Fill up your fall with fun activities. Fancy some new artwork? There’s an event for that. Want to down some beers and oysters? There are outings for that, too. From farm days to bookish nights, October will keep you busy. (Plus, fall festivals are still going strong, scary Halloween happenings are getting started, and area farms are ready to welcome you and the kids with pumpkin patches and corn mazes galore.)
Beginner’s Mind at Friends Artspace
Through Dec. 14
This garage-meets-gallery founded by Margaret Bakke on her family’s property in Woodmont kicks off its fourth season. This group exhibition explores the Zen Buddhist concept of shoshin, or being receptive to new ideas and knowledge. The show features works by 22 artists whose pieces reflect themes of daydreaming, chance and interspecies friendship. // 2400 N. Edgewood St., Arlington (Woodmont)
Movies on the Plaza at Westpost
Oct. 2 and 9, 8 p.m.
Bring a blanket and settle in with the fam to watch Inside Out 2 on Oct. 2 and Flubber on Oct. 9 to round out the free fall movie nights in National Landing. There are plenty of nearby places to grab dinner first, including Asia Bistro, Basic Burger, Bun’d Up, Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken & Wings, Lebanese Taverna, Lucky Danger, and Saigon Saigon. // 1201 S. Joyce St., Arlington (Westpost)
Ballston Mega Market
Oct. 3, 3-7 p.m.
Like a farmers market, but mega. Find conventional and organic fruits and veggies, grass-fed meat, eggs, organic milk and dairy products, baked goods, wood-fired pizza, and more. While you shop, local musician Knox Engler will perform. // 901 N. Taylor St., Arlington (Ballston)
Festival Latinoamericano
Oct. 4, 5-9 p.m.
Originally scheduled for Sept. 27 (before Hurricane Helene interfered), this celebration of Arlington’s Latin American culture will happen a week late. The free event will feature art, food, kids’ activities and live entertainment. Browse the wares of dozens of local artists and enjoy traditional tastes from local chefs, plus dance, spoken word and other cultural performances. // Arlington Mill Community Center, 909 S. Dinwiddie St., Arlington
ARTrageous
Oct. 4, 6-9 p.m.
Arlington Artists Alliance will say goodbye to its space at Gallery Underground in Crystal City at this annual fundraiser. The event includes a silent auction with pieces of art, experiences and items from local shops up for bid. Enjoy live music and refreshments while you browse. Tickets cost $20, and all proceeds benefit the alliance. // 2100 Crystal Drive, Arlington
Art on the Avenue
Oct. 5, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
This 29th annual multicultural and music festival in Del Ray features art by regional jewelers, woodworkers, pottery makers, soap crafters, glass makers, painters, sculptors and fabric artists. Little ones can head to the Kids Art Corner to make their own creations, including painted pumpkins and birdhouses, buzz bots, clay impressions and stomp rockets. Check the schedule for performances on the multiple festival stages and keep energy levels high with eats from vendors such as Rocklands Barbeque & Grilling Co., Cheesetique and The Dairy Godmother. // Along Mount Vernon Avenue, between Hume and Bellefonte avenues, Alexandria
Farm Day in the City of Falls Church
Oct. 5, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
This annual event returns to Cherry Hill Park with a petting farm, pony rides and tours of the historic Cherry Hill Farmhouse. Other activities honoring the site’s bygone days include corn shelling and grinding, pumpkin or birdhouse painting, scarecrow making, and blacksmith demonstrations. Activities cost one to 10 tickets, and tickets are $1 each. // 312 Park Ave., Falls Church
Rosslyn Fall Fest
Oct. 5, 1-6 p.m.
Welcome all things autumn at Gateway Park during this all-ages festival. The fun includes live music by Jessica Allossery and Rock Creek Kings, food trucks, hard cider tastings, and the ever-popular pie-eating contest with pies from Open Road. The event is free, but cider tastings are $15 in advance or $10 at the door and include ciders and brews from Devils Backbone Brewing Co., Starr Hill Brewery and Bold Rock Hard Cider. // 1300 Langston Blvd., Arlington (Rosslyn)
2024 Arlington Art Walk
Oct. 5, 4-7 p.m.
Stops along this third annual self-guided event include galleries, artist studios and public art installations that stretch between Ballston and Clarendon. Take a tour of The Shop makerspace at Central Library (1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington) from 4-5 p.m., have a look inside the Fred Schnider Gallery of Art (888 N. Quincy St., Arlington), and enjoy live painting, music and wine tastings, plus a pop-up exhibit, at Northside Social Arlington (3211 Wilson Blvd., Arlington). The Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington is hosting a Made in Arlington Market on its front lawn (3550 Wilson Blvd., Arlington). If you’re there between 4-8 p.m., check out Art After Hours to celebrate the opening of MoCA’s fall exhibits. You can listen to a podcast about the event, too.
Fall for the Book
Oct. 12, 15, 16, 17 and 18
With a mission of connecting readers and writers, this annual literary festival welcomes a range of authors across several days. On Oct. 12, kids’ book authors (including Fairfax author John Gallagher, who writes and illustrates the Max Meow series) will host sessions downstairs at Old Town Hall in Fairfax (3999 University Drive), while writers of adult books do their thing upstairs. On Oct. 16, Bonnie Garmus, author of the best-selling Lessons in Chemistry will speak about the novel at the George Mason University Concert Hall (4373 Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax). Check out the full schedule here.
