NOVA This Week (10/29): "Soul Searcher" by Sundiata Ramin

Don't Miss This Week

Arlington's library system turns ghost-story night into a potluck with Bring Your Own Supper Club - Spooky Edition!, a Halloween-season look at the county's own haunted lore — bring a dish, swap a story.

Over at DC Public Library, go-go historian Sundiata Ramin discusses "Soul Searcher", a conversation centered on Chuck Brown and the roots of go-go — a chance to hear DC music history from someone who lived it.

Thursday, October 29

Civic errand: Fairfax County residents can knock out early voting at Herndon Library on the way to the rest of the week's plans.

Halloween gets a head start around the region: Georgetown families can swing by an Outdoor Halloween Party, DC kids can hit a neighborhood-library Trunk-or-Treat, Loudoun toddlers get a Storytime at the Airport with a runway view, and grown-ups looking for something spookier can book A Grave Misunderstanding Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre.

Friday, October 30

Halloween-eve programming leans family-friendly: there's a Halloween Dance Party, a Sensory-Friendly Trick-or-Treat built for kids of all abilities, a hands-on Cardboard Costumes workshop, and Arlington's free Afternoon Tea and a Movie: "Hocus Pocus".

Teens have their own night with After Hours Teen Center: Loki Karaoke, while the art crowd can costume up for the Carnival of Curiosities: Masquerade Party & Closing Reception.

Saturday, October 31

Halloween proper: Union Market hosts a Halloween Spooktacular Trick-Or-Treat, Oakton Library runs bingo, games and crafts at Halloween Fun at Oakton Library, and Loudoun's Adaptive Recreation Fall Fest pairs an inclusive gathering with a local talent showcase.

For spookiness with substance, a UDC professor leads All About Bats in the District on the bats that actually live in Washington, and the District Horror Creatives Short Film Showcase screens locally made horror shorts.

Fairfax voters can also squeeze in early voting at Herndon Library.

Sunday, November 1

Latin American culture: the region marks Día de los Muertos two ways — an Evening Picnic celebration and a program at the National Portrait Gallery — while Ashburn Library hosts classical guitarist Osvaldo Gold playing Latin American repertoire.

Cook something: Hill Center's Silk Road series turns to Moroccan Chicken with Preserved Lemon.

Library regulars have a Pokémon Scavenger Hunt for the kids and a Writers Group at Beatley: November Is for Noveling for anyone eyeing a November draft.

Monday, November 2

Games night: Arlington offers Learn and Play Mahjong at Glencarlyn, Loudoun runs Agatha Christie Trivia, and kids can chase a hidden T. rex in Scavenger Hunt: Dinovember.

Teens get a stranger offering: Monday Mix-Up: Ghost Hunting hands out thermal-imaging cameras for a paranormal search, alongside a Pop-Up Teen Art Gallery showcasing local teen artists.

Families can also catch Storytime in the Reading Garden, an outdoor session that's sticking around as the weather cools.

Tuesday, November 3

Bilingual and hands-on: Columbia Pike hosts Cuentos para niños / Stories for Children, and Alexandria pairs LEGO building with space exploration in STEM Explorers: Space Shuttle Legos.

For book lovers: Arlington's book club tackles Read Between the Lines: "Stone Yard Devotional", newcomers welcome, while Alexandria Library hosts a virtual conversation with Indigenous Medicine Woman Asha Frost in Reclaiming Your Inner Wisdom.

Teens can roll dice through a dinosaur-themed campaign at Duncan and Dragons Teen, and makers can get certified on Arlington's Shop Class: Glowforge Laser Cutter.

Wednesday, November 4

Arlington's biggest author night of the season, Arlington Reads: Jessica B. Harris, marks the series' 20th anniversary alongside the country's 250th.

Smithsonian Associates connects past and present in Gaudí's Vision: Heritage, Innovation, and the Future of Design, and Arlington hosts a practical conversation on Solo Aging: Strategies for Building a Supportive Future.

Families have two low-key options: a Jigsaw Puzzle Swap for puzzle fans and a bilingual evening session, Cuentos en pijama para niños / Pajama Storytime.

• More: Arlington's Copperwood Tavern runs a themed Passport Wine Dinner.

Thursday, November 5

Alexandria pairs two creative, slow-paced gatherings: Carefull Knit & Crochet, a craft circle with a community-care mission, and Celebrating Poet Mary Oliver, a guided poetry workshop open to beginners.

Arlington covers both history and present-day hardship: Before Virginia: Native American Life in Northern Virginia offers a hands-on look at Indigenous history, while the Federal Workers Support Group gives peer support to those affected by layoffs.

Alexandria rounds out the day with a free screening of The Devil Wears Prada 2 and a STEM-minded Kids' Club with Code Ninjas Arlington.

Friday, November 6

Global nights out: Diwali takes over two venues — the Smithsonian-adjacent Asia After Dark | Diwali Festival and Bollywood Diwali Nights at Decades DC — while the Austrian Embassy hosts a full Viennese Ball with live orchestra, dinner and dancing.

Westover Library puts an election-season spin on story hour with Family Storytime: Voter's Edition.

Art shoppers on a budget can check out the $125 and Under art exhibit opening reception.

Saturday, November 7

Nationals Park turns into a beer garden for the 2026 Fall DC Beer Fest, with more than 80 breweries pouring.

Smithsonian Associates offers two hands-on creative sessions: A Walk on the Wild Side with Photomontage and a repeat run of the Celebrating Poet Mary Oliver workshop.

For something more unusual, the Mexican Cultural Institute hosts a Day of the Dead Embassy Gala, and Arlington opens its archives for a Center for Local History Open House.

Sunday, November 8

Shop local: bargain hunters can browse the Carpe Librum Pop-Up Used Book Sale, which benefits Turning the Page, and the Pop-Up Gallery Monthly Creative Market, pairing local art and handmade goods with a beer garden.

Games close out the week with Bring Your Own Team: An Improv Show, where audience members help build the scenes, and the recurring Board Game Afternoon at Central.

All Week

• Pets get their own costume contest at Howl-O-Ween: A Halloween Pet Party on Courthouse Plaza.
• Explore Alexandria's spooky side on two wheels with Le Tour d'Alexandria Library.
• Downtown families can stop by Trick-or-Treat at MLK Library.
• The DMV marks the holiday with a Día de los Muertos Halloween Fiesta.
• The National Arboretum hosts its Fall Festival 2026.
• A distinctive craft session blends folklore in Halloween Art Workshop: Enchanted Forest Spirits & Beasts of Ukraine.
• Logan Circle gets its costumed brunch with Halloween DC Drag Brunch.
• Embassy Row turns into a country-by-country candy route for International Trick or Treating of the Embassies.
• Georgetown's historic gardens host Trick or Treat at Tudor Place.
• Loudoun's adult book club meets at a vineyard for Adult Book Club: Book Tasting.