Halloween weekend in Arlington: four library events and nature programs Saturday, Herndon at Wakefield Friday and MoCA's Día de los Muertos picnic Sunday.

Halloween weekend in Arlington is free and family-sized: four library events and nature center programs on Saturday, Oct. 31, Wakefield’s last home football game on Friday and MoCA Arlington’s Día de los Muertos picnic on Sunday.

Last checked Oct. 27, 2026. Every listing links the organizer’s own page. Trick-or-treat details and the Clarendon road closures are on our trick-or-treat hours page; the month ahead is on things to do this month.

What this means for you

  • Free buses: Arlington Transit (ART) is free all day Saturday, Oct. 31.
  • Clarendon closures: Clarendon and Wilson boulevards close 10 p.m. Saturday to 3 a.m. Sunday.
  • Clocks: daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1. Set clocks back an hour.

Friday, Oct. 30

  • Oktoberfest, 1:30 to 3 p.m., Langston-Brown Community Center, 2121 N. Culpeper St. For adults 55 and older with a 55+ membership: non-alcoholic beers, pretzels and music. Parks and Recreation.
  • Battle on the Boulevard, 4:30 to 9 p.m., Langston-Brown Community Center. A Halloween-themed basketball tournament for teens only. Register with the county.
  • Herndon at Wakefield, 7 p.m., Wakefield High School stadium, 1325 S. Dinwiddie St. Wakefield’s last regular-season home game. Wakefield’s schedule; more on our Friday night football page.
  • SoberRide, 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights: Lyft credits up to $15 for a ride home from the Washington Regional Alcohol Program, Arlington County police said in its Halloween traffic alert.

Saturday, Oct. 31

  • Halloween Scavenger Hunt, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Central Library children’s area, 1015 N. Quincy St. Free; find the hidden characters for a small prize. Library listing.
  • Halloween Storytime, 10:30 to 11 a.m., Aurora Hills Library, 735 18th St. S. Free, all ages; costumes encouraged. Library listing.
  • Howl-O-Ween Pet Party, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Courthouse Plaza, 2100 Clarendon Blvd. Leashed, vaccinated pets; canceled in bad weather. Library listing.
  • Fun with Pumpkins, 11 a.m. to noon, Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Road. Pumpkin treats and a craft to take home; registration needed. Parks and Recreation.
  • Amazing Owl Adaptations, 11 a.m. to noon, Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 N. Military Road. Meet a live owl; teens 12 and up with a registered adult. Parks and Recreation.
  • Halloween Bark Party, 2 to 4 p.m., Glencarlyn Library Community Garden, 300 S. Kensington St. Dog costume contest, storytime for dogs and awards; no dog needed. Library listing.
  • Ghost Stories Campfire, 3 to 4 p.m., at the Long Branch or Gulf Branch fire ring. Stories, animal guests, games and songs for families. Parks and Recreation.
  • Halloween anti-drunk driving event, from 8 p.m., N. Hudson Street and Wilson Boulevard in Clarendon. Free, hosted by Arlington County police and the Washington Regional Alcohol Program. Police alert.

Trick-or-treating has no set hours in Arlington; families go out on the night. See our trick-or-treat hours page and Halloween events page.

Sunday, Nov. 1

  • Día de los Muertos Celebration: An Evening Picnic, 5 to 8 p.m., on the lawn of MoCA Arlington, 3550 Wilson Blvd. Free. Mariachi Estrellas, folklórico dance from Los Quetzales, a Catrina parade anyone in costume can join, an ofrenda by artist David Amoroso, crafts, lotería and food trucks; the galleries stay open late. MoCA Arlington.

All weekend

  • Merrily We Roll Along, closing weekend, through Sunday, Nov. 1, Signature Theatre’s MAX theater, 4200 Campbell Ave., Shirlington. Signature Theatre.
  • All The World’s A Stage, Adam Gwon’s new musical, in Signature’s ARK theater through Dec. 20. Signature Theatre.
  • Emily Fussner: Some Shining Coil of Wind, a site-specific installation at MoCA Arlington, noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday, through Jan. 24, 2027. MoCA Arlington.

More shows and exhibitions are on our arts and exhibitions page.

Regular weekend fixtures

  • FRESHFARM Arlington market, Saturdays 8 a.m. to noon, Courthouse parking lot, 1400 N. Courthouse Road. FRESHFARM.
  • Met Park farmers market, Saturdays at Metropolitan Park, National Landing. National Landing BID.
  • Columbia Pike market, Sundays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2820 Columbia Pike. Every market and its hours are on our farmers markets page.

Send us your event

Running something in Arlington that is open to the public? Email hello@arlingtonlocaltoday.com with the date, time, venue, price and a photo. Listings are free, and they go on this page and in our events diary.

Frequently asked questions

What is there to do in Arlington this weekend?

Halloween falls on Saturday, Oct. 31, with four Arlington Public Library events and nature center programs. Wakefield hosts Herndon in football at 7 p.m. Friday, and MoCA Arlington holds a free Día de los Muertos picnic from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday.

What free events are on in Arlington this weekend?

The library’s Halloween scavenger hunt, storytime and two pet parties on Saturday, and MoCA Arlington’s Día de los Muertos picnic on Sunday are free. ART buses are free all day on Oct. 31.

What roads close in Clarendon on Halloween night?

Clarendon Boulevard and Wilson Boulevard from N. Highland Street to Washington Boulevard, 10 p.m. Saturday to 3 a.m. Sunday, Arlington County police said. N. Hudson Street closes from 7 p.m.