October Events in DC You Don’t Want to Miss
Fall is here and we couldn’t be more excited. This is the best time to get out and enjoy DC! The temperatures begin to drop, the crowds disperse, and there are endless festivals and events to take part in. Sounds like the perfect conditions to enjoy some October events, right? Between beer and wine festivals and Haloween events, you are in for a real treat this October here in DC. Below is our list of the top six events you don’t want to miss out on this month, and we promise you will enjoy them all!
Mount Vernon Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour
Is there any better way to kick off a fun fall season than with a wine festival and sunset tour? We don’t think so, and neither does Mount Vernon. For the first weekend of October, the Grounds at George Washington’s Mount Vernon will be hosting their annual Wine Festival and Sunset Tour. Enjoy live music, unlimited samples from twenty Virginia wineries, beautiful views of the Potomac River, and a sunset tour of the property. Learn about the history of Virginian wine all while soaking in the breathtaking views. Be sure to get your tickets soon as this event does sell out!
When: October 5th – 7th | 6 – 9 PM
Where: George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Cost: Tickets begin at $38
All Things Go Fall Classic
All Things Go Fall Classic is a two-day long music festival at the historic Union Market. The festival features performances from exciting and emerging artists, a diverse selection of food vendors, and multiple interactive activations. While there will be over fifteen musical performances over the course of the weekend, the major names include Carley Rae Jepsen, Maggie Rogers, Billie Eilish, and BØRNS. You can expect delicious eats from Buredo, Shake Shack, Sweet Green, Timber Pizza Co., and more. On Friday, October 5th, the festival will kick off with Classic Conversations, a multi-session event featuring innovative women in business and music.
When: October 6th – 7th | 12:30 – 11:30 PM
Where: Union Market
Cost: Individual Day Passes – $65 | Two-Day Pass – $95
H Street Festival * Rescheduled
If you want to experience one of the most highly anticipated and attended street festivals in Washington DC, head to H Street on October 13th. The Festival is 11 blocks of live music, performances, children’s programs, heritage arts, and more. Over the span of 12 years, the H Street Festival has grown to a 150,000 participant event in which music and arts are celebrated and appreciated. H Street is a historic neighborhood with a strong focus on the arts, and the festival is an exciting and fun way for everyone to appreciate the neighborhood, its residents, and the importance of art.
When: Saturday, October 13th | Event Schedule TBA
Where: Along H St. between 4th – 14th St. NE
Cost: Free
Air & Scare
Put on your Halloween costume a little early and celebrate with the Air and Space Museum at their annual Air & Scare event. Their Virginia location, Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center, will be decked out in Halloween décor for safe indoor trick-or-treating. With creepy crafts, spooky science experiments, and Halloween-themed activities, this is the perfect family-friendly event to get you into the Halloween spirit. Air & Scare is one of their most popular events and definitely one you do not want to miss.
When: Saturday, October 20th | 12:00 – 5:30 PM
Where: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (Companion Facility to National Air and Space Museum)
Cost: Free
Night of the Living Zoo
If you are looking for the perfect 21+ Halloween event, Night of the Living Zoo is the one for you. Night of the Living Zoo gives party attendees after-hours access to National Zoo exhibits while they enjoy live entertainment, food from local food trucks, craft beers, and good Halloween fun. The event will feature both live entertainment and performers, a costume contest, and an all-night DJ dance party. There is no better place to kick off Halloween weekend than at the National Zoo!
When: Friday, October 26th | 7:00 – 10:30 PM
Where: National Zoo
Cost: Tickets begin at $30
Butler’s Orchard Pumpkin Festival
While it is a bit of a trek from the District, Butler’s Orchard is one of our favorite orchards in the area, and their Pumpkin Festival is the perfect way to spend a fall weekend. Each weekend in October, Butler’s Orchard celebrates the harvest with a weekend full of autumn activities. Go for a hayride, wander through their corn maze, and enjoy food, cider, and more at the Pumpkin Festival. Admission into the festival is $12 and includes several free activities. There are additional activities as well as food options that are an additional fee once you are inside.
When: Every Saturday & Sunday in October | 10 AM – 5 PM
Where: Butler’s Orchard | 22222 Davis Mill Rd Germantown MD 20876
Cost: $12 (Cash Only)