The weather has turned crisp, perfect for costumes, jack-o-lanterns and long walks to collect candy. Fall festivals, costume contests for people and pets, as well as pumpkin carving events abound in our neighborhood.
So, if you’re looking for events to celebrate one of the Hill’s favorite days, look out below! Check back often, as this list is constantly updating as we learn about more events.
We want to include you! If you have an event to add to this list, please email the details to Liz@HillRag.com
Ghosts of Capitol Hill at East City Bookshop
6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct 16 | 645 Pennsylvania Ave. SE | Free
Have you ever seen a ghost? Chances are you have without even realizing it. Walking is not required to celebrate the season with a ghostly tour of Capitol Hill!
As one of DC’s oldest neighborhoods, Capitol Hill is rich with built history—both the buildings that survive, and stories from those that have been lost. Justine Bello, architectural conservator and Capitol Hill denizen, will introduce some Capitol Hill buildings that once graced our neighborhood. Then, she will discuss the phenomenon of architectural “ghosts”—the physical evidence that remains of buildings that are now gone—to help the audience better understand their homes and neighborhood.
The talk is part of the Capitol Hill Restoration Society (CHRS) Preservation Cafe series and is free to all.
Fall Festivals
11th Street Bridge Park Taste of the Harvest
4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sat, Oct 19 | 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE | Free but Reserve Online
Join the Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus (THEARC) to celebrate the harvest from the 11th Street Bridge Park Plots and THEARC Farms. You can dine with family and friends and the King’s table, experience tastings from the urban farms, and stay for performances from THEARC Theater and activities to get you in the fall spirit.
Join in to plant garlic and roast s’mores, and to see performances by the Dupont Brass, Tamika Love Jones, the Howard Gospel Choir and the Washington Ballet. RSVP online today.
Maury Elementary School Fall Festival
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sat, Oct 19 | 1250 Constitution Ave. | $1-25
This year’s activities at Maury Elementary School’s Fall Festival include food, music, a haunted house, arts and crafts, face painting, carnival games, and the ever-popular cake walk. Help the Fifth Graders raise money for the annual Space Camp trip.
This year, you can buy bracelets in advance for $25 online. Bracelets will be $30 at the door. The price of the bracelet includes food and a drink, a chance to silly string the principal, face painting and unlimited games, crafts, photos, visits to the haunted house.
Individual tickets ($1 each) will be sold at the door as well. If you can’t attend, you can support Maury 5th graders by donating here.
Payne Fall Festival
Oct. 26, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. | 1445 C St. SE Saturday | Free +
Payne Elementary School (1445 C St. SE) is having their Fourth Annual Fall Festival Saturday October 26th. The festival is filled with fun activities for everyone.
There will be chili, a bake sale, face painting, games and crafts, pumpkin decorating, bouncy houses, friendly local businesses, and more!
Take part in Field Day activities on the baseball field, or head for the Payne School playground for tons of climbing fun. Learn more on their Facebook Event Page.
Potomac Avenue Triangle Park Fall Fest
Saturday, Oct. 25 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. | Potomac Avenue at K & 13th Streets SE | Free
Come enjoy fall fun, parade in your costume and see the work completed on the Potomac Avenue Triangle Parks. On Saturday, Oct. 26, from 12:00 p.m. to 2 p.m. The event will begin with a kids’ costume parade led by the Potomac Gardens marching band and continue with fall fun.
The event celebrates the work on the triangle park at Potomac Avenue with K and 12th Streets SE. Earlier this month, neighbors held a gardening session to plant flowers throughout the newly completed parks.
Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6B07 Commissioner Kelly Waud is sponsoring the Fall Fest event at the pocket park at the intersection of Potomac Avenue and I Street, SE. For more info, email Commissioner Waud at 6b07@anc.dc.gov.
