Clear your calendars so you can fill them again with all the fun activities happening as summer turns into fall. Save the dates for outdoor concerts, festivals, film screenings, plant sales and pickleball on the National Mall.
Jazz4Justice
Sept. 2, 7-8:30 p.m.
Enjoy an evening at Mr. Brown’s Park in The Little City with free music by the Meridian High School Jazz Combo, followed by special guest Doug Gately on jazz flute accompanied by the Jazz4Justice All Stars. Take your place on the bandstand, too, during the community jazz jam. Jazz4Justice has hosted more than 70 concerts in Virginia and D.C. and raised more than $700,000 for jazz, educational and charitable legal services. // 100 West Broad Street, Falls Church
Sio Roho Yangu—Not My Soul Screening
Sept. 5, 7-8:30 p.m.
McLean Project for the Arts will host a free screening of this independent short film, which tells the story of a slave confined to a sweltering hot box as punishment for her defiance and how she fights to survive, drawing on memories and her spirit. Co-producer Joe Coleman, who also created the music for the film, will be at the event. RSVP here to attend. // 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean
Mount Vernon Fall Plant and Garden Sale
Sept. 7, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
No need to buy a ticket for ol’ George’s house. This sale will take place in the overflow parking lot, so you can pick up perennials, trees and shrubs, including seeds or cuttings from plants growing on the estate and native plants that support local ecology. Some of the plant types that will be available include sycamore trees, chokecherry bushes and butterfly weed. Note that on Sept. 14 and 15 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., the estate will host the Colonial Market & Fair (included with admission), where Colonial artisans will sell handcrafted food and wares. // 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon
Strong Start Saturdays
Saturdays, 8-10 a.m., through Oct. 26
Every Saturday morning, National Landing’s Water Park outdoor food hall transforms into the ultimate fitness destination with rotating classes that focus on high-intensity interval training, lower and upper body workouts and more. The sessions are free and open to the public. Bring a yoga mat and water bottle, and leave time to refuel afterward at one of this Best of Arlington 2024 winner‘s many tempting dining options. // 1601 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
Rosslyn Jazz Fest 2024
Sept. 7, 1-7 p.m.
Head to Gateway Park for an afternoon of great music and community at the 32nd annual free jazz festival. The lineup includes NPR’s Tiny Desk and GLOBALfest stars El Laberinto Del Coco, bringing bomba fusion from Puerto Rico. You can also listen to New Orleans’ 2024 Grammy nominees The Rumble, the Gullah-jazz roots music of two-time Grammy winners Ranky Tanky, and D.C. singer-songwriter Cecily. Want to preview the performers? Check out the Jazz Fest 2024 Spotify playlist. // 1300 Langston Blvd., Arlington (Rosslyn)
Third Annual Hispanic Heritage Community Festival
Sept. 7, 2-5 p.m.
Tyrol Hill Park will transform into a party venue with music, popcorn, snow cones and meet-and-greets with Arlington County Police Department officers and community leaders. This event is hosted by several local groups, including the Arlington Schools Hispanic Parents Association and the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office. // 5101 Seventh Road, S., Arlington (Forest Glen)
OVO by Cirque du Soleil
Sept. 11-15
One of the newest productions from the world-renowned circus art group, OVO depicts the world of insects and their interactions through acrobatic segments that are often funny and always impressive. Expect to see crickets bouncing on trampolines and a spider contorting on her web. Tickets start at $49. // Capital One Arena, 601 F St., NW, Washington, D.C.
Falls Church Festival and Taste of Falls Church
Sept. 14, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The 48th annual fall festival returns to the grounds outside of City Hall with a beer garden, live music, children’s entertainment, pony rides, craft booths and tastes from more than 15 local restaurants and food vendors. Admission is free. Tickets required for food and beverages. // 300 Park Ave., Falls Church
26th Annual St. Mark DC Egyptian Festival
Sept. 14-15, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Time travel to northeast Africa at this event, themed “Beyond the Pharaohs.” Taking place at St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church, the exhibit will feature life-size replicas of King Tut, the Rosetta Stone and Biblical treasures found in Egypt. Visitors can explore the Old and New Testaments and their connections to Egypt, and view a wide collection of religious artifacts marking the start of the Coptic Christian era. During the festival, enjoy live music, a bazaar and kids’ activities, but if you can’t make it to that, the exhibit will also be open Sept. 21-22, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission is free. //11911 Braddock Road, Fairfax
The Cast of Beatlemania
Sept. 20, 8:30 p.m.
