Your ultimate guide to fall festivals in the D.C. area
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Oktoberfest at the Wharf. Photo: Courtesy of The Wharf
Fall is peak festival season in the D.C. area, and tickets to popular events are live.
Why it matters: There's something for everyone β music and food, cultural celebrations and plenty of outdoor fall fun.
Here are festivals you won't want to miss:
Key: π party, π¨ artsy, πΆ music, π outdoorsy, π foodie, πΆ kid-friendly πΆ pet-friendly
ππΆπΆ | Sept. 14-Oct. 20 | One-day tickets $17-$32
- The huge Ren Fest near Annapolis spans over 45 seasons. Don your 14th-century finest (costume rentals available) and revel among kings and courtiers in the festival village.
ππΆπΆ | Sept. 13-15 | Tickets $15-$20 (free under 21)
- The celebration of Ukrainian food and culture includes traditional music and dancing, a Kozak beer garden, craft market and kids activities.
Hispanic Heritage Month Festival
πππΆ | Sept. 15 | Free
- Latin marketplace La Cosecha kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month with an all-day festival filled with live music, dancing, a Tango demo and a floral workshop.
- There are tons of activities throughout the month, including Alpaca Happy Hours and a Pupusas and Wine Night.

ππΆππΆ | Sept. 20-Oct. 13 | Free tickets
- Get ready for a month of Oktoberfest and Dogtoberfest fun at the Noma beer garden, which kicks things off with a keg-tapping ceremony and hosts special weekly events.
Fall Festival at Magnolia Meadow Farms
ππΆ | Sept. 21-Oct. 27 | Tickets $15-$20 (free for kids 2 and under)
- The home of Maryland's biggest corn maze goes all-out for autumn with pumpkin picking, apple cannons, hayrides and campfires. FYI: Passes often sell out early.
π¨πΆπΆ | Sept. 21 | Free
- The biggest arts festival in Prince George's County draws thousands for exhibitions, live music, local craft breweries and entertainment.

πππΆπΆ | Sept. 21 | Free
- One of D.C.'s biggest neighborhood festivals stars live entertainment and dancing across 14 staging areas, contests, family zones and plenty of local eats.
Mid-Autumn Festival Night Market
ππΆπΆ | Sept. 25-26 | Tickets $5 (free for kids under 12)
- Head to Hi-Lawn atop Union Market for a huge Asian food festival with stalls from Tiger Fork, Baan Mae and more, lion dancing, and DJ Karaoke.

π¨πΆ | Sept. 26-Oct. 13 | Tickets $20-$60
- Think restaurant week, but for theaters. Snag discount tickets for 30-plus performances around the city, plus a free kickoff fest at Arena Stage and events like a historical theater walking tour.
ππ¨πΆ | Sept. 27-28 | Free
- The city's overnight art festival runs from 7pm-3am in all eight wards with a huge variety of visual and performing arts.
- Dine All Night (Sept. 19-29) showcases culinary arts at local businesses that will offer special menus.
ππΆπΆ| Sept. 28-29 | Free
- The massive celebration of Latin food and culture, which started in Mount Pleasant in the '70s, takes over Pennsylvania Avenue with a parade, music, food vendors and all-day festivities.
Mount Vernon Fall Wine Festival
π π | Oct. 4-6 | Tickets $50+
- Sample Virginia wines and tour George Washington's historic estate and gardens at sunset.

πππΆπΆ | Oct. 5 | Free
- Stein-hoisting contests, free-flowing beer and the can't-miss wiener dog race make this one of the best Oktoberfest celebrations in the city. Don't forget your lederhosen for polka dancing on the pier.
Black-Owned Wine and Spirits Festival
ππ | Oct. 5 | Tickets $75+
- The 8th-annual BOWfest at the Capital Turnaround celebrates Black wine and spirits professionals with unlimited tastings, food and a VIP lounge.
ππ | Oct. 12 | Tickets $75
- D.C.'s biggest craft beer festival is back for its 12th year, taking over Pennsylvania Avenue with 450+ brews, ciders, wines and cocktails, plus local eats and live music.

Shuck It! Oyster & Beer Festival
πππΆ | Oct. 19 | Tickets $65+
- The 11th annual oyster and beer festival hosted by Tony and Joe's on the Georgetown Waterfront is packed with local brews and bivalves, plus brats, chowder, live music and more.
ππΆπΆ | Oct. 26 | Free
- The outdoor, family-friendly music festival in NoMa celebrates D.C. artists and musical styles, from jazz to go-go, plus a vinyl record fair, food vendors, a youth village and more.
πΆπΆ | Nov. 2 | Free
- Everyone's invited to AdMo's neighborhood-wide block party with 100+ bands playing every genre from go-go to bluegrass.
