Best Fall Festivals in the DC area in Northern Virginia and Maryland
Autumn is here, and one of the best times to visit Washington DC is in the fall. The cherry blossoms in the spring aren’t the only stars of the show.
In the fall, the city comes alive with vibrant autumn colors and it’s a stunning sight, plus there are so many fun fall festivals to look forward to!
On the blog, I will highlight some of the best fall festivals in the DC area in Northern Virginia and Maryland.
There are so many fall festivals near Washington DC to keep you busy during the fall season, and I round up some of the best fall festivals and events that I believe are worth the visit.
I also include a visit to some of the wineries and breweries in the area that you can visit during the fall, and some fun fall events happening there as well.
READ NEXT: Fun Halloween activities for kids in the DC area
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Fall Festivals in Washington DC
- Oktoberfest at the Wharf: Enjoy a weekend of free activities at the Wharf which includes Polka dance lessons, a dog race at the Wiener 500 Dachshund Dash, a Stein hoisting competition, German fare, Bavarian decor and costumes
- When: Oct. 5, 2024
- Tickets: FREE EVENT
- Location: District Pier at the Wharf
- Georgetown Harvest Festival: Enjoy a fall harvest festival in Georgetown which features pumpkin painting, a produce market, face painting, live music, and more!
- When: Oct 14, 2024 from 11am-4pm
- Tickets: FREE EVENT
- Location: Along Wisconsin Avenue from O Street to Reservoir Road in Georgetown
- (TBA) Dumbarton at Dusk Fall Festival: Visit Dumbarton House after hours for their annual fall festival to benefit the Red Cross. There will be live music, free food, candy, and pumpkin carving as well.
- When: October 20 from 5:30-8pm
- Tickets: Suggested donation of $10 to benefit Red Cross
- Location: 2715 Q St NW, Washington, DC 20007
- (TBA) United States Arboretum Fall Festival: Spend the day admiring the fall foliage at the US Arboretum and then check out the fall festival and bulb sale. You can purchase bags of flower bulbs and enjoy some family-friendly activities such as planting, falconry demonstrations, nature-based crafts, a book giveaway, and more!
- When: Sept. 30, 2023 from 10am-2pm
- Tickets: FREE EVENT
- Location: 2400 R Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
Fall Festivals in Northern Virginia
Great Country Farms
One of the best fall festivals in the DC area that we love to visit year-round is Great Country Farms in Bluemont, Virginia. There’s always something fun going on here, including a few festivals to look forward to in the fall here.
- Corn Maze & Apple Harvest: Aug. 31-September 30, 2024
- Hours: 10am-5pm (weekends from 9am-5pm)
- Tickets: Weekday Admission: $12/child & $14/Adult ~ Advance tickets not required at this time for weekdays. 2 and under FREE!
- Saturday & Sunday Admission $14/child & $16/adult
- Purchase tickets here.
- Military FREE admission for up to 6 guests on weekdays only
- Fall Pumpkin Harvest: October 1-31, 2024 weekdays
- Hours: 10am-5pm (weekends 9am-6pm).
- Tickets: Advance Weekday Admission: $12/child & $14/Adult Children 2 and under FREE.
- Saturday & Sunday Admission $14/child & $16/adult Last weekend wagon goes out to pick pumpkins at 5pm. 2 and under FREE
- Purchase tickets here
- Military FREE admission for up to 6 guests on weekdays only.
- Family Flashlight Corn Maze Nights: September 20, 21, 27, 28 & October 25, 26, 2024
- Hours: 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
- Make sure to bring your flashlight for this event. There will be warm apple cider for sale with storytime as well.
- Tickets: $14.00 per child and $16.00 per adult. Purchase tickets here.
Your admission ticket to Great Country Farms also includes:
- A ride on the Cow Train
- Petting zoo
- Giant mazes
- Jumping Pillows
- Various slides and play areas
- A catch-and-release fishing pond and more!
- Apples: $1.99/lb-Pumpkins: $.59/lb.
- Location: 34345 Snickersville Turnpike Bluemont, VA 20135
Cox Farms Fall Festival
One of our favorite Fall Festivals in Northern Virginia is a visit to Cox Farms. Cox Farms is one of the best fall festivals in the DC area and is lots of fun for the whole family.
During the Halloween season, Cox Farms features Field of Fears, which includes a spooky hayride, a horror-themed corn maze, and more.
There are so many fun little play areas for the kids which include:
- A fun hayride
- Corn maze
- Petting zoos
- A forest walk
- Lots of fun-themed giant slides, play areas, and more!
