Beach season may be over, but as the crisp autumn air approaches, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy all the food, drinks and art that the season has to offer. These D.C.-area events will make saying goodbye to summer a little less painful.
Adams Morgan Day
Sept. 11, noon-6 p.m.
Experience all that the quirky neighborhood of Adams Morgan has to offer with food, music and vendors along 18th Street. Free admission.
H Street Festival
Sept. 17, noon-7 p.m.
Celebrate the H Street neighborhood and support local businesses with food, music, crafts and performances along H Street from 4th to 14th Streets. Free admission. Past events have featured everything from tattoo contests to dog beaches.
Snallygaster DC
Sept. 17, 1-6 p.m.
Named after a terrifying mythical beast, the Snallygaster beer festival features more than 300 craft brews and ciders, along with food trucks and live music at the Yards Park in Southeast D.C.
The Scene
The most fun things to do and places to be in D.C., Maryland and Virginia
Bluegrass on the Farm
Sept. 17, gates open at 11:30 a.m.
Groove with featured performers Danny Paisley and Southern Grass or Tom Mindte and the Patuxent Partners, or bring your own instruments to the Agricultural History Farm Park in Montgomery County and jam with fellow bluegrass enthusiasts.
District Oktoberfest
Sept. 17-18, noon-8 p.m.
Celebrate the rambunctious German holiday at six different venues in Chinatown. Tickets will get revelers a 12-ounce beer at each location and specials on food and additional drinks.
FiestaDC Latino Festival
Sept. 18, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Live performances, vendors, dancing and a parade are all part of this celebration of Latino culture. The festival, which has been going strong for more than 40 years, will be held on Pennsylvania Avenue NW between 3rd and 7th streets. Free admission.
D.C. Fashion Week
Sept. 21-25, multiple events
Looking for some wardrobe inspiration? Attend one of many stylish events during a week of entertainment and industry for District and international trendsetters alike. Some events free.
Library of Congress National Book Festival
Sept. 24, 8:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
Bookworms can attend panels and talks on a range of literary topics by authors including notable horror author Stephen King. King's talk, which will be held at 11 a.m., is free, though attendees must request a ticket in advance. Free admission.
DC Vegfest
Sept. 24, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Veggie lovers can explore booths by more than 130 vendors with free samples, cooking demonstrations and live music at the Yards Park SE. The first 1000 attendees will receive a free tote bag with samples and coupons. Free admission.
Turkish Festival
Sept. 25, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Travel across the globe and experience authentic Turkish food, live music and dancing along Pennsylvania Avenue NW between 12th and 14th streets. Free admission.
Taste of Georgetown
Oct. 1 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sample the signature dishes of 35 restaurants, listen to live jazz and enjoy the scenic Georgetown waterfront along K Street NW between Wisconsin Avenue and Thomas Jefferson Street at this longstanding foodie festival.
Taste of Bethesda
Oct. 1, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Samples from 60 different vendors and five entertainment stages will be sure to please food aficionados looking for a new favorite restaurant. The scrumptious event will be held in Bethesda's Woodmont Triangle.
Fall Wine Festival and Sunset Tour at Mount Vernon
Oct. 7, 8 and 9 from 6-9 p.m.
Savor live blues music, views of the Potomac River and fine wine at the historic homestead of George Washington. Attendees will also have a chance to meet "George" and "Martha."
Taste of DC
Oct. 8, 1-8 p.m.; Oct. 9, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Eat, drink and be merry at this District-wide celebration of all things culinary. More than half a mile will be devoted to sampling the best of D.C. restaurants. The entrance to the festival will be at 7th Street NW and Pennsylvania Avenue NW.
All Things Go Fall Classic
Oct. 8; doors open at 11:30 a.m.
Head to the gorgeous Yards Park (355 Water St. SE) for a massive outdoor music festival featuring Empire of the Sun, Passion Pit, Sylvan Esso and more. Tickets are $75 in advance, $99 the day of the show, and $150 for VIP passes.
Bethesda Row Arts Festival
Oct. 15, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Oct. 16, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
More than 190 artists will display a variety of eye-catching work from sculptures to fibers to drawings. Art lovers can catch the festival on Bethesda Row at Woodmont Avenue, Bethesda Avenue and Elm Street. Free admission.
Maryland Renaissance Festival
Saturdays and Sundays through the weekend of Oct. 22-23
Go back in time to a village in the woods for jousting, jugglers and plenty of special events, including a Celtic celebration, pirate weekend and more. Snack on everything yummy, from hot apple dumplings to fish and chips to crab cake sandwiches, and shop among dozens of vendors.
