WASHINGTON – It’s the weekend before Halloween, and the D.C. area’s spirit is in full swing. This weekend promises costumes, treats and haunted festivities for all — plus art and culture for those who prefer to wait until the 31st to go all out.
Round up the pets and the kids: Market Common Clarendon is hosting a free, pet- friendly event on Saturday, Oct. 26. FALLoween will have a petting zoo, a mini-pumpkin patch, a parade and a live musical performance by Rocknoceros. The event will take place between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. in Arlington, Va.
Piketoberfest is a free, family-friendly community festival in Rockville, Md., that will take place on Saturday, Oct. 26 to celebrate the Pike & Rose development in White Flint. The day-long event (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) will have face painting, pumpkin decorating, live music (Rocknocerous! These guys are everywhere!), and a food and wine tasting. All the action will occur at the corner of Old Georgetown Road and Rockville Pike.
A curated collection of narrative and documentary films will screen for four days at the Middleburg Film Festival, Oct. 24-27. The festival will also include panels, classes and other events throughout the weekend with the featured filmmakers and actors. WTOP’s film critic Jason Fraley checked out the opening of the film festival. Read what he has to say about the event in this week’s Fraley on Film.
Art, music and photography will take over the Brookland neighborhood of D.C. on Saturday, Oct. 26 with the Art in the Mix Festival. Expect food trucks, live music and kids’ activities at the Brookland-CUA Metro. Plus, festival go-ers can partake in a pop-up beergarden and a Q&A with street photographer The Sartorialist, Scott Schuman. Everything takes place between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
The baby panda cub will have some serious competition in the “cuteness” category this weekend when the area’s kids, decked out in Halloween costumes, flock to the National Zoo for the annual Boo at the Zoo. Halloween candy and treats will be provided between 5:30 and 8:30 p.m., Oct. 25-27, but tickets are required and they go quickly.
Also in the Northwest, the Mount Vernon Triangle Community Improvement District will celebrate with its Fall Fun Day on Saturday, Oct. 26. The day includes a costume parade, face painting, pumpkin painting and zombie zumba. Yes, zombie zumba. Fall Fun Day runs from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
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