Witches and ghouls are taking over lawns, the moon is nearly full and pumpkins with glowing eyes are peeking out of windows... Halloween weekend is here!
Halloween is certainly changed by the pandemic this year, but plenty of haunts are casting spells for a safe, fun celebration.
Costume parades, drive-in movies and walking tours are among some lower-risk activities this season.
What about local rules and regulations? In general, most areas in D.C., Maryland and Virginia have advised people against conventional trick-or-treating, trunk-or-treating and any sort of party with people outside your household.
Those recommendations are in line with the CDC guidelines.
Check out these ways to celebrate in D.C., Maryland and Virginia.
Washington, D.C.
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Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
"The Witching Hour" presented by Dreamscape Performance Company
Friday, Oct. 30, 7-9 p.m.
Catch fire performers, dancers, a contortionist, drag performers and more at this family-friendly show you can enjoy from your car.
Tickets start at $39 for general admission and $55 for VIP per car. Restrooms are available at the site.
Foot Tours Through DC
Various times and locations
Topics like True Crimes & Scandals of DC and Ghosts of Georgetown are made for Halloween season.
The tours are outside, and attendees should wear face masks.
A Literary Pumpkin Walk
Oct. 24-31
Capitol Hill neighborhood
The residents of Capitol Hill are carving pumpkins inspired by their favorite books. Follow this map to see all the fantastic creations.
Petworth Halloween Parade
Saturday, Oct. 31, 3:30 to 6 p.m.
Sherman Circle Park
Bring the camera and dress up for this socially distant Halloween parade with a candy giveaway. RSVP in advance and wear a mask.
Drive-In and Outdoor Movies in D.C.:
“Halloween SZN” at Park Up DC
RFK Campus Lot 5, 2400 E. Capitol St. SE
Check out RFK drive-in “Halloween SZN” for both family-friendly flicks and Halloween horror classics. On Halloween weekend, titles include classics like “Hocus Pocus,” “Beetlejuice,” “The Sixth Sense” and “Shaun of the Dead.”
Tickets run $29-$45 per car.
Virginia
Field of Screams
Weekends plus select Thursday nights through Nov. 7
4501 Olney-Laytonsville Road, Olney, Maryland
Dare to traverse the Haunted Trail or Trail of Terror at one of Maryland’s biggest annual haunted attractions — this year, it’s entirely outside.
Each ticket admits up to six people and costs $250-$275 depending on the day and time slot you choose. Masks are required. To maintain social distancing, the park will keep you grouped with your friends and family while you wait and during your walk on the haunted trail.
Grief and Ghost Tours
Oct. 30-31, departing every half-hour from 7-9 p.m.
614 Oronoco St., Alexandria, Virginia
This tour and talk about Victorian mourning customs certainly is fitting for the grim season. Tickets are $10 per person. Face masks are required.
Nightmare Alley: Drive Thru Haunt 2020
Weekends in October; tickets are timed
Workhouse Arts Center, 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton, Virginia
Billed as Northern Virginia’s first drive-in haunted house, the Workhouse Arts Center has adapted its annual scare-fest for the social-distancing age. Timed tickets cost about $60 per car and it runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.
Six Flags Fright Fest
Weekends in October; hours vary
Roller coasters and haunts? You have double the reasons to scream at Six Flag’s Fright Fest. Go during the day for family-friendly shows, a trick-or-treat trail, a corn maze and more. At night, the ghouls, zombies and killer clowns come out. One-day tickets start at $30.
All guests are required to wear masks. Expect temperature checks at the park.
Maryland
Laurel's Take-Away Treat Spooktacular
Friday, Oct. 30, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Robert J.DiPietro Community Center
Show off your costumes and full your bags with candy in Laurel. Anyone older than age 5 must wear a mask.
Hallo-Boo Drive-Thru
Friday, Oct. 30, 5-8 p.m.
Duvall Field, 9100 Rhode Island Avenue, College Park, Maryland
Drive through Duvall Field and pick up treats along the way. The best-decorated car will win a $50 gift card.
You must register for a free, timed ticket to attend.
Haunted Hustle Fun Run and Walk
Saturday, Oct. 31, 8 a.m. to noon (RSVP for a timeslot)
Black Hill Regional Park, 20930 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds, Maryland
You can take your ghosts and goblins to a free and safe Haunted Hustle Fun Run and Walk at Black Hill Regional Park in Boyds, Montgomery County.
Social distancing will be enforced and everyone will have to wear a mask.
You must pre-register and select a time between 8 am and 11:20 am.
Trunk or Treat and a Drive-In Movie
Saturday, Oct. 31, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
13200 Woodmore Road, Bowie, Maryland
Take the kids trunk-or-treating at an event designed with social distancing in mind. After the candy bags are full, a screening of “The Addams Family” will begin.
Truck-or-treat participants can decorate their cars for a chance to win prizes. Tickets cost $10.
Drive-In Movies in Maryland:
Bengies
3417 Eastern Blvd. Middle River, Maryland
“Little Shop of Horrors,” “Monster House” and “Ghostbusters” are being shown for Halloweekend — each showing is a triple feature. Adult tickets start at $10 and you must have at least two people per car.
Virtual Events
Eighties Mayhem Virtual Dance Party from the Black Cat
Saturday, Oct. 31, 9 p.m. to midnight
The Black Cat’s ‘80s-themed Halloween bash is moving online this year. Join the livestream for a Beetlejuice-themed dance party with music by DJ Steve EP, DJ MissGuided and Killa K. It will be streamed live on Twitch – no cover. All ages are welcome.
Make your house the haunted house with Shocktober’s virtual tour of Carlheim Manor. You can chose from celebrity-led tours on certain nights (starting at $10) or download episode packs starting at $25.
