October is here, and spooky season is in full swing!
Washingtonians looking to embrace fall festivities in D.C. can rejoice: from apple-picking to haunted tours and raging concerts to delicious meals, here are the top things to do around D.C. this month:
1. Attend one of the incredible Halloween-themed Candlelight Concerts taking place in D.C. this month
The Fever Originals Candlelight series is the perfect way to unwind. You can lose yourself in classical renditions of your favorite tunes amid soft candlelight. With multiple genres and musical themes to choose from, there’s bound to be a concert that’s perfect for you!
- Candlelight: Tribute to Beyoncé
- Candlelight: The Best of Joe Hisaishi
- Candlelight: Coldplay & Imagine Dragons
- Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics
2. Experience the new immersive museum that will unleash your inner child
Bubble Planet is headed to D.C., so if you love museums that double as photo ops, you’re going to love it!
This interactive exhibit has 10 different rooms, all with different themes, colors, and sights. Bubbles ranging from soapy baths to smoke-filled orbs to balloons will allow you to float through a magical story that you likely haven’t experienced before.
Get your tickets here!.
Where: Rhode Island Center
524 Rhode Island Ave NE, 20002
3. Treat someone special to one of the most unique culinary experiences in the district – Dining in the Dark
Dining in the Dark features a mystery meal prepared by world-class chefs to match the dietary preferences you share with them when you book your table.
The experience is as delicious as it is entertaining!
This unforgettable experience will test your taste buds and have you and your dining partner chuckling and smiling throughout the meal.
4. Imbibe and vibe at the annual Snallygaster beer festival right by the Capitol
Beast out with over 400 craft brews and ciders at Snallygaster beer festival’s 12th year by joining the party on Pennsylvania Ave NW between 3rd & 7th on October 11th!
There will be dozens of vendors, including microbreweries, food trucks, and merchandise, plus there will be live entertainment performing during the event!
Tickets can be purchased today, but act now because they are selling out fast!
5. Attend a huge boat show in the ‘Sailing Capital of America’, just an hour away
There are two boat shows taking place in Annapolis next month, the first is the ‘Powerboat Show’ and the second is the ‘Sailboat Show’, the former taking place from October 2nd to the 5th, and the latter taking place between October 9th and the 12th.
6. Attend the Catoctin Colorfest in Thurmont, MD
Head to one of the biggest craft festivals on the East Coast, just a few hours from the District, on the second weekend of October!
The one-weekend festival makes for the perfect excuse to get out of the city and head into some of the gorgeous rolling hills in the surrounding area to appreciate some of the incredible fall foliage!
7. Go apple picking at one of the apple orchards around D.C.
October is the perfect time to go out with friends or family and pick yourselves a bag or two of fresh, crisp apples!
Once you wash them, they’ll be perfect to snack on or make some iconic dishes like apple pie.
As a bonus, most places around D.C. where you can go to pick apples will also have fresh apple cider and cider donuts for you to enjoy, which is another can’t-miss activity this month!
8. Head to the Middleburg Film Festival
Taking place from October 16th to the 19th, this year’s Middleburg Film Festival is slated to be one of its biggest yet, with 40 featured films and special honorees and guests expected to be in attendance.
The town of Middleburg itself is famous for its unique charm and lovely atmosphere, so even if you aren’t a film fan, this is still a great destination for a short fall trip!
9. Book your spot and attend the October National Gallery Night
Taking place on Thursday, October 9th, this National Gallery Night event is themed, “Strike a Pose!”, which focuses on fashion, photography, and self-expression.
Guests are strongly encouraged to come with their best outfit inspired by the fashion of the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, or 80’s!
10. Escape reality and enter a world of happiness at Dopamine Land
Your daily dose of happiness awaits! D.C.’s Dopamine Land experience is the perfect place to take a break from everyday life this October, offering 10 playful rooms designed to spark joy.
From oxygen aromatherapy to an infinity room, there is so much to be discovered. Snag tickets here!
11. Attend the Maryland Renaissance Festival in Annapolis, MD
Just under an hour from the district is one of the most fun and unique events that you can head to with your friends or family this October!
The Renaissance Festival has multiple dates – some of which are already sold out – but the remaining available dates to visit include October 4th, 5th, 11th, 12th, 18th, and 19th.
12. See if you’re equipped for espionage at the International Spy Museum
Have you ever wondered if you have what it takes to be a spy?
When you visit the International Spy Museum, you can test your own espionage capabilities while learning about some of the most famous spies who have shaped the world’s history and the tools that helped them along the way!
13. Get a private tour of these two beloved Smithsonian museums in one trip!
If you are interested in getting a private tour from a genuine expert at the Smithsonian’s Natural History Museum AND the National Art Gallery on the same day, this special deal is perfect for you.
With peak tourism season behind us, this is the perfect time for you to check out these incredible museums without being overwhelmed by crowds of visitors from out of town!
14. Grab your passes to the Metropolitan Beer Trail
D.C.’s Metropolitan Beer Trail is officially back for the 2025 season!
Spanning from NoMa to Brookland, the pedestrian and bike-friendly adventure is home to 12 participating locations along the Metropolitan Branch Trail.
This year’s pass includes new prizes, a new location this upcoming summer, and plenty of beer to enjoy!
