Weekend picks in and around Washington, DC

All weekend

Georgetown French Market is a popular Parisian-inspired open-air market which features sidewalk sales and specials from more than 25 locally-owned boutiques, cafés, and galleries along Wisconsin Avenue from O St to Reservoir Rd., plus French fare, a caricature artist, music, a strolling mime, and more. Neighborhood restaurants will also offer specials and French fare, including sweet and savory crepes, grilled merguez sausages, pastries and macarons.

Family-friendly drive in movies from DC Party Box; Spooktober themed!

Final weekend of baseball at Nats Park! We host the Red Sox in a 3 game series. Postgame fireworks on Friday and a beanie giveaway on Saturday.

ARTECHOUSE has a new exhibit; Life of a Neuron telling the story of life at a cellular level through November 28. ARTECHOUSE is the nation’s first innovative art destination dedicated to the intersection of art, science and technology. From immersive art spaces to an extended reality (XR) mobile app, ARTECHOUSE is where curiosity-seekers of all ages go to experience creative innovation without limits. 

Maryland Renaissance Fair allows you to take a time machine back to medieval times. With plenty of entertainment, including music, joisting, puppetry, pony rides and so much more. Dates remaining are: October 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24 and times are: 10:00am-7:00pm

Friday

9:00am: Busy Bees re-opening
After closing due to Covid, the indoor play space is re-opening. The playground is new. They will be taking breaks every 1.5 hours to CLEAN the play space and sitting areas. You may now pre-book your playtime slots to ensure admission. Adults are required to wear face masks at all times. No exceptions.Your admission still covers you for all day play. You will have to take breaks while we clean though. Admission is still $18 per child.

5:00pm-8:30pm: Friends of Carter Barron present 2-Day Mini-Concert Series
The Friends of the Carter Barron (Friends Group) presents a 2-Day Mini Concert Series in partnership with Urban One & The Great Ward 8. Day 1 Kicking things off with a Tribute to Go-Go w/ The Sirius Company, featuring Sugar Bear, Big G and a Special Surprise Guest with Be’La Dona. Day 2 Grammy Nominated Maysa, Marcus Johnson, and Joseph w/ the Vince Evans Quartet.

5:00pm-9:30pm: Rosslyn Cinema: Remember the Titans
Come to Gateway Park every Friday in October for an outdoor movie experience complete with local food trucks and a beer, wine and sangria bar, beginning at 5pm each event day. The movie screening in Gateway Park is free to attend and perfect for the whole family. Future movies are- Oct 8th: Coco, Oct 15th: Knives Out and Oct 22nd: The Nightmare Before Christmas.

Saturday

10:00am-6:00pm: Art on the Avenue
Every year, more than 50, 000 visitors stroll down Mt. Vernon Ave in Del Ray- people are greeted by more than 300 artists (jewelers, silversmiths & beaders, woodworkers, pottery makers, soap crafters, glass makers, unique painters, sculptors, fabric artists & more), musicians (Irish, folk, rock-n-roll, country & more), and food vendors (hot dogs, BBQ, Indian, Mexican, pizza, crab cakes, chocolate bananas dipped on sticks, homemade cider donuts & more). Kids activities have always been a vital part of the festival — stuff your own scarecrow, paint a pumpkin, lotus flower design, weave screen art, to name a few.

12:00pm-5:00pm: National Landing Oktoberfest
From live bands and crisp German Lagers to a Barktoberfest dog-run for pup-friendly activities and a variety of games and rides to entertain all ages, this event has a little something for everyone. So, break out your lederhosen, and come enjoy the fall weather, as well as a variety of food trucks and vendors serving traditional (and not-so-traditional) German fare.

1:00pm-5:00pm: Oktoberfest at the Boro
Break out your lederhosen and dirndls and head to The Boro to celebrate Oktoberfest featuring a Battle of the Polka Bands! This FREE event will feature the sights and sounds of a true Oktoberfest with themed decorations, crafts, giveaways and drinks. Guests of all ages are invited to take part in the themed activities including photo booths, craft stations, and a variety of outdoor games.

2:00pm-5:00pm: Oktoberfest at the Wharf
It’s that time of year—put on your dirndl or lederhosen, grab your Dachshund, and head to The Wharf to celebrate Oktoberfest—including the return of the Wiener 500 Dachshund Dash! The day will feature Wiener 500 Dachshund Dash and Costume Contest, German Fare and Stein Hoisting Contest and live music on the pier.

