What to Know
- Keep your umbrella handy Sunday as isolated light showers pass over the DC area. Highs will reach the upper 60s
— Congratulations, Mystics! They brought home the WNBA Championship to D.C. — a first for the franchise.
— The Nationals are headed to the National League Championship Series for the first time ever. Rest up this weekend: They're out in St. Louis for Game 2 against the Cardinals, then return to D.C. Monday
— From kid-friendly to downright terrifying, here are the best Halloween haunts and scares in the D.C. area
— You'll definitely want to meet the Cowgirls of Color, the first all-black female rodeo team from the DMV
— Mark you calander for these fall festivals across D.C., Maryland and Virginia
— You have until Dec. 31 to say goodbye to the Newseum
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
Over the Weekend
Welcome home, Bison! D.C.'s historically black college is welcoming alumni and students for a weekend of celebration and school pride. Things kick off Friday with a State of the University Address followed by the Yardfest concert — where a secret lineup of performers will be revealed.
The fun continues on Saturday with more Yardfest, a parade and of course the homecoming football game.
Photos: Famous Howard University Alumni and Former Students
All Things Go Fall Classic
Oct. 12-13
Union Market
The annual music festival is back for another All Things Go-round. The female-artist driven line up includes CHVRCHES, Betty Who, Melanie Martinez and LANY.
Tickets start at $70. They will give you access to all the performances. Merch, food and drinks are available for purchase.
Free Pick
Bethesda Row Arts Festival
Elm Street, Woodmont Street and Bethesda Avenue
Oct. 12, 11a.m. to 6 p.m.; Oct. 13, 10a.m. to 5p.m.
The annual festival is taking over Bethesda once again this year to present a wide variety of artists and media. There's something for everyone, from painting to sculpture to jewelry. Think you'll be priced out? This year, the festival's “stARTer gallery” on Bethesda Lane will connect emerging artists to people looking to start their own personal art collection.
35th Annual Army Ten-Miler (sold out)
Expo: Oct. 11-12, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Race starts on Oct. 13 at 7:50 a.m.
Come cheer on the runners this Sunday at the Army Ten-Miler. The race recommends watching from Independence Avenue, the Kennedy center or the finish line in the Pentagon North Lot. Need some new running shorts? The two-day ATM Expo will be at DC Armory Friday and Saturday and will feature deals on clothing, shoes, accessories and more.
Jack's Pumpkin Glow
Select nights through Oct. 27, including Oct. 4-6
Lake Fairfax Park (1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, Reston, Virginia)
Venture into a pumpkin wonderland with more than 5,000 intricately carved jack-o'-lanterns, where you can soak in the evening glow and see demos from professional pumpkin carvers. Tickets start at $16.99 for kids and $22.99 for adults.
Maryland Renaissance Festival
Weekends through Oct. 20
1821 Crownsville Road, Annapolis, Maryland
Come out to see medieval jousting and street entertainment at the Maryland Renaissance Festival. Dressing up in medieval attire is encouraged. Make sure to bring to bring cash to enjoy the giant turkey legs, mead and dozens of artisans and merchants that create art, pottery, jewelry, and more. Tickets: children $12, adults $27, seniors $23.
Pumpkin Village Festival
Sept. 21-Nov. 5
Leesburg Animal Park (19270 James Monroe Highway Leesburg, VA)
Fall is here, and with it comes pumpkins. This year, the Pumpkin Village Festival in Loudoun County will feature slides, hay rides, face painting and pumpkins all month long.
Photos: Free and Cheap Things to Do in Washington, DC
Fall for the Book Festival
Oct. 10-12
George Mason University (4400 University Dr, Fairfax, VA 22030)
Enjoy readings, discussions, performances and more with 150 authors at this three-day event. Discuss "Why We Should All Be Feminists" with Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie or murder and the FBI with David Grann. All events are free and open to the public, and first come first serve seating.
Mt. Vernon's Fall Wine Festival and Sunset Tour
Oct. 11-13
Various wineries
Enjoy live tunes and spectacular views of the Potomac River at the Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour. Taste samples from 20 Virginia wineries at one of the most popular wine festivals in the Washington, D.C. area. Friday general admission tickets and tables for all three evenings are still available.