15. Catch a concert in D.C. at one of your favorite local venues
- Capital One Arena: NBA YoungBoy (Oct. 1), Laufey (Oct. 23), Seventeen (Oct. 29-30)
- The Anthem: Lorde (Oct. 4-5), My Morning Jacket (Oct. 8), SOMBR (Oct. 13), Disclosure (Oct. 17), Modest Mouse (Oct. 18), Doechii (Oct. 21), Cage The Elephant (Oct. 26)
- 9:30 Club: Deltron 3030 (Oct. 4 & 7), Cascada (Oct. 6), Cuco (Oct. 8), Ravyn Lenae (Oct. 14-15), The Oh Hellos (Oct. 16), White Ford Bronco (Oct. 31)
- Echostage: Chance the Rapper (Oct. 8), Dimitri Vegas (Oct. 24), Ray Volpe (Oct. 25), Chris Lake (Oct. 30-31)
16. Head to Summers Farm and check out their new Ovechkin-themed corn maze
Just around an hour’s drive from the District near Frederick, MD, Summers Farm has opened its 6-acre corn maze for the fall season.
This year, the maze pays homage to Caps legend Alex Ovechkin ahead of his final season in the NHL, with a portion of the proceeds going to the cancer research foundation that Alex Ovechkin supports.
17. Get in the Halloween spirit with a ghost tour of D.C.
Even if you’ve lived in D.C. your whole life, getting to see another side of the district and learn something new might just be one of the best things you can do with your time this fall!
This is exactly why we highly recommend you and your friends take one of these incredibly unique haunted Halloween-themed tours of the district:
- Haunted Washington D.C. Booze and Boos Ghost Walking Tour
- Walking Night-Time Ghost Tour of Washington DC
- Ghosts of Georgetown Night-Time Walking Tour
- Washington DC: Guided Ghost Walking Tour
- Murders, Mysteries, and Hauntings of DC Night-Time Walking Tour
18. Learn about the cultural history behind Día de los Muertos
Head to the Mexican Cultural Institute for the Celebración del Día de los Muertos this Fall, and if this isn’t your direct culture and you want to witness the celebration, that’s okay too!
The exact dates of the celebration will be posted on the official site of the Mexican Cultural Institute as they have not yet been published.
19. Peruse your local pumpkin patch for the perfect gourd
The start of October means that we have officially entered spooky season, and with that comes a whole new long bucket list of seasonal activities you’ll want to do with your friends and family.
Checking out the D.C. area’s best pumpkin patches should be high on that list!
20. Take a hike at one of the incredible trails in the D.C. area before it gets too cold
Whether you want to get an incredible view of the Fall foliage when it’s at its peak or take advantage of the weather before the chill sets in, the D.C. area has a long list of incredible hikes that won’t disappoint!
While it might be a little chilly to dip into one of the natural pools in the DMV area, fortunately, many of them happen to be attached to incredible trails that will take you to some mesmerizing views.
21. Celebrate Oktoberfest Weekend in style at The Wharf with the annual Wiener 500 Dachshund Dash
One of the most spectacular events of the month takes place at The Wharf during its Oktoberfest Celebration, and that’s the annual Weiner 500 Dachshund Dash on October 4th!
To raise funds for charity, local dachshund owners can register their furry friends to participate in a four-legged race in front of a full crowd of fans.
Funds from the event will be donated to Rural Dog Rescue!
22. Get in on the drama with Theatre Week
The district’s 2025 Theatre Week will be taking place from September 18th to October 5th, which is an event that every local should want to support.
Tickets are available at a range of prices to minimize the economic barriers that often exist in the theatre world.
23. Take a trip to some of the most beautiful spots in the DMV to see the Fall foliage at its peak
You don’t have to drive hours away from the district to get some incredible views of the leaves changing color this Fall, so we’ve taken the opportunity to list a few of our favorite spots to see the Fall foliage – some close, and some a little further away from the district.
The Fall foliage and changing leaves are expected to peak around mid-to-late October, so you’ll have plenty of chances to plan your trip before the time comes.
24. Check out these Yom Kippur meals and deals in D.C.
Whether you’re observing the religious holiday or are looking to indulge in a delicious Jewish-inspired feast, D.C. has options for you!
A number of District eateries are offering day-of and order-ahead meals in honor of Yom Kippur.
From brisket and couscous to challah and potato latkes with applesauce, these are great deals on mouth-watering dishes!
25. Celebrate National Taco Day at these D.C. restaurants
An excuse to eat a taco? Count us in! National Taco Day is the first Tuesday of October (Oct. 7th this year) and several Mexican restaurants around D.C. are offering mouth-watering deals you won’t want to miss!
26. Take the whole family to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo for the ‘Boo at the Zoo’ event
This October on the 17th, 18th, and 19th, will be one of the most exciting events that the National Zoo puts on all year – Boo at the Zoo!
Tickets are selling out very fast, so you’ll want to get yours ASAP or risk being unable to go. You get your tickets for $35 per person on the National Zoo’s website, but members may be able to get a better deal on tickets while space is available.
27. Enjoying the final weekend of Wunder Garten’s 10th Annual Oktoberfest Celebration
Ending on October 13th, Wunder Garten’s 10th annual Octoberfest celebration is going to be nothing short of spectacular!
While the event started in September, you’ll have plenty of time to check it out at the start of October. The final weekend of this incredible event is consistently one of the most fun social events of the season.
28. Sit and sip at D.C. Wine Fest: Fall Edition
Returning on October 18th, you’ll want to book your tickets to attend the Fall edition of the D.C. Wine Fest as soon as possible!
Aside from the obvious refreshments, the event will have live entertainment, quality food options, and a whole lot of fun to be had.