There is also a market stall selling fresh produce, pumpkins, and more. The farm also has some fall food staples for sale such as:
- Apple cider donuts
- Caramel apples
- Kettle corn
- Free samples of apple cider
- There is also food for sale like hotdogs, burgers, nachos, and more.
- Cox Farms Fall Festival When: September 14-Nov. 5, 2024
- Hours: September and October 10am-6pm, November 10am-5pm.
- Festival Market 10am-6pm Sept 14 – Oct 31, Nov 1 – 5 10am-5pm.
- Fields of Fear Hours: Friday and Saturday nights Sept. 20 – Nov. 2 (plus Sunday, Oct. 13), 2024, 7:30-11 p.m. (last entry 10 p.m.)
- Ticket prices: Pricing varies depending on the day and range from($10-$25), and must be purchased online.
- Reserve your tickets here
- Location: 15621 Braddock Rd. Centreville, VA 20120
Visit the Pumpkin Patch at Nalls Produce
One of the best produce markets to visit this fall in Northern Virginia is Nalls Produce. Nalls Produce transforms into a fun pumpkin playground that includes lots of activities for the kids.
The best part is it’s all FREE! There’s even a cool instagrammable pumpkin wall that looks amazing and a wide variety of pumpkins and gourds of all shapes and sizes to purchase.
During the Halloween season, all the leftover pumpkins are carved into Jack-O-Lanterns and it’s such an amazing sight to see, especially all lit up at night!
Make sure to visit during the weekdays to avoid the crowds! The parking lot is small and gets very congested.
- When: Opens September 28, 2024 from 9am-7pm (till 6pm on weekends) Pumpkin wall is now open!
- Ticket prices: FREE!
- Location: 7310 Beulah St, Alexandria, VA 22315
- Visit the website here
READ NEXT: Halloween activities for kids in the Washington DC area.
Mount Vernon Fall Festivals
Celebrate Fall at George Washington’s Estate at Mount Vernon. There are a few festivals to look forward to during the fall season:
- the Fall and Wine Festival and Sunset Tour, which goes from October 4-6, 2024 from 6pm-9pm. During the festival, you can taste unlimited samples from some of Virginia’s wineries, and there is also some food options for purchase.
- Tickets prices: Friday:[$50 Members-$60 General Public]
- Saturday: [$54 Members-$64 General Public]
- Sunday: [$44 Members-$54 General Public]
- Purchase tickets here
- Location: 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy. Mt. Vernon, VA 22121
- The Fall Harvest Festival at Mount Vernon goes from Oct. 19 & 20, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Celebrate the arrival of fall with a visit to the farm for some 18th-century activities and demonstrations, which include meeting General Washington himself. The event is included with your admission and is free for Members.
READ NEXT: Guide to visiting Mount Vernon with kids
More Fall Festivals in Northern Virginia:
- Temple Hall Fall Festival: Pick your own pumpkin, pick sunflowers, go on a wagon ride, visit the farm animals, bounce on the inflatable pillows, slide down the hill slides, and more! Food trucks on weekends selling hot dogs, funnel cakes, snacks & beverages.
- When: September 28 – October 31, 2024
- Hours: Open Daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Tickets: $15 per person. Tickets at the gate (credit card preferred)
- Save $3 per person weekdays! (admission includes one pumpkin & sunflower)
- Free admission for ages 2 years and younger.
- Location: 15855 Limestone School Road
- Leesburg VA 20176
- Reston Farm Garden Market Fall Fest: Fun Fall Festival featuring Bounce Houses and Games, Train Rides around the Garden Market, Petting Zoo, and FREE PUMPKIN for each paid child’s ticket. There will also be other paid activities such as face painting, balloons, apple cider & apple cider donuts.
- When: Every Saturday & Sunday September 28 thru October 27 + Monday, October 14
- Hours: 10-6pm
- Ticket prices: $20 Child’s Ticket + $5 Per Adult
- Purchase tickets here
- Location: 10800 Baron Cameron Ave., Reston, VA 20190
- Mosaic Fall Fest: Visit this free event at the Mosaic which features live entertainment and musical performances, a farmers market & a unique market of 90 handmade and vintage vendors. There will also be a beer & wine garden, fitness demos, kids activities including a moon bounce, face painting, pumpkin painting, and more!