Snallygaster
Oct. 12
Self-described as “the District’s biggest & beastliest beer festival,” this 12th annual event includes 450 draft beers, casks, gravity kegs and bottle pours from more than 175 producers. Food trucks and two stages of live music are also on tap. Ticket prices are $75 for general admission, a commemorative tasting glass and unlimited beer, wine and cocktail tastings; or $150 for early-admission VIP access, which gets you two extra hours at the event. Snallygaster is the largest annual fundraiser for Alexandria’s Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture, a nonprofit dedicated to creating a more equitable and sustainable local food system in the D.C. area. Note that there is a family-friendly section with activities such as face painting and pumpkin decorating that’s free for everyone younger than 12 and $10 for those older. // Pennsylvania Avenue, between Third and Seventh streets, N.W.
McLean Pet Fest
Oct. 13, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
This free event at the McLean Community Center invites leashed furballs to join their humans to listen to free music, partake of Fido’s Bone Bar, pose at the photo booth and show off their talents at pet trick shows. Costumes are welcome at the 3 p.m. pet parade. // 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean
Oyster Wars
Oct. 13, 2-6 p.m.
Shell out some time for this sixth annual event, where chefs from across the Eastern Seaboard—including Matt Hill of Arlington’s Ruthie’s All-Day, a Best of Arlington 2024 winner, and Daniel Le of Falls Church’s Nue—will showcase their talents through tastings. Find a la carte brewery selections at a cash bar. Tickets cost $65-$90 and include oysters and the chefs’ tastings. A portion of each ticket sale will support the Oyster Recovery Partnership. // The Salt Line, 79 Potomac Ave., S.E., Washington, D.C.
Falls Church Halloween Window Painting Festival
Oct. 5-Nov. 3
Calling all artists! Here’s your chance to paint The Little City red—or orange and black. This 16th annual event welcomes young painters to deck out local businesses’ windows with autumnal holiday scenery. Register for a spot and pick up supplies at Mr. Brown’s Park on painting days (Oct. 5, 6, 13 and 14). Presented by Falls Church Arts, this community art project is free for participants, but a donation of $10 will help defray the costs. // Mr. Brown’s Park, 100 block of West Broad Street, City of Falls Church
NASA at Settle Down Easy Brewing Co.
Oct. 14, 6-8 p.m.
Hear from astrophysicist Sandra Cauffman and telescope manager Lee Feinberg as they discuss the “Spooky Universe”—mysterious topics in the astrophysics realm, such as black holes and dark matter. Admission is free, and the drink menu is long. // 2822 Fallfax Drive, Falls Church
Practical Magic Viewing Party
Oct. 18, 7-9 p.m.
Catch an outdoor screening of the 1998 PG-13 film starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as two witch sisters at The Boro in Tysons. Guests can also get predictions from a palm reader (and get a drink ticket for one midnight margarita) and buy soaps and lotions from a local vendor. Bring your own lawn chair or blanket. // 8350 Broad St., Tysons
Gather at The Crossing
Oct. 19 and 20, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Clarendon’s central gathering space will fill with URBN Market vendors, the sounds of live music and the tempting aromas of foods for all tastes. Activities for kiddos are also on deck. // 2800 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Fairlington Semi-Annual Free Clothing Swap
Oct. 20, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Bring fall and winter clothing that you’re ready to part with to this event at the Fairlington Villages Community Center parking lot, founded nine years ago by Alexis Mahoney and her late best friend Kristen Jacobs Johnson. Mahoney describes it as “an awesome event where you can shop for free clothing, shoes and accessories for all folks (babies, kids, women and men).” You do not need to donate to shop. // 3005 S. Abingdon St., Arlington (Fairlington)
Busboys & Poets
Hidden Gems: Halls Hill/High View Park Community Treasure Hunt and Walking Tour
Oct. 26, 10:30 a.m.
Learn about the rich history of the Halls Hill community through an interactive tour at High View Park. You’ll discover landmarks, hear interesting stories and connect with neighbors. The treasure hunt/walking tour runs from 10:30 a.m.-p.m., while the Kid Treasure Hunt in the park for the under 10 set happens 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Enjoy a community party from 12-4 p.m. with face painting, a moon bounce and DJ. // 1945 N. Dinwiddie St., Arlington
Moore Fun Weekend at Upside on Moore
Oct. 26, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
Oct. 27, 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
The new food hall in Rosslyn will host a two-day autumn celebration coinciding with the Marine Corps Marathon. Activities include live music, face painting and magic shows for kids, specialty cocktails and seasonal beers for adults at the Bar at Upside, and culinary options from the food hall’s eight local vendors. Admission is free. // 1700 N. Moore St., Arlington (Rosslyn)
Halloween at The Boo-ro
Oct. 26, 1-4 p.m.
Celebrate spooky season with a pet-friendly party that includes a Best in Show Costume Contest for animals, Halloween-themed kids’ crafts, trick-or-treating opps, pumpkin decorating, and activities such as palm readings, glitter tattoos and face painting. The rain date is Oct. 27 and admission is free. // 8350 Broad St., Tysons
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Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience
Oct. 26-Dec. 8
If you have (or are) a Harry Potter fan, this interactive adventure will be right up your (Diagon) alley. In the woods of Leesburg’s Morven Park International Equestrian Center, scenes from the popular book and movie series come to life as visitors stare down a Hipogriff, Nifflers and use wands (provided on the trail) to cast spells. It takes 60-90 minutes to walk the trail, which is stroller- and motorized scooter-friendly. On-brand food and drinks (hello, butter beer) will be available. Tickets start at $45 for adults and $30 for children. Kids 2 and younger are free. // 41580 Sunday Morning Lane, Leesburg