Vote for the best vendor at the D.C. Food Truck Tasting Festival. (Photo by Tim Brown)
Sure, there’s plenty of Halloween events this weekend—from kid-friendly haunted houses to doggie costume contests—but the spooky and creepy doesn’t have to take over the weekend (unless you want it to, of course). Outside of Halloweentown, there’s the Bentzen Ball Comedy Festival, a food truck showdown, and even an apple pie contest, too.
FRIDAY, OCT. 27
D.C. FOOD TRUCK TASTING FESTIVAL: D.C.’s food trucks are gathering today to see which is number one. Sample food and drink from a variety of vendors while casting a vote to nominate one for the Golden Spatula award. To prevent a food coma, take a break with the event’s live music, local artisans, and games. (The Lot at 4th & M Street SW, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m., $39 – $89)
CIRCUS OF SIN: Scaredy-cats beware: It’s Dacha Fear Garden weekend. The Shaw beer garden turns into a spooky circus to celebrate Halloween all weekend long, with plenty of drinks and a costume contest, too. Head to the Dacha Loft on Saturday night, where the space will be turned into the Circus of Sin. (Dacha Beer Garden, 12 noon – 12 midnight, FREE)
CIDER CHUGGIN’: Fall flavor is in full force at the two-day Rock the Core cider festival. There will be over 100 ciders and craft beers offered at the event, and a general admission ticket gets samples, unlimited full pours of Bold Rock and select beers, a commemorative cup, and a chance to win Boozy Bingo. There will be food trucks, bands, local vendors, and games, too. (The Mills, Friday 7 – 10 p.m., Saturday 1 – 4 p.m. and 6 – 9 p.m., $25 – $75)
HALLOWEEN AT HOGWARTS: Jump aboard the Hogwarts Express for A Harry Potter Halloween Bash at Prospect. The Harry Potter-themed cocktails will be flowing, as will the drink specials, and there’ll be a DJ, event photos, and wizard-worthy party favors. Don’t show up in muggle clothes, either—there’ll be a costume contest with prizes. Can’t make it tonight? The Town Tavern has gone full Harry Potter tavern for the entire month. (The Prospect, 9 p.m. – 3 a.m., FREE)
LAUGH LINES: It’s the weekend of Brightest Young Thing’s Bentzen Ball Comedy Festival. The four-day-long event is curated by comedian Tig Notaro, so it’s bound to be a hilariously good time. Tonight, check out a talk on women in the comedy business featuring Notaro or an evening of stand-up at National Geographic, while the rest of the weekend is chock full of events with a line-up of well-known comedians. Check out the full schedule. (Locations, times, and prices vary)
MORE: Halloween in Hollywood (Redrocks H Street, 10 p.m. – 3 a.m., $5)
(Photo by Kevin Harber)
SATURDAY, OCT. 28
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS: The Petworth Arts Collective is kicking off its multi-day Dia de los Muertos celebration. This morning, attend an altar-making workshop and sample coffee and Mexican hot chocolate while learning about the rich history surrounding the holiday. There will be a screening of the movie “The Book of Life” this evening, too, complete with mini empanada samples. Check the list of events happening throughout the week, as well—face-painting and an art show are on the calendar. (Petworth neighborhood, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., $7 – $18)
PUMPKINS IN THE PARK: Get in that last decorative gourd fix at Pumpkins in the Park event. Head to Canal Park for pumpkin decorating, face painting, a giant moon bounce, and a photographer on-hand for family portraits. Pumpkins will be available on a rolling basis, so show up on time. (Canal Park, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., FREE)
PET PARADE: The only thing cuter than a regular pet parade? A costume pet parade. Come check out the furballs as they strut their stuff in Halloween get-ups. There will be awards for best costumes, and children are encouraged to come decked out, too. (United States National Arboretum, 9 a.m. – 12 noon, FREE)
