Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, so trick-or-treaters won’t have to share the streets with rush-hour traffic.
Before the big night, Arlington and Falls Church have a full slate of costume contests, trunk-or-treats and spooky-themed events over the next two-and-a-half weeks.
When do trick-or-treaters show up?
Unlike some localities, Arlington doesn’t set an official time or place for trick-or-treating. The candy run happens on Halloween itself, Saturday, Oct. 31, and usually starts shortly before sunset, around 6 p.m. Parents with younger kids often head out earlier.
Trick-or-treating usually wraps up by 8 p.m., though some stragglers stay out later.
Some streets get few, if any, trick-or-treaters, while others become de facto destinations. Popular spots include N. Jackson Street in Ashton Heights and 38th Street N. in Old Glebe. Drivers in those areas should be especially careful in the early evening.
Trick-or-treating in Falls Church follows a similar pattern. Private communities and apartment complexes may set their own schedules, so residents should check with their homeowners association or building management.
ACPD’s standing Halloween tips include wearing bright or reflective costumes, visiting only homes with their exterior lights on, keeping younger children with an adult, and checking candy before eating it.
Note: daylight saving time ends early the next morning (Sunday, Nov. 1), so Halloween merrymakers will get an extra hour of sleep.
Halloween events happening soon
- Día de los Muertos Crafting Social, Friday, Oct. 16 — The Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington is hosting a Catrina costume crafting night at its National Landing studio from 6-8 p.m. (525 14th Street S.)
- “Halloween: Celestial Origins”, Saturday, Oct. 17 — The Friends of Arlington’s David M. Brown Planetarium will run a Halloween-themed show on the astronomical origins of the “spooky season” at 7:30 p.m. (1426 N. Quincy Street)
- Halloween Origami Workshop, Wednesday, Oct. 21 — Volunteers from Study Japanese in Arlington will teach kids and adults to fold jack-o’-lanterns, black cats and ghosts at a free origami workshop at Aurora Hills Library from 3-5 p.m. (735 18th Street S.)
- Howl-ween! Dog Costume Contest, Thursday, Oct. 22 — At Met Park, MoCA’s Howl-ween event features a dog costume contest, free pet caricatures and Polaroids, vendors and a DJ from 5-7 p.m. (1330 S. Fair Street)
- Steamy v Spooky, Thursday, Oct. 22 — One More Page Books will pit romance writers against horror writers in a genre battle panel, with the audience picking the winner. (2200 N. Westmoreland Street)
Events on Saturday, Oct. 24
- Pentagon MMA Trunk-or-Treat, noon to 2:30 p.m. — The day starts at Pentagon Mixed Martial Arts with a free 30-minute martial arts class for kids ages 5-16. A trunk-or-treat in the parking lot follows, with costume and trunk-decorating contests. (1041 S. Edgewood Street)
- Falls Church Halloween Carnival, 1-5:30 p.m. — The City of Falls Church’s free annual carnival returns to Cherry Hill Park with carnival games, inflatables, a costume contest and a new sensory station. (312 Park Avenue)
- Shirlington Trick-or-Treat Trail, 2-4 p.m. — Shops and restaurants at The Village at Shirlington will hand out candy along a trick-or-treat trail. (2700 S. Quincy Street)
- Halloween Costume Party, 2-2:30 p.m. — Encore Stage & Studio is hosting a pre-show costume party with music, games and costume superlatives. Kid tickets are $9 in advance and $10 at the door, and chaperones attend free. (125 S. Old Glebe Road)
- Cinema on the Plaza: “Coco”, 8 p.m. — George Mason University’s Mason Square will show “Coco” outdoors on the plaza. The screening is free and so is the popcorn. (3351 Fairfax Drive)
Thursday and Friday before Halloween
- Trunk or Treat at Barcroft, Thursday, Oct. 29, 3-5:30 p.m. — Barcroft Apartments is holding a bilingual trunk-or-treat behind its leasing office, with prizes for best trunk and best costume. (1130 S. George Mason Drive)
- Halloween Mahjong, Thursday, Oct. 29, 6:30-10 p.m. — For adults, Montahj Social is putting a Halloween spin on its American mahjong open play, with a costume contest and mahjong bingo. Tickets are $45 and include a drink and light bites. (4245 Fairfax Drive)
- Symphony Spooktacular, Friday, Oct. 30, 5-7 p.m.— The Yorktown High School Orchestra will play Halloween favorites, including “Thriller” and “Ghostbusters,” at its family concert. (5200 Yorktown Blvd)
- Halloween Lock & Key Singles Party, Friday, Oct. 30, 6:30-8:30 p.m. — Astro Beer Hall is hosting a singles mixer for ages 30-54. (4001 Campbell Avenue)
Halloween weekend
- Doggie Trick-or-Treat at Dogma, Saturday, Oct. 31, 3-5 p.m. — On Halloween afternoon, Dogma Bakery’s 17th annual event sends costumed dogs around the Shirlington shops for homemade treats. Registration is $30 per dog, with proceeds going to Lucky Dog Animal Rescue. (2772 S. Arlington Mill Drive)
- Halloween singles bar crawl, Saturday, Oct. 31, 8-11 p.m. — A singles bar crawl is planned in Clarendon. (3165 Wilson Boulevard)
- Día de los Muertos Evening Picnic, Sunday, Nov. 1, 5-8 p.m. — MoCA Arlington will host mariachi and folklórico performances, food trucks, a Catrina parade and a community ofrenda. Attendees are invited to bring a photo of a loved one who has died. (3550 Wilson Blvd)
