(Washington, DC) – With Halloween approaching, Mayor Muriel Bowser is encouraging families to learn about and attend free, family-friendly Halloween events happening across all eight wards. The Bowser Administration is also urging the community to work together to keep kids and teens safe throughout the Halloween season, especially on Saturday, October 31, when many kids will be out trick-or-treating.
Several District agencies are hosting free Halloween events, including the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), DC Public Library (DCPL), Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), and the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE). Additionally, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice will deploy Halloween Safety Go Teams on Saturday, October 31, from 6:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., in 15 locations throughout the District. Safety Go Teams consist of non-law enforcement individuals who engage with families and monitor and de-escalate situations.
MPD encourages the following safety tips for Halloween weekend.
Drivers should:
- Be alert for trick-or-treaters, especially when it gets dark. Slow down on Halloween – slower speed saves lives.
- Stay alert for pedestrians who may come out from between parked cars or behind shrubbery.
- Do not look at your phone when driving.
- Never drive under the influence; use public transportation or rideshare services instead. If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact law enforcement. If traveling with a group, assign a designated driver.
If your family and friends are trick-or-treating this Halloween, follow the below safety tips:
- Children should travel in small groups and be accompanied by parents or an authorized adult chaperone.
- Wear clothing that is bright, reflective, and flame-retardant. Parents/chaperones should ensure costumes have a reflective attachment to be easily seen in the dark.
- Only cross the street at street corners/crosswalks. Do not walk in between cars.
- Always look around in all directions before crossing the street.
- Stick to well-lit streets so you can see oncoming traffic.
- Children should never go into homes – stay on the porch or stoop when asking for treats.
- Children should avoid homes that do not have their outside lights turned on.
- Children should never go into strangers’ cars if approached.
- Children should stay within familiar areas and surroundings.
- Children should be aware of how to contact their parents/chaperones while out trick-or-treating.
- Children should use flashlights and stay on sidewalks.
- Parents should inspect all treats to make sure they are safe for consumption.
Remember that while you are out enjoying Halloween activities, if you see something, say something:
- To report immediate threats or emergencies, call 911.
- To report anonymous tips or information, text to 50411.
- To report suspicious activity or behavior, call 202-727-9099.
Upcoming DPR events:
DPR Tennis Monster Smash
- Banneker Recreation Center, 2500 Georgia Avenue NW
- Thursday, October 29, 6 – 9 pm
- RSVP: https://dprtennismonstersmash.splashthat.com/
Barry Farm Haunted House
- Barry Farm Recreation Center, 1230 Sumner Road SE
- Thursday, October 29 & Friday, October 30, 6 – 8:30 pm
- RSVP: https://barryfarmhauntedhouse.splashthat.com/
Halloween Trunk or Treat
- Ridge Road Community Center, 830 Ridge Road SE
- Thursday, October 29, 6:30 – 8 pm
- RSVP: https://halloweentrunkortreatcopy.splashthat.com/
Spooky Scary Trick or Treat Event
- Kenilworth Recreation Center, 4321 Ord Street NE
- Thursday, October 29, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
- RSVP: https://spookyscarytrick-or-treatevent.splashthat.com/
Roving Leaders Halloween Costume Skate Party
- Kennedy Recreation Center, 1401 7th Street NW
- Friday, October 30, 4 – 7:30 pm
- RSVP: https://rlhalloweenskatepartycopy.splashthat.com/
Mars Halloween Bash
- Barry Farm Recreation Center, 1230 Sumner Road SE
- Friday, October 30, 4 – 7 pm
- RSVP: https://marshalloweenbash2026.splashthat.com/
Thriller Flash Mob
- Kennedy Recreation Center, 1401 7th Street NW
- Friday, October 30, 6 pm
- RSVP: https://thrillerflashmob.splashthat.com/
Haunted Hallway
- Fort Stanton Recreation Center, 1812 Erie Street SE
- Friday, October 30, 6 – 8 pm
- RSVP: https://hauntedhallwaymovienightcopy.splashthat.com
Halloween Community Party
- Woody Ward Community Center, 5100 Southern Ave SE
- Friday, October 30, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
- RSVP: https://halloweencommunityparty.splashthat.com/
Ketcham Glow and Ghouls Bash
- Anacostia @ Ketcham Recreation Center, 1929 15th St SE
- Friday, October 30, 5 – 7 pm
- RSVP: https://ketchumglowandghoulsbash.splashthat.com/
Benning Stoddert Halloween Costume Show-Off and Spook Trail
- Benning Stoddert Community Center, 100 Stoddert Place SE
- Friday, October 30, 5 – 8:30 pm
- RSVP: https://benningstodderthalloweencostum.splashthat.com/
Riggs Halloween Bash 2026
- Riggs LaSalle Recreation Center, 501 Riggs Road NE
- Friday, October 30, 5 – 8 pm
- RSVP: https://riggshalloweenbash2026.splashthat.com/
Scream Fest
- Harry Thomas, Sr. Recreation Center, 1743 Lincoln Road NE
- Friday, October 30, 5 – 8 pm
- RSVP: https://screamfest.splashthat.com/
Halloween Drive‑in Movie Night
- Langdon Park (East), field along Mills Avenue NE
- Friday, October 30, 6 pm
- RSVP: https://halloweendriveinmovie.splashthat.com/
Lafayette-Pointer Halloween Special
- Lafayette-Pointer Recreation Center, 5900 33rd Street NW
- Friday, October 30, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
- RSVP: https://lafayetteshalloweenspecial.splashthat.com/
Roving Leaders Wheels Up, Hay Down
- Reservoir Park Community Center, 10 Lower Service Court NW
- Saturday, October 31, 12 – 3 pm
- RSVP: https://rovingleaderswheelsuphaydowncopy.splashthat.com/
Halloween Hype
Emery Heights Community Center, 5701 Georgia Avenue NW
Saturday, October 31, 6 – 9 pm
RSVP: https://halloweenhype.splashthat.com/
Upcoming DCPL Events
Trunk-or-Treat
Benning (Dorothy I. Height) Neighborhood Library, 3935 Benning Road NE
Thursday, October 29, 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.
