Halloween in Washington DC is a lively tradition rooted in both national and local history. The White House has hosted Halloween events since 1958, while the city’s haunted sites and ghost stories inspire popular tours and community intrigue. Modern celebrations include family-friendly events by the Department of Parks and Recreation, neighborhood trick-or-treating, and themed parties, all highlighting DC’s sense of community and cultural diversity.
Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics
From the suspenseful strains of “Tubular Bells (Theme from The Exorcist)” – Mike Oldfield to the playful rhythms of “Ghostbusters (Theme)” – Ray Parker Jr. and the supernatural drama of “Danse Macabre” – Camille Saint-Saëns, this concert promises a journey through the full spectrum of Halloween moods. The string quartet’s artistry elevates each piece, weaving together fear, fun, and fantasy.
Listeners are swept into cinematic worlds where haunting melodies and vibrant rhythms collide. The quartet’s dynamic performance brings out the chills of horror classics and the exuberance of pop favorites, creating a Halloween celebration that is both spine-tingling and joyful.
Candlelight Halloween at Memorial Hall Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
The modern architecture and expansive spaces of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library are transformed by the glow of thousands of candles, casting mesmerizing shadows across bookshelves and glass walls. For 60 minutes, guests are immersed in this luminous, subtly spooky setting, with doors opening 30-45 minutes early to let the candlelight’s ambiance fully envelop the evening.
A string quartet heightens the atmosphere with haunting renditions of Stranger Things (Theme) by S U R V I V E, Funeral March of a Marionette by Charles Gounod, and In the Hall of the Mountain King by Edvard Grieg. This is one of DC’s most memorable Halloween experiences—plan ahead or risk missing out on this magical night.