Things to Do for Kids in Washington DC in October 2026
Beatrice Likes The Dark (at Adventure Theatre)
Bethesda, MD
Thursdays - Sundays, October 2-31, 2026
Beatrice Likes the Dark is an imaginative production that blends magic, music, shadow play, and heartfelt storytelling in a celebration of curiosity, courage, and connection. When Beatrice casts a spell for endless darkness, she discovers that even the things we fear most can become beautiful when brought into the light. Overflowing with wonder, humor, and theatrical ingenuity, Beatrice Likes the Dark is a luminous reminder that families—and communities—shine brightest when every voice belongs. Website
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom: The Musical at Imagination Stage
Bethesda, MD
Saturdays & Sundays, through October 18, 2026
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom: The Musical bursts onto the stage in a bright, musical, and joy-filled celebration of letters, words, and imagination that will captivate kids and adults alike. With infectious rhythms, dazzling puppets, lively dancing, and playful audience interaction, this high-energy production transforms the beloved story into a whirlwind of color, creativity, and fun. Website
Pumpkin Race & Fall Festival (at North Creek Community Center)
Montgomery Village, MD - FREE
Saturday, October 3, 2026
Face off or watch as decorated pumpkins on wheels go head to head in this crazy pumpkin race. There are awards for best decoration and most innovative design, best themed pumpkin racer and driver duo, and other fun categories. Attendees can also enjoy live music, food, and lots of children's activities. Website
Oktoberfest at The Wharf
Washington, DC - FREE
Saturday, October 3, 2026
It’s that time of year to wear a dirndl or lederhosen for Oktoberfest. This annual event includes the Wiener 500 Dachshund Dash from 2-6pm, stein hoisting, German food, lively music, and more. Website
Takoma Park Street Festival
Takoma Park, MD - FREE
Sunday, October 4, 2026
Enjoy over 150 vendors, live music from 18 local bands, food trucks, and more fun activities at this popular street festival. Website
Tinkerfest at National Children's Museum
Washington, DC
Sunday, October 4, 2026
Tinkerfest—made for curious hands and big ideas—is a celebration of hands-on learning and discovery through trial-and-error, experimentation, and curiosity. Enjoy a full day of immersive programs, STEAM showcases, and activities across the museum and out on Woodrow Wilson Plaza alongside partners like Spark!Lab, Spy Museum, National Building Museum, and General Motors. Website
Farm Day in Cherry Hill Park
Falls Church, VA - FREE
Saturday, October 10, 2026
Farm Day in Cherry Hill Park has fall-themed family activities including a petting farm, pony rides, pumpkin painting, scarecrow making (bring your own long pants and a sleeved shirt), live music, tours of the Cherry Hill Farmhouse and barn, blacksmith demonstrations, and more. Website
Truck or Treat (at Gary J. Arthur Community Center)
Cooksville, MD
Saturday, October 10, 2026
Costumed kids can trick-or-treat at a variety of trucks, tractors, emergency vehicles, and more while meeting their hometown heroes at this "wheely" fun event. Website
Georgetown Canal Day
Washington, DC - FREE
Sunday, October 11, 2026
Head to Georgetown for a day of family fun to celebrate the beloved C&O Canal at the first annual Georgetown Canal Day. Enjoy mules, music, games, and hands-on fun for kids. Website
Touch-a-Truck at McLean Community Center
McLean, VA - FREE
Monday, October 12, 2026
If your children love vehicles, visit Touch-a-Truck! This free event allows kids to touch, sit in, and explore some of their favorite cars and trucks. Website
Boo at the Zoo (at the National Zoo)
Washington, DC
Friday - Sunday, October 16-18, 2026
At Boo at the Zoo, kids can dress up and go trick-or-treating at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute while viewing animals at the Elephant Community Center, Small Mammal House, Reptile Discovery Center, Great Ape House, and Think Tank. Website
