Plus 5 extra events to make your autumn amazing
Our Nation’s Capital breaks out the autumnal spirit. We had a blast listing our favorite Washington DC Halloween events. It’s a nice mix of scary and spooky to delight every Halloween lover.
Table of Contents
Field of Screams Maryland
Field of Screams Maryland in Olney, Maryland, is one of the most popular haunted attractions in the Washington, D.C. area. Known for its high-quality production, immersive environments, and professional actors, Field of Screams offers a terrifying experience that promises to haunt your nightmares.
The main attractions for the 2024 season include:
- Super Screams Haunted Trail: A combination of the Trail of Terror and the Haunted Trail, offering an extended and intensified scare experience.
- Slaughter Factory Haunted House: Navigate through a factory filled with horrifying scenes and sinister characters.
- Carnival Games: Enjoy a variety of carnival games, including axe throwing, available on-site.
- Bonfires and Concessions: Relax by the bonfire and enjoy seasonal treats and refreshments.
- Live Actors: Skilled actors stay in character throughout the experience, enhancing the realism and fear factor.
- Special Effects: High-quality special effects, including strobe lights, fog, and atmospheric sounds, create an immersive experience.
Ticket Prices
- Screams Pass: This includes access to both the Super Screams Haunted Trail and the Slaughter Factory Haunted House. Prices start at $40 (prices may vary based on date and time).
- VIP Admission: Available for an additional fee (skip the regular line).
- Group Discounts: Available for groups of 15 or more.
Parking Information
Free parking is available on-site.
Cox Farms Fields of Fear
Cox Farms Fields of Fear in Centreville, Virginia, is a popular haunted attraction that offers a variety of terrifying experiences. Known for its immersive environments and high-quality production, Fields of Fear provides a thrilling night out for horror enthusiasts and brave souls alike.
The main attractions for the 2024 season include:
- Dark Side Hayride: A haunted hayride that takes you through the dark and eerie farm, encountering various scares along the way.
- Cornightmare: Navigate through a haunted cornfield filled with sinister characters and terrifying scenes.
- The Forest: Explore a haunted forest with detailed sets and professional actors.
- Firegrounds: Enjoy bonfires, music, and food in a more relaxed area of the farm.
- Fear Deluxe: Includes all attractions plus additional perks like priority access and special areas.
- Live Actors: Skilled actors stay in character throughout the experience, enhancing the realism and fear factor.
- Special Effects: High-quality special effects, including strobe lights, fog, and atmospheric sounds, create an immersive experience.
- Food and Beverages: Seasonal treats and refreshments are available on-site.
Ticket Prices
- General Admission: Prices start at $20 (prices may vary based on date and time)
- Fear Deluxe Admission: Includes all attractions and additional perks
- Group Discounts: Available for groups of 15 or more
Parking Information
Free parking is available on-site.
Cox Farms Fall Festival
We return to Cox Farms in Centreville, Virginia, for this most beloved Fall Festival. The annual event offers a wide range of family-friendly activities. Known for its festive atmosphere and variety of attractions, the Fall Festival provides a perfect outing for visitors of all ages.
The main attractions for the 2024 fall season include:
- Hayrides: Enjoy a scenic hayride through the farm, complete with fun and spooky scenes.
- Pumpkin Patch: Choose from a wide selection of pumpkins in various shapes and sizes.
- Giant Slides: Experience the thrill of multi-story slides that are fun for both kids and adults.
- Cornundrum Cornfield Adventure: Navigate through a cornfield filled with fun and challenging activities.
- Farm Animals: Visit the animal barn to see and interact with farm animals.
- Live Entertainment: Enjoy live music, puppet shows, and other performances throughout the day.
- Food and Beverages: Seasonal treats and refreshments are available on-site, including apple cider, donuts, kettle corn, and more.
- Photo Opportunities: Capture memorable moments with various themed photo spots around the farm.
This festival is so close to DC and such a picturesque and idyllic setting. It’s the perfect family outing.
Ticket Prices
- General Admission: Prices start at $10 on weekdays and $20 on weekends (prices may vary based on date and time)
- Season Pass: Available for frequent visitors
- Group Discounts: Available for school groups and large parties
Parking Information
Free parking is available on-site.
Laurel’s House of Horror
Laurel’s House of Horror in Laurel, Maryland, is one of the most popular haunted attractions in the area. Built inside an abandoned movie theater, this haunted house offers a unique and terrifying experience with its detailed sets, professional actors, and immersive environments.
