You'll have to fit two seasons worth of fun into one weekend: Saturday is the last day of summer, making Sunday the first day of fall. Here are our top picks as you say goodbye to beaches and hello to Oktoberfest and scarves.
But first:
— Halloween season is upon us! Get ready to be spooked:
Where: 9518 Workhouse Road, Lorton, Virginia
nLocated on the site of a former prison, this popular attraction promises to keep you entertain you with heart-pounding scares even as you wait in line. is Madhaunter's Madhouse is recommended for ages 13 and up, and attendees are advised to dress comfortably for all the running away you'll want to do.
Where: 501 Olney-Laytonsville Road, Olney, Maryland
nWith names like the "Trail of Terror" and "Slaughter Factory," Field of Screams in Olney is sure to get your heat pumping. When you're done getting scared, you can enjoy s'mores, and funnel cake next to one of the venue's 15 bonfires.
Where: 601 Catoctin Circle NE, Leesburg, Virginia
nThis 3-level haunted manor promises to have people jumping out of their skin but for a good cause. The spooky annual event is a fundraiser for The Arc of Loudoun at Paxton Campus.
Where: 935 Fairlawn Avenue, Laurel, Maryland
nYou could run into a real ghost at this haunted attraction. After having a paranormal experience at the abandoned movie theater, the owners of Laurel's House of Horror had ghost hunters come to the theater to do an investigation, and they found signs of "other-worldly activity," according to the attraction's website. In addition to possibly spotting real ghouls, Laurel's House of Horror says guests can explore their haunted house or escape rooms.
Where: 16000 Theme Park Way, Doswell, Virginia
nHundreds of monsters will roam the fog-draped park hoping to scare you for Halloween Haunt. In addition to the creepy cast of characters, the annual event features eight mazes, five scare zones and live entertainment. For smaller guest, the park will host the Great Pumpkin Fest in Planet Snoopy during the day.
Where: 13710 Central Ave., Woodmore, Maryland
nThis year's Fright Fest promises two new haunted houses called "The Crypt" and "Total Damnation." The park will also have four new shows that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Friendly ghosts and ghouls will fill the park during the day, but the park says activities after 6 p.m. are recommended for ages 13 and up.
Where: 6340 Oak Shade Road, Harrisonburg, Virginia
nThis haunted attraction is in its 13th season, but don't let that scare you off from its fear forest, haunted hayride or fear factory. This day trip is sure to complete your Halloween experience.
Where: 19120 Martinsburg Road, Dickerson, Maryland
nAfter you hike through one of Markoff's terrifying trails, you can get you adrenaline pumping again with the attraction's zip line or death jump. Guests can also venture to an old town on the other end of the farm that's filled with horror.
— Nothing beats free. We've got you covered on fun, free and cheap things to do in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia.
— Fall got you feeling festive? Check out these fall festivals across the D.C. area.
— Outdoor movies don't end because summer does.
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— Eat a Michelin approved meal at a good-value price.
Here are our top picks for your weekend:
Capital Home Show
Sept. 21 to 23, Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Va.
Whether you're looking for ideas for your own home or merely want to dream, the Capital Home Show has expertise and inspiration. Vern Yip of TLC's "Trading Spaces" is scheduled to give a talk on wise home design. There will also be exhibitors and DIY workshops. Tickets start at $7 for adults.
AFI Latin American Film Festival
Sept. 13 to Oct. 3, AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring
Catch some of the breakouts of Latin American, Spanish and Portuguese cinema, including crime drama "Birds of Passage," a documentary on Bolivian hip-hop artist Abraham Bojórquez, and a Latin take on Shakespeare's "Othello" titled "Pablo's World." The festival will also offer a number of screenings with special receptions, Q&A sessions and cocktail hours. See a full schedule on the theater's website. Tickets cost $15 for non-members, and there are $200 passes if you plan on attending many of the movies and events.
Maryland Renaissance Festival
Weekends through Oct. 21, Crownsville, Maryland
Hear ye! Hear ye! Don your best 15th-century garb and grab a turkey leg at the Maryland Renaissance Festival. Performances, including jousting, music, science demos and Shakespeare, are plentiful. Check out the schedule in advance so you don't miss your favorite thing. Tickets are discounted through Sept. 9; they cost $19 for adults.