- When: September 28 & 29, 2024
- Hours: from 11am-6pm
- Tickets: FREE EVENT
- Location: Mosaic District Avenue Fairfax, VA 22031
- Pumpkin Village: The Pumpkin Village Fall Fest at Leesburg Animal Park features slides, a hay maze, pedal carts, inflatables, and more.
- When: September 21-November 4, 2024
- Hours: Mon-Thurs 9:30am– 5pm (closed Tuesdays)
- Friday 9:30am-6pm
- Sat. & Sun. (and Columbus Day) two sessions: 9am-1pm or 2pm-6pm
- Ticket prices: Tickets can be purchased online here, or at the gate and ranges from $16.95-$22.95 online
- Location: 19246 James Monroe Hwy. Leesburg, VA 20176
- City of Fairfax Fall Festival: Fall Festival featuring more than 400 arts, crafts, information, food & gourmet food vendors, children’s activities and three stages of music and entertainment for all ages.
- When: October 12, 2024
- Hours: (10am-5pm) late night concert will run from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. in Old Town Square.
- Ticket prices: FREE
- Location: Old Town Fairfax- 3999 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030
Fall Festivals in Maryland
Clark’s Elioak Farm Pumpkin Patch
Fall is synonymous with pumpkin patches, and one of our favorite pumpkin patches in the Washington DC area is at the Clark Elioak Farm.
Some of the farm’s many attractions include:
- Pony rides
- Cow train ride
- Enchanted Express train ride
- Themed play areas
- A petting zoo and more!
Don’t forget to visit the pumpkin patch and pick your own pumpkin. There is also food for sale at the farm, things like hot dogs, burgers, and pizza, and a market stall selling fresh produce and meat.
- When: Open daily 10am-5pm (till 5:30 on weekends)
- Ticket prices: $8.00 per person (no charge for infants under 1 year). Purchase tickets at the farm
- Rides costs: $2.50 Cow Train / $5.00 Enchanted Express Train / $2.50 Pony Ride-$2.50 Wagon Ride, and free for kids under one year old.
- Location: Clark 10500 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042
Homestead Farms Fall activities
One of our favorite fall activities is apple picking, and nothing says fall like a warm apple pie, apple cider, and donuts.
Homestead Farms is one of our favorite places for apple picking, and they have many varieties of apples to choose from. The farm also offers seasonal pick your own fruits and veggies and a petting zoo as well.
You can also pick your pumpkins at the Pumpkin patch, which goes from late September through the end of October, or purchase pre-picked pumpkins at the Market stall.
- When: Apple season starts in late August-late October / Pumpkins late Sept-Oct.31-open daily 9am-5pm
- Ticket prices: Admission to the farm costs $2 per person, and apples costs $1.99 per pound
- Location: 15604 Sugarland Rd, Poolesville, MD 20837.
- Visit the website here
Gaver Farms Fall Fun Fest
Another fun fall festival near Washington DC is Gaver Farms Fall Fun Fest. You can pick your own pumpkins, apples, and sunflowers with lots of fun photo ops for you to enjoy!
Don’t miss the yummy apple cider donuts and apple cider slushies which taste amazing! They also have food for sale like burgers, hotdogs, fries, and more, or pack your own picnic lunch.
Your visit includes lots of fun farm activities which include:
- Hayrides
- Corn mazes
- Farm animals
- Giant slides
- Jumping pillows and more!
- Gaver Farms Fall Fest
- When: from Aug. 30-Nov. 5, 2024 (10am-6pm daily)
- Ticket prices: $20 on Sept. weekends / $23 on Oct. weekends / $14.50 on weekdays (2 and under FREE)
- Purchase tickets online here.
- Season Passes are available for $50.50 with admission all season long. *Tickets are not required for hayrides or pick your own crops.
- Location: 5501 Detrick Rd. Mount Airy, MD 21771.
Butlers Orchard Pumpkin Festival
Butlers Orchard is another great farm to visit in the fall near DC.
Sometime in late September to the end of October, Butlers Orchard hosts a fun Pumpkin Festival that not only includes pick your own pumpkins but includes the following activities as well:
- Hayrides
- Twisted Corn Maze
- Giant slides
- Jump in the hayloft
- Playgrounds
- Pedal tractors and more!
- Paid activities include pony rides, face painting, pumpkin canon and pumpkin picking
- When: Sept. 21-Nov. 3, 2024
- Wed-Fri: 1pm-6pm / Sat-Sun, and Columbus Day: 9am-6pm.
- Ticket prices: $11 weekday tickets / $16-18 weekends per person ($2 more at the gate). Pumpkins cost $.75 per pound.
