13 Spooktacular Ways to Celebrate Halloween in Montgomery Parks

October 21, 2019

Collage of Halloween Activities -- ice skating, miniature train ride and campfire

Are you looking for a haunted trail or a scary tale sure to cause a fright? Or do you prefer a not-so-spooky train ride, or a hike under the moonlight? Whether you prefer the tricks or the treats of the season, grab your favorite costume and mark your calendar, because Montgomery Parks has a full lineup of Halloween activities for all ages and interests. (Updated, October 22)

1. Halloween Eye Spy Trains
An annual favorite, Halloween Eye Spy Trains are great for families of all ages. Each rider is given a sheet of Halloween-themed items they must try to spy along the train ride through the woods. Costumes are encouraged!

2. Nocturnal Neighbors
Explore the world of your wooded neighborhood after dark! Experience a live animal presentation, join a naturalist for a night hike and activities at the nature center. Then close the evening with a marshmallow roast at the campfire ring!

Friday, October 25 | Three sessions: 5-6 pm, 6-7 pm, 7-8 pm | $8
Locust Grove Nature Center | 7777 Democracy Boulevard | Bethesda, Maryland 20817

3. Halloween Moonlit Hike
This adult-only hike will have us exploring the trails by moonlight as we hear about some of the eerie tales that may have happened in our own backyard! After our hike, sit by the campfire, enjoy a seasonal beer, and hear some more chilling tales of the season; bring your best scary story to participate! Intended for ages 21 and up.

Friday, October 11, 2019 | 7-8:30 pm | $9 per person
Meadowside Nature Center | 5100 Meadowside Lane | Rockville, MD 20855

4. Hide and Seek: Haunted Forest
Spooky objects and strange creatures have been spotted in the forest. Find all the skulls, or you may not get out of the woods alive! Check-in at the front desk any time between 2 pm and 5 pm for the clues. Then work together with your family to find hidden objects in the park along the trails. Register by Friday, October 18 to receive a prize for completing the hunt. Natural surface trails may not be stroller accessible. Severe weather cancels the program. $2 per person. Please register both adults and children over the age of 2.

Sunday, October 20, 2019 | 2-5 pm | $2 per person
Locust Grove Nature Center | 7777 Democracy Boulevard | Bethesda, MD 20817

5. Spooky or Not-So-Spooky Skates

Spooky Skates
Come celebrate Halloween at Cabin John Ice Rink or Wheaton Ice Arena with a haunted rink and Halloween music fun! During the public skate, skaters should come in costume so they can trick or treat at the rink, participate in the costume contest with prizes and giveaways!

Friday, October 25, 2019 | 8:30-10 pm | Fees apply
Wheaton Ice Arena | 11717 Orebaugh Avenue| Wheaton, MD 20902

Friday, October 25, 2019 | 8-10 pm | Fees apply
Cabin John Ice Rink | 10610 Westlake Drive | Rockville, MD 20852

Not-So-Spooky Skates
For those looking for a not-so-spooky celebration, there will be free instructional time for beginners followed by public skating. Skaters should come in costume so they can trick or treat at the rink, participate in the costume contest, and do some Halloween crafts. Skaters under the age of 6 should have a parent participate in the public skating and craft portion of the program. Please register the child only. Intended for ages 3 -14.

Friday, October 25, 2019 | 4:30- 6:30 pm | $20 per person
Wheaton Ice Arena | 11717 Orebaugh Avenue| Wheaton, MD 20902

Friday, October 25, 2019 | 4:15-6:15 pm | $20 per person
Cabin John Ice Rink | 10610 Westlake Drive | Rockville, MD 20852

6. BOOtanica
Gather the family together for a fun evening! Children can dress in their favorite costume, participate in a garden costume parade, paint a pumpkin, try a pumpkin treat, and top the evening off listening to award winning storyteller Gary Loyld present “Pumpkin Tales for the Young telling tales more funny than scary. Space is limited. Register children ages 3 – 12 Parents are free. Intended for ages 3-12yrs.

Friday, October 25 | 5:30-8:30 pm | $18 per person
Brookside Gardens | 1800 Glenallan Avenue | Wheaton, MD 20902

7. Farm Park After Dark
Some of them crawl. Some of them slither. Some of them fly through the dark night sky. They are all creatures of the night! Join us as we shine a light on the common creatures who live their lives while we sleep, learn facts that make them less scary, and overcome your fears through familiarity! Following the program, enjoy an evening at the Farm Park with a campfire, s’mores and hot chocolate! Intended for All Ages.

Friday, October 25, 2019 | 7-9 pm | $10 per person
Agricultural History Farm Park | 18400 Muncaster Road | Derwood, MD 20855

8. Costume Campfires
Come ’round our fire and listen to a tale, of charismatic characters on adventurous trails! It’s a storytime for ages young and old, so listen closely as the magic unfolds. And of course no campfire could ever be complete, without roasting a delicious marshmallow treat. Costumes encouraged. Intended for ages 5-9yrs.

9. Make It and Take It: Halloween Masks
Drop by the Visitor Center and have some fun! We’ll have easy-to-make seasonal crafts that you can make and take home. No registration required; drop-in anytime during program hours! Make creature masks sure to delight on Halloween night or on our Not Too Scary Pontoon ride! Fee is per craft; exact change is appreciated. Intended for All Ages.

Sunday, October 27, 2019 | 10 am -12 pm | $2 per person
Black Hill Visitor Center | 20926 Lake Ridge Drive | Boyds, MD 20841

10. Storytime on the Lake: A Not to Scary Halloween
Join us for a special edition of Storytime on the Lake! Wear your costume and board the pontoon boat for a spirited ride. A naturalist will read aloud some Halloween stories that are sure to make you smile, not scream! All the while, we’ll keep our eyes peeled for mysterious lake creatures. Be sure to dress warmly as it’s often cooler on the lake. Please also register and pay for adults. Meet at the pontoon boat dock by the boat rental area. FOBH $5. Intended for ages 1 and up.

Sunday, October 27, 2019 | 1-2 pm | $6 per person
Black Hill Visitor Center | 20926 Lake Ridge Drive | Boyds, MD 20841

11. Spooky Skull Hike
Can you find the animal skulls hidden in the woods? On this self-guided hike, you’ll walk a short loop in search of skulls, and use clues to identify them. Stop by any time between 2 and 4, and pick up a clue sheet. Get a Halloween treat after identifying all the skulls (or for wearing a costume)! Intended for ages 3 and up.

Sunday, October 27, 2019 | 2-4 pm | Free
Brookside Nature Center | 1400 Glenallan Ave| Wheaton, MD 20902

12. Pumpkin Birdfeeders
It’s migration time! Help our feathered friends traveling south by making a real pumpkin birdfeeder to take home for your backyard avian visitors. We’ll supply the pumpkins! Intended for ages 6-9yrs.

Sunday, October 27, 2019 | 1:30-2:30 pm | $7
Maydale Conservation Park | 1638 Maydale Drive | Colesville, MD 20905

13. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Just in time for Halloween, we’ll watch Disney’s 1949 short film, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” based on Washington Irving’s book of the same name. Afterwards, we’ll paint our own Jack O’Lanterns in a creative attempt to recreate a not-so-scary Headless Horseman. Please bring your own Pumpkins, we’ll supply the art materials to decorate. Intended for ages 6 and under.

Wednesday, October 30, 2019 | 10:30 am -12 pm | Free
Meadowside Nature Center | 5100 Meadowside Lane | Rockville, MD 20855