# Free things to do with kids in Washington, DC this week

> Yes, plenty is free with little kids in Washington, DC this week: we found 36 free outings, including Hill-O-Ween on Capitol Hill, Costume Carnival at the Gateway Pavilion and Stamp & Scream Family Festival at the National Postal Museum, plus nine library programs. 11 free days and events are coming up, each with its date. And seven places never charge admission, like U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory and DC Public Library.

- Last checked: 2026-10-30
- 37 free outings this week; 11 free days and events coming up; 7 always-free places
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/washington-dc/free/
- Indoor play (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/washington-dc/indoor-play/index.md
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/washington-dc/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/washington-dc/llms.txt

## Free days and free events coming up

- **Hill-O-Ween** at Eastern Market, Capitol Hill. When: Fri Oct 30. Price: Free. Official page: https://www.hilloweendc.com/ (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Stamp & Scream Family Festival** at National Postal Museum, Capitol Hill. When: Sat Oct 31. Price: Free. Official page: https://postalmuseum.si.edu/stamp-scream-family-festival (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Santa at Tysons Corner Center** at Tysons Corner Center, Level 1 near Wasabi, 1961 Chain Bridge Road, Tysons, VA 22102. When: From Nov 6, 2026. Time: Mon–Fri 11am–7pm to start; see the schedule. Price: Free visit; photo packages for sale. Reserve a spot online to skip the line. Official page: https://www.tysonscornercenter.com/SantaPhotos (checked 2026-10-28)
- **National Christmas Tree Lighting** at The Ellipse, President’s Park, 15th St. and Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20004. When: Thu, Dec 3, 2026. Time: Evening. Price: Free tickets by lottery (enter Oct 28 – Nov 4). Winners are told Nov 12 and can get up to five tickets. Official page: https://www.nps.gov/whho/learn/news/2026-national-christmas-tree-lighting-ticket-lottery-opens-oct-28.htm (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Holiday Boat Parade & Party at The Wharf** at The Wharf, 760 Maine Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20024. When: Sat, Dec 5, 2026. Time: Evening; fireworks around 8pm. Price: Free. More than 60 lit-up boats on the Washington Channel. Official page: https://www.wharfdc.com/boatparade/ (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Santa at the Holiday Boat Parade** at The Grove at The Wharf, 760 Maine Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20024. When: Sat, Dec 5, 2026. Time: Evening; fireworks around 8pm. Price: Free. Free family photos with Santa during the Holiday Boat Parade & Party, plus ornament decorating at M Street Landing. Official page: https://www.wharfdc.com/boatparade/ (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Noon Year’s Eve at the Fairfax Museum** at Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center, 10209 Main St., Fairfax, VA 22030. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11am–noon. Price: Free; registration required. A midday countdown for families. Registration opens Dec 10. Official page: https://washington.org/event/noon-years-eve-museum (checked 2026-10-29)
- **Noon Year’s Eve Celebration at Arlington Central Library** at Arlington Public Library – Central Library (Barbara M. Donnellan Auditorium), Arlington, VA. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11:15am–12:15pm. Price: Free. For kids of all ages with an adult: a New Year’s Eve storytime, crafts and a photo booth, then a countdown to noon in the auditorium (doors open 11:45am). Official page: https://arlingtonva.libcal.com/event/16955201 (checked 2026-10-29)
- **Noon Year’s Eve Celebration at Aurora Hills Library** at Arlington Public Library – Aurora Hills, Arlington, VA. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11am–noon. Price: Free. For kids of all ages with an adult: a New Year’s Eve storytime, crafts and a dance party before the countdown to noon. Official page: https://arlingtonva.libcal.com/event/16993660 (checked 2026-10-29)
- **Noon Year’s Eve Celebration at White Oak Library** at Montgomery County Public Libraries – White Oak, Silver Spring, MD. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11am–noon. Price: Free. For babies through elementary age: a dance party, then a New Year’s craft. Official page: https://mcpl.libnet.info/event/17637917 (checked 2026-10-29)
- **Noon Year's Eve at Gaithersburg Library** at Gaithersburg Library, Gaithersburg, MD. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11:30am–12:30pm. Price: Free. New Year's crafts and games, then a countdown to noon. It's for preschool through 5th grade, and kids under 8 need a grown-up with them. Official page: https://mcpl.libnet.info/event/16724427 (checked 2026-10-30)

