Columbia Pike Fall Fest
When: Oct. 5, 1-6 p.m.
Where: Adams St. at Columbia Pike
Expect food and drink options—likely including a fair amount of ciders, pumpkin ales and Oktoberfest ales—as well as live music and family-friendly activities at this 5th annual fest. Free admission.
Oktoberfest at The Lot
When: Oct. 6, 1-6 p.m.
Where: The Lot, 3217 10th St. N, Arlington (Clarendon)
There’s a lot planned for this Oktoberfest extravaganza at newish Clarendon beer garden The Lot. Take a step (or dive) into adult sand pits, play an array of games (jumbo bucket pong!), pop into a photo booth and listen to some live tunes. Oh yeah, and there’s food (brats, pretzel necklaces) and drink too, involving branded plastic steins. Pets welcome. Free admission.
Rosslyn Cider Fest
When: Oct. 17, 4-8 p.m.
Where: Gateway Park, 1300 Lee Highway, Arlington
Who needs beer anyway? Learn about a wide variety of ciders (and sample them while you’re at it), or buy it by the bottle (as well as, OK fine, beer and wine) at an outdoor bar. And stick around for the pie-eating contest at 6 p.m., when participants have just 60 seconds to down the whole thing. Tickets $15.
Shucktoberfest
When: Oct. 19, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Village at Shirlington, 2700 S. Quincy St., Arlington
At the second annual Shucktoberfest, more than 40 regional breweries and cideries are participating, plus more than a few oysters. Hop from tent to tent, picking up local bivalves and beer samples along the way. Also find Virginia-made wares and children’s activities (including an intriguing gaming center). Free admission. Beer/oyster tickets $35.