It’s Halloweekend, a time when you and your friends have an excuse to wear outfits you’d (probably) never otherwise wear in public and listen to “Time Warp” on repeat. For those who’ve already had enough of the holiday, we’ve also gathered some less-spooky events, from a poetry-inspired exploration of “love and resistance” to a local art fair.
THURSDAY, OCT. 30
Art Deco Masquerade Time-travel back a century for this soiree featuring big-band jazz, chargrilled oysters, screenings of eerie 1930s films, and late-night exhibit access. (National Building Museum; 6 - 9 p.m.; $15-$20)
Heavy Halloween Start Halloweekend with a falsetto scream at this concert from local heavy metal and classic rock cover bands Lemmy Shelter, The Last Match, and the Jenny Jams Dio. (P.S. There’s a costume contest!) (The Pocket; 8 p.m.; $20+)
Hi-Lawn gets a Halloween takeover this weekend. (aisvri/Unsplash)
FRIDAY, OCT. 31
Twilight Zone Marathon Whether you’re obsessed with this iconic sci-fi series or have been meaning to … get in the zone, you’ll definitely get into the Halloween spirit with this day-long screening. (Chevy Chase Neighborhood Library; 10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.; FREE)
Hi-loweekend Party Elevate your Halloween (see what we did there?) with this rooftop party atop Union Market. Highlights include live music, drink specials and “fear factor” games. The party continues Saturday with KPop Demon Hunters karaoke. (Hi-Lawn; 2 - 11 p.m.; $10)
Psycho One way to get that obnoxious (and terrifying!) theme out of your head this Halloween is to confront it head-on in a screening of the creepy classic at D.C.’s oldest movie theater. (Miracle Theatre; 7 - 9 p.m.; $8)
Head to Brookland Arts Walk Saturday for a morning of fall-centric fun. (Watts/Flickr)
SATURDAY, NOV. 1
D.C. Zinefest Browse the work of 80-plus zine makers and dive into workshops on topics like binding techniques and building community at this annual celebration of self-publishing. (Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library; 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.; FREE)
Fall Family Fun Day Little ones acting up after a night of trick-or-treating? Tote them over to Brookland Arts Walk for a morning puppet show, cornhole, leaf wreath-making, and other kid-centric pursuits that will keep them active. There’s also a farmers market to browse, with local makers on site. (Brookland Arts Walk; 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.; FREE)
Celebración Día de los Muertos Co-sponsored by the Mexican Cultural Institute and Fiesta DC, this outdoor festival features an LED light procession, live music from Latin Celtic band La Unica, face painting, and sugar skull art. (The Wharf; 3 - 7 p.m.; FREE)
Potomac River Cleanup Roll up your sweatshirt sleeves and get outside Saturday morning for this collective effort to reduce river pollution. Gloves and other supplies will be provided but you're also encouraged to bring your own tools. (Anacostia Park; 9 - 11 a.m.; FREE)
Love and Resistance: Postcolonial Love Poem Dive into poetry, film and performances influenced by the work of Natalie Díaz. Her Pulitzer Prize–winning poetry collection, Postcolonial Love Poem, responds to “the wounds inflicted by America onto an Indigenous people.” The program features seven local artists, including Georgie Jessup, Kerri Sheehan, and Susan Hwang. (Bladensburg Branch Library; 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.; FREE)
Good Beats Halloween Why listen to mere recordings of beloved Halloween themes like The Addams Family or The Nightmare Before Christmas when you can hear them performed live? Rewear Friday’s costume and sing along as the classical ensembles Good Beats and Project Fusion play your favorite spooky tunes. (Dupont Underground; 7:30 - 9 p.m.; $9.85+)
Explore the work of D.C.-area printmakers at Eastern Market Sunday. (Valentin Lacoste/Unsplash)
SUNDAY, NOV. 2
D.C. Print Fair Before you pick up some goat cheese and fresh flowers from the farmers market, pop into Eastern Market’s North Hall to survey the work of nearly three dozen artists and galleries specializing in a variety of printmaking techniques, both traditional and digital. (Eastern Market; 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; FREE)
Retribution: Donald Trump and the Campaign That Changed America ABC News correspondent and New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Karl discusses his latest book, which offers a backstage pass into the drama of President Trump’s return to office. (Politics and Prose; 3 p.m.; FREE)
Eliza Tebo is a multimedia journalist reporting for regional and national outlets. She specializes in arts and culture features, with bylines in The Washington Post, NPR, Grammy.com, The 51st, WAMU/DCist, Washington City Paper and Arlington Magazine.
With your help, we pursue stories that hold leaders to account, demystify opaque city and civic processes, and celebrate the idiosyncrasies that make us proud to call D.C. home. Put simply, our mission is to make it easier — and more fun — to live in the District. Our members help keep local news free and independent for all:
