FRIDAY OCTOBER 22

CARVE OUT YOUR NICHE: On Friday, head to Potomac Overlook for pumpkin carving that the whole family can get in on. Participants are asked to pre-register to receive everything you need to spookify your pumpkin, including tools, paint, and, of course, the pumpkin. Please note that children must be accompanied by an adult. (Potomac Overlook Recreation Center; 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.; $10)

MYSTERY MANSION: Kick off your weekend at the Woman’s Club of Chevy Chase. On Friday, the club is opening its door to host Mystery Mansion, a family-friendly Halloween evening, complete with a haunted house, bonfire, pumpkin patch, and costume shop. If you can’t make it, don’t worry: there are still weekend slots open through October 30. (The Woman’s Club of Chevy Chase; 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.; $5+)

HATTIE SEWELL: Learn all about Hattie Sewell’s history at Rock Creek Park with a film premiering this Friday at Peirce Mill. The socially distant outdoor event focuses on Hattie Sewell, a Black woman who won a contract to run the tea house at Peirce Mill in 1921 and soon increased business by 200% – before losing her her contract  after a white neighbor complained that the Mill had become “a rendezvous for colored people, soon developing into a nuisance.” This 30-minute film from Howard University, Friends of Peirce Mill, and the National Park Service tells her story. (Peirce Mill; 5:45 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. OR 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.; FREE)

FOLGER CONSORT PREMIERE: It’s time for a night in. This Friday, the Folger Shakespeare Library will begin streaming the Folger Consort’s “Henry Purcell and Music of 17th-Century London.” The consort is ensemble-in-residence focusing on early music at the library — in this case, Baroque instrumentals — and the performance will be available through mid-summer. (Streaming starts at 8:00 p.m.; FREE for members, $20+ for non-members)

MORE: How To Say What You Mean with Will Jelbert (Planet Word Museum; 6:30 p.m.; $12); Cars & Cappuccino (Creighton Farms; 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.; $60+)

SATURDAY OCTOBER 23

5K FUNDRAISER: This weekend, Whitman-Walker Health is hosting its annual Walk & 5K to End HIV. The virtual event supports Whitman-Walker’s programming providing medical care and legal services to more than 20,000 people in the region. Participants can choose to follow a pre-selected route through D.C. (and pass by local Whitman-Walker locations) or complete the event on a route of their own. (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. for D.C. route; FREE with donations and fundraising goals encouraged)

BOOK TALK: On Saturday, Eaton DC is hosting Representative Sharice Davids’ in conversation with PBS News Hour chief correspondent Amna Nawaz to discuss Representative Davids’ new book: Sharice’s Big Voice. Registration is required, and young readers encouraged to attend. (Eaton DC; 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.; FREE)

ART WALK: It’s the Chevy Chase Art Walk (and it’s called Ch/Art). This weekend, more than forty artists are setting up in 23 homes and studios across Chevy Chase to exhibit and sell their work. Artisans will be featuring works ranging from jewelry to ceramics to photography — catch a full map of the event here. (Chevy Chase; 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.; FREE)

LITERARY BREW: Head to City-State Brewing on Saturday for the family-friendly story hour with illustrator Zara González Hoang. The event will feature the artist’s latest book, Mi Casa is My Home, and signed books are available for purchase (with a pre-order and pick-up on site). Of course, flights and beers will also be available, along with alcoholic options and snacks. (City-State Brewing; 11:00 a.m.; FREE)

COMEDY & VINTAGE: Get your vintage wears and your laughs at The Loop Coworking @215 in Alexandria. This weekend, the co-working space is hosting a two-part event: From 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. vintage sellers from across the region will be selling their finest, before local comedians will take the stage at 8:00 p.m. (The Loop Coworking @215; 2:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.; $5)

PINEWOOD DERBY: Buckle up. On Saturday, Supreme Core Cider is hosting an adult pinewood derby. Here’s how it works: Participants get a pinewood derby car kit (plus a bunch of cider) in advance, and then on Saturday teams will race in head-to-head heats. Prizes are also available for your car’s aesthetics. (Supreme Core Cider; 4:00 p.m. check in, 5:00 p.m. race; $30/kit) 

MORE: Fall Clean Up Event (Potomac Overlook Regional Park; 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.; FREE); Fall Festival at The Collection (The Collection at Chevy Chase; 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.; FREE); HYPDC PumpkinFest 2021 (Bardo Brewing; 1:00 p.m.; $20-25); HEY! HO! LET’S GO! (DC9 Nightclub; 3:00 p.m. doors, 4 start; $5); Town Mountain (The Hamilton DC; 6:30 p.m. doors, 8:00 p.m. show; $19.75+)

SUNDAY OCTOBER 24

DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS: On Sunday, Modelo and Fiesta DC are hosting a Día de los Muertos event at The Wharf. Participants can win prizes for their outfit — and all party-goers can expect everything from face painting, to sugar skull decorating, to a beer garden. (District Pier; 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.)

EXHIBIT OPENING: On Sunday, RhizomeDC is opening the new exhibit, Justice Arts Coalition presents We Belong Here: Reclaiming Space Through Art. The exhibit features the work of incarcerated artists in the D.C. community, whose pieces explore “themes of community, space, and identity,” per curators. After Sunday’s outdoor reception, the exhibit will be open through November 30. (RhizomeDC; Opening reception 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.; FREE)

MORE:DC Zinefest (Brookland Art Walk; 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; FREE); Drive-Through Electronics Recycle Event (Audi Field; 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.; FREE); Red Bike by Caridad Svich (PNC Parking Lot in Anacostia; 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.; $13+ with pay what you can tickets available on-site); Hear it on the Rooftop – Winning Artists’ Showcase (WILD DAYS Rooftop; 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.; FREE); Mitchell Park Fun Day (Mitchell Park; 2:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.; FREE); Jenn Koiter Book Launch (The Gantry; 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.; $0 – $25); DMV Besties Halloween Hangout (Electric Cool-Aid; 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.)