Washington DC Events - Weekend Picks

Looking for some fun this weekend? See a guide to the top events in the Washington, DC area, including Maryland and Northern Virginia.

• Oktoberfests Near Washington DC - Throughout September and October. Enjoy a family fun event focused on German beer, food, music and dancing. See a schedule of events around the region.
  
  
• Pumpkin Festivals in Maryland and Virginia - Through October. Fall festival season begins with a variety of pumpkin festivals around the region. Find out where the best pumpkin patches and fall festivals are in the Washington, DC area and plan an early visit before the crowds.
  
  
• National Book Festival - Sept. 25, 2010, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. National Mall, Washington, DC. Visit with more than 70 award-winning authors, illustrators and poets who will talk about and sign their books.
  
  
• WalkingTown & BikingTown DC - Sept. 25-26, 2010. Enjoy a weekend of free guided tours of the neighborhoods of Washington DC. More than 100 walking tours and 11 bike tours are available offering a great way to explore the nation's capital.
  
  
• DC Fashion Week - Through Sept. 26, 2010. The week-long event includes fashion industry networking parties, an outdoor festival showcasing local designers, designer trunk shows, and an educational seminar.
  
  
• Charity Walks in the Washington, DC Area - The MS Challenge Walk and the Walk for Kids are great charities to support while improving your own health. See these and more walks coming up this fall.
  
  
• National Public Lands Day - Sept. 25, 2010. The nation's largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance America's public lands includes special events to get volunteers to work together to build trails, bridges, remove trash and invasive plants, restore water resources and plant trees. See the events in the DC area and pitch in.
  
  
• Latino Festival - Fiesta DC - Sept. 26, 2010, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Columbia Heights. Celebrate the Latino culture with one of the largest festivals in the nation's capital. International cuisine and lots of live entertainment.
  
  
• National Hispanic Heritage Month - Through Oct. 15, 2010. Celebrate the culture and traditions of Spanish speaking residents who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.
  
  
• Great Frederick Fair - Through Sept. 25, 2010. Frederick Fairgrounds. Musical entertainment, tractor pulls, equine expo and showcase, agricultural events, food.
  
  
• Cirque du Soleil OVO - Through Oct. 24, 2010. Grand Chapiteau (Big Top) at National Harbor. The live acrobatic show is sure to be an unforgettable performance.
  
  
• Architecture Week DC - Through Sept. 30, 2010. Actually three weeks of programs and events where members of the general public and architectural practitioners will get closer to architecture and learn more about the buildings they've always wondered about, like embassies, private residences, cultural centers and historic sites.
  
  
• Maryland Renaissance Festival - Through Oct. 24, 2010. Crownsville, MD. A 16th century English village with crafts, food, live performances, games and lots more.
  
  
• Washington Nationals Baseball - Sept. 24-26, 2010. The Nationals play against the Atlanta Braves. The team will host the third annual Gospel Music Fest following their game on Saturday. Praise 104.1 FM Radio Personality Cheryl Jackson will serve as the emcee and Gospel music performers Tanya Blount, Shawn McLemore and Earnest Pugh will headline the family-oriented concert.
  
  
• City Center Market and Festival - Through Sept. 25, 2010. The event will feature a farmers market, gourmet foods, local wines and brews, live bands and music, exhibitions and displays, arts and crafts, clothing, electronics, antiques, souvenirs and much more.
  
  
• Barracks Row Fall Festival - Sept. 25, 2010, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. 8th St, SE Washington DC. The event includes a Military Chefs Cook Off, tours of the The Home of the Commandants and the Marine Barracks, clowns, magicians, face painters, and contests for kids and more.
  
  
• Dulles Day Family Festival and Plane Pull - Sept. 25, 2010, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Dulles International Airport. Teams of 25 people play a game of "tug of war" against a FedEx jet to raise money to benefit Special Olympics Virginia. The event includes kids games and activities, live music, a car show and military, civilian and World War II-era aircraft on display.
  
  
• Rockville Town Square Jazz Festival & Taste of the Town Square - Sept. 25, 2010, Noon - 7 p.m. Rockville Town Center, Rockville, MD. Enjoy live jazz music, a taste of the town square featuring signature food and drinks from participating restaurants, children's entertainment, prizes, special discounts and more.
  
  
• South Silver Spring Block Party - Sept. 25, 2010, 1-6 p.m., Kennett Street by Acorn Park, Silver Spring, MD. The event will include music, a beer garden sponsored by Silver Spring's newest restaurant Fire Station 1, an international food court featuring Jackie's Restaurant and Ghar-E-Kabob, dozens of booths full of artisans and small businesses, pet adoptions and more.
  
  
• Historic Alexandria Homes Tour & Artisan Show - Sept. 25, 2010, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Alexandria, VA. Six private residences and gardens in Old Town will be open to the general public. The Artisan Show will be held at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House from 9:30 am to 4 pm and will feature handcrafted works by local artists.

For more ideas of things to do throughout the fall, see Fall Family Fun in the Washington DC Area

More Upcoming Washington, DC Events

October Festivals and Events in the Washington DC Area

Best Halloween Events in the Washington DC Area

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