This year’s Halloween & Día de los Muertos (like this year’s everything) look a little bit different than usual. In response to the ongoing coronavirus crisis, the D.C. Department of Health recently released its official Halloween guidance on how to stay safe — and families have been finding new ways to create spooky festivities on their own.
Yet, even with social distancing and other pandemic-related cautions, organizations and businesses in the District, Maryland, and Virginia are still finding ways to mark the holidays. Whether you’re into costumed goats joining your yoga class, socially distant horror tours, or take-home sip-n-paints, the region is still offering plenty of ways to get in the spooky spirit.
FOR THE HORROR-SEEKERS
GHOST TOUR: DC Ghosts is still holding in-person ghost tours (with limited group sizes & mandatory masks), but for Halloween, they’re doing something even bigger. On Oct. 30, register for a Zoom-based ghost tour through our spirited city starting at 7 p.m. — all without having to leave your home. (Friday, October 30, Zoom, $15)
NIGHTMARE ALLEY: DRIVE-THRU TERROR: It’s being touted as Northern Virginia’s first-ever haunted drive-thru — and those brave enough to enter will be faced with swamp creatures, zombies, and more. Workhouse Art Center’s Nightmare Alley lets participants experience the thrills and frights of a haunted house — without ever having to leave your car. The nightmare is open from 7-11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 7-10 p.m. on Sundays. (Through Saturday, Oct. 31, Lorton, Virginia, $60 per car, with discounts for first responders, teachers, and group purchases)
MARKOFF’S HAUNTED FOREST: The annual haunted forest started in 1999, and it’s still going strong even in the year of the pandemic. Participants are invited to arrive in “pandemic bubbles” of up to six people with timed access to the fright-filled trail from 7-10 p.m. While other portions of the yearly festival are on hold, the “Deadly Dinner” is still taking reservations for 5 p.m. seatings so that you can get your fill before the horror. (Through Sunday, Nov. 1, Dickerson, Maryland, $36+ per person)
FIELD OF SCREAMS: It’s in the name. Although the Field of Screams‘ annual Haunted House and Carnival Games were put on hold because of the coronavirus, the organizers found a way to make their namesake tour go on. Attendees are required to arrive in groups and enter the tour at their designated 6:30-11 p.m. time slots. Tickets can only be purchased online and masks are mandatory — but like every year, screams are still to be expected. (Through Friday, Nov. 6 in Olney, Maryland, $45+ per person)
FOR THE YOUTHS
AIR & SCARE AT HOME. This year, the Air & Space Museum is making sure you can celebrate spooky season from the comfort of your home. Enter the 2020 Halloween Costume Contest by Oct. 25, the Virtual Pumpkin Decorating Contest (also by Oct. 25), join the Air & Scare Live Facebook Chat, or tune into scary stories via the museum’s Instagram account. And if you can’t participate in the contests or events, the Air & Space still has you covered: Visit the Air & Scare website to download festive activities you can do on your own time. (Through Oct. 31, Online, FREE)
HALLOWEEN TO-GO FOR KIDS & CANINES. The Fairmont Washington in Georgetown is creating to-go Halloween boxes for children and dogs from 4-6 p.m. on Oct. 30. If they arrive in costume, participants will be entered to win dinners & overnight stays. The best part? Georgie, the Fairmont’s doggo, will be ready to meet you in costume. (Friday, Oct. 30, 2401 M St. NW, $15-$20)
MARYLAND CORN MAZE. Before it gets too cold, spend some time outside in the eight acres of the Maryland Corn Maze, which is open noon to 7 p.m. on Fridays and from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on weekends (10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. on Oct. 25 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Nov. 3). The annual event has taken coronavirus precautions and is still able to host the namesake maze and its spread of fall activities from a petting zoo to hayrides and pedal tractors. Weekend tickets must be purchased online in advance. (Through Sunday, Nov. 8, Gambrills, Maryland, $12-$14)
FOR MUSIC LOVERS
MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN: The Smithsonian’s Museum of the American Indian is holding a series of events to mark Día de los Muertos. On Friday at 6 p.m., you can tune into their livestream for an event featuring sculptor and mask-maker Zarco Guerrero and Grammy-winning East L.A. band Queztal. Then over the weekend, you can join in at 2 p.m. on Saturday/Sunday for a series that includes a workshop on making paper marigolds, an exploration of Día de los Muertos dishes, and a remembrance for passed loved ones. (Friday, Oct. 30-Sunday, Nov. 1, online, FREE but register here or here)
LIVE-STREAMED ORCHESTRA: At 7:30 p.m. on Halloween, Choral Arts and the New Orchestra of Washington is hosting a live-streamed concert, Día de los Muertos: Featuring Brahms’s Requiem. Each ticket also comes with a free pass to A Spirited Discussion: Requiems and Día de los Muertos at 5 p.m. on Oct. 21 with the Mexican Cultural Institute. (Saturday, Oct. 31, Online, $15)
BLACK CAT VIRTUAL DANCE PARTY: It’s a dance party with no cover charge. On Saturday night, Black Cat is hosting the Beetlejuice-themed Eighties Mayhem Halloween Dance Party — all on livestream starting at 9 p.m. Dancing and costumes are highly encouraged and the event will feature DJ Steve EP, DJ MissGuided, Killa K. Our favorite part: Your pets are invited to this Halloween dance party, too. (Saturday, Oct. 31, Twitch, FREE but donations are encouraged)
FOR ANIMALS & ENDORPHINS
HALLOWEEN COSTUME GOAT YOGA: Trust us: You haven’t been to a yoga class quite like this one. On Oct. 30 at 5 p.m., join Ease Yoga & Cafe for yoga practice and short-guided meditation featuring goats from Walnut Creek Farm. Goat yoga sessions, in which baby goats climb and interact with participants, is not new to the area, but it’s not often that the goats are also in Halloween costumes. (Friday, Oct. 30, Alexandria, $40)
HALLOWEEN BEAGLE MEETUP: The community group DC Beagles is hosting a festive and Beagle-centered meetup at 11 a.m. in LeDroit Park. There will be treats for beagles and for humans — and dog costumes are encouraged. (Saturday, Oct. 31, 300 block of V Street NW, FREE)
HALLOWEEN UNITY BIKE RIDE: On Halloween, join your favorite local bike groups — including Bike Gang Arlington and We Ride DC — for a 10-mile ride starting 2 p.m. at Hains Point. Costumes are encouraged, and all pedaled “vehicles” are welcome. Stick around afterward for a socially distant “wine down.” (Saturday, Oct. 31, Hains Point Park, FREE)
HALLOWEEN YOGA: If goats aren’t your thing, you still have options. Join a beginner-level class at the intersection of Irving Street NW and Park Place NW for a socially-distant yoga class at 2 p.m. on Halloween. A portion of all proceeds will go to the Wangari Gardens’ mission of creating green space in the District. (Saturday, Oct. 31, Irving Street and Park Place NW, $5-$10)
FOR DIFFERENT KINDS OF SPIRITS
WUNDER GARTEN: One day of Halloween isn’t enough, so Wunder Garten is marking the festivities with their Thirteen Nights of Halloween, which lasts through Saturday, Oct. 31. Enjoy your festive drinks (Pumpkin Brew or the Basic Witch, anyone?) over fire pits, and see their suite of themed nights: from LGBTQ Hallo-Queen nights on Thursdays to their dog-friendly Howl-oween. (Through Oct. 31, 1101 First St. NE, full lineup here)
SUGAR SKULL SIP N’ PAINT: It’s a sip-n-paint kit, so you can celebrate Dia de Los Muertos from your home. This year, El Centro is marking the occasion by creating a take-home experience that includes a three-course meal and a ceramic sugar skull (with paint and brushes). Sangria pitchers are also available as an add-on. (Pickups available 4-6:30 p.m. on Oct. 22, 28, 29; D.C. locations, $70 per kit)
DC BRAU x YOCO CONFECTIONS: It’s a Halloween kit for adults. This year, DC BRAU and Yoco Confections are teaming up to offer an Adult Halloween Pairing on Thursday, Oct. 22. The kit includes two beer varieties and themed popcorn, espresso bites, and chocolate bark. Participants also receive a link to a Zoom where Rob Rodriguez (DC Brau’s head brewer) and YoCo will break down more details about the pairing. (Thursday, Oct. 22, 3178-B Bladensburg Rd. NE, $36 per kit)
AMSTERDAM LOUNGE HALLOWEEN PARTY: This Halloween, Amsterdam Lounge is hosting a socially-distant party to benefit the Students Taking Action and Rising organization. Expect drinks, food, and music from 8 p.m. to midnight — and if you’re there at 10:30, you might even get a free Halloween-themed shot. To maintain social distance, the lounge will be operating at 50% capacity, each guest must be seated at a table, and masks are mandatory. (Saturday, Oct. 31, 1208 U St. NW, $25-$40)