Farm Harvest Days and Carnival (at Frying Pan Farm Park)
Herndon VA
Friday - Sunday, October 16-18, 2026
Celebrate fall with three days of family fun at Frying Pan Farm Park. Enjoy carnival rides and games, Big Truck Night on Friday, farm demonstrations and hands-on activities, food vendors, a beer garden, and farm animals. Website
Trail of Jack-O'-Lanterns at Green Meadows Petting Farm
Ijamsville, MD
Fridays - Sundays, October 16-31, 2026
Put on a costume and head to Green Meadows Petting Farm's annual Trail of Jack-O'-Lanterns to see glowing jack-o'-lanterns in all shapes and sizes. There's also a farm show, fire pits, trick-or-treating along the trail, and the chance to meet furry friends in the Animal Barn. Hayrides, glow necklaces, s'mores, and more are available for purchase. Website
The Big Build at National Building Museum
Washington, DC
Saturday, October 17, 2026
The Big Build is a hands-on festival exploring a variety of unique, interactive activities with roofers, plumbers, home remodelers, construction workers, carpenters, designers, and artisans. The Museum’s Great Hall will be filled with interactive booths including a nail driving contest and a structural engineering station with an earthquake simulation to discover how buildings can be built to be more stable. Website
Chessie's Backyard Boo-gie
Alexandria, VA
Saturday, October 17, 2026
Enjoy an enchanting event filled with activities for the whole family, including a Monster Mash dance party, a costume parade, a carousel ride, a scavenger hunt, s'mores, popcorn, and seasonal drinks. Website
Georgetown Fall Market
Washington, DC - FREE
Saturday & Sunday, October 17 & 18, 2026
Enjoy sidewalk shopping, outdoor dining, and fall-themed programming like pumpkin painting, food and beverages, balloon animals, and live music and this Georgetown street market. Website
Turkish Festival in Downtown DC
Washington, DC - FREE
Sunday, October 18, 2026
Celebrate the Turkish Festival with Turkish foods, live music, folk dancing, arts and crafts, and kids' games. Website
Air & Scare at Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
Chantilly, VA - FREE
Saturday, October 24, 2026
See the spooky side of air and space at the Air & Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. At this popular event, kids can enjoy trick-or-treating, creepy crafts, spooky science experiments, photo ops with Star Wars characters, and other Halloween-themed activities. Website
Ghost Town at Burke Lake Park
Fairfax Station, VA
Saturday & Sunday, October 24 & 25, 2026
Burke Lake Park transforms into Ghost Town for the weekend, with activities including Halloween crafts, a trick-or-treat house, train and carousel rides, mini golf, and more. Website
Harbor Halloween
National Harbor, MD - FREE
Sunday, October 25, 2026
Enjoy an afternoon of spooktacular fun for the whole family, including trick-or-treating at select stores and restaurants, kids' activities, a Halloween movie, a pet pawrade, and a chef pumpkin-carving contest. Website
Mitchell Park Fall Fun Day
Washington, DC - FREE
Sunday, October 25, 2026
The 21st Annual Fall Fun Day at Mitchell Park brings together neighbors and families for an afternoon of fun, food, and seasonal activities. Enjoy a costume parade, pumpkin painting, a haunted house, live music, a DC fire truck to climb aboard, face painting, fall crafts, a moon bounce, community and embassy booths, and food for purchase. Website
Hilloween (at Eastern Market)
Washington, DC
Friday, October 30, 2026
This family Halloween festival at Eastern Market is an opportunity to gather as a community and make festive memories with friends and neighbors. Enjoy trick-or-treating, face painting, games, pumpkin decorating, a photo booth, refreshments, and more. Costumes are encouraged. Website
Old Firehouse's Festival of Frights and Trunk-or-Treat
McLean, VA - FREE
Saturday, October 31, 2026
Put on your Halloween costumes and visit the Old Firehouse in McLean for a night of live music, games, food, contests, and a trunk-or-treat. Website