PumpkinPalooza 2019 and Doggie Costume Contests with NoMA BID
Wednesday, Oct. 23 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. | First @ Pierce Lot (1150 First St. NE) | Free
Bring your family, invite a friend, or join your coworkers and head to the corner of Pierce and First Street NE to decorate one of 800 pumpkins we’ll be giving away (tools will be provided). Take your children to the face-painting booth and snap photos of them with the cuddly animals in the petting zoo.
Red Bear Brewing will be hosting a dog costume competition. Stop by the judging table to enter your pup in the dog costume competition between 4 and 6 p.m., and see if your name is announced as a winner on stage at 6:30 p.m. Advantage Financial Credit Union will have lots of spooky crafts for fit for every age! Stop by Orangetheory Fitness Union Market’s booth for festive fitness competitions. Enjoy seasonal snacks courtesy of Harris Teeter, while the King Street Bluegrass Band fills the air with music. Reserve your spot and your pumpkin (one per person) online today.
HillOween at Eastern Market
Friday, Oct. 25 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. |North Hall (North Carolina and Independence Avenue SE) |Free
The annual and very popular Hilloween event takes place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday October 25th in and around the North Hall at Eastern Market on Seventh Street SE and North Carolina.
Please note that Seventh Street SE will NOT be closed. While the event has taken place on the 200 block of Seventh in past years, this year it takes place within, in front of and on the plaza surrounding the North Hall.
There will be multiple moon bounces in the North Hall and table after table of swag! There will be a Haunted Circulator Bus to climb in. There will be free face painting courtesy of Tiber Realty Group and River Park Nursery School (RPNS). Some participants will give snacks and drinks out for free, and food and drinks will also be available for purchase, many to support a local school or organization.
Volunteers are needed to make the event a success! Sign up for a two or two-and-a-half hour shift online.
Everyone is welcome, whether you wear your costume or not! More info at https://www.facebook.com/HilloweenatEasternMarket/
Habitat for Humanity Pumpkin Fest at WunderGarten
2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday Oct. 27 | (1101 First St. NE) | $25
Join Habitat for Humanity Young Professionals of Washington, D.C. for their 5th annual Pumpkin Fest event! Carve pumpkins, enjoy great seasonal beers, food from CaliBurger, and live music, and win great raffle prizes, all for a great cause. All proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity of Washington, D.C. Your ticket gets you a pumpkin, everything you need to carve it, and good karma for giving back to your community!
Habitat Young Professionals of Washington, D.C. (HYPDC) is a network of DC area professionals committed to the vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live, and to making a difference in the DC community. Get your Tickets online
Doggie Events
HowlOween Yappy Hour at Bluejacket
Thursday, Oct. 24 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. | 300 Tingey St. SE | Free
Bluejacket Breweries is celebrating Howloween with a Yappy Hour Saturday, October 24. There will be doggie beer, treats, and drink specials for humans, too! To celebrate, dress up your pup in their spookiest costume and enter them in the costume contest. The winner will receive a 5-day daycare package from District Dogs! Register online.
Benebone Dog Paw-ty and Costume Contest at Dacha Navy Yard
Saturday, October 19 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | 79 Potomac Ave. SE | Free
Join Dacha, dog-friendly beer garden for an outdoor Halloween costume contests and party. The first 150 attendees get a free drink and gift bag. The doggie costume contest begins at 12:30 p.m., and each dog can enter to win prize packages in one of several categories. Free Halloween-themed dog portraits are available from Emilie of @sebatianloveslluna BashHausStudios.com and caricature drawings from Caricatures by Rick. No RSVP is necessary but all spots are first-come, first-served. Rain date is Sunday, Oct. 20. Check benebone.com/events for rain date information
Howloween Photoshoot with District Dogs
Saturday, Oct. 19 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. |1221 Van St. SE, Unit 110 | $50
It’s about to get spooky cute at District Dogs. Grab your tickets now for a special Halloween photoshoot with Pooch Portrait Studio on October 19th at 12pm at our Navy Yard daycare. Tickets include a backdrop with Halloween props and a boo-tiful photo of your costumed pup! Space is limited, tickets must be purchased beforehand, first come first serve. Get yours online now.
