You played their 1992 hit album New Miserable Experience, ordered from the RCA Record Club; couldn’t stop singing “Til I Hear It From You” after viewing Empire Records for the 50th time; or drove around town with your friends blasting “Hey Jealousy.” If you came of age between 1985 and 1995, you probably have a fond memory whose soundtrack is a Gin Blossoms song. Unlike some bands you loved in your youth that refuse to play old hits (paging “Creep” refuseniks Radiohead), the Gin Blossoms are road warriors—its members play around 120 shows every year and have done so since 2001. Read more >>> Gin Blossoms perform at 7:30 p.m. at the Howard Theatre, 620 T St. NW. $32.50–$38. (202) 803-2899. thehowardtheatre.com.

EAT THIS

Satellite Room is kicking off Halloween with its first annual Pumpkin Fest tomorrow from 2 to 5 p.m. For $15, guests will get unlimited pumpkin pie from Whisked!, kolaches from Republic Kolache, empanadas from Mama Nada’s Empanadas, and more. Boozy pumpkin shakes will be available for $8 and rail drinks, draft beers, and wines will go for $5 all day long. Don’t forget to wear a costume because the best dressed will win $500. Tickets are available here. Satellite Room, 2047 9th St. NW. (202) 506-2496. satellitedc.com. (Jessica Sidman)

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A HALLOWEEN PARTY…

Clarendon Halloween Bar Crawl Enjoy drinks at more than a dozen Clarendon establishments at this annual event that awards prizes for the best costumes. Participants receive raffle tickets, party favors, and a commemorative mug with their admission fee. IOTA Club & Café. 2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. $20–$30. Oct. 31, 1 p.m. (703) 522-8340.

D.C. Halloween Crawl Explore some of Dupont Circle’s busiest bars on this organized bar crawl through the neighborhood. In addition to the Front Page, the event includes stops at the Bottom Line, Rumors, the Mad Hatter, Ozio, and many other restaurants and bars. Deals include $2 Yuenglings, $3 Smirnoff drinks, and $4 haunted shots. The Front Page. 1333 New Hampshire Ave. NW. $15–$30. Oct. 31, 3 p.m. (202) 296-6500.

Del Ray Artisans Halloween Costume Party Come dressed in costume and mingle with monsters and artists at this party presented by the Alexandria art gallery, which will display work from its “ Skeletons: Exploring Under the Surface” exhibit on the walls. Del Ray Artisans. 2704 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria. $5. Oct. 31, 8 p.m. (703) 838-4827.

HA!lloween: Part Theme Party, Part Comedy Show, All Hallows’ Eve Dana Fleitman hosts this evening of spooky standup comedy that features a costume contest and mummy wrapping activities in addition to sets by Jamel Johnson, Elahe Izadi, Tok Moffat, Alyssa Cowan, and Isaac Hirsch. Bier Baron Tavern. 1523 22nd St. NW. $10–$13. Oct. 31, 5 p.m. (202) 293-1885.

Halloween Brunch Costume Contest Enjoy your brunch with a side of elaborate costumes at this celebratory meal. Post a photo of your costume to Instagram and be entered to win a $75 gift card for a future meal. Masa 14. 1825 14th St. NW. $39. Oct. 31, 10 a.m. (202) 328-1414.

The Halloween Circus Enjoy burlesque performances and live music from local artists at this Halloween celebration hosted by the creative minds behind Church Night. Black Cat. 1811 14th St. NW. $10–$12. Oct. 31, 9 p.m. (202) 667-4490.

Halloween on the Arts Walk The weekly farmers market gets in the Halloween spirit with costume contests for kids, adults, and pets, themed snacks, and trick-or-treating at various artists’ studios. Monroe Street Market. 625 Monroe St. NE. Free.
Oct. 31, 9 a.m. (866) 339-1487.

Halloween on the Row Shop and celebrate the fall at various Bethesda Row shops. Kids can pick up treats, while adults can receive discounts and coupons from different retailers. Bethesda Row Cinema. 7235 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda. Free. Oct. 30, 5 p.m. (301) 652-7273.

“Hell Is…” Halloween Party The Black Sheep Contingent, Fweetonian, and Gabby DiPasquale perform at this show that doubles as a fundraiser for local theater company Nu Sass Productions. Admission fees also grant attendees discounts on food and drinks throughout the night. The Pinch. 3548 14th St. NW. $15. Oct. 31, 7 p.m. (202) 722-4440.

The Man Who Laughs Get in the Halloween spirit by watching this spooky movie based on Victor Hugo’s novel about the disfigured Gwynplaine and the blind woman who he loves. The look of Gwynplaine served as inspiration for the Joker character in the Batman comics. Alden Theatre. 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean. $8–$12. Oct. 31, 2 p.m.
(703) 790-0123.

Night of the Living Zoo See the animals up close and enjoy snacks and craft beer from a variety of local food trucks and breweries at this annual Halloween celebration. National Zoological Park. 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW. Sold-out. Oct. 30, 5:30 p.m. (202) 633-4800.

Nightmare at the Howard feat. Team Familiar Celebrate the end of Halloween with a spooky go-go show at the Howard. Howard Theatre. 620 T St. NW. $27.50–$60. Oct. 31, 11 p.m. (202) 803-2899.

Nightmare on K Street Celebrate Halloween with music from funk cover band Covered With Jam, who collaborates with Beck tribute act the New Pollution and Phish-influenced act the Last Rewind. Winners of the evening’s costume contest receive two tickets to a future performance at the club. Gypsy Sally’s. 3401 K St. NW. $13. Oct. 31, 8:30 p.m. (202) 333-7700.

Scary League: A Story League Halloween at the Kennedy Center! Storytellers from D.C. and around the nation share their spookiest tales while dressed in costume at this free Halloween event. Kennedy Center Millennium Stage. 2700 F St. NW. Free. Oct. 31, 6 p.m. (202) 467-4600.

OH, AND ALSO …

SATURDAY: Whether you’re a Balanchine aficionado or a dance noob looking for an introduction to American ballet that won’t leave you squirming before intermission, this weekend’s performance by the Suzanne Farrell Ballet at the Kennedy Center will reward. The company is premiering two new additions to its repertoire—“Walpurgisnacht Ballet” and “Emeralds”—both by Balanchine; the latter is a classic from the choreographer’s seminal Jewels ballet. “Emeralds” should breeze by: It’s abstract (which means don’t try to pick out a plot because there isn’t one) but only about a half-hour long. Read more >>> The Suzanne Farrell Ballet performs at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Kennedy Center Opera House, 2700 F St. NW. $20–$119. (202) 467-4600. kennedy-center.org.

SUNDAY: Members of the Polyphonic Spree never intended, despite their matching white choral robes and choreographed dance moves, to resemble a cult, like the identically dressed adherents of Heaven’s Gate. The group’s mission was to create orchestral arrangements reminiscent of the Beach Boys and Beatles that featured vocals inspired by Ozzy Osbourne and hope that from that mix, an audience would grow. Read more >>> The Polyphonic Spree performs with Telegraph Canyon at 7:30 p.m. at the Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria. $35. (703) 549-7500. birchmere.com.