RSVP Not required
Halloween Pumpkin Craft!
Southwest Neighborhood Library, 900 Wesley Place SW
Thursday, October 29, 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
RSVP Not required
Outdoor Halloween Party
Georgetown Neighborhood Library, 3260 R Street NW
Thursday, October 29, 4 – 5 p.m.
RSVP Not required
Southeast Kids Halloween Party
Southeast Neighborhood Library, 403 Seventh Street SE
Thursday, October 29, 4 – 7p.m.
RSVP Not required
Monster Mash Party
Parklands-Turner Neighborhood Library, 1547 Alabama Avenue SE
Thursday, October 29, 4 – 5:30 p.m.
RSVP Not required
Annual Children’s Harvest Festival
Bellevue (William O. Lockridge) Neighborhood Library, 115 Atlantic Street SW
Thursday, October 29, 4 – 6:15 pm
RSVP Not required
Monster Mash - Party
Capitol View Neighborhood Library, 5001 Central Avenue SE
Thursday, October 29, 4:30 – 7 pm
RSVP Not required
Fall Craft Hour
Petworth Neighborhood Library, 4200 Kansas Avenue NW
Thursday, October 29, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
RSVP Not required
Trick-or-Treat
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G Street NW
Saturday, October 31, All Day
RSVP Not required
Used “BOO-k” Sale on Halloween at Shepherd Park Library - Friends Book Sale
Shepherd Park (Juanita E. Thornton) Neighborhood Library, 7420 Georgia Avenue NW
Saturday, October 31, 10 am – 4 pm.and Sunday, November 1, 1 – 4 pm
RSVP Not required
Halloween Story Time
Francis A. Gregory Neighborhood Library, 3660 Alabama Avenue SE
Saturday, October 31, 11 – 11:30 am
RSVP Not required
Southwest Library Presents: Monster Movie Matinee
Southwest Neighborhood Library, 900 Wesley Place SW
Saturday, October 31, 12 – 1:30 pm
RSVP Not required
Fall Festival
Woodridge Neighborhood Library, 1801 Hamlin Street NE
Saturday, October 31, 12 – 5 pm
RSVP Not required
All About Bats in the District - A UDC Professor Bat Talk
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G Street NW
Saturday, October 31, 1 – 2 pm
RSVP Not Required
Pumpkin Painting
Shepherd Park (Juanita E. Thornton) Neighborhood Library, 7420 Georgia Avenue NW
Saturday, October 31, 1 – 4 pm
RSVP Not required
District Horror Creatives Short Film Showcase - Cohort 5 Reboot
Northeast Neighborhood Library, 330 Seventh Street NE
Saturday, October 31, 3 – 6 pm
RSVP Required
Trick-or-Treat!
Petworth Neighborhood Library, 4200 Kansas Avenue NW
Saturday, October 31, 3 – 5 pm
RSVP Not required
Trick-or-Treat at the Library!
Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Neighborhood Library, 5401 South Dakota Avenue NE
Saturday, October 31, 3 – 5 pm
RSVP Not required
MPD Halloween Safe Haven Events
MPD is also offering a series of child-safe, family-friendly events for Halloween — the District’s Halloween Safe Haven events.
View a full list of events for each police district below:
First District
Haunted House
1D Station, 101 M Street SW
Wednesday, October 28 through Friday, October 30, 5 pm – 9 pm
Saturday, October 31, 4 – 8 p.m.
Second District
Child Safety Event: Halloween
2D Station, 3320 Idaho Avenue NW
Friday, October 30, 3 – 5 pm
Trunk or Treat
2D Station, 3320 Idaho Avenue NW
Saturday, October 31, 4 – 7 pm
Third District
Haunted House
3D Station Garage, 1620 V Street NW
Friday, October 30, 6 – 9 pm and Saturday, October 31, 6:30 – 9:30 pm
Fourth District
Haunted House / Trunk or Treat
4D Station, 6001 Georgia Avenue NW
Friday, October 30, 5 – 9 pm
Fifth District
Trunk or Treat
5D Station, 1805 Bladensburg Road NE
Friday, October 30, 6 – 8 pm
Sixth District
Trunk or Treat
6D Station, 5002 Hayes Street NE
Friday, October 30, 6 – 8:30 pm
Harvest Fest
4551 Benning Road SE
Saturday, October 31, 12 – 3 pm
Seventh District
Boo with the Blue: Trunk or Treat
2700 block of Jasper Street SE
Friday, October 30, 4 – 6 pm
MPD Youth and Family Engagement Bureau
Haunted Maze & House
5002 Hayes Street NE
Friday, October 30 through Saturday, October 31, 6 – 10 pm
Other upcoming Halloween events include:
Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE) 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat Fall Festival
ONSE Office, 100 42nd Street NE
Friday, October 30, 4 – 7 pm
RSVP here
Mayor Bowser X: @MayorBowser
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