Halloween 2026 · Washington, DC
19 places, each confirmed for 2026 on its own website. Updated Oct 12.
Haunted housesTrails & hayridesGhost toursNot too scary
The real scares are out in the suburbs. Downtown is ghost tour territory. Fields of Fear at Cox Farms in Centreville is the big one, with a hayride, a haunted corn trail and more than half a mile of dark woods, all on 20-plus acres. Tickets are limited and online only, so buy ahead. Laurel's House of Horror is the indoor pick, built inside an abandoned movie theater with four themed zones. They warn about slanted floors (wear flat shoes). On a budget? Factory of Fear: The Horror Hotel in Manassas is a four-floor fundraiser haunt, and Thursdays are $3 off with the code THURSDAYSCARIES.
Inside the city it's lantern-lit walking tours past the White House, Lafayette Park and Capitol Hill. Expect a lot of dead presidents and feuding lawmakers, plus a legendary Demon Cat. Sure. Old Town Alexandria has two more tours. If your kids are small, Mystery Mansion Adventure in Chevy Chase is pitched at ages 3 to 10, and every ticket includes a bonfire with s'mores. And if you'd rather hunt for secret doors than get chased, there's a 100-room mansion downtown with more than 80 of them, decorated for Halloween.
An old movie theater in Laurel, a big farm haunt at Cox Farms, a charity haunt in Lovettsville and a four-floor fundraiser in Manassas.
Laurel, MD · 16 mi from Washington, DC
👻👻👻👻👻 Terrifying
DMV's largest indoor haunted house in an abandoned movie theater
Tip: Advance ticket purchase is recommended for popular dates.
Lovettsville, VA · 39 mi from Washington, DC
👻👻👻👻👻 Terrifying
Northern Virginia's premier haunted attraction with a charitable mission.
Tip: Purchase tickets online in advance to guarantee admission on your preferred date.
Centreville, VA · 25 mi from Washington, DC
👻👻👻👻 Very scary
More than 20 acres of fear and spooky attractions.
Tip: Tickets are limited and only available online, so be sure to purchase them in advance.
Manassas, VA · 26 mi from Washington, DC
👻👻👻👻 Very scary
Annual haunted house fundraiser spanning four floors of the ARTfactory.
Tip: Use promo code THURSDAYSCARIES when booking for a Thursday visit to receive $3 off tickets.
Haunted trails in Lorton, Clifton and Gambrills, plus one that comes with a 5K.
Lorton, VA · 19 mi from Washington, DC
👻👻👻👻 Very scary
Multiple themed haunted trails and interactive experiences
Tip: Purchase tickets in advance, as many nights sell out, and prices are higher on the day of the event.
Clifton, VA · 21 mi from Washington, DC
👻👻👻👻 Very scary
Spooky night haunt walking through the historic town's wooded park.
Tip: Bring $5 cash if you plan to park at the elementary school or floodplain parking area.
Gambrills, MD · 21 mi from Washington, DC
👻👻👻👻 Very scary
Volunteer-run haunted forest trail fundraiser for the local fire station.
Tip: Wear sturdy, closed-toe footwear and outdoor clothing suitable for walking over uneven dirt paths with roots and rocks.
Waldorf, MD · 19 mi from Washington, DC
👻👻👻 Scary
Cross-country 5K race paired with a quarter-mile haunted trail in the woods.
Tip: If your registration includes a souvenir T-shirt, make sure to pick it up by 7:00 PM on race day.
Lantern tours full of dead presidents, Old Town Alexandria, a cemetery stroll and a silent Nosferatu screening with live music.
Silver Spring, MD · 6 mi from Washington, DC
👻👻👻👻 Very scary
Screening features live musical accompaniment by the Silent Orchestra.
Tip: Advance ticket purchase online is recommended, though tickets may also be purchased in person at the box office.
Washington, DC · 1 mi from Washington, DC
👻👻 A little spooky
Nightly outdoor walking tour exploring haunted sites and presidential history.
Tip: Arrive at the meeting steps 15 minutes before your tour start time, as tours depart promptly without waiting for latecomers.
Washington, DC · 1 mi from Washington, DC
👻👻 A little spooky
Victorian-costumed guides lead lantern-lit walking tours of haunted Washington, D.C.
Tip: Wear comfortable walking shoes for the tour.
Washington, DC · 2 mi from Washington, DC
👻👻 A little spooky
Spooky ghost walking tour passing the Supreme Court and Capitol.
Tip: Guests are encouraged to dress in costume if they are inclined.
Alexandria, VA · 7 mi from Washington, DC
👻👻 A little spooky
Nightly walking ghost tour through historic Old Town Alexandria's haunted landmarks.
Tip: Arrive 15 minutes early and look for your guide wearing a US Ghost Adventures T-shirt and carrying a lantern.
Alexandria, VA · 7 mi from Washington, DC
👻👻 A little spooky
Lantern-led walking tour guided in costume through historic Old Town Alexandria.
Tip: On Friday and Saturday nights in October, October 13th, Halloween, and November 1st and 2nd, public tours meet at the Burke and Herbert Bank at 100 S. Fairfax St. instead of the Visitor Center.
Alexandria, VA · 7 mi from Washington, DC
👻👻 A little spooky
Author discussions on haunted Virginia college campuses and ghost-ridden highways.
Forest Heights, MD · 8 mi from Washington, DC
👻👻 A little spooky
Adults-only round-trip bus excursion from Maryland with penitentiary entry included.
Tip: Book early, as the bus has a capacity limit of 37 seats.
Washington, DC · 4 mi from Washington, DC
👻 Mild
Lantern-lit twilight tours featuring costumed interpreters portraying interred cemetery residents.
Tip: Arrive approximately 30 minutes before your ticketed queue time to check in, explore the grounds, and be in line on time.
Secret doors in a 100-room mansion and a fairytale haunt with a bonfire for little kids.
Washington, DC · 0 mi from Washington, DC
👻👻 A little spooky
Hunt for over 80 secret doors across a 100-room mansion.
Tip: Bring your own shopping bags, as everything inside the museum is for sale.
Chevy Chase, MD · 6 mi from Washington, DC
👻👻 A little spooky
Family-friendly haunted house experience with fairytales, a tunnel, and bonfires.
Tip: Park for free behind the building via Dunlop Street, or use additional parking across Dunlop at the Chevy Chase Library.
Only places with 2026 dates on their own website made this list. If a haunt you love is missing, it probably hasn't announced yet.
Haunted Houser