The main attractions for the 2024 season include:
- Haunted House: Navigate through the abandoned movie theater filled with horrifying scenes and sinister characters.
- Escape Rooms: Test your problem-solving skills in horror-themed escape rooms. Available on Saturdays by reservation.
- Ghost Tours: Participate in real paranormal investigations on Fridays by reservation.
- Special Events: Themed events and blackout nights with strobe lights.
- Live Actors: Skilled actors stay in character throughout the experience, enhancing the realism and fear factor.
- Special Effects: High-quality special effects, including strobe lights, fog, and atmospheric sounds, create an immersive experience.
- Food and Beverages: Seasonal treats and refreshments are available on-site.
Ticket Prices
- General Admission: Prices start at $25 (prices may vary based on date and time)
- VIP Admission: Available for an additional fee (skip the regular line)
- Group Discounts: Available for groups of 15 or more
Parking Information
Free parking is available on-site.
Fright Fest at Six Flags America
Fright Fest at Six Flags America in Bowie, Maryland, is a highly anticipated annual event that transforms the amusement park into a Halloween wonderland filled with haunted attractions, scare zones, and thrilling rides. Known for its high-energy atmosphere and variety of scares, Fright Fest offers something for everyone, from families to thrill-seekers.
The main attractions for the 2024 season include:
- Haunted Houses: Multiple haunted houses with different themes, each offering unique scares.
- Scare Zones: Walk through areas filled with roaming monsters and terrifying scenes.
- Live Entertainment: Enjoy spooky shows and performances throughout the park.
- Rides in the Dark: Experience your favorite rides with a Halloween twist, including riding in the dark for an extra thrill.
- Trick-or-Treat Trails: Family-friendly areas where kids can collect candy and enjoy less scary activities.
- Food and Beverages: Seasonal treats and refreshments are available throughout the park.
Six Flags’ events are similar, but they do strive to make each park stand out. What I like best is the mix of scares for bigger kids and adults with Trick or Treat trails for the younger kids and their parents. It’s a nice blend that makes the event family friendly, no matter how big your family.
Ticket Prices
- General Admission: Prices vary based on date and time; check the website for specific pricing.
- Season Pass Holders: Free or discounted entry depending on the pass type.
- Fright Pass: Additional fee for access to haunted attractions.
- Group Discounts: Available for groups of 15 or more.
Parking Information
Paid parking is available on-site.
Markoff’s Haunted Forest
Markoff’s Haunted Forest in Dickerson, Maryland, is one of the most renowned haunted attractions in the Washington, D.C. area. Nestled in the woods, this haunted forest offers a unique and terrifying experience with its detailed sets, professional actors, and immersive environments.
The main attractions for the 2024 season include:
- Haunted Trail: Navigate through over a mile of haunted woods filled with various terrifying scenes and sinister characters.
- The Town: An up-close and personal haunt that pushes visitors to their limits with its intense scares and interactive elements.
- Markoff’s Midway: Enjoy food, drink, and entertainment in the Cursed Village, complete with a DJ and various activities.
- Zip Line: Experience the thrill of a zip line ride over the haunted forest.
- Bonfires: Relax by the bonfire and enjoy the eerie atmosphere.
- Live Actors: Skilled actors stay in character throughout the experience, enhancing the realism and fear factor.
- Special Effects: High-quality special effects, including strobe lights, fog, and atmospheric sounds, create an immersive experience.
- Food and Beverages: Seasonal treats and refreshments are available on-site.
Markoff’s earns the rave reviews. The haunts are terrific, but for me what sets this place apart among the Washington DC Halloween events is the Midway. It feels like a haunted carnival vibe. And that’s a great way to experience Halloween.
Ticket Prices
- General Admission: Prices start at $30 (prices may vary based on date and time)
- VIP Admission: Available for an additional fee (skip the regular line)
- Group Discounts: Available for groups of 15 or more
Parking Information
Free parking is available on-site.
Bennett’s Curse and Creepy Woods
Bennett’s Curse Haunted House in Dundalk, Maryland, is one of the premier haunted attractions in the Mid-Atlantic region. Known for its high-quality production, immersive environments, and professional actors, Bennett’s Curse offers a terrifying experience that promises to haunt your nightmares.
The main attractions for the 2024 season include:
- Legends of Halloween: A journey through various Halloween legends and myths, brought to life with terrifying detail.
- Inferno in 3D: A 3D haunted house experience that takes you through the depths of hell with stunning visual effects.
- Ravenbrook Asylum: Navigate through an asylum filled with deranged patients and sinister doctors.