- Pumpkin canon $5 per shot
- Pony Rides $7
- Face Painting $4 and up
- Mini Diggers $3 per 3-minute ride
- Reserve tickets online here.
- Location: 22222 Davis Mill Road Germantown, MD 20876
More Fall Festivals in Maryland:
- Catoctin Mountain Orchard: Apple picking on weekends in September and October, and pumpkins from Sept 20 – Nov 23. $13 Half peck bag-$23 Peck bag-$32 half bushel.
- Ticket prices: $3/person (2 and under FREE) CASH ONLY
- Location: 15036 North Franklinville Road Thurmont, MD 21788
- Summers Farm Fall Festival: Summers Farm Fall Festival features pumpkin picking, giant slides, face painting, mazes, ziplines and more.
- When: September 14th – October 31st, 2024 from 10am-6pm. ( CLOSED September 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, & 30th and TUESDAYS )
- Ticket prices: Mon., Wed., Thurs. & Friday afternoons tickets $12.50 online ($16.50 at gate)
- Friday night tickets from 1pm-9:30pm: $12.50 online ($16.50 at gate)
- Sat & Sun tickets: $17.50 online ($21.50 at the gate) 2 and under FREE.
- Seasons Pass: Unlimited visits $54.50 online ($56.50 at the gate)
- Reserve tickets online here.
- Location: 5620 Butterfly Ln. Frederick, MD 21703
Fall visit to a Winery & Brewery near DC
Rockland Farms
Rockland Farms is a 34-acre working farm located on an authentic, historical property in Maryland, just thirty minutes from Washington DC.
On your visit to Rockland Farms, you can not only sample their amazing wines, but you can also purchase pasture-raised meats and local goods. There is also a restaurant, serving foods to complement their wines.
For the kids, there is a fun little tire play area, perfect to keep the kids busy as you sample some of Rockland Farms’ amazing wines.
- When: Rockland Farm is open Friday 4-9pm (with live music at 6pm), Saturdays 12-8pm, and Sunday 12-6pm.
- Ticket prices: No admission. Wine is currently available by the bottle, glass, and flight only.
- Location: Rockland Farms Winery is located in Maryland at 15425 Montevideo Rd, Poolesville, MD 20837.
Bluemont Vineyards
Bluemont Vineyards is about an hour away from DC, right next door to Great Country Farms and you can easily add a winery visit along with your apple and pumpkin picking adventure.
This is one of our favorite wineries near DC with the most amazing views and they offer so many
- You can make reservations at the 951 Tasting Room and enjoy sampling some of the wines which also serves up some light fare as well as brunch on the weekends.
- The Reserve tasting room is for those ages 21 and up and is open Thursday – Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and is by reservation only.
- Hours: Monday-Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Location: 18755 Foggy Bottom Rd. Bluemont, VA 20135
Dirt Farms Brewery
If wine is not your thing, then make sure to visit Dirt Farms Brewery located next door to Bluemont Vineyards.
Enjoy Farm Fresh Craft Beers on their expansive outdoor patio with the most amazing panoramic views of Loudoun Valley down below. You can also enjoy a rotating seasonal menu pulling fresh ingredients from the farm.
- Hours: Open Daily 11 – 7pm / Fridays till 9pm / Happy Hour on Wednesdays 3:00pm till closing.
- Location: 18701 Foggy Bottom Road Bluemont, VA 20135
- The Winery at Bull Run: Just a short drive from DC is a family-friendly winery where you can sample some award-winning Virginia wine. Walk-ins are welcome daily but suggest making reservations online here for weekends.
- Hours: Saturday-Thursday: 11am-7pm / Friday: 11am-9pm
- Location: 15950 Lee Highway Centreville, VA 20120
- Bear Chase Brewing Company: Popular spot for locals in Loudoun County featuring Virginia’s award-winning craft beer, and food. Get here early on weekends as the place usually gets busy, and ensure you have a parking spot.
- Hours: Sunday–Thursday: 11am–9pm / Friday & Saturday: 11am–10pm
- Location: 33665 Bear Chase Lane Bluemont, VA 20135
Take in the Fall Foliage in Washington DC
One of the best fall activities in Washington DC is a stroll along the National Mall.
Go on a leaf-peeping adventure and take in all the DC Monuments and Memorials with the various hues of fall.
Some of the best places to admire the fall foliage are along the Reflecting Pool, Constitution Gardens, the Korean War Memorial, and the Tidal Basin.