## Free this week

- **Hill-O-Ween on Capitol Hill** at Eastern Market, 225 7th St. SE, Washington, DC 20003. When: Fri Oct 30. Time: 4–6pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–10. Capitol Hill’s Friday-before-Halloween party around Eastern Market, with trick-or-treating for kids in costume. Official page: https://www.hilloweendc.com/ (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Costume Carnival at the Gateway Pavilion** at Gateway Pavilion at St. Elizabeths East, 2700 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20032. When: Fri Oct 30. Time: 5–7pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–12. Events DC’s free Halloween carnival in Congress Heights, with trick-or-treating and a costume contest. Official page: https://eventsdc.com/events/costume-carnival-1 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Stamp & Scream Family Festival at the National Postal Museum** at National Postal Museum, 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20002. When: Sat Oct 31. Time: 11am–3pm. Price: Free; no registration. Ages: 0–12. Halloween at the Postal Museum by Union Station. DC Public Library leads story times at noon and 2pm, and the costume parade starts at 1pm. Leave the masks at home. Official page: https://postalmuseum.si.edu/stamp-scream-family-festival (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Fall Frolic at Glen Echo Park** at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD 20812. When: Sat Oct 31. Time: 1–4pm. Price: Free; puppet and theater shows are ticketed. Ages: 0–10. Crafts, a costume contest and trick-or-treating at the park’s art studios. The Puppet Co. has “Jennie the Cat” at 11:30 and 2:30, and Adventure Theatre has “Beatrice Likes the Dark” at 11 and 2. Park at 5801 Oxford Road. Official page: https://glenechopark.org/fallfrolic (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Día de los Muertos at the National Museum of the American Indian** at National Museum of the American Indian, 4th St. and Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20560. When: Sat Oct 31. Time: 10am–5pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–99. A free day of Día de los Muertos music, dance and crafts on the Mall. Official page: https://americanindian.si.edu/calendar (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Celebración Día de los Muertos at The Wharf** at The Wharf, 760 Maine Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20024. When: Sun Nov 1. Time: 3–6pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–99. Face painting, sugar skull decorating and a light procession along the waterfront. Official page: https://www.wharfdc.com/diadelosmuertos/ (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Trunk-or-Treat (Benning Library)** at Benning (Dorothy I. Height) Neighborhood Library, 3935 Benning Road Northeast, Washington, DC 20019. Time: 3:30–6:30pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–10. Trick-or-treating, pumpkin painting and a costume contest with prizes, inside the library. Free. Official page: https://dclibrary.libnet.info/event/17317668 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Outdoor Halloween Party (Georgetown Library)** at Georgetown Neighborhood Library, 3260 R Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20007. Time: 4–5pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–8. The branch’s yearly Halloween party for kids and caregivers on the patio. It moves inside if it rains. Free. Official page: https://dclibrary.libnet.info/event/17395332 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Southeast Kids Halloween Party (Southeast Library)** at Southeast Neighborhood Library, 403 7th Street Southeast, Washington, DC 20003. Time: 4–7pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–10. A Halloween party for kids at the Capitol Hill branch. Free. Official page: https://dclibrary.libnet.info/event/17650597 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Monster Mash Party (Parklands-Turner Library)** at Parklands-Turner Neighborhood Library, 1547 Alabama Avenue Southeast, Washington, DC 20032. Time: 4–5:30pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–10. Fall fun and a Halloween party in Congress Heights. Free. Official page: https://dclibrary.libnet.info/event/17556686 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Monster Mash (Capitol View Library)** at Capitol View Neighborhood Library, 5001 Central Avenue Southeast, Washington, DC 20019. Time: 4:30–7pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–10. The branch’s annual Monster Mash party. Free. Official page: https://dclibrary.libnet.info/event/17637002 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Fall Craft Hour (Petworth Library)** at Petworth Neighborhood Library, 4200 Kansas Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20011. Time: 4:30–5:30pm. Price: Free. Ages: 3–10. Decorate a pumpkin and make spooky bookmarks. Free. Official page: https://dclibrary.libnet.info/event/17633891 