The Fab Four from across the pond will come to life in this show at the State Theatre starring former cast members of the Broadway production who have performed it in all 50 states and more than 20 foreign countries. The British Invasion may have happened in the 1960s, but the music is timeless. The show tracks the band’s evolution as it rose to world domination. Tickets are $22 in advance, $25 the day of the show. // 220 N. Washington St., Falls Church
PARK(ing) Day
Sept. 20
On the third Friday of September, this annual event turns parking spaces into tiny parks to advocate for safer, greener and more equitable streets. Want to create your own parklet? The cost to apply is $43, and the deadline is Aug. 31. Even if you hit a red light on creating your own, you can walk around to see the vignettes your neighbors have made. Find a map of the converted parking spots closer to the event date.
Perchfest
Sept. 20-21
The 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
HQ2 Community Day
Sept. 21, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Celebrate Amazon’s first anniversary at National Landing with children’s activities, interactive art installations, lawn games music, a community library, a live DJ and, of course, food in the form of a culinary scavenger hunt. It leads to samples of the many offerings at Met Park. Plus, more than 50 local farmers market vendors will be selling their produce and handmade goods. // 510 14th St. S., Arlington (National Landing)
Samuel Beckett’s Celtic Festival
Sept. 21, 12-7 p.m.
Dust off your kilt and maybe some walking shoes, because this party is shutting down Campbell Avenue in the Village at Shirlington. You’ll be able to sip and stroll through the area, enjoying traditional Irish music, dance, food and drinks. Shop the pop-up makers market, too. The family-friendly event is free to attend, although food and drink carry separate charges. // 2800 S. Randolph St., Arlington (Shirlington)
Arlington Visual Art Studio Tour
Sept. 21-22, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Artists all across the county will open their workspaces to the public during this 7th annual free studio tour, with works for sale and the opportunity to meet the creators in person. The two-day showcase features South Arlington studios on Saturday and North Arlington studios on Sunday. Find printed tour maps with studio locations at Arlington art venues and public library branches. // Multiple locations throughout Arlington
Mosaic Fall Festival
Sept. 28 & 29, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
The Mosaic District event will feature the FRESHFARM Farmers Market, URBN market with 90-ish vendors, 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. Catch live performances by Kevin Olson, Groovalicious, Ocho de Bastos, Uncle Jesse and more. Admission is free. // 2920 District Ave., Fairfax (Mosaic District)
Because They’re Funny
Sept. 27-29
Coming to D.C.’s Wharf, this comedy festival, courtesy of the producers of the American Black Film Festival, features BIPOC comedians. Former SNL cast member Leslie Jones and Average Joe’s Deon Cole will headline the event, which includes a “Breakout Comedian of the Year Competition” and sketch comedy master class. Get tickets here.
National Mall of Pickleball
Sept. 27-29
With a theme of “One for the Ages,” this event celebrates America’s newest pastime: pickleball. Take a swing at it during a clinic with the D.C. Pickleball Team (DCPT) or book a court in advance to play at the JFK Hockey Fields on the National Mall. More comfortable on the sidelines? Spectator programming includes Media Match, a competition between Washington Post players and other members of the national press corps; the DMV Invitational Tournament, in which local leagues vie for the title of pickleball champion; and the DCPT Showcase, a tourney among pro players. Want to pick up a paddle in Virginia? Read our story about NoVA pickleball courts, leagues and drop-ins. // 1964 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C.
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 along with performers such as the fan-favorite 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)
Summer Bark Bash
Sept. 29, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Paws in the DMV and Snouts & Stouts will host an outdoor block party with 40-plus vendors offering treats for pups and their humans. They include pet food maker Pet Wants Falls Church, Arlington-based The Muddy Mutt groomer and Alexandria’s Pawfectly Delicious Dog Treats, which employs adults with disabilities. Doggos can romp in kiddie pools and splash pads, test their skills on Canine Cardio’s agility course, snack on doggie ice cream from Salty Paws Ice Cream Truck, get their portrait painted, and enter a best-trick competition. Don’t have a dog—yet? Adopt one from an organization at the event. // 2079 S. Oakland St., Arlington (Green Valley)