Howl-O-Ween Costume Contest with Howl to the Chief
Saturday, Oct. 26 1 p.m. | Lincoln Park (East Capitol St. between 11th and 13th Streets) | Free
The Howl-o-ween Doggy Costume Contest takes place starting at 2 p.m. Saturday October 26th in Lincoln Park. Registration begins at 1 p.m. in the park, or earlier online. All are welcome to watch the doggone spooky parade of pups in costumes!
The parade is also a contest, with prizes for Best Dog and Person Theme, Best Dog and Group Theme and Best Homemade Costume!
There will also be a Parade of Adoptable Dogs and Rural Dog Rescue will be at the event will their adorable adoptable pets.
Howl to the Chief gift bags will be distributed while supplies last. Registration begins at 1:00 p.m. in the park, or save time and pre-register at Howl to the Chief (733 Eighth St. SE) or online www.howltothechief.com
Libraries and Community Centers
Family Campfire at Southeast Library
5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17 | 403 Seventh St. SE | Free
Join the Southeast Library for a magical journey ‘Into a Dark Dark Wood’. The meeting room walls will be transformed into a starlit fall campground with trees, stars and an LED campfire. Bring your family and your flashlight and come celebrate the season. All ages; children under 9 years old must be with a caregiver.
Southeast Library Halloween Party
4:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31 | 403 Seventh St. SE | Free
Join the library for a sine-tingling good time and party like it’s a Monster Mash on Halloween day. There will be fortune-telling, games, treats and maybe even a trick or two. Come howl with joy! Children eight or younger should be accompanied by a caregiver.
‘Libraryween at Rosedale Library
6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31 | 1701 Gales St. NE | Free
Join the Rosedale library and the recreation center for a celebration of scary stories around the campfire. The tales will be told inside tents in the ‘haunted woods’ between the pool and football field between 6 and 7 p.m. There will be treats as long as they last. All ages! Costumes welcome but not required.
Events Halloween Day at Recreation Centers
Sherwood Tiny Tots Halloween 10:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m. Wednesday Oct. 30 | 640 Tenth St. NE | Free with Potluck Dish
Bring a delicious dish to share and your tot dressed up in costume, ready for the costume contest! Party starts at 10:30 a.m. at the Sherwood Recreation Center (640 Tenth St. NE).
Harvest Bash at King Greenleaf Recreation Center
Thursday, Oct. 31 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.| 201 N St. SW
Costume Party at Arthur Capper Community Center
Thursday, Oct. 31 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.| 1000 Fifth St. SE
On the Mall
Halloween at the National Gallery of Art
Saturday, Oct. 26 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. | Constitution Avenue NW | $20
Learn where you can find both angels and devils during this tour of the National Gallery of Art. Follow Stephen Mead down this dark and dreary path to the National Gallery of Art’s highlights, historical showstoppers, and fan favorites, enough to fill your Halloween bucket. Mead will stop to discuss each piece’s symbols, stories, and background. Mead is a Washington, D.C. certified tour guide and part of the team at Adventures for Creative Tourists, which specializes in private tours of the arts, culture, and historically inspired sites. Tickets are $20 and are available on EventBrite
Halloween Scavenger Hunt on the National Mall
Saturday, Oct. 26 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. | 600 Independence Ave. SW | $30
The hunt starts at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum (600 Independence Ave. SW) from where participants will search around the city to find items from their list of clues. The hunt includes challenges and trivia that must be completed within a limited time frame. Full rules are sent upon registry. The winner takes home a cash prize that starts at $100 increases with the number of participants. The event concludes with a Halloween bash. Tickets are $30, and are available online.
Capitol Hauntings Walking Tour
(various dates) 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18 – Saturday, Oct. 26 | U.S. Capitol (355 First St. SE) | $10
By day, Capitol Hill is one of Washington, D.C.’s busiest neighborhoods, with locals, tourists and powerbrokers alike strolling the streets of this historic area. But as the sun sets, a different, eerier vibe starts to take over. Who is that shadowy sentry in front of the Supreme Court? What’s the story behind the “whisper spot” in the Capitol? And why should you never step foot in Statuary Hall on New Year’s Eve? You’ll find out the answers to these questions and more on this decidedly unnerving — and historical — walk. Get your tickets online from Goldstar today.
