The crisp air, the crunchy leaves, the cozy sweaters, and the goddamn pumpkin spice lattes. All signs point to fall. This time of year brings with it epic festivals, the start of new sports seasons, haunted houses, and sweet concerts. Mark your calendars for the Taste of Georgetown, the H Street Festival, Fiesta DC, Childish Gambino on tour, DC Fashion Week, Art All Night, Snallygaster, the world premiere of Beetlejuice The Musical, Emporiyum, and more. Here’s everything you need to do in DC this fall.
SEPTEMBER
Get down at the 40th annual Adams Morgan Day
September 9
18th Street NW between Columbia Road and Wyoming Avenue
The city’s longest running neighborhood festival will showcase the vibrant community of Adams Morgan with headliner Trouble Funk plus live interactive art demonstrations, history exhibitions, local vendors, restaurant specials, a craft market, and family-friendly games.
Cost: Free
Travel back in time to the Maryland Renaissance Festival
Weekends starting September 8-9 through October 20-21
Crownsville Road, Crownsville, MD
Lords and ladies, we are pleased to announce that DC’s favorite Renn Fest is officially open for the 42nd season. Hoist a stein, don your best tunic, and explore the 27-acre Village of Revel Grove, turkey leg in hand. You’ll find countless performers, jousting competitions, handmade crafts by artisans, and plenty of ale.
Cost: General admission adult tickets start at $19
Party on H Street
September 15
H Street NE
Don’t miss one of the city’s biggest, most popular street festivals that takes over 11 blocks of the H Street corridor with music, dance, fashion, arts, poetry, and more. More than 150,000 people are expected to come out and support local businesses and artists.
Cost: Free
Veg out at DC VegFest
September 15
Yards Park
Vegetarians, vegans, omnivores -- everyone is welcome at this free festival all about plant-based food, now in its 10th year. The day will be packed with culinary demos, live music, more than 100 vendors, vegan food samples, and a beer garden.
Cost: Free
Embrace Latino culture at Fiesta DC
September 15-16
Constitution Avenue & 7th Street NW
This annual festival and parade aims to preserve Latino cultural dance while also showcasing contemporary performances from local civic organizations and schools. It’s expected to draw 200,000 people to watch the medley of performing arts.
Cost: Free
Kick off football season with the Redskins home opener
September 16
FedEx Field
The time has come once again for tailgates and NFL rivalries. Cheer on the Redskins in their home opener against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at FedEx Field.
Cost: Tickets start at $79
See Childish Gambino on tour
September 19
Capital One Arena
Hip-hop star Childish Gambino is stopping in DC on his This is America Tour for one night only. Catch him and special guest Rae Sremmurd live at the Arena.
Cost: Tickets start at $49.50
Watch DC strut its stuff at Fashion Week
September 19-23
Various locations
While we may not beat the madness of NYFW just yet, DC’s fashion scene is making it work. Our Fashion Week includes a show by Ean Williams at Madame Tussauds, an emerging designer show, and the 29th International Couture Collections Showcase.
Cost: Ticket prices for individual shows vary
Get a Taste of Georgetown
September 23
K Street NW between Wisconsin Avenue and Thomas Jefferson Street
Georgetown’s annual neighborhood festival lets guests sample bites from more than 30 restaurants while taking in scenic waterfront views. Participating hotspots include 1789, Chaia, ENO Wine Bar, Georgetown Cupcake, Rí Rá, The Sovereign, Olivia Macaron, Sprinkles, and Via Umbria. There will also be beer and wine available. The event benefits the Georgetown Ministry Center.
Cost: Admission is free, and tasting tickets are available in advance for $22 for 5, $33 for 8, or $44 for 11; prices go up at the door
Sample DC's delicious local agriculture at the State Fair
September 23
Waterfront Station
DC doesn’t have miles and miles of farmland like Virginia and Maryland, but their State Fair is a unique tribute to local agriculture and all things homegrown. Expect traditional farming events along with a competition to find the best mumbo sauce, a pet parade, food trucks, and artisans.
Cost: Free
Stay up all night to explore the DC art scene by moonlight
September 29
Various locations
From 7pm to 3am, eight DC neighborhoods will be taken over by art exhibits, workshops, and performances. Art aficionados can check out painting, photography, sculpture, crafts, fashion, music, dance, theater, film, and poetry throughout the city. The programming will take place in Congress Heights, Deanwood Heights, Dupont Circle, H Street, Minnesota Avenue, North Capitol, Shaw, and Tenleytown.