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Trick-or-Treat at MLK Library** at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library - Central Library, 901 G Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20001. When: Sat Oct 31. Time: During library hours. Price: Free. Ages: 0–10. Trick-or-treat around the central library all day. Costumes encouraged. Free. Official page: https://dclibrary.libnet.info/event/17701803 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Story Time for the Spectrum (Chevy Chase Library)** at Chevy Chase Neighborhood Library, 5625 Connecticut Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20015. When: Sat Oct 31. Time: 10:30–11am. Price: Free. Ages: 2–6. A sensory-friendly story time for kids of all abilities, especially kids on the autism spectrum. Free. Official page: https://dclibrary.libnet.info/event/17092131 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Family Story Time (MLK Library)** at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library - Central Library, 901 G Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20001. When: Sat Oct 31. Time: 11–11:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. Songs, stories and play for ages 0 to 5. Free tickets are first come, first served from opening. Free. Official page: https://dclibrary.libnet.info/event/17701491 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Family Story Time with ASL Interpreter (Northeast Library)** at Northeast Neighborhood Library, 330 7th Street Northeast, Washington, DC 20002. When: Sat Oct 31. Time: 11–11:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. A family story time with an ASL interpreter. Free. Official page: https://dclibrary.libnet.info/event/15280027 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Fall Festival (Woodridge Library)** at Woodridge Neighborhood Library, 1801 Hamlin Street Northeast, Washington, DC 20018. When: Sat Oct 31. Time: 12–5pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–99. A fall festival in the park behind the library. Free. Official page: https://dclibrary.libnet.info/event/17694815 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Trick-or-Treat (Petworth Library)** at Petworth Neighborhood Library, 4200 Kansas Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20011. When: Sat Oct 31. Time: 3–5pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–10. Afternoon trick-or-treating at the library. Free. Official page: https://dclibrary.libnet.info/event/17620758 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Kids Drum Circle (Petworth Library)** at Petworth Neighborhood Library, 4200 Kansas Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20011. When: Sat Oct 31. Time: 11am–12pm. Price: Free. Ages: 1–6. Musical play time with drums. Free. Official page: https://dclibrary.libnet.info/event/17656086 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Baby Laptime (Southwest Library)** at Southwest Neighborhood Library, 900 Wesley Place Southwest, Washington, DC 20024. Time: 1–2pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–1. Stories and rhymes for babies from birth until they walk. Free. Official page: https://dclibrary.libnet.info/event/17136431 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Children’s Halloween Party and Costume Parade (McGee Library, Silver Spring)** at Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Library, 900 Wayne Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910. Time: 4–6pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–8. A Halloween party and costume parade on the library’s fifth floor. Free. Official page: https://mcpl.libnet.info/event/17064198 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Not-So-Spooky Baby Storytime (Quince Orchard Library)** at Quince Orchard Library, 15831 Quince Orchard Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20878. Time: 10:30–11am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–1. A baby story time with optional costumes, followed by play time. Free. Official page: https://mcpl.libnet.info/event/17138211 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Bilingual Firefighter Family Storytime (Long Branch Library)** at Long Branch Library, 8800 Garland Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20901. Time: 11–11:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. A bilingual story time with a local firefighter and their truck. Free. Official page: https://mcpl.libnet.info/event/17617523 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Pajama Storytime (Germantown Library)** at Germantown Library, 19840 Century Blvd., Germantown, MD 20874. Time: 6:30–7:15pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. An evening story time. Pajamas encouraged. Free. Official page: https://mcpl.libnet.info/event/17264094 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Halloween Storytime and Costume Parade (White Oak Library)** at White Oak Library, 11701 