2:00pm-6:00pm: Adams Morgan PorchFest
Adams Morgan PorchFest returns with more than 60 local bands! Approximately 20 porches, patios, and stoops will become stages for the day, drawing music-lovers from around the region into the tree-lined streets and small businesses of Adams Morgan. With over 70 performances in one afternoon and more porch hosts and bands than ever before, this is sure to be the biggest and best Adams Morgan PorchFest to date! Event patrons can pick up a music map and wristband at the event headquarters located at the corner of Columbia and Adams Mill Roads NW in BB&T Bank (now Truist) Plaza

5:00pm-8:30pm: Friends of Carter Barron present 2-Day Mini-Concert Series
The Friends of the Carter Barron (Friends Group) presents a 2-Day Mini Concert Series in partnership with Urban One & The Great Ward 8. Day 1 (Friday) Kicking things off with a Tribute to Go-Go w/ The Sirius Company, featuring Sugar Bear, Big G and a Special Surprise Guest with Be’La Dona. Day 2 Grammy Nominated Maysa, Marcus Johnson, and Joseph w/ the Vince Evans Quartet.

Sunday

10:00am-8:00pm: Dia de Familia
Enjoy a meal at your favorite La Cosecha restaurant and shop retailers while participating in the festivities. 10am-12pm – Spanish Kindness Rock with Tamara/Arttepuy. 10am-11am – DC Public Library Story Time. 12pm-1pm – Cajon workshop with world renowned instructor Victor Ruiz and Peruvian Brothers. 1-2pm – Loteria Game with La Casita Pupuseria– Join us for a round of Lotería the Salvadoran version of Bingo w/ prizes enjoy a kids pupusas meal after game. 3-4pm – Arcay Chocolates Class- Join Arcay Chocolates for a chocolate painting class for kids at La Cosecha! Let your child to have a unique and fun experience to learn how to paint chocolate bonbons in a safe environment with Arcay Chocolates Master Chocolatier Anabella Arcay. 5pm – Cena y Cine screening of Coco- Grab dinner and join us upstairs in Balcon for the screening of Coco!

10:00am-4:00pm: 15th Annual MPAartfest
McLean Central Park is transformed into a lively landscape of mini art galleries showcasing and offering for sale the work of juried artists from throughout the mid-Atlantic region. This FREE event features contemporary art, live music throughout the day from some of the DC-area’s best musical talents, a Children’s Art Walk, food vendors, and much more.

10:00am-5:00pm: Takoma Park Street Festival
The festival will once again showcase original artwork, prints, ceramics, silk-screening, bath and body care, jewelry, woodworking, textiles, leather goods and more, plus food for days, and 18 local bands will perform on three stages throughout the event. Come out and support your favorite local businesses, bands, artists and community groups as we celebrate 40 years of the festival.

11:00am-6:00pm: PorchFest DC Southeast Edition
Porchfest is a festival of mini-concerts held on front porches. The Southeast Porchfest embodies the life and soul of DC, spotlighting the region’s top emerging talent! It is an outing for the entire family! With its well-manicured lawns, tree-lined streets and super friendly residents, Pennbranch is the perfect choice for the 2021 Southeast Porchfest. This festival is FREE for everyone! Bring a lawn chair and walking shoes. Please bring cash to tip the performers! Check above link for line-ups and routes.

11:00am-7:00pm: Turkish Festival at the Wharf
Admission is free to this Turkish Festival with the festival theme being Turkaegean or Coast of Happiness.  Authentic Turkish Cuisine, live music and entertainment, folk dancing performances, Turkish arts and crafts vendors, kids’ games, arts & crafts, Turkish coffeehouse and fortune telling and cultural activities.

Plan ahead:
Disney On Ice presents Mickey’s Search Party is bringing the magic to guests through dynamic moments that take place on the ice and in the air. This adventure delivers compelling storytelling through multi-leveled production numbers and visits Fairfax from October 7-11, 2021 at EagleBank Arena.

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New:
Chaia, the elevated fast casual brand with a mission to get people to eat more vegetables, just opened in Bethesda. The new location is in the heart of Bethesda at 7237 Woodmont Avenue, next to Landmark’s Bethesda Row Cinema. Along with its signature plant-forward tacos and other street-food-inspired items, the Bethesda restaurant offers Chaia’s first-ever kids’ menu, which includes Rainbow Rice & Beans, Melty Quesadillas, Loaded Sweet Potato Nachos, and Tin-Foil Kale & Cherry Tomatoes. The takeout-friendly restaurant seats 20 people indoors and 12 more across its outdoor patio, and boasts a “taco window” for convenient, low-contact ordering and pick up. Hours of operation are Tuesday-Saturday, 11am-8pm; Sunday, 11am-5pm; closed Monday.