October is the time for eerie activities and spine-chilling adventures, and you’ll find plenty of them in Prince George’s. Whether you are searching for thrills with a group of friends, want an activity that will make you squeeze your date’s hand a little tighter, or are planning a kid-friendly Halloween activity, you’ll be able to fill your October calendar with these excellent events.

 

Add these 12 eerie activities to your Halloween plans:

 

  1. Bring the kids to National Harbor on October 26 for a jam-packed Harbor Halloween event. Head to the Spirit Park Carousel for trick-or-treating from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., or enjoy a showing of Hocus Pocus near the waterfront at 1:00 p.m. Catch a Pet Pawrade at 2:40 p.m., and vote for your favorite creation at the pumpkin carving contest. If your children or pets show up in costume, they’ll also be rewarded with a free ride on The Capital Wheel (with a paying adult). 

  2. Don’t miss the Kids Boo Fest at Six Flags America in Upper Marlboro, where you can enjoy family-friendly live shows, costumed entertainers, Halloween-themed activities and crafts, convenient trick-or-treating, and festival foods with a fall twist. Check out the Monster Mash Bash, the Marvelous Mysteries of Fright Manor, the Trick-or-Treat Trail, and a Looney Tunes Meet & Greet — all while hopping on and off the park’s thrilling rides. The festival runs until November 2.

  3. Roast marshmallows at Watkins Nature Center in Kettering during its Creepy Crawly campfire afternoon on October 25. Staff will share stories about nature’s creepy creatures, and you can bring your own hot dogs to cook over the fire. The whole family will love spending time together under the park’s gorgeous canopy.

  4. Join the College Park Pumpkin Carving Challenge by submitting your best jack-o-lantern by October 25 — and showing your University of Maryland pride. You could win four tickets to a Maryland basketball game, gift certificates to College Park shops, coupons for campus bowling, ice cream at The Maryland Dairy, and more.

  5. True horror lovers will find the terror and fright they want at Laurel’s House of Horror. Choose from the terrifying haunted house, one of three scary escape rooms, or a paranormal investigation through the historic, abandoned movie theater. The haunted house contains four attractions: The Carlisle Hotel, Porter’s Asylum, The Town of Jebidiah, and Studio 13. Buy your tickets in advance and be aware that the event will feature darkness, strobe lights, and blinking lights.

  6. Patuxent Home and Garden and Bowie CLAW (Citizens for Local Animal Welfare) want to include your animal friends in the Halloween fun. At the Howl-O-Ween Fest on October 25, you can enjoy a dog costume contest, a pie-eating contest, games, treats, and photo opportunities. It’s free to attend, but if you want your pup to participate, you can register it for $10 — and those proceeds will go to support other animals.

  7. Wander through a haunted trail at Watkins Regional Park on the evening of October 24 for its Trek or Treat event. The trip, which will take you about 30 minutes to complete, will include spooky games, mazes, Halloween characters, and a 50-foot “Trick-or-Tree.” Collect candy and treats along the way, and then look for your perfect pumpkin. Register in advance, and bring kids ages 12 and older.

  8. Celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness month and Halloween at the Pink-O-Ween Trunk or Treat event at the Baden Community Center in Brandywine. On October 24, the center will host an evening of treats, games, and crafts — along with a costume contest.

  9. Arm yourself with your creativity and head to the Brentwood Arts Exchange for Calabash Carnage. The event is free, and you can either bring a pumpkin to carve or purchase one there for $5. The center will provide the tools, so all you’ll need is a great idea.

  10. Book a ticket to see The Legend of Sleepy Hollow performed by the Bright Star Touring Theatre at the Prince George’s Publick Playhouse in Hyattsville. Recommended for children in grades 3–6, the group will perform twice in the morning on October 28. It’s just spooky enough to thrill young children, but not so scary to cause nightmares. It’s also an excellent age-appropriate introduction to this classic literary tale. Book your tickets now.

  11. If you’re a Wizarding World fan, Watkins Regional Park has just the Halloween event for you. Get your tickets now for A Magical Night of Wizardry, when you’ll enjoy a hayride, crafts, a train ride through the Forbidden Forest, and a screening of wizard-themed movies. If you’re looking for a magical moment on the evening of October 31, this is the one for you.

  12. Party the afternoon away in Hyattsville at the Treat-O-Rama on October 25. Bring the family to enjoy music, dance, take photos in the photo booth, create Halloween crafts, participate in the costume contest and parade, and collect some candy. That same night, you can head to Northwestern High School for a Trunk-or-Treat hosted by the Hyattsville Police Department. 

 

Looking for fall activities that focus more on the season and less on the scare? Try one of these 10 nature-centered activities.