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20904. When: Sat Oct 31. Time: 10:30–11:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–8. Not-so-spooky stories, then a costume parade. Free. Official page: https://mcpl.libnet.info/event/17542420 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Not-So-Spooky Stories and Fun (Wheaton Library)** at Wheaton Library, 11701 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20902. When: Sat Oct 31. Time: 10:30–11:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. A Halloween story time. Costumes encouraged. Free. Official page: https://mcpl.libnet.info/event/17006574 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Learning Through Art: Día de los Muertos (Germantown Library)** at Germantown Library, 19840 Century Blvd., Germantown, MD 20874. When: Sat Oct 31. Time: 3–4:30pm. Price: Free. Ages: 3–12. Music, face painting and crafts about Día de los Muertos. Free. Official page: https://mcpl.libnet.info/event/17183620 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Costume Parade Storytime (Largo-Kettering Library)** at Largo-Kettering Branch Library, 9601 Capital Lane, Largo, MD 20774. Time: 10:30–11:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 1–5. Stories, songs and fingerplays for toddlers and preschoolers. Costumes welcome. Free. Official page: https://pgcmls.info/event/17685640 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Halloween Baby Lapsit Storytime (Central Library, Arlington)** at Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington, VA 22201. Time: 10:15–10:45am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–1. A Halloween lapsit for babies up to 12 months. Free. Official page: https://arlingtonva.libcal.com/event/16751110 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Halloween Family Storytime (Central Library, Arlington)** at Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington, VA 22201. When: Fri Oct 30. Time: 10:15–10:45am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. Halloween stories for families with young kids. Free. Official page: https://arlingtonva.libcal.com/event/16751191 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Halloween Scavenger Hunt (Central Library, Arlington)** at Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington, VA 22201. When: Sat Oct 31. Time: 10am–5pm. Price: Free. Ages: 2–10. A Halloween scavenger hunt around the library, all day. Free. Official page: https://arlingtonva.libcal.com/event/16764574 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Halloween Storytime (Aurora Hills Library)** at Aurora Hills Library, 735 S. 18th St., Arlington, VA 22202. When: Sat Oct 31. Time: 10:30–11am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. A Halloween story time for families. Free. Official page: https://arlingtonva.libcal.com/event/16993317 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Halloween Storytime (Westover Library)** at Westover Library, 1644 N. McKinley Road, Arlington, VA 22205. When: Fri Oct 30. Time: 10:30–11am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. A Halloween story time for families. Free. Official page: https://arlingtonva.libcal.com/event/16814459 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Día de los Muertos at The Wharf** at The Wharf, 760 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024. When: Sun Nov 1. Time: 3–6pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–10. A family afternoon at The Wharf with Fiesta DC, with live music and cultural performances for the Day of the Dead. Official page: https://www.wharfdc.com/diadelosmuertos/ (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Ready 2 Read Storytime: Ages 0–2 (Greenbelt Library)** at Greenbelt Branch Library, 11 Crescent Rd, Greenbelt, MD 20770. When: Fri Oct 30. Time: 10:15–10:45am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–2. A fall-themed baby storytime with stories, songs and fingerplays. Free. Official page: https://pgcmls.info/event/17269420 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Play and Grow: Ages 0–3 (Oxon Hill Library)** at Oxon Hill Branch Library, 6200 Oxon Hill Rd, Oxon Hill, MD 20745. When: Fri Oct 30. Time: 11am–12pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–3. Stories, music and play for children 0–3 with and without special needs. Room for 12 community children, first come, first served, and no entry after a five-minute grace period. Official page: https://pgcmls.info/event/17558517 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Playday at the Library: Monster Mash (Upper Marlboro Library)** at Upper Marlboro Branch Library, 14730 Main St, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772. When: Sat Oct 31. Time: 11am–12pm. Price: Registration full (Free). Ages: 0–5. A monster-themed play morning for ages 0 to 5, rain or shine. Free. Official page: https://pgcmls.info/event/17300230 (checked 2026-10-30). SOLD OUT (still listed; check the official page for a waitlist or added dates)