Restaurants, Cocktails
Kid’s Pizza Party at Matchbox
10 a.m. Saturday Oct. 26 | 521 Eighth St. NE | $32
Matchbox Capitol Hill (521 Eighth St. SE) offers a Halloween-themed Kids Pizza Party Saturday, October 20 at 10 a.m.
Halloween Pizza Chefs (and their chauffeurs) will enjoy:
A chef hat, crayons, and coloring page
A tour of the kitchen and pizza ovens
A pizza class where each child will make a customized personal pizza
A candy table decorated for Halloween and cookie Jack O’Lanterns for decorating
A round of mimosas for the adults
Come in costume!
Cost is $30 per child inclusive of tax and gratuity. The party is recommended for ages 5-12.
Haunted Tours of BlueJacket Brewery
Saturday, Oct. 26 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. | 300 Tingey St. SE | Free
Once home to the District’s first brewery in the early 1800s, legend has it that some of the city’s first brewers may have never left. Instead, they haunt the neighborhood Bluejacket Brewery calls home today…
Join Bluejacket (300 Tingey St. SE) on Halloween and weave through the brewery, hear the ghost stories of brewer’s past and start your night off with a solid scare! Eight haunted brewery tours will be held every half hour beginning at 8 p.m. The tours are free, though space is limited. Guests must reserve a spot on one of the tours through this Eventbrite page.
If you’re unable to join the Haunted Halloween Brewery Tours, Bluejacket will also host a full-on haunted bash starting at 9 p.m. complete with terrifying tunes from a haunted DJ, a costume contest, and more. Email infor@bluejacketdc.com with any questions.
Fall-O-Ween Cocktail Competition at First Residences Clubhouse
Saturday, Oct. 26 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. | 1263 First St SE | $7 advance, $10 door (free for participants)
The Fall-O-Ween Cocktail Competition is your chance to showcase your creative bartending skills and win CASH prizes.
The 2nd Annual Fall-O-Ween Cocktail Competition is a chance to showcase your creative bartending skills and win cash prizes. Contestants will be given 7 to 10 minutes to perform your cocktail presentation which should be inspired by Fall or Halloween. Presentations should be a full experience, including but not limited to music, costume, and of course the actual taste of the cocktail. Plan to serve at least 25-35 people. The winner wins a cash prize. Get further details and register online at the EventBrite page.
Costume Competition and Murder Mystery at Wisdom Bar
Sunday, Oct. 27, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. | 1432 Pennsylvania Ave. SE | $45 (incl drink and snacks)
Bloodworth Falls is an isolated town plagued with scandals. The townsfolk bicker in the streets and many believe the local government is corrupt.
Nevertheless, the mayor is hosting a mysterious masquerade ball in the old Ravenwood Castle. Anticipation for the event hangs thickly in the air and many are already hunting for the perfect mask.
You are worried what will happen on this night when toxic people come together. You are alarmed, as you didn’t purchase your ticket – it was placed in your mailbox in an unmarked envelope. Somebody wants you there, but you don’t know why. This is where your story begins… Wear your original, non-masquerade costume to this contest and be entered to win one of four prizes. Tickets available online.
Image Courtesy DCanter
Hallo-WINE Tasting and Costume Run at DCanter, with Summit to Soul
Wednesday, Oct. 30 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. | 545 Eighth St. SE | $15 online
Two communities meet to celebrate the holidays with exercise and wine. First, head to Summit To Soul (727 Eighth St. SE) to join the Hill Runners for a Capitol Hill Costume Run. The run will end at DCanter (545 Eighth St. SE) with what organizers describe as “a bloody good wine tasting’ with snacks.
Costumes are encouraged (good day for a zombie-throwback-athlete!). The run is about 3.1 miles and runners choose their pace. Tickets are limited and available online.