FOOD HISTORY: The National Museum of American History hosts its annual Food History Weekend Festival today. Explore the past, present, and future of food and community in the U.S. with an impressive roster of activities: live cooking demonstrations, events for young chefs, talks on food history, book signings, and garden tours will all be taking place. (National Museum of American History, 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., FREE)
SIP + ART: Paint with some pinot today at The Embassy Row Hotel’s Paint, Pinot, and Picnic gathering. Head to the hotel’s rooftop for a painting class hosted by local artist Jill Perla. Painting supplies will be included with the price of a ticket, as will wine and charcuterie, so just show up ready to create. (The Embassy Row Hotel, 3 – 5 p.m., $55)
MORE: 70s Old School Outfit 5K! (3700 Water Street NW, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., FREE), Pugs Take D.C. (The Embassy Row Hotel, 1 – 4 p.m., FREE), Ward 7: Fall Harvest Festival (Marvin Gaye Greening Center, 3 – 7 p.m., FREE), The Rumpus Room: Halloween Edition (U Street Music Hall, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., $10), Drink N Dirt: Garden Horror Stories (H Street Farms, 4 – 5 p.m., $20), Adams Morgan Apple Festival and Pie Contest (Intersection of 18th Street and Columbia Road NW, 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., FREE), Painting for Peace: Painting, Dreaming, Resisting (Busboys and Poets Takoma, 8 – 11 p.m., $30), Glam-O-Ween (Sauf Haus Bier Hall, 8 p.m. – 3 a.m., FREE), Day of the Dead Celebration (Mexican Cultural Institute D.C., 12 noon – 4 p.m., FREE), Mount Vernon Triangle Fall Fun Day (Milian Park, 10 a.m. – 12 noon, FREE), Swinging Sixties Halloween Party (The Watergate Hotel, 8 – 11 p.m., FREE)
Hang up a hammock and relax at Meridian Hill Park’s Sway Day. (Photo by Elvert Barnes)
SUNDAY, OCT. 29
HAMMOCK HANG OUT: It’s Sway Day at Meridian Hill Park. Join the Hammock Initiative by hanging up and hanging out at the park. Don’t have a hammock? The group will have some on-hand at the event, so everyone can get their sway on. (Meridian Hill Park, 12 noon – 3 p.m., FREE)
COUNT/RECOUNT: In conjunction with the National Museum of Women in the Arts, the Hirshhorn will host a day-long screening of video and film by feminist artists and filmmakers. Featuring work by artists such as Ja’Tovia Gary, Delphine Fawundu, and Dana Birnbaum, the exhibit focuses on video artists of varying cultures and generations who all use screen narrative to examine womanhood. (Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., FREE)
BEAGLE BUDS: Attention beagle lovers: Atlas Brew Works will be hosting Broomsticks, Beagles, & Beer this afternoon. Stop by to catch some football, drink a beer, and, perhaps most importantly, check out the canine costume contest. Fifty percent of the tips go toward the Beagle Freedom Project, so tip well. (Atlas Brew Works, 1 – 8 p.m., FREE)
WOMAN-MADE: The Makers Mart Arts & Crafts Fair is a pop-up artisan market highlighting local women and their handcrafted art and merchandise. Hosted at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, a ticket to the market will also allow entry to its exhibit “Magnetic Fields: Expanding American Abstraction, 1960s to Today.” Come back for more goods—the market runs tomorrow, too. (National Museum of Women in the Arts, 12 noon – 5 p.m., $8 – $10)
D.C. DELICACIES: Learn to cook dishes from the chefs at The Riggsby, Tico, Casolare, Alta Strada, and Calle Cinco. Hosted over the span of five Sundays, each session will include culinary instruction as well as advice on pairing dishes and wine. The first class is today, and Chef Rodrigo Perez of Tico will be teaching how to make fiesta-worthy tacos and ceviche. (Locations vary, 7 – 10 p.m., $50 per session)
MORE: D.C. Champagne Week 2017 Official Preview Soiree (Macon Bistro & Larder, 6 – 10 p.m., FREE), Back to Basics Yoga Workshop (The Bike Rack, 6 – 7:30 p.m., $10), 1920s Murder Mystery Party (Wisdom: Cocktail Parlour, 7 – 10 p.m., $50), LÉON with Wrabel (U Street Music Hall, 7 – 10 p.m., $20), Beerasana at D.C Brau (D.C. Brau, 12 noon – 2 p.m., $15), Halloween Cookie Class (Cotton & Reed, 10 a.m. – 12 noon, $100), Underground Comedy (Wonderland Ballroom, 8 – 9:30 p.m., FREE), Halloween Kids’ Tour (Capitol View Hostel, 4 – 6 p.m., $6 – $12)
