The best fall festivals around D.C. this season
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Oktoberfest at the Wharf brings a fall favorite: The Wiener 500 dachshund dash! Photo: Courtesy of The Wharf
Forget foliage — fall is peak festival season in the DMV.
Why it matters: There's something for everyone — families, dog-lovers, music and food fans, art-lovers and so many Oktoberfests.
Here are festivals you won't want to miss:
Key: 🎉 party, 🎨 artsy, 🎶 music, 🍂 outdoorsy, 😋 foodie, 👶 kid-friendly 🐶 pet-friendly
🎨🎶 | Sept. 18-Oct. 5 | Tickets $25-$65
- Think restaurant week for theater geeks. Snag discount tickets for 20-plus performances around the city — from indie acts to Broadway-level shows. Plus, a bunch of free theater events around town.
10th annual Wundergarten Oktoberfest
🍂🎶🎉🐶 | Sept. 19-Oct. 12 | Free tickets
- NoMa's Bavarian beer garden is going big for their 10th Oktoberfest celebration, starting today with a kickoff party and Bavarian ball.
- Look for special events every weekend — "pawtoberfest," lederhosen parties, foam parties and flowing steins.
Butler's Orchard Pumpkin Festival
🍂👶 | Sept. 20-Nov. 2| Tickets $12-$20
- All the fall fun is here — pumpkin picking, hay rides, cornpool, farm visits and more. Weekends get packed, book tickets online in advance.
🍂🎶👶 | Now through Oct. 19 | One-day tickets $17-$32
- There's RenFair fever this year — all tickets are sold out, but look for refunded tickets on the website on Mondays.
🎨🎶👶 | Sept. 20 | Free
- The biggest arts festival in Prince George's County features 100+ artists and draws thousands for exhibitions, live music, local craft breweries and entertainment.
😋🎉🎶👶 | Sept. 20 | Free RSVP
- One of D.C.'s biggest neighborhood festivals celebrates its 20th anniversary this year with a huge party — live entertainment and dancing across 14 staging areas, contests, family zones and plenty of local eats.
Fall Festival at Magnolia Meadow Farms
🍂👶 | Sept. 27-Nov. 2 | 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; grab them online.
🎉🎶👶 | Sept. 27-28 | 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.
Mid-Autumn Festival Night Market
😋🎶👶 | Oct. 1-2 | Tickets $5 (free for kids under 12)
- Head to Hi-Lawn atop Union Market for their 3rd Asian food and cultural festival. Go for dozens of local restaurants and vendors, baiju and sake bars, mooncakes, lion dancing and DJ Karaoke (pro tip: get tickets soon).
😋🎉👶🐶 | Oct. 4 | Free
- The can't-miss Wiener 500 Dachshund Dash makes 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
😋🎉 | Oct. 4 | Tickets $99+
- The 9th-annual BOWfest at the Hamilton Hotel celebrates Black wine and spirits professionals with tastings, cocktail demos, bottle sales, entertainment and more.
🎉🎶👶 | Oct. 4 | Free (or VIP)
- Celebrate D.C. pride at this outdoor, family-friendly music festival in NoMa featuring live bands playing go-go, Afro rhythms and more.
Mount Vernon Fall Wine Festival
😋 🍂 | Oct. 10-12 | Tickets $50+
- Sample Virginia wines and tour George Washington's historic estate and gardens at sunset amid the fall foliage.
😋🎉 | Oct. 11 | Tickets $75
- D.C.'s biggest craft beer festival is back for its lucky 13th year, taking over Pennsylvania Avenue with 175+ global craft and indie breweries and cideries, two music stages, local eats and more.
Shuck It! Oyster & Beer Festival
😋🎉🎶 | Oct. 18 | Tickets $75
- The 12th annual AYCE oyster and beer festival hosted by Tony and Joe's on the Georgetown Waterfront is packed with local brews and bivalves, plus brats, chowder, and live tunes from The Yachtsmen.
🎶👶 | Nov. 1 | Free
- Everyone's invited to AdMo's neighborhood-wide block party with 100+ bands playing every genre across 20+ stages, from go-go to bluegrass and classic rock (see venue map).