We're bringing the weekend fun. Try out a zombie lurch, a Vespa giveaway, an authentic Oktoberfest beer garden, or watching the Marine Corps Marathon.
Looking for spooky good times? Check out our list of Halloween events this weekend.
Thursday, October 25: Get ramped up for the Halloween weekend with Marquis at Napoleon (1847 Columbia Rd., NW; 202-299-9630). The DJ night will play host to three local DJs and offer $3 rail drinks until midnight, plus plenty of opportunities to dance. Things get started around 9:30 PM.
Get spooked at the Omni Shoreham tonight, when the hotel escorts guests through the “haunted” suite 870 while Washingtonian contributor Eric Nuzum (author of “I Ain’t Afraid of No Ghost” in the November issue) shares his sleepover experience inside the possessed suite. Over the years, housekeeping carts have gone missing, guests have reported “gusts of wind” when windows were closed, and lights have randomly flickered at 4 AM. Even better: There will be Halloween-themed drinks, like Witch’s Grog, Pumpkin Margarita, and “Embalming” Juice. Admission is free; get more details here.
Ever dream of zooming around the city on a stylish scooter? Try your chances tonight at Cafe Saint-Ex (1847 14th St., NW; 202-265-7839), where there will be a contest to win your very own Vespa. Peroni will offer drink specials and other prizes, and downstairs will be a DJ/dance night. The drink specials and Vespa showcase start at 7 PM.
Friday, October 26: End the week on a relaxing note and primp for the weekend at the After Work Nail and Make-Up Party at Cusp in Georgetown (3030 M St., NW; 202-625-0898). The store will have nail polish from Chanel and cosmetics from Bobbi Brown and Jemma Kidd, with experts on hand to help you touch up. For more beauty and style events, see our new weekly roundup and newsletter.
AFI’s Halloween Film Series brings horror movies to the big screen—among them, cult favorites The Wicker Man from 1973 and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre from 1974. But tonight’s event may be the spookiest of all. The Silent Orchestra will provide background music for F.W. Murnau’s 1922 vampire classic, Nosferatu (AFI members $15, nonmembers $20, under age 12 $5). 8633 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring; 301-495-6720. 7 and 9:30 PM. Purchase tickets here.
Last Train Home, the popular alt-country band from Washington that’s now based in Nashville, plays through the weekend at Iota (2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington; 703-522-8340). Shows at 9 tonight and Saturday; 2 PM all-ages show Sunday. $12.
Saturday, October 27: Take a look at these photos from last year and tell me you don’t want to be part of this year’s annual DC Zombie Lurch. Pretty much what it sounds like, the event encourages folks to dress up in their best zombie outfits, convene at the Washington Monument, and, well, lurch around like zombies. It’s creepy, it’s gory, and it’s a hell of a lot of fun. This year, the zombies are even going to compete in a mass group dance to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” They’ll eventually end up at Club Midnight (1707 L St., NW) for more dancing as well as drink specials. So break out the fake blood and braaaaains, and gather round the monument at 6 PM to get in on the fun. For details on how to join up, click here.
Round out the month in a proper way by heading up to Blob’s Park (8024 Blob Park Rd., Jessup; 410-799-0155) for its final weekend of Oktoberfest. The area’s largest German beer garden hosts a special Saturday Oktoberfest celebration, with the traditional Bavarian dance group the Washingtonia Schuhplattler Verein. The $20 entrance fee gets you a dinner buffet of authentic Bavarian food, live polka music from the Rheinlanders, and general Oktoberfest fun. 7 PM; call 410-799-0155 for more information.
Sunday, October 28: It’s time for the annual Marine Corps Marathon. No, I’m not suggesting you run it, but it’s one of the finest spectator events to watch in the area. There’s nothing like heading out on a crisp fall day to watching (and cheer on!) thousands of people winding their way through the streets of DC and Virginia. The race starts at 8 AM at Arlington National Cemetery but will take runners all over the area on their 26.2 miles. For spectator tips and locations, click here.