“Halloween activities in the DC area that aren’t bar crawls or kid-oriented?”

“Dear PoPville,

I would love to get recommendations for some Halloween activities in the DC area (preferably DC proper) that aren’t bar crawls or kid-oriented. I’ve mostly been seeing costume bar crawls in my searches.”

From DC Bike Party: “Halloween Masquerade Bike Party! Fri, Oct 14th. @730PM DuPont Circle There is a chill in the air, and Fall is on the way! It’s time for the yearly Halloween ride! We look forward to seeing your best costumes and fancy dress! And lights! More here.”

From the NoMa BID:

“PumpkinPalooza Returns to Alethia Tanner Park on Thursday, October 27th

The NoMa BID’s Annual Halloween Celebration Includes Free Pumpkins, a Pop-Up Outdoor Beer Garden Hosted by Red Bear Brewing Co., Live Music by Too Much Talent Band, Children’s Entertainment from The Great Zucchini & Movie Showing of Hocus Pocus

WHAT:            The NoMa Business Improvement District (NoMa BID) hosts its annual PumpkinPalooza celebration. The public is invited to carve out time for the free pick-your-own pumpkin patch, listen to live music performed by Too Much Talent Band, enjoy children’s games and storytelling by The Great Zucchini, and stick around after dark for the much-anticipated and fan-favorite movie showing of Hocus Pocus. Adults age 21+ are invited to Red Bear Brewing Co.’s  pop-up outdoor beer garden, where they’ll be serving their famous All Hallows Pumpkin Lager, Gourd Riddance Pumpkin Ale, and the Farmhouse Style Cider from Mt. Defiance Cidery (all beverages $9.50, no cash accepted).

WHEN:            Thursday, October 27 from 4:00-9:00 PM (Hocus Pocus Movie Starts at 6:45 PM)

WHERE:           Alethia Tanner Park, 227 Harry Thomas Way, NE

RSVP:              This event is free; Pre-registration is encouraged to reserve your free pumpkins.

1. Register on Eventbrite to reserve your pumpkins (limit of 3 per family).  A limited number of “day-of” pumpkins will be available at the event while supplies last.
2. Reserve your spot at Red Bear Brewing Co.’s pop-up beer garden (admission not guaranteed due to limited capacity) (Photo ID required; Age 21+ only; Credit card only sales)”

From a press release:

“Land of Skulls: Halloween Art Party pops up October 31 from 6pm-Midnight @ The Midlands Beer Garden in NW DC. Organized and curated by Good Company (Emon Surakitkoson & Mike O.)

Prepare for The Midlands Beer Garden to become the Land of Skulls! Good Company is popping up an art gallery to display skull-themed artworks by 24 fantastic local artists. We’ll sell those works silent-auction-style with all proceeds going to the artists. Buyers can take their works home at the end of the night!

Featuring artworks by: Andrew Cohen  Anthony Le  Ashley Jaye Williams  Charlie Visconage  Dany Green  Death by Narwhals  Dona Teare  Dub  Gordie Jones  Guilherme Bacellar  Harriet Jacobs  Heart Over Crown  K.S. Brenowitz  Landry Dunand  Laya Monarez  Leah Lewis  Marisa Rasum  Mas Paz  Natalie Levy-Costa  Nate Mann  Nightmare Mikey  Patrick McMahon  Rachel Wallach  Ronan Lynam

Break out your costumes (dog + human)–we’ll have old-fashioned tintype photography captured and developed on-site by Landry Dunand. Also, a costume contest with prizes!

Questions burning inside your brain? Find relief with fortune tellings by Natalie Levy-Costa.

Food by Burro Bravo. Tunes by DJ R. Knight.

Organized and curated by Good Company (Emon Surakitkoson & Mike O.)

Poster by & Mike O.

Address: 3333 Georgia Ave NW, Washington DC 20010

Tickets: FREE

RSVP: Not required, but appreciated if folks RSVP to our Eventbrite.”

“Hi-Lawn, the sprawling pandemic-born rooftop bar atop Union Market, is celebrating the spooky season with events for everyone, from party-goers to families. Its popular 90s Halloween Party is returning for a second year with live music and DJs, while families can pick and decorate pumpkins at its free Sunday carving parties, trivia fans can dress up on Halloween night & compete to win prizes, and all can enjoy frighteningly festive food and drink specials throughout.

90s HALLOWEEN PARTY – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29

Hi-Lawn is once again celebrating Halloween with a 90s themed party on Saturday, October 29 from 7pm to 11pm.The picturesque retro rooftop will host live music from local band Turtle Recall, a DJ pre-party, festive food and drink specials, and a costume contest with prizes.

DJ Steve Lemz will kick things off with retro tunes from 4pm-7pm, and then local DC band Turtle Recall will be performing top 90s throwback hits from 7-11pm.

Spooky food and drink specials include a Black Magic Pomegranate Margarita, Blue Curacao Mermaid Lemonade, and Spiked Hot Cider; plus a Devil Dog Kimchi Bratwurst, and specially-priced Jumbo Pretzels. Hi-Lawn’s regular food and drink menu will be available as well.

Costumes are encouraged, as there will be a costume contest (guests can enter by posting a photo of their costumes on Instagram and tagging @hilawndc to enter) with prizes such as a $100 Hi-Lawn gift card.

Guests can pre-register for Hi-Lawn’s Halloween celebration ahead of time for free on Eventbrite (while day-of tickets at the door will be $5). All food and drink will be sold a la carte. The event is 21+ and tables and lawn spots are first come first serve.

PUMPKIN CARVING PARTIES – SUNDAYS 10/23 & 10/30

There’s no need to head to the pumpkin patch this year, as guests can purchase their very own pumpkins from Hi-Lawn’s pop-up patch. The last two Sundays in October, 10/23 and 10/30, Hi-Lawn invites families and adults alike to free pumpkin carving parties, where guests can borrow carving supplies to create the jack-o-lanterns of their dreams (or nightmares) from noon-8pm each day. There will also be non-alcoholic and spiked hot cider available for purchase throughout the day.

HALLOWEEN NIGHT TRIVIA – MONDAY, OCTOBER 31

On Halloween Night (Monday, October 31) from 7-9pm, Hi-Lawn will host a special spooky trivia night featuring creepy categories and terrifying topics, with a chance to win prizes. Costumes are encouraged and trivia is free to play!

SPOOKY FOOD & DRINK SPECIALS – OCTOBER 29-31

From October 29-31, Hi-Lawn will serve spooky food and drink specials such as a Black Magic Pomegranate Margarita, the glittery Blue Curacao Mermaid Lemonade, and Spiked Hot Cider; plus a Devil Dog Kimchi Bratwurst, and $10 Jumbo Pretzels.

For more information, please visit www.hilawndc.com and follow @hilawndc.

WHO:             Hi-Lawn

WHEN:          90s Halloween Party (Saturday, October 29; 7pm-11pm)

Pumpkin Carving Parties (Sundays, October 23 & 30; 12-8pm)

Halloween Night Trivia (Monday, October 31, 2022; 7pm-9pm)

WHERE:           Hi-Lawn (on the rooftop of Union Market)

1309 5th St. NE”