Dates & times
All times are local to the venue · America/New York
- 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM
These are the previously published dates. Check the organizer for a new edition.
Check the organizer’s latest schedule ↗Fall 5K & Festival pairs a Halloween race with garden learning
Garlic planting and sweet potato harvesting are on the Halloween calendar at the U.S. National Arboretum. They’re part of the Fall 5K & Festival on Saturday, October 31, 2026, a day that also includes a run or walk and a festival open to people who skip the race.
A festival rooted in the youth garden
The Washington Youth Garden offers a way to connect the festival to the arboretum’s everyday work. The garden grows food crops and teaches garden-based science to children and families; for the festival, visitors can learn about planting garlic and harvesting sweet potatoes.
Gardeners can also shop for ornamental and edible bulbs at the festival sale. The lessons and sale offer different ways to engage with plants: one focuses on growing and harvesting food, while the other gives visitors a chance to choose bulbs for their own gardens.
Further reading: Seasonal Festivals & Plant Sales - Friends of the National Arboretum ↗ · VISIT - Friends of the National Arboretum ↗
Choose the course, the costumes or both
The 5K welcomes walkers as well as runners, with the course closed to cars. Friends of the National Arboretum, or FONA, says race proceeds support its work at the arboretum; first-place finishers receive commemorative pint glasses.
Festival activities offered by DC Squared begin after the race start and do not require race participation. Halloween plans include a costume contest, trick-or-treat stations and a “Thriller” dance party, alongside lawn games and family activities. Local food trucks are also planned.
For a garden-focused visit without the 5K, the youth garden learning and bulb sale are natural choices; families looking for Halloween activities can also plan around the costume contest and trick-or-treat stations. Individual activity times have not been announced.
Further reading: Fall 5K & Festival - Friends of the National Arboretum ↗ · Seasonal Festivals & Plant Sales - Friends of the National Arboretum ↗
Race and festival timing
The race and festival have separate start times; festival-only visitors can plan around the later start.
Saturday, October 31, 2026 · Race
- Fall 5K race start
Saturday, October 31, 2026 · Festival
- Festival activities begin
Planning your visit
Check the race details
FONA links to 5K registration. Check the registration link for the race fee; the festival can be enjoyed without entering the race.
Fall 5K & Festival - Friends of the National Arboretum ↗ · Seasonal Festivals & Plant Sales - Friends of the National Arboretum ↗
Free activities and optional purchases
General arboretum admission and the listed family activities are free. Bulbs are sold, and local food trucks are planned; festival-wide admission conditions are not specified.
Fall 5K & Festival - Friends of the National Arboretum ↗ · Seasonal Festivals & Plant Sales - Friends of the National Arboretum ↗ · VISIT - Friends of the National Arboretum ↗
Getting to the arboretum
R Street entrance and parking
The event is at the U.S. National Arboretum, 2400 R St NE, Washington, DC 20002. The R Street entrance is open to cars and pedestrians. Parking is free in marked lots throughout the grounds; do not park on roadsides or grass.
Fall 5K & Festival - Friends of the National Arboretum ↗ · VISIT - Friends of the National Arboretum ↗
Transit, bikes and access
No rail line goes directly to the arboretum, but there are nearby bus stops. FONA recommends Metro’s Trip Planner for finding a route. A Capital Bikeshare hub is outside the R Street entrance, which FONA also recommends for rideshare pickup.
For accessibility information about individual collections, consult the arboretum’s Gardens & Collections pages. Event-specific access arrangements are not stated.
Before you make a plan
Can I visit the festival without entering the 5K?
Yes. FONA says race participation is not required to enjoy the festival.
Seasonal Festivals & Plant Sales - Friends of the National Arboretum ↗
Can I walk the race?
Yes. The 5K course is open to both runners and walkers and closed to cars.
Seasonal Festivals & Plant Sales - Friends of the National Arboretum ↗
What does it cost to attend?
Arboretum admission and parking are free, and the event lists free family activities. Check the race registration link for the 5K fee; festival-wide admission conditions are not specified.
Fall 5K & Festival - Friends of the National Arboretum ↗ · VISIT - Friends of the National Arboretum ↗
Are there activities for children?
The festival lists family activities, lawn games and trick-or-treat stations. The Washington Youth Garden also teaches garden-based science to children and families.
Fall 5K & Festival - Friends of the National Arboretum ↗ · Seasonal Festivals & Plant Sales - Friends of the National Arboretum ↗ · VISIT - Friends of the National Arboretum ↗
Can I buy plants or food?
FONA lists ornamental and edible bulbs for sale and plans offerings from local food trucks.
Seasonal Festivals & Plant Sales - Friends of the National Arboretum ↗
Location & Google Maps
U.S. National Arboretum
2400 R St NE, Washington, DC 20002
Map search by venue and address. Check the organiser’s entrance details before travelling.