Sports and Sporting
Sunday, 1 p.m. - The Redskins will take on the Packers
Sunday, 1 p.m. - D.C. United will hit the field against the New York Red Bulls
The Nationals are at home and facing the Mets.
Friday, 7:05 p.m. — Oktoberfest
Saturday, 4:05 p.m.
Sunday, 1:35 p.m.
Your Saturday
7th Annual Wiener 500
Saturday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Yards Park
Anyone can enjoy a wiener dog race. If you are one of the lucky owners of a wiener dog, though, get practicing: This run has $500 in prize money.
King Street Art Festival
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Alexandria
Historic Alexandria will fill with artists and their crafts during the King Street Art Festival. Just show up at King Street: The fest is free. The festival was rescheduled from Sept. 15 and 16 because of Hurricane Florence.
Chesapeake Oyster & Wine Festival
Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., National Harbor
Chesapeake Oyster & Wine Festival will satisfy your seafood craving this fall. You can also make your own bloody mary and sample endless wine. Tickets start at $40 in advance or $55 at the festival site in National Harbor (137 National Plaza, National Harbor, Maryland).
Dacha Oktoberfest
Saturday, 11 a.m., Dacha Beer Garden
Shaw's Dacha will tap a keg from one of the oldest breweries in the world to kick of Oktoberfest! Show up between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. if you want to enter a costume contest and enjoy some German-style day drinking.
Heurich Oktoberfest: Lagers Strike Back
Saturday, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Heurich House Museum
It's time to get intellectual about beer! Specifically, lager beers. Set aside your pale ale snobbery to learn about and sip good, cool-brewed pints with Chophouse brewmaster Barrett Lauer. Tickets start at $15.
Poets for Puerto Rico
Saturday, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., American Poetry Museum
One year after Hurricane Maria, poets are gathering to remember and raise money for victims. The suggested donation is $20.
Trillectro 2018
Saturday, Merriweather Post Pavilion
SZA, 2 Chainz and RL Grime headline this electronic-heavy, one-day festival at Merriweather Post Pavilion. Lawn tickets start at $75.
Smithsonian Museum Day
Saturday, various museums participating
Download a ticket in advance to visit dozens of museums throughout D.C., Maryland and Virginia for free! Museums that typically charge an entrance fee agreed to waive them on Saturday, including the Newseum, Dumbarton House and The Phillips Collection. Choose carefully, though, because you're only allowed one ticket per email.
National Public Lands Day
Saturday, various times and locations
Here's your chance to spend the last day of summer outdoors while helping beautify public lands. Rock Creek Park, Gravelly Point and other D.C. parks are looking for volunteers.
Your Sunday
Historic Homebrewing: Viennese, Bavarian and Oktoberfest Lagers
Sunday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Hill Center
Dive deep into a pint of Oktoberfest's signature beer, the lager. This $75 class is taught by Lost Lagers' beer experts Mike Stein and Pete Jones, who will lead a journey into the history and varieties of lagers.
Taste of Georgetown
Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Georgetown Waterfront
Gather on K Street near the Georgetown Waterfront for the Taste of Georgetown. More than 30 restaurants from the neighborhood will serve food and supply goodies for eating competitions. This year, festival goers can also sip wine and beer as they browse. It’s free to enter, and pre-sale discounted food tickets have already gone on sale.
DC State Fair
Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Southwest Waterfront Metro
Enjoy the fun of a county fair right in the city, but don't expect carnival rides here. The D.C. State Fair (Waterfront Metro Station, 375 and 425 M streets SW) will feature arts and crafts vendors, a pet parade and contests, including best homebrew, best donuts, best mumbo sauce and best compost (yes, you read that right). You'll also find plenty of food vendors, of course. The fair's been held in many different locations since its first annual event in 2010, and this year, it's back at the Southwest Waterfront.
MakeHER Mart
Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., National Museum of Women in the Arts
This weekend, you can shop inside the National Museum of Women in the Arts. The fair costs $10 to enter.
CORRECTION (Sept. 20, 12:36 p.m.): An earlier version of this story listed the incorrect date for MakeHER Mart.