## Always free

- **U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory**, Capitol Hill, 100 Maryland Ave. SW. A free glasshouse at the foot of the Capitol, with a jungle room toddlers like to walk through. No tickets. Official page: https://www.usbg.gov/visit (checked 2026-10-28)
- **DC Public Library**, Citywide. Free story times, baby lap times and family events at neighborhood branches across the District. Official page: https://dclibrary.libnet.info/events (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Montgomery County Public Libraries**, Montgomery County, MD. Story times, play dates and family events from Silver Spring to Germantown. Official page: https://mcpl.libnet.info/events (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Clemyjontri Park**, McLean, 6317 Georgetown Pike. A free playground in Fairfax County built so kids of all abilities can play together, with a carousel in season. Official page: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/clemyjontri (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Smithsonian’s National Zoo**, Woodley Park, 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW. A free zoo in Rock Creek Park. Admission is free, but every guest needs an entry pass, babies included. Reserve online. Official page: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/visit (checked 2026-10-28)
- **National Museum of Natural History**, National Mall, 10th St. and Constitution Ave. NW. Dinosaurs, the Hope Diamond and the ocean hall, all free with no passes needed. Official page: https://naturalhistory.si.edu/visit (checked 2026-10-28)
- **National Air and Space Museum**, National Mall, 650 Jefferson Drive SW. Free, with timed-entry passes needed for every visitor. Reserve up to nine at a time. Official page: https://airandspace.si.edu/visit/museum-dc (checked 2026-10-28)

## Free library storytimes

- **DC Public Library**: Most weekdays and Saturdays. Free story times and baby lap times at neighborhood branches. Calendar: https://dclibrary.libnet.info/events
- **Montgomery County Public Libraries**: Weekday mornings. Free story times and play dates in Silver Spring, Bethesda, Germantown and more. Calendar: https://mcpl.libnet.info/events
- **Arlington Public Library**: Weekday mornings. Free story times at Central and the neighborhood branches. Calendar: https://arlingtonva.libcal.com/

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
- Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list.
- How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote.

## FAQ

### What’s free to do with kids in Washington, DC this weekend?
This week we found 36 free outings for ages 0–6, including Hill-O-Ween on Capitol Hill, Costume Carnival at the Gateway Pavilion, Stamp & Scream Family Festival at the National Postal Museum and Fall Frolic at Glen Echo Park. See [free this week](https://littlesweekly.com/washington-dc/free/#this-week); the list is rebuilt every Thursday.

### Are there free museum or zoo days in Washington, DC?
Hill-O-Ween: Fri Oct 30. Stamp & Scream Family Festival: Sat Oct 31. Dates come from each venue’s own page; see [free days and free events](https://littlesweekly.com/washington-dc/free/#free-days).

### What free holiday events are there for kids in Washington, DC?
Santa at Tysons Corner Center, National Christmas Tree Lighting, Holiday Boat Parade & Party at The Wharf, Santa at the Holiday Boat Parade and Noon Year’s Eve at the Fairfax Museum and 4 more are free this season. Dates and times are on each card under [free days and free events](https://littlesweekly.com/washington-dc/free/#free-days).

### Where can we go for free any day in Washington, DC?
U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory, DC Public Library, Montgomery County Public Libraries, Clemyjontri Park and Smithsonian’s National Zoo and 2 more don’t charge admission. Some charge for parking or special exhibits; the cards say so where the place does.

### Is there free indoor play in Washington, DC?
Yes: National Museum of Natural History, U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory and National Air and Space Museum. See all of them on [indoor play places in DC](https://littlesweekly.com/washington-dc/indoor-play/#places).

### Are library storytimes free in Washington, DC?
Yes. DC Public Library, Montgomery County Public Libraries and Arlington Public Library run free storytimes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Times change by branch, so check the calendar linked below.

### How do you check these free listings?
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 30, 2026, and we recheck them every Thursday for dated events and once a month for free places. [How we choose and check](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).