Zebra’s weekly guide to getting out without getting out your wallet.
By Mary Wadland
October 22–25, 2026 • All times Eastern
ALEXANDRIA, VA—The costumes are coming out, the music is playing, and a good weekend does not have to begin with a ticket purchase. This week, you can cheer on Del Ray’s Halloween parade, wander through a curious little art carnival, or head across the river for jazz and a family safari with Elmo.
Welcome to Zebra’s first Free Things to Do in the DMV This Weekend guide. We’re starting close to home, then branching out to a few outings worth considering around the region. These eight picks have free admission or participation as described below. Food, shopping, transportation, and optional extras may cost money—and we’ve called those out.
1. Cheer on Del Ray’s costumed parade
If your dog has been waiting all year to debut those angel wings, this is the afternoon. The 30th Annual Del Ray Halloween Parade welcomes children, pets, and decorated strollers, with music and awards at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center field afterward.
When: Sunday, October 25, 2 p.m.; contest check-in begins at 1 p.m. and closes at 1:30 p.m.
Where: Mount Vernon Avenue at East Bellefonte Avenue, Alexandria; contests check in at Mount Vernon and East Howell avenues.
All ages. Free to watch; pet and stroller contests have no entry fee. No spectator reservation is listed. The organizer does not publish an end time or a parking fee; follow neighborhood parking signs and allow time to walk.
2. Step into a Carnival of Curiosities
For a little Halloween atmosphere under a roof, browse a gallery full of circus-inspired imagination. Carnival of Curiosities brings playful and eerie themes together, giving you plenty to talk about on the walk home.
When: Thursday, October 22, noon–6 p.m.; Friday, October 23, noon–9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, October 24–25, noon–6 p.m.
Where: Del Ray Artisans, Colasanto Center, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria.
Free public admission; no gallery reservation or age restriction is listed. Some work has spooky themes. Art purchases and separately ticketed workshops cost extra. Parking charges are not specified on the exhibit page; check posted signs.
3. Discover the Alexandria beneath our feet
We walk past Alexandria’s history every day. This small museum offers a chance to consider what lies underneath it—and how archaeologists, volunteers, and residents piece that story together. It is an easy indoor stop during a waterfront outing.
When: Thursday and Friday, October 22–23, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.; Saturday, October 24, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sunday, October 25, 1–5 p.m.
Where: Alexandria Archaeology Museum, Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union Street, Studio 327, Alexandria.
General admission is free, with no age restriction listed. Individual self-guided visits do not require a listed reservation; organized programs and staff-led tours may carry fees. Union Street has metered parking, nearby residential spaces have time limits, and garages cost extra.
4. Take a walk—and come home with a poem
Former Arlington poet laureate Courtney LeBlanc will lead a short walk with stops to read and discuss nature poems. At the end, she will offer a writing prompt so you can try one yourself. Bring something to write with and let the park supply the inspiration.
When: Saturday, October 24, 10 a.m.–noon.
Where: Lubber Run Park, 300 N. Park Drive, Arlington.
Free; all ages. This is the rescheduled October 3 walk. Register for organizer updates; live ticket availability could not be checked. The event page does not specify parking charges.
5. Give those costumes an early outing
Why save a good costume for one night? Pentagon MMA’s community trunk-or-treat promises candy, music, costume contests, and a chance to admire the neighbors’ decorated vehicles.
When: Saturday, October 24, noon–2:30 p.m.; optional children’s martial arts class, noon–12:30 p.m.
Where: Pentagon MMA Youth Center, 1041 S. Edgewood Street, Arlington.
Free and open to the public. The optional class is for ages 5–16 and requires a waiver linked from registration. RSVP online; vehicle decorators also need to reserve a spot. The parking lot hosts the event, and visitor parking arrangements or charges are not specified.
6. Let live jazz start the weekend
Leave the workweek behind with an outdoor soundtrack. Kemi performs in CityCenterDC’s LOVE SONG jazz series, with Ron Arad’s large-scale art installation providing the backdrop.
When: Friday, October 23, 5–8 p.m.
Where: The Plaza at CityCenterDC, 994 Palmer Alley NW, Washington, D.C., as listed by DowntownDC.
Free admission; no age restriction or ticket requirement is listed. Cocktails and food cost extra, and the limited bar-patio seating is for patrons. Paid parking or transit is additional; Gallery Place–Chinatown is nearby.
Official jazz schedule · Free-admission and location details
7. Go on a Smithsonian safari with Elmo
Little explorers can investigate African wildlife, make art, watch Sesame Street and the Great Elephant Adventure, and meet a costumed Elmo. The museum and WETA PBS Kids are combining a family screening with a morning of hands-on discovery.
When: Saturday, October 24, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.; individual screening and character-meeting times are not separately listed.
Where: National Museum of Natural History, 10th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.; Q?rius on the ground floor. Use the Constitution Avenue entrance.
Free; families with learners of all ages are welcome. No event registration is listed, and museum admission requires no tickets. There is no Smithsonian public parking facility on the Mall; nearby commercial parking, transit, food, and shopping cost extra.
8. Listen lakeside as the witches paddle by
Here is a seasonal sight worth a second look: costumed paddlers out on the water while a dueling-pianos performance keeps things lively on shore. Bring a chair or blanket to Acoustics & Ales: Witchy Waters Edition and enjoy the show.
When: Saturday, October 24, 3:30–6:30 p.m.; the separate Witchy Paddle starts at 4:30 p.m.
Where: Black Hill Discovery Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds, Maryland.
Free to attend, with free on-site parking; all ages. Food, drinks, and s’more supplies cost extra. Shore-side spectators need no listed registration. Paddling is a separate registered activity requiring your own craft; its fee and availability were not verified and it is not included as a free pick. No public transportation serves the park. Weather cancellation would have no rain date.
Pick the outing that sounds like your kind of fun, invite someone along, and give the weekend a little room to surprise you.