- Underworld: Enter the dark and twisted world of the undead and demonic creatures.
- Monster Fest: A celebration of classic monsters with a modern twist.
- Live Actors: Skilled actors stay in character throughout the experience, enhancing the realism and fear factor.
- Special Effects: High-quality special effects, including strobe lights, fog, and atmospheric sounds, create an immersive experience.
- Food and Beverages: Seasonal treats and refreshments are available on-site.
Ticket Prices
- General Admission: Prices start at $35 (prices may vary based on date and time)
- VIP Admission: Available for an additional fee (skip the regular line)
- Group Discounts: Available for groups of 15 or more
Parking Information
Free parking is available on-site.
Other Halloween Happenings near Washington DC
So that’s a good list of seven. But if you were thinking that maybe you need something a little different on your list of Washington DC Halloween events, here are five more just for you. These events that capture the spirit of Halloween, ranging from family-friendly fun to truly terrifying experiences:
- Boo at the Zoo This family-friendly Halloween celebration at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo is perfect for little ghouls and goblins. Kids can trick-or-treat among the animal exhibits, enjoy festive decorations, and participate in fun activities. The event typically features more than 40 treat stations, animal demonstrations, and themed trails. It’s a great way for families to celebrate Halloween in a safe and educational environment while getting up close with some of nature’s most fascinating creatures.
- Nightmare on M Street For adults looking for a spooky night out, Nightmare on M Street is DC’s largest Halloween bar crawl. Participants can explore some of the city’s best bars and nightclubs, all decked out in Halloween decor. The event features drink specials, costume contests with prizes, and a festive atmosphere that brings out the Halloween spirit in everyone. It’s a perfect way to celebrate the holiday with friends and meet new people in the vibrant Dupont Circle and U Street neighborhoods.
- Georgetown Glow: Autumn Edition While not strictly Halloween-themed, this autumn-centered event transforms Georgetown into a magical outdoor art gallery. Illuminated art installations light up the historic streets, creating a whimsical and slightly eerie atmosphere perfect for the season. Visitors can take self-guided tours to explore the exhibits, which often incorporate fall themes and colors. It’s a unique way to experience one of DC’s most charming neighborhoods during the crisp autumn evenings.
- Scream City DC For those seeking a truly terrifying experience, Scream City DC delivers heart-pounding frights. This intense haunted attraction features multiple themed areas, each designed to push visitors to their fear limits. With professional actors, state-of-the-art special effects, and meticulously crafted sets, Scream City offers a deeply immersive and genuinely scary experience that will satisfy even the most hardcore horror fans.
- Mount Vernon Fall Harvest Family Days Step back in time at George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate for a celebration of autumn and early American traditions. This family-friendly event features activities like wagon rides, wheat treading in the 16-sided barn, 18th-century dancing demonstrations, and even a chance to meet “General Washington” himself. While not explicitly Halloween-themed, it captures the essence of fall and provides a unique historical perspective on harvest celebrations.
Tips to Enjoy our Favorite Washington DC Halloween Events
- Buy Tickets in Advance: Many of these events are popular attractions, and tickets can sell out, especially on weekends and closer to Halloween. Purchasing tickets online in advance is highly recommended to guarantee entry and save time.
- Consider a VIP or Elite Ticket: When events have a fastpass like option, it’s a great way to avoid long wait times. These options allow you to bypass the regular lines and get into the haunted house faster, giving you more time to enjoy the experience.
- Arrive Early: To make the most of your visit, arrive early. This helps with parking and gives you more time to explore the attractions and additional experiences.
- Dress Comfortably: Many of these events are outdoors, so dress appropriately for the weather and wear comfortable shoes for walking. Likewise, for indoor events, be prepared for the crowds in dark cramped spaces. Layers you can remove to stay cool will help.
- Check the Weather: While some attractions are indoors, others are outdoors. Be sure to check the weather forecast and dress accordingly. October nights in DC can be chilly, but the afternoons are fairly mild. Plan ahead and bundle up for any outdoor activities on those chilly nights.
- Follow Safety Guidelines: For your safety and the safety of others, follow all posted rules and guidelines. This includes not touching the actors or props and staying within designated areas.
- Take Advantage of Live Entertainment and On-site food options: Many of these events offer live entertainment outside of the main venue. Some have food trucks or dining options. On long evenings, those can help you pace yourself, or find a second wind to keep the night going.
- Have fun: Halloween is about having fun and enjoying a good scare. If you think an event is going to push your limits too far, skip and find another.
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