Family Halloween Events in Washington, DC

PumpkinPalooza — NoMa, WashingtonVisit official site →

Alethia Tanner Park

A free neighborhood festival with a pick-your-own patch, live entertainment, food and costumed characters, about ten minutes from downtown.

Dates

• Oct 28 — year not stated on the BID's page
• That date falls on a Wednesday in 2026

Tickets

Free, and the pumpkins are free

Know before you go

• Metro: NoMa–Gallaudet U on the Red Line, one block away
• No start or end time published

Who it's for

Any age, and families without a car — it is the only in-District option

Skip if

You want a farm day out — this is a city park, not a working farm

Cox Farms Fall Festival — Centreville, VAVisit official site →

The anchor of the regional season: a daytime farm festival with a dedicated Kiddie Zone for the youngest visitors.

Dates

• Sept 19 – Nov 8, closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays
• 10am–6pm in September and October, last entry 5pm

Tickets

$15, $20, $25 or $30 per person depending on the date. Everyone two and older pays the same — no child or senior rate, under-24-months free — and a patch pumpkin is included.

Know before you go

• Tickets are online-only and date-specific; there is no box office
• Busy dates sell out, so buy ahead
• Parking is free
• Drive: about 30 miles out I-66, 45–60 minutes each way

Who it's for

Families who want a whole day out, toddlers included

Skip if

You are watching the budget — everyone over two pays full price, so a family of four adds up fast

Halloween on the Farm — Herndon, VAVisit official site →

Frying Pan Farm Park

A one-hour trick-or-treat slot on a working farm, with the animals and crafts.

Dates

• Friday, Oct 23, 5–8pm — one-hour slots at 5, 6 and 7
• Saturday, Oct 24, 4:30–7:30pm — slots at 4:30, 5:30 and 6:30

Tickets

$12 per person in advance until 11:59pm Thursday, Oct 22, then $15 day-of. Ages two through adult, so the grown-ups need tickets too.

Know before you go

• Registration is open
• Children must be with a registered adult

Who it's for

Toddlers and early-elementary kids — one hour, early evening, low-key

Skip if

You want to arrive when you like — entry is a fixed one-hour slot

Ghost Town — Fairfax Station, VAVisit official site →

Burke Lake Park

A daytime carnival in a county park, costumes encouraged.

Dates

• Oct 24 and 25, 11am–5pm

Tickets

$20 in advance, on sale until two days before; $25 day-of, free under two. One admission covers the themed activity areas, the miniature train, the carousel, crafts and mini golf.

Know before you go

• Online registration sold out in 2025 — buy early rather than at the gate

Who it's for

Toddlers and the easily spooked — it is explicitly not-spooky

Skip if

You want a full farm day — it is a park carnival, not a patch

Fields of Fear — Centreville, VAVisit official site →

Cox Farms

A separate night ticket, not an add-on to the daytime Fall Festival.

Dates

• Fridays and Saturdays, Sept 25 – Nov 7, plus Sunday, Oct 11
• 7:30–11pm, last entry 10pm

Tickets

$25–$45 by date

Know before you go

• Entry slots are assigned on arrival in check-in order — arrive by 7pm or you may be sent in at 10:30 or 11:30pm

Skip if

Your child is under 12 — the farm's own line. Under 14 needs an adult chaperone

Markoff's Haunted Forest — Dickerson, MD

Know before you go

• Strobe lights
• Major startles
• Open fires

Skip if

Your child is under 12 — “we do not recommend anyone under the age of 12 to participate”

Workhouse Haunted Trail — Lorton, VA

Workhouse Arts Center

An outdoor walk-through on paved, grass and mulch paths.

Dates

• Fridays, Saturdays and select Sundays, Oct 3 – 30

Tickets

$35 timed entry; $10 skip-the-line upgrade

Know before you go

• Sensory-friendly hour Saturday, Oct 17, 6–7pm — strobes off, sound down
• Box office closes 9:50pm, so buy ahead

Skip if

Your child is under 13 — the center's own line