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👀 Heads up: Be ready for road closures Sunday in both Arlington and the District, as well as bus detours due to the Marine Corps Marathon. Metro will open at 5 a.m.
🌡️ Weekend weather: Expect a frosty start both mornings this weekend, with highs only reaching the low 60s Saturday and the mid/upper 60s Sunday.
- Running weather for the marathon Sunday will be almost ideal: near 40° at 7 a.m. in the staging areas, near 60° by noon and in the mid 60s by 2 p.m., with sunny skies and almost no breeze at all.
🔮 The Future Scene: This one isn’t a marathon — it’s a sprint mixed with a massive party! A roar of click-clacking heels is coming to Dupont this Tuesday (Oct. 27). Don’t miss the 39th annual 17th Street High Heel Race. NBC Washington producer Justin Stewart is hosting, and Tommy and Haleigh will be out there too, so make sure to say hi!
DC
🐼 The National Zoo is always a good time, but they really go all out in fall and winter. Friday they’re having an adults-only party! Night of the Living Zoo offers unlimited drinks across half a dozen bars. There’s music, there’s dancing and there’s even “zoostrology” and tarot card readings, all at the National Zoo (3001 Connecticut Ave. NW). Fri. 7-11 p.m.; $75, ages 21+.
🍜 If you want your weekend to be centered around food … we found *just* the place. The Asia in a Bite food fest is bringing bold flavors to Tingey Plaza (841 2nd St. SE) in Navy Yard, with lots of vendors, a DJ and a K-pop dance party. Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; free admission.
🎭 “To Hear Her Speak: Black Women and Shakespeare” is the latest exhibit at the Folger Shakespeare Library (201 East Capitol St. SE). Visitors will be able to see nearly 100 objects — including costumes, illustrations, photographs, books and playbills — that show the representation of Black women in Shakespeare, in the eyes of early European artists and writers, and how Black women spoke for themselves inspired by Shakespeare’s words. Through May 2, 2027. Fri. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., walk-ins possible, but timed-entry tickets recommended. Free admission but $15 suggested donation.
📖 Beloved Dupont bookstore Kramers is celebrating a milestone birthday! The independent bookstore is turning the big 5-0, and everyone is invited to toast the store. The party will feature pop-ups from local businesses including Aslin, Relume and more, and 20% of proceeds will go to the literary organization Everybody Wins DC. Sat. 7 p.m.-midnight; free admission.
🙏 Dolly Parton’s legacy continues to be celebrated after her passing. Now, an exhibit is open at Zenith Gallery (1429 Iris St. NW) as a special tribute to the country music legend, with paintings, jewelry and clothing all inspired by Parton. Ten percent of sales will be donated to her Imagination Library. Through Nov. 28; free admission.
🧙🏼♀️ If you’re looking to get into the Halloween spirit, head to a screening of “Practical Magic” at craft store Merry Pin (7350 Georgia Ave. NW). Join fellow crafters to watch the Owens sisters cast a spell or two. Maybe join them in some (non-midnight) margaritas. Remember, there’s a little witch in all of us. 😉 Sat. 6:30 p.m.; free admission, but RSVPs requested.
Maryland
🧟♀️ For more than 20 years, the Silver Spring Zombie Walk has turned the streets of downtown Silver Spring into a scene from Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” music video. Join the hungry (for brains!) hordes of people dressing up like zombies, enter the costume contest, then walk from Quarry House Tavern (8401 Georgia Ave.) to Ellsworth Square. There will be music and dancing, followed by some classic spooky movies at the AFI Silver Theatre. Sat. 7 p.m.; free.
🔥 Craving some spooky storytelling around a campfire to celebrate the season? Prince George’s Parks & Rec is hosting its Haunted Caboose & Campfire at Bladensburg Waterfront Park (4601 Annapolis Road, Bladensburg). Wear your Halloween costume, get a tour of the haunted caboose, listen to nature stories and then roast marshmallows around a waterfront campfire. Fri. 7-8 p.m; $7 residents; $10 non-residents.
🍬 Trick-or-treat your way around National Harbor during Harbor Halloween! More than 30 businesses will be giving away Halloween treats, and kids in costumes can get a free ride on the Capital Wheel. You’ll also find a pumpkin-carving contest, a costume contest and a screening of “Hocus Pocus” on the big screen. Sun. 12:30-3 p.m.; free admission.
🍜 If you can think of an Asian street food, it’ll probably be available at the DMV Asian Night Market at National Harbor. Check out 70+ food and craft vendors, live performances and cultural entertainment along the waterfront. Sat. 12-8 p.m.; free admission.
🎠 Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg hosts a Fall Artisan Market, offering a perfect opportunity to support 50+ local artists and enjoy seasonal treats at the same time. There will also be live music and the chance to ride the carousel, with all proceeds going to HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center. Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; free admission; carousel tickets for purchase.
