Fall is festival season around D.C. β beer, art, oysters, you name it.
Why it matters: Crisp temps and fun themes, outdoor frivolity at its best!
What's new: Free citywide festival Art All Night is going bigger across all eight wards with a huge variety of visual and performance events Sept. 29-30.
A new culinary arts component, Dine All Night, runs Sept. 21-Oct.1 with more than 60 participating restaurants across the city showcasing their artistry.
Be smart: Snag festival tickets early β even November events are selling out.
Lederhosen, wiener dog races, and free-flowing beer are all part of the celebration.
Can't make it? There are tons of other Oktoberfest events through the month, including a month-long party at Wunder Garten (Sept. 15-Oct. 15) and a Decade of Dacha celebration featuring polka, food/drink specials, and pretzel-eating contests (Sept. 16-Oct. 1)
The huge rennfest near Annapolis, now more than 45 seasons, is the place to don costumes (rentals available) and revel throughout the festival village.
The home of Maryland's biggest corn maze goes all out for fall with pumpkin picking, apple cannons, hayrides, and campfires.
Mid-Autumn Festival
ππ | Dates and prices vary
The moon festival, traditional to Chinese and other Asian cultures, is celebrated around D.C. Tickets are available for a huge outdoor night market and food festival at Hi-Lawn (Sept. 20-21); a Vietnamese culture celebration at Eastern Market (Oct. 1); and Chang Chang mooncakes.
The 7th-annual BOWfest celebrates Black wine and spirits professionals with a variety of events leading up to the big party on Saturday, including mixology happy hours (Sept. 25-27) and a whiskey tasting (Sept. 25).
Maggie Rogers and Lana Del Ray headline this sold-out musical festival at the Merriweather Post Pavilion (join the waitlist for additional ticket releases).
D.C.'s biggest craft beer festival is back for its 11th year, taking over Pennsylvania Avenue with 350+ brews, ciders, wines, and cocktails, plus local eats and live music.