FRIDAY OCTOBER 29
FREE COFFEE: Start off your Friday by visiting the new Foxtrot market in Dupont on their opening day — and receive a free drip coffee if you visit the location between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. The spot will be Foxtrot’s third in the district, following their locations in Georgetown and Mt. Vernon Triangle. Please note that you will need to show that you’ve downloaded the app in order to get the free caffeine. (Foxtrot Dupont; 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.; FREE)
VAMPIRE BALL: On Friday, Synetic Theater is hosting its Vampire Ball — a Halloween celebration that starts with a live performance of “The Madness of Poe” followed by an indoor/outdoor dance party. Guests can expect everything including “aerialists, Edgar Allan Poe themed cocktails, dancing, physical theater, [and] spooky Georgian remixes.” (Synetic Theater; 8:00 p.m.; $95+)
HAUNTED SHIP: By land or by sea. This Friday, head toward Navy Yard for Shipwrecked: Haunted Pirate Party. The event is hosted by Anchovy Social and costumes and heavily encouraged. Please note that vaccination cards will be validated at the entrance so all guests can safely enjoy night. (Shipwrecked: Haunted Pirate Party at Anchovy Social; 8:00 p.m.; $25+)
CHORUS: On Friday, catch the first night of the Congressional Chorus Halloween Show: Nightmare of G Street. The event will mark the Chorus’ return to the live stage and will include a new commissioned rap and poetry by Kosi, a live band, and your favorite Halloween hits. Please note that proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test is required for entry — and face coverings are required indoors. (Church of the Epiphany; 7:30 p.m.; $30+)
DEAD FAST: On Friday, the historic Congressional Cemetery is hosting Dead Man’s Run 5K through the grounds and onto the Anacostia Trail. The race kicks off with the sound of the funeral bell, costumes are encouraged (prizes are at stake) and all proceeds go towards supporting the operation and preservation of the National Historic Landmark. (Congressional Cemetery; 6:00 p.m.; $35+)
MORE: Freaky Friday Comedy at Saloon (Saloon on U St; 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.; FREE); Blue Goes Pink (Bluemercury Bethesda Row; 9:30 a.m.; FREE); Halloween Night Hunt w/ Sweets Experience (O Museum; Tickets begin at 4:00 p.m.; $50); Choral Fantasy (Church of the Holy Comforter; 7:30 p.m.; FREE for kids, $25+); Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Movie Night (Dumbarton House; 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.; $10); Tango Apiazzollado – Celebrating 100 years of Astor Piazzolla (The Kennedy Center; 7:30 p.m.; $55 – $75); jumatatu m. poe & Jermone Donte Beacham (Dance Place; 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.; FREE with pay what you can scale)
SATURDAY OCTOBER 30
HALLOWEEN DRAG BRUNCH: On Saturday, the Eleanor is hosting a Halloween Drag Brunch with an a la carte menu and bottomless mimosas. Brunch food begins at 11:00 a.m. and the show — featuring Sirene Noir Sidora Jackson, Helena Handbaskit, and Starlee — will begin at half past noon. The event is hosted by Millie Meringue. (The Eleanor; 11:00 a.m. brunch, 12:30 p.m. show).
BAR CRAWL: It’s that time of year. On Saturday, don your best costume and head to U Street for The Hip Hop Halloween Bar Crawl. The party starts at 2:00 p.m. and will include 10 local DJs and seven bars (all within walking distance of each other) on U Street. Each DJ will “spin a different theme” and participants can expect exclusive specials, free swag (while supplies last) and a costume contest. (U Street; 2:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.; $10 – $30)
DON’T BOO, BARK: It’s time for your canine’s to shine. This weekend, the Boro Tysons is hosting an outdoor dog costume contest with gift baskets for the top three prizes. Please note that although the online form says sold out— that’s just just for dog-owners looking to compete. And if you don’t have a dog, you’re still invited (and can engage in the Trick-or-Treating and Halloween crafts). (The Boro Tysons; 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.; FREE)
SOUND FEST: On Saturday, Rhizome DC is kicking off its two-day Catalytic Sound Festival. The event is offering both in-person and live streamed viewing opportunities, and includes improvised performances from some of the region’s best musicians, artists, and dancers (and some from out of town, too). (Virtual or Rhizome DC; 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.; $5 – $20)
ART SHOWCASE: On Saturday, the content studio Duke & Duck is hosting its fifth annual “Frames Of Fear” showcase with the Adams Morgan Partnership Business Improvement District. The studio previously invited “animators, illustrators, and motion designers alike to create wicked windows with anything from possessed novels flying around bookstores to zombies thrifting for fashion.” And this weekend, their work is being presented to the world. (Duke & Duck; 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.; FREE)
MORE: The Magic Duel Comedy Show (Lang Theatre; 8:00 p.m.; $45+); Halloween Costume Contest (The Lane; 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.; $20/kid for non-members); Oyster Roast with Rappahannock Oysters (Supreme Core Cider; 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.; $40 – $45); Fall Frolic Halloween Fun (Glen Echo Park; 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.; FREE); Halloween Drag Brunch (All Set Restaurant & Bar; 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.; $10); 10th Annual FANtastic 5K Fun Run/Walk – for Serve Your City / Ward 6 Mutual Aid (Mandarin Oriental; 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.; $35); Lesser Known Notables of Oak Hill Cemetery (Oak Hill Cemetery; 12:00 p.m – 1:30 p.m; $25); Welcome to America Soccer Fest (Washington International School; 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.; FREE).
SUNDAY OCTOBER 31
MONSTER BASH: On Halloween, head to the Looking Glass Lounge on Georgia Avenue for its Halloween Monster Bash & Costume Contest. Party-goers can expect a $10 beer and a shot deal (all night), no cover fee, and a cash prize awarded for the best costume. If you’re don’t outright win the contest, don’t worry: runner-up prizes include gift cards to Midlands, goods from Earcandie, and swag from Byrdland Records. (Looking Glass Lounge; 8:00 p.m.; FREE cover)
NATIONAL HARBOR: On Halloween, National Harbor is pulling out all the stops. Kids in costumes get a free ride on the ferris wheel from noon to 2:00 p.m. — and starting at 4:00 p.m., attendees can head to an outdoor showing of Goosebumps or visit Flight Deck for a Día de los Muertos celebration. (National Harbor; Times and Prices Vary)
SPONSORED: HALLOWEEN FILM SCREENING: Join the original Brad Majors – Barry Bostwick (oh Brad!) – for a Halloween night screening of the original unedited Rocky Horror Picture Show complete with a live shadow cast and audience participation! There will be a memorabilia display, costume contest, and more! (Entertainment and Sports Arena; 8:00 pm; $25-$45).
MORE: The Conservatory Classic Jazz Band and the Normandie Jam (Normandie Farms Restaurant; 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.; FREE for youth + jammers, $10 for non-jammers); Urbane; Exclusive Gallery, Artist Showcase and Speakeasy (Secret Location; 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.; $12 – $30).