🎨 Takoma Collective is hosting its very own fall pop-up market on Takoma Park’s main street (Laurel Avenue, between Carroll and Eastern). More than 20 vendors, artists and vintage curators will have stands, so go spend your day exploring. Sun. 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; free admission.
Virginia
🏃🏽♀️ Cheer on participants in the Marine Corps Marathon, which goes from Rosslyn into D.C. and along the National Mall and back again. Here’s the course map, spectator viewing areas and the race weekend schedule. Marathon: Sun. 7:05-7:25 a.m. start; Finish Festival 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Other events include the Heath & Fitness Expo (Wed.-Sat.), a kids’ run (Sat.).
🧹 Learn about the D.C. area’s spookiest days, early American witch hunts, ancient terrors of the night and more with Professor and Pints’ Halloween lecture series. Throughout October, professors across the DMV will give lectures on spooky subject matter at bars, breweries and other locations. On tap this weekend: Early American Witch Hunts at Crooked Run Fermentation (22455 Davis Drive, Sterling). Sun. 5:30-8 p.m.; $15 in advance.
🐶 Three words: Dogs in costumes!!! Rosslyn’s Howl-O-Ween (at Gateway Park Interim Dog Park) is a Halloween event for all the pet parents and animal lovers. You’ll find dog-friendly activities, treats, pet item vendors and a beer and wine bar for pet parents. Dressed-up dogs are invited to enter the costume contest. Fri. 5-6:30 p.m.; free admission.
🎃 Magic shows, pumpkin decorating, trick-or-treat stations and more await families who attend the Boo-ro at Boro Park (8350 Broad St., Tysons), Costumes welcome (including for dogs!). Sat. 12-3 p.m.; free admission, but registration encouraged.
🌾Ever wonder how they spent the fall harvest in Ye Olde Colonial Era? Fall Harvest Family Days at Mount Vernon Estate illuminate the past with special demonstrations. Watch soap-making, thread-spinning and fabric-weaving, and see how horseshoes were forged, among other activities. Sat.-Sun. 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; $30 adults; $16 for kids 6-11.
👻 Travel to Ghost Town (pictured below) at Burke Lake Park (7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station) for kid-friendly Halloween fun, including themed activity areas, a haunted train ride, carousel rides and minigolf. Past events have included pumpkin painting and a scavenger hunt in a spooky but not-too-haunted house. Costumes welcome. Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; $20 online up until two days before the event; $25 day-of but it tends to sell out in advance; kids under 2 free.
🎉 The 75th annual Annandale Parade promises grand parade classics including marching bands, fire trucks, military cars and dancers, along with clowns and storybook characters. Kids are invited to wear Halloween costumes while they take in the sights along Columbia Pike. Sat. 10 a.m.-noon; free.
👾 The minifig monsters have taken over during Halloween at the LEGO Discovery Center (6563 Springfield Mall, Springfield). Kids can build glowing creations under black lights, join in a Halloween mosaic build, brew in a potion kitchen, explore an (indoor) pumpkin patch and see a 4D movie, “The Great Monster Chase.” Through Oct. 31; Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (last entry 90 minutes before closing); tickets start at $24.99. Adults must be accompanied by at least one child age 17 or younger.
+ The LEGO Discovery Center is also hosting a Halloween-themed night just for adults, with full access to the center, plus a costume contest, build challenges and the chance to win prizes. Fri. 6-8:30 p.m.; $24.99; ages 18+ only
Music Snob’s concert picks
NBC Washington editor Matthew Stabley’s concert guide
Be Your Own Pet, Fri. 7 p.m., DC9, $24+/$29+
Gotta love punk rock from The Music City. It felt more than too soon when these garage punks disbanded almost two decades ago after just two LPs. It really felt unfinished. We’ve been lucky to have BYOP back – after such a long layoff – for another five years, now, and a third LP, “Mommy.” Jemina Pearl is one of the most charismatic frontwomen around. Details.
Helado Negro and Reyna Tropical, Fri. 7 p.m., Black Cat, $42.40
The leaders of a couple American bands influenced and inspired by their Latin heritage and musical tradition merged completely in tune with each other for this year’s “Helado Tropical” – an album of good feelings; cheery, mellow sundown dances. Helado Negro’s Latin folk blends beautifully with Reyna Tropical’s African rhythms and Latin pop and rock. Details.
Oso Oso, Sun. 8 p.m., Union Stage, $34
Jade Lilitri’s consistent experimentation keeps his pop-emo band consistently interesting. While plucking heartstrings in search of happiness, as emo is wont, Oso Oso’s idiosyncrasies build on their ‘00s heroes’ foundation. Details.
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