It’s time to get your fall on!
Festivals across D.C., Maryland and Virginia will let you enjoy culture, food, music, art, beer, wine and more during October and November 2022.
2022 Fall Festivals in Washington, D.C.
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Boo at the Zoo (Oct. 29-30, 5:30-8:30 p.m., $25 members/$35 nonmembers): Bring kids ages 4-12 for a night of trick-or-treating, plus after-hours access to the animals at the National Zoo.
Adams Morgan Apple Festival and Pie Contest (Saturday, Oct. 29, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., free): Throw your best pie into the ring by registering in advance (register ASAP) or sample heirloom apples.
DC Beer Fest (Saturday, Nov. 5, noon to 8 p.m., $50-$90): Endless samples of craft and seasonal beers will be flowing at Nationals Park, plus you can hit up food trucks and lawn games.
2022 Fall Festivals in Maryland
Butler's Orchard 42nd Annual Pumpkin Festival (Through Oct. 30, $10 for weekdays and $15 for weekends if purchased online, Germantown): Enjoy pumpkin picking, corn hole games, hayrides, a twisted corn maze and more.
Graver Farm Fall Fun Fest (Through Oct. 31, $12, Mt. Airy): The festival's 65 attractions include a corn maze, farm animals, jumping pillows, pedal carts and photo props.
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Washington International Horse Show (Oct. 24-30, free to $10, Upper Marlboro): Horse lovers can head to the Prince George’s Equestrian Center for contests, exhibitions, brunches and more. Want to take little ones? There will be two free kids' days: one at National Harbor on Saturday, Oct. 22 and another at the main venue on Saturday, Oct. 29.
Maryland Christmas Show (Nov. 18-20 and 25-27, $4 for kids and $10 for adults, Frederick Fairgrounds): Are you on Team Christmas Can’t Come Soon Enough? Close out the fall season by visiting this expansive fair with artisans, local vendors
Festival of Trees (Nov. 25-27, $10-$20, Lutherville, Maryland): The weekend after Thanksgiving, kickstart holiday fun by seeing hundreds of decorated Christmas trees and gingerbread houses. Timed tickets are required.
2022 Fall Festivals in Virginia
Loudoun Veg Fest (Sunday, Oct. 30, 11 a.m.–4 p.m., free, Hillsboro): Calling all veggie lovers. Local makers of eco-friendly and cruelty-free products, cooking demos, animal rescues and family-friendly entertainment are on the menu at this all-vegan festival.
Art on the Avenue (Nov. 12, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., free entry, Del Ray): This huge arts festival returns to Alexandria’s Del Ray for its 27th year, featuring more than 300 artists, four stages of live music and hands-on crafts for kids. It was rescheduled from Oct. 1.
Past Festivals
D.C.
Unite the District Fest (Oct. 7-9, $45-$90): Audi Field will host two days of live music, art, food and drinks leading up to Sunday’s D.C. United vs. FC Cincinnati game. Festival tickets come with all-inclusive food and beverage sampling from local restaurants and breweries.
Dreaming Out Loud Fall Festival (Saturday, Oct. 8, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., free): Farm-to-table food, pony rides, music and games will be at this family-friendly festival at Kelly Miller Middle School.
Snallygaster (Saturday, Oct. 8, 2-6 p.m., $65): Fill your commemorative tasting glass with unlimited samples of 350 beers, wines and ciders in downtown D.C.
DC Africa Festival (Saturday, Oct. 8, 2 p.m., free): A taste of African cultures with music, food, art and all-ages activities will take over Meridian Hill Park.
Capital Jewish Food Festival (Sunday, Oct. 9, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., $15-$50): Local restaurants will highlight the Jewish culinary scene. Along with tastings, cooking demos and workshops, D.C.-based author Michael Twitty will discuss his new book “Koshersoul: The Faith and Food Journey of an African American Jew.” Admission prices include tasting tickets.
Adams Morgan Pedestrian Zone (Sunday, Oct. 23, noon to 10 p.m., free): A stretch of 18th Street will be closed to cars and transformed into a runway. A fashion show will kick off at 2 p.m. — look for a red carpet outside 2424 18th Street NW. Fashionable furry friends can't miss the pet costume contest at 5 p.m., either.
Día de los Muertos (Sunday, Oct. 23, 2-5 p.m., free): The Wharf is marking Day of the Dead with music, a beer garden, face painting and sugar skull decorating.
Maryland
Oxon Hill Farm Festival (Oct. 22, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., free entry, Oxon Hill): Enjoy live entertainment, including music and dance, plus food at this free fest.
Taco, Beer, Tequila Festival (Oct. 22-23, $55-$85, National Harbor): Three tacos, unlimited beer pours and tequila tasting, a margarita and live entertainment come with all tickets.
Bladensburg 280th Anniversary Celebration (Saturday, Oct. 22, 3 to 7 p.m., free, Waterfront Park): Say happy birthday to Bladensburg with live performances, food trucks and fun activities.
Bethesda Row Arts Festival (Oct. 8-9, free entry, Bethesda Row): More than 165 artists will showcase and sell their work along four blocks.
Ramble Festival (Oct. 7-9, ticket and parking prices vary, Darlington): If you’re looking to check out a groovy music festival, Camp Ramblewood has the setlist for you. Featuring the best in jam, grass and brass, Ramble Festival has a lengthy program of artists. The all-weekend pass includes camping.
International Edgar Allan Poe Festival and Awards (Oct. 8-9, free to $200, Baltimore): Commemorating the 173 years since Edgar Allen Poe’s death, this festival will host live music, house tours and food vendors. General admission is free, or you can purchase tickets to special programming. It’s a great way to kick off spooky season with activities available virtually and in person.
Gaithersburg Oktoberfest (Sunday, Oct. 9, noon to 5 p.m., free, Kentlands Old Farm and Downtown): Bring the whole family for a day of live entertainment, Bavarian music, dancing and fall activities and of course beer, mead and cider. Food will be available for purchase. Admission, shuttles and parking are free.
The Maryland Renaissance Festival (Weekends through Oct. 23, $15-$30, Annapolis): Hear ye, hear ye: Maryland's ren fair is back for its 46th season with jousting tournaments, turkey legs and costumed revelers aplenty in Revel Grove near Annapolis. Make sure to buy tickets in advance. Here's our preview.
Virginia
Mount Vernon Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour (October 7-9, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., $43-$59): Sip like George Washington would have in this after-hours festival at the first president’s estate.
Prince William Country Fair & Auctions (Saturday, Oct. 8, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., $12.50 in advance, $15 at gate, Bristow): Get in on all your classic fair fun — rides, games, animals, food — to benefit Youth for Tomorrow, which provides care to at-risk youth and families in crisis. This was rescheduled from Oct. 1 due to rain.
Sarah Mattalian and Nuria Diaz Munoz contributed to this guide
