FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23

FOLLOW THE PUMPKINS: Follow the pumpkins at Green Meadows Petting Farm’s annual Trail of Jack-O-Lanterns. The expanded trail of lights and jack-o-lanterns takes visitors around the farm, including to the animal barn to meet some new furry friends. Trick-or-treating will also be offered throughout the trail, so bring the kids in costume and enjoy a safer alternative to going door-to-door. (Green Meadows Petting Farm, 6 p.m., $12)

OH, THE HORROR: Did you know that the 1984 horror movie Nightmare on Elm Street is based on a real, known sleep phenomena? How about that clinical lycanthropy is a real condition where people think they are transforming into werewolves? Keep getting spooked by the psychology of horror movies, from Dracula to zombies, with this virtual Profs & Pints session. It’s hosted by clinical psychologist Brian A. Sharpless and will focus on the real conditions and treatments behind some well-known horror films. (7 p.m., $12)

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24

THE EARTH THANKS YOU: Get your hands dirty and do a good deed on Saturday morning. Join the Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens for a morning of park stewardship activities. Help is needed for invasive plant removal, litter collection, flower bed weeding, and trail maintenance. Activities may include working in shallow pools, so dress appropriately and don’t be afraid to get a little muddy. (Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, 9 a.m., donations appreciated)

ALL THINGS PUMPKIN: Celebrate all things pumpkin at the Bullpen with the Pumpkin Extravaganza. This pumpkin-focused festival will include exclusive seasonal beers and ciders, pumpkin decorating kits, table games, trick-or-treat bags, and a cider donut eating contest. All tables will be set six feet apart and groups are limited to 4 to 6 people. (The Bullpen, 1 p.m. or 5 p.m, $55-$60)

MONSTER MASH: Wunder Garten is fully decorated and celebrating 13 days of Halloween. Go be a part of it on Saturday night with the beer garden’s “monster bash.” This spooky-themed event will include sweet treats, games, and Halloween-themed cocktails, including the Pumpkin Brew and Basic Witch. Heaters and fire pits will keep you warm and all patrons will be appropriately spaced. (Wunder Garten, 4 p.m., prices vary)

TRUNK-OR-TREAT: Enjoy a safer alternative to trick-or-treating this year with the little one. The Old Firehouse Center in McLean, Va. is hosting a trunk-or-treat. Drive up in your Halloween best for an opportunity to collect candy from different themed vehicles. Admission also includes access to the House of Terror, a teen-focused haunted house. Don’t forget your mask! (Old Firehouse Center, McLean, Va., 6 p.m., $2)

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25

AN A-MAZE-ING TIME: Take a drive to Messick’s Farm Market in Bealeton, Va. for all of your fall fun needs. Spend Sunday at the farm picking pumpkins and getting lost in the corn maze. There’s also a petting zoo, food trucks, and photo opportunities. The event is spread over nine acres and visitors are asked to maintain a safe physical distance and to wear a mask. (Messick’s Farm Market, Bealeton, Va., 10 a.m., $4-$7)

DANCE IT OFF: Boogey on over to Pizzeria Paradiso in Spring Valley on Sunday for a safe and socially distanced pizza and dance party. The pizza joint is teaming up with 305 Fitness for a 55-minute cardio dance party class. It will feature aerobic choreography moves set to high-energy dance tunes in the vacant parking lot across the street from the restaurant. Afterwards, head across the street for a fresh pizza pie. (Pizzeria Paradiso in Spring Valley, 11 a.m., $24)

BIRTHDAY BASH: The National Philharmonic is opening up their 2021-2021 season by celebrating Ludwig van Beethoven’s 250th birthday. The celebration will be led by the two local concert masters — National Symphony Orchestra’s Nurit Bar-Josef and Jonathan Carney from the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra — playing works by the composer. The live performance features socially-distanced musicians playing together at Strathmore with a free live stream available to watch. This is also how the rest of the National Philharmonic season will be conducted. (2 p.m., FREE)