Cost: Free
OCTOBER
Cheer on the Stanley Cup Champions
October 3
Capital One Arena
Fresh off their epic championship win, the Capitals will begin their home season with a match against the Boston Bruins. Before the game, they’ll unveil their 2018 Stanley Cup banner.
Cost: Tickets start at $227
Eat and drink your way through Taste of DC
October 5-6
Festival Grounds at RFK Stadium
The mid-Atlantic’s largest culinary festival will feature more than 65 restaurants and food trucks along “Restaurant Row.” Plus, there will be beer and wine gardens, entertainment, and a local artisan market.
Cost: Ticket info is coming soon
Prepare to be scared at Shocktober
Weekends starting October 5-7 through November 2-4
Paxton Manor
This legit haunted house invites guys and ghouls in to be terrorized for a good cause. This year, the theme is “Paxton Hall,” a boarding school with a dark past. Expect an evil headmistress, rebellious students, and plenty of spooky surprises. Ticket proceeds go to the Arc of Loudoun, which provides services for people with disabilities.
Cost: Tickets are $35 online and $40 at the ticket office
Hit up All Things Go Fall Classic
October 6-7
Union Market
This annual music festival is the best way to discover artists who are about to be the next big thing. The lineup this year includes established headliners Carly Rae Jepsen, BØRNS, Maggie Rogers, and Billie Eilish, along with a dozen other performers. While you’re discovering a new favorite band, you can also enjoy killer food from Timber Pizza, Shake Shack, Rocklands, and Bun’d Up.
Cost: Tickets start at $59
Try 350 craft beers all in one place
October 13
Pennsylvania Ave NW between 3rd & 6th Streets
Snallygaster, the mid-Atlantic’s largest beer festival, is back with more than 120 brewers from the U.S. and Europe pouring rare and little-known brews, as well as fan favorites. There will also be food trucks, live music, and more. The best part? All ticket sales benefit the Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture's food access work.
Cost: Advanced general admission is $40 (includes 30 food and drink tickets) and VIP early entry is $65; admission is also available at the door for $15 and food and drink tickets and $1 each
Drink local at the Virginia Wine Festival
October 13-14
Gateway Park
At the 43rd annual Virginia Wine Festival, you can taste more than 200 Virginia wines and ciders without having to drive all over the state. Tickets include unlimited samples, and access to concessions and musical entertainment.
Cost: General admission tickets are $40 and VIP tickets are $65
Catch the world premiere of Beetlejuice before it heads to Broadway
October 14-November 18
National Theatre
Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! Tim Burton’s freaky flick is now a musical, and DC will get to experience it before anyone else. You probably know the story, but you’ve never seen it like this before.
Cost: Tickets start at $54
Catch a screening at the first ever Smithsonian African American Film Festival
October 24-27
Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture
With more than 50 films over four days, this festival celebrates African-American culture through cinema. Historic works are juxtaposed with contemporary productions by emerging and veteran filmmakers, all organized thematically around the museum’s collection. Events include screenings, panel discussions, and master classes.
Cost: Individual tickets are $10; packages are available; some events are free
Yuk it up at Bentzen Ball comedy festival
October 25-28
Various locations
BYT and Tig Notaro are at it again with their four-day comedy festival. This year’s lineup includes Phoebe Robinson, Amanda Seales, Jonathan Van Ness, Handmaid’s Tale: The Musical, and more.
Cost: Ticket prices for individual shows vary.
Be a Crafty Bastard and get a head start on your holiday shopping
October 27-28
Lot A at the Capitol Riverfront
While the date for DC isn’t set yet, you’ll want to keep an eye out for the annual Crafty Bastards Arts & Crafts Fair. With more than 100 artists selling jewelry, apparel, artwork, household goods, toys, prepared foods, and furniture, it’s a great place to hunt for a unique gift, an accent piece for your living room, or a one-of-a-kind wardrobe addition.
Cost: TBA.
NOVEMBER
Sip suds at the DC Beer Festival
November 3
Nationals Park
80 breweries will be pouring 200 brews -- including fall seasonals -- at this year’s DC Beer Festival. Enjoy unlimited beer samples while snacking on grub from food trucks, playing lawn games, and jamming to DJs.
Cost: Tickets are $45.
Shop ‘til you drop at the Emporiyum
November 9-11
Dock 5 at Union Market
There’s no shortage of things to eat, drink, and buy at DC’s massive gourmet food marketplace that pops up once a year. Sample goodies and chat with vendors as you shop for gifts or stock up on artisanal staples from local companies like Cucina Al Volo, Buttercream Bakeshop, and Modern Bar Cart, or brands from around the country like Sfoglini, Zesty Z, and Callie’s Biscuits.
Cost: General admission starts at $15; VIP admission is $40
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