Photos: 15 Michelin-Approved Dishes to Try in DC for $15 or Less
Saturday
Fairfax Fall Festival
Oct. 12, 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
Downtown Fairfax (10455 Armstrong Street, Fairfax, VA 22030)
The City of Fairfax will celebrate the 43rd annual Fall Festival. What started out as a small market for artisans to display their wares has grown to a festival with over 400 arts, crafts, information, food & gourmet food vendors, children’s activities and three stages of music and entertainment for all ages. Vendors will end at 5 PM, late night concert in Old Town Square will run from 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Free Pick
Portside in Old Town Fall Festival
Oct. 12, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Old Town Alexandria
This nautical event commemorates Alexandria's maritime history through demonstrations, live music and children's activities on the Old Town waterfront. Local food, beer and wine will be flowing, as well as proceeds from select activities to the Alexandria Seaport Foundation so that they can continue their work of mentoring young people.
Oktoberfest Riverdale Park
Oct. 12, 12 to 8 p.m.
Riverdale Park Station: 6621 Baltimore Ave, Riverdale, MD
For the first time, you can celebrate Oktoberfest at the Riverdale Park Station. Live entertainment, food and beer will be available all day. From noon to 4 p.m., kids entertainment like face painting, pumpkin decorating and other family-friendly entertainment will be available. Don't forget to register in advance for the afternoon Cornhole tournament.
Oktober Pretzel Making
Oct. 12, 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
A Baked Joint (440 K St. NW, Washington, DC 20001)
Get involved in every step of the pretzel-making process during A Baked Joint’s Oktober Pretzel Making event. Salty, sweet, or something in the middle, this event offers a variety of toppings so each person can make their own unique creation. Best of all, you’ll get a recipe and dough starter kit to continue baking at home. Tickets are $75.
Free Pick
Bourbon, BBQ & Blues
Oct. 12, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Rhode Island Row (2300 Washington Place NE, Washington, D.C. 20018)
Don’t miss out on this tailgate-style block party full of the three B’s: Bourbon, BBQ and blues. Sample bourbon to find the perfect drink to pair with D.C.-classic barbecue from places like Carolina Kitchen and Smoke & Barrel. A live blues band will round out the event and ensures you engage all five senses. Participants must be 21 years old with an ID to sample/purchase alcohol and vote in the taste contest.
Gourmet S’mores Campfire Cook Off
Oct. 12, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Brookside Nature Center (1400 Glenallan Ave. Wheaton, Maryland 20902)
You’ll need creativity and flavor to win the Gourmet S’mores Campfire Cook-Off. Three-year-olds, 99-year-olds and everyone in between is welcome to compete for fun prizes. What will you bring to make your s’mores stand out from the basic marshmallow, chocolate and graham cracker crowd? Stick around after the competition for the campfire sing-along. Tickets are $7.
Photos: Free and Cheap Things to Do in Washington, DC
Sunday
Free Pick
2019 Harvest Festival at Capitol Cider House
Oct. 13, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Capitol Cider House (3930 Georgia Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20011)
The second annual Capitol Cider House Harvest Festival is the perfect event to get you in the fall spirit with an apple-themed event. Enjoy apple tasting cider and event apple cider donuts, live apple pressing. Don’t forget to RSVP to this free event to make sure there are enough treats to go around.
Free Pick
Clifton Day Festival
Oct. 13, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Clifton Day Festival is turning 52 years old this Sunday with live music, food and about 150 artisan vendors to choose from. Take the once-a-year opportunity to take a round-trip ride on the Virginia Railway Express from the Clifton station for $5. Portions of the money raised will go to local organizations and nonprofits like the Girls and Boys Scouts and the Lions Club.
Home Game Roundup
- Men's Soccer: Friday at 7 p.m., the US Men's National Soccer team will face Cuba in the CONCACAF Nations League at the Audi Field in D.C.
- Wizards: Sunday at 6 p.m., the Washington Wizards play the Milwaukee Bucks at Capital One Arena
