downtown DC in Dickerson, Maryland
>> Freak House is brought to you by the combined forces of The Lobster Boy Revue and Cherry Red Productions, who have transformed the entire Warehouse Theater space into a three story haunted house. With their promise of "Torture. Murder. Shark Attack," we can only assume that this terror house comes with a side of quirkiness. $15. Open Friday 8 p.m.-1 a.m; Saturday 9 p.m.- 2 a.m.; Sunday 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Tuesday 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Feel free to post additional events in the comments. Have a safe and spooky Halloween!