Art, Film
Celebrate Hitchcock, ‘Master of Suspense’ at Miracle Theatre
Fridays from Oct. 18 to Nov. 22 | 535 Eighth St. SE | $8
Every Friday from Oct. 18 to Nov. 22, you can see one of Alfred Hitchcock’s masterful films, including Rear Window, Psycho, The Birds and Vertigo. All shows begin at 7 p.m. and tickets are $8. Learn more and get your tickets by visiting theMiracleTheatre.com
Art Witch and Wizard Superfine! Art Fair Bash
Thursday, Oct. 31 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. | Doc 5@ Union Market [1309 Fifth St. NE] | $50
Art-up your Halloween experience with performance art, live music, and more treats than tricks at DC’s artiest Halloween party.
Come in costume for a mystery art gift courtesy of a local District artist.
Fuel up, Halloween-style, with two complimentary glasses of Warlock’s Punch.
Gain up-close-and-personal access to the next superstar artist — and invite them (well, at least their work!) home. Discover art that’ll impress your friends, improve your life, and level up your home design game. Superfine! Art fair runs from Oct 30 to Nov 3, and each day of the fair brings performance art, live music, and multimedia experiences to compliment the thousands of incredible works on the walls. Get your tickets to the party online and learn more about Superfine! By visiting superfine.world
‘I Put a Spell on You’ Poetry Reading at the Folger Theatre
Monday, Oct. 28 7:30 p.m. | 201 E. Capitol St. SE | $10
The O.B. Hardison Poetry Series conjures up an intriguing Halloween week event, featuring a pair of female poets — Annie Finch, whose books include Spells: New and Selected Poems, and Kiki Petrosino, author of Witch Wife. Before the reading, check out a display of rare books on witches and magic from the Folger collection, and enjoy a wine reception and book signing afterwards … if you dare. Get tickets online.
Boneyard Bash at the Congressional Cemetery
Friday, Nov 1 to 1 a.m. Saturday Nov. 2 | 1801 E St. SE 8 p.m. | $55 to $65
This Halloween, stay overnight in the graveyard. For the first time in over 30 years, the Historic Congressional Cemetery is opening its doors to the public for a Halloween costume party. There will be an open bar, music, dancing –and some unexpected surprises. Better yet, your ticket includes an automatic donation to the Association for the Preservation of the Historic Congressional Cemetery, and all profits from this event go directly to the Association. Get your tickets online.
Enchantress Gathering for Enchanting Women at Jade Fitness
Sunday, Oct. 20 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. | 1310 Pennsylvania Ave. SE | $15-20
The Enchantress in you, according to some, emerges between the ages 40-45 and lasts through ages 60-65. Often the feminine archetypal stages of Maiden, Mother, and Crone are explored, but these years as Enchantress are worthy of our time, our exploration, and most importantly, our celebration.
The Enchantress Events are a monthly gathering of its very namesake: Enchantresses. Together we will explore what it means to be an Enchantress in this age of society, and this stage of life. While the format might vary, we will have a theme each gathering about being in this lovely, dare I say it…enchanting stage of our feminine existence. Bring your journal, as we will use it to explore the theme, and we might explore our goddess side, ask questions, share, snack, and hold the space for each of us to be our glorious, beautiful, enchanting selves. Register online or through Eventbrite. Email questions to koolbeck@gmail.com.
On Halloween
Trick or Treat at the SW Duck Pond (Kids and Pups!)
Thursday, Oct. 31 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. | I (Eye) St. SW between Sixth St. & Makemie Pl. SW | Free
The SW Business Improvement District (SWBID) invites you to come out to the Southwest Duck Pond to meet your neighbors, see all the costumes on friends furry and otherwise, and do some trick or treating with the neighborhood organizations.
There will be pace painting, pumpkin decorating and a costume parade for kids and another for the doggies! Learn more by visiting the Facebook Event Page.
Email Liz@www.hillrag.com to add your event!
