Autumn in the DMV is awesome: The humidity breaks and temperatures are, well, temperate. It’s no wonder there’s so much to do this time of year. Add to your list these seasonal outdoor festivals, complete with live music, mega slides, wine tastings and kids’ activities galore. They’re a can’t-miss part of the season.
Falls Church Festival and Taste of Falls Church
Sept. 14, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
The 48th annual fall festival in the Little City returns to the grounds outside of City Hall with a beer garden featuring brews by Audacious Aleworks and Solace Outpost, plus live music, including funk/R&B cover band Flashback, party cover band Mars Rodeo and the Latin pop rock group Ocho de Bastos. Rounding out the festivities: children’s entertainment, pony rides, craft booths and tastes from local restaurants and food vendors, including Harvey’s, The Falls, Badd Pizza, Fava Pot and a whole lot more. Admission is free. Tickets required for food and beverages. // 300 Park Ave., Falls Church
Reason 2 Rock Music Festival
Sept. 14, 12-8 p.m.
Jam out at Solace Outpost for a good cause at this event that benefits HopeLink Behavioral Health, a nonprofit providing suicide intervention services. Performers include Ladywood (featuring our own Greg Hamilton), Champagne Velvet, Neighborhood Watch, The Walkaways and Swooner, with special guest DJ L Boogie. Tickets cost $20 for everyone 18 and up, with all proceeds going to HopeLink; anyone younger gets in free. Come and go as often as you’d like, just keep that wristband on for reentry. // 444 W. Broad St., Falls Church
Cox Farms Fall Festival
Sept. 14-Nov. 5
This uber-popular annual event in nearby Centreville attracts thousands of fall fans of all ages. The littlest guests can safely enjoy the Kiddie Zone, a fenced area with activities such as bubbles, a small slide and straw mountain, a wooden train and more. Slightly bigger youngsters can zoom down slides, navigate straw-covered tunnels, try their hand at farm chores, test their strength on the rope swings and visit with goats. Can’t miss attractions for everyone include a hayride, live musical performances and the Cornundrum corn maze. Prefer a good scare? Go on Friday or Saturday nights (plus Oct. 13) to Fields of Fear. Admission runs from $10-$40, depending on when you go. Tickets are only available online and sell out quickly on busy days. //15621 Braddock Road, Centreville
Perchfest
Sept. 20-21
Celebrate the season high in the sky when this biannual festival returns to the 11-story-high Tysons sky park known as The Perch. Play mini golf at Perch Putt, listen to local music, sip craft beer from Starr Hill Biergarten, take a free fitness class and shop a pop-up market. Work out any muscle soreness from all that fun on Sept. 20 with a free massage from Nothing in Between, a nail salon and spa at Capital One Center, and then refuel with Thai street food from Sisters Thai, the latest newcomer to the neighborhood’s restaurant scene. Get tickets to see Shrek the Musical, which has five performances Sept. 20-22 at Capital One Hall. Perchfest is free to attend with a recommended donation to Miriam’s Kitchen, an organization working to end homelessness. // 1805 Capital One Drive, Tysons
View this post on Instagram
Green Valley Community Day
Sept. 21, 12-5 p.m.
Celebrate this Arlington neighborhood with food, family-friendly games and live entertainment by performers such as Suttle Squad, Mambo Sauce and Body of Evidence. Happening at Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary School, the Arlington County Police Department will close 24th Street South from Shirlington Road to South Kenmore Street and South Kenmore from 24th Street South to Shirlington Road from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. to accommodate the event. // 3500 S. 23rd St., Arlington, and 2400 S. Kenmore St., Arlington (Green Valley)
Pumpkin ’n Friends Fall Festival
Sept. 21, 12-3 p.m.
Enjoy three hours of autumnal fun The Little City’s Founders Row. This free event promises live music, pumpkin painting, carnival games, free popcorn and more fall festivities. Plan on lunch or an early dinner at one of the many eateries there, including Ellie Bird, which has a kids’ menu; Nue; and Chasin’ Tails. // 109 Founders Ave., Falls Church
2024 Festival Latinoamericano
Sept. 27, 5-9 p.m.
Dedicated to celebrating Arlington’s vibrant and diverse cultures, this free event will feature Latin American art, food and culture. Browse the wares of dozens of local artists and enjoy traditional tastes from local chefs all with the backdrop of live performers. // Arlington Mill Community Center, 909 S. Dinwiddie St., Arlington
Clarendon Day
Sept. 28, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Celebrate one of Arlington’s most popular going-out spots at this annual street festival. Groove to Captain Seawalker’s Yacht Rock Party and fan-favorite local band Collective. Between breaks, stroll vendor booths and sample food from local and regional restaurants, craft beers, and Virginia wines. Spanning seven blocks, the fun also includes a kids’ zone with free activities, an 18-foot inflatable slide, obstacle course, crafts and glitter tattoo station. Participating restaurants include Ambar Clarendon, Circa, Colada Shop, Delhi Dhaba and Smokecraft Modern Barbecue. // 3100 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Harvest Happenings
Sept. 28, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
The McLean Community Center will host this indoor/outdoor festival, which will have live entertainment, a petting zoo, crafts and games. Stop by the pumpkin patch to buy a round orange gourd to decorate. // 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean
Mosaic Fall Festival
Sept. 28 & 29, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
This annual Mosaic District event in partnership with URBN market fills the streets with 100-plus vendors selling handmade and artisan wares, another 60 showcasing fresh produce and snacks, plus a beer garden courtesy of Caboose Brewing Co., a wine garden, BASH Boxing fitness demonstrations, and tons of children’s activities, including a Glamour Tent by Vienna Singing Princesses with free face painting and hair braiding. Stop by the petting zoo to snap pics with alpacas from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. both days, or pose by the Merrifield Garden Center-curated selfie stations. You can also catch live performances by Kevin Olson, Groovalicious, Ocho de Bastos, Uncle Jesse and more. Admission is free. // 2920 District Ave., Fairfax (Mosaic District)
Virginia Beer Festival
Sept. 28. 4-9 p.m.
National Landing’s Water Park, a Best of Arlington 2024 winner, will host its first beer festival with plenty of family-friendly activities. Enjoy lawn games and a photo booth, plus music from a DJ from 4-5:30 p.m. and then a concert by Arlington-based Relaxed Fit, a ’90s and ’00s cover band, from 6-9 p.m. // 1601 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
Queen City Mischief & Magic Festival
Sept. 28-29
If you’re a family of avowed “Potterheads” and up for a 2.5-hour road trip, head out to Staunton for this annual festival that transforms the Shenandoah Valley town into a magical realm of witches, wizards and strange creatures, with attractions such as Quidditch matches, potions workshops, a snake show, a wand shop, butterbeer and some seriously stellar character costumes. Read our full story about this spellbinding weekend of fun. // Staunton, Virginia
Rosslyn Fall Fest
Oct. 5, 1-6 p.m.
Gateway Park will be home to live music, food trucks, a beloved pie-eating contest and other revelry. Admission is free, unless you want to get tickets for the cider tastings, which will set you back $15 in advance and $20 at the door. // 1201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Rosslyn)
Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour
Oct. 4-6 p.m., 6-9 p.m.
Sip unlimited samples from Virginia wineries after George Washington’s estate closes to visitors. Spread a blanket on the East Lawn, which overlooks the Potomac River, and listen to live tunes from Bruce Ewan and The Solid Senders while tasting a variety of wines. Concessions from the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant will be available for purchase. Check the website for admission prices. // 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon