Thursday
D.C. By Foot: Ghosts of Georgetown and Exorcist Steps Walking Tour
3051 M St. NW (Old Stone House), 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., $49
Spooky season is an opportune time to play tourist in your own town. Learn some history, listen for the screams of Civil War amputees and end your night at the steps featured in the 1973 film.
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“Beatrice Likes the Dark” closes at Adventure Theatre MTC
7300 MacArthur Boulevard, Glen Echo, 11 a.m., $27
Local playwright and actor Dani Stoller adapted the popular children’s book about an amateur spellcaster for Adventure Theatre MTC, the youth playhouse at Glen Echo Park. Performances continue through Sunday and are aimed at brave children 5 and up.
More to explore: New England folk rockers Griffin William Sherry and Jesse James DeConto at Pie Shop
Friday
Charo at Montgomery College’s Cultural Art Center
7995 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, 7:30 p.m., $35-80
It’s entirely possible that you know who Charo is without knowing what she’s famous for. The Spanish actress, singer and comedian was a queen of ’60s and ’70s American television, appearing on “Laugh-In,” “Fantasy Island” and other shows. But she was a flamenco artist first and will have a guitar in hand for this show aimed at nostalgic TV watchers and queer fans way too young to have seen her on the Johnny Carson show.
The Washington Ballet’s Go-Go 50 at the Warner Theatre
513 13th St. NW, 7:30, $166 to $202
Singaporean choreographer Choo San Goh helped put the Washington Ballet on the map when he became the company’s resident choreographer in the 1980s. This weekend, the company celebrates 50 years of dancing in the District by performing Goh’s 1981 classic “Configurations,” as well as a piece by current artistic director Edwaard Liang and a new ballet set to go-go music by choreographer Chanel DaSilva. The program continues through Sunday; best seating availability is Saturday night.
More to explore: Classical Arts Society of Washington presents “The Devil’s Trill”
Saturday
Dupont Fall Festival, Pumpkin Patch and Bluegrass Jamboree
Dupont Circle, 1 to 4 p.m., free
The fifth Dupont Circle fall fête gives city dwellers a strong incentive to don their costumes early. Winners in the adult, kid and pet categories will each take home a $100 gift certificate good at Dupont-area restaurants. Plus everyone gets a pumpkin (while supplies last) to decorate while Shannon Leigh and the Good Bygones play bluegrass.
The Miss Adams Morgan Pageant at the Washington Hilton
1919 Connecticut Avenue NW, 8 p.m., $25 cocktail party, $100 for the whole evening
Mirror, mirror on the hotel ballroom wall, who’s the fairest drag queen of them all? Since 1988, the Dupont Social Club has celebrated queer rights with an annual drag contest where both the contestants and the audience are invited to come in costume.
More to explore: ’80s Mayhem Halloween Dance Party at the Black Cat
Sunday
Día de los Muertos Celebration at The Wharf
M Street Landing SW, 3 to 6:30 p.m., free
Since 2019, The Wharf has become the District’s place to see and be seen with dancing skeletons, elaborate Catrina flower crowns and mariachi bands. The Day of the Dead celebration features two stages: one for music and one for folklorica dance troupes, plus a kids’ pier with sugar-skull painting and snacks. The revelry begins at 3 p.m. and concludes with a candlelight procession.
Día de los Muertos Celebration at MOCA Arlington
3550 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, 5 to 8 p.m., free
On the Virginia side of the Potomac, Arlington’s Museum of Contemporary Art is hosting an evening picnic. Bring your own dinner, or buy tacos from on-site vendors. Music begins at 5:30 p.m., there’s a Catrina parade at 6:20 p.m. and crafts for kids all night long. All attendees are invited to bring a deceased loved one’s photo and contribute to an altar created by Arlington artist David Amoroso.
More to explore: Violinist Daniel Hope plays music of the Gilded Age at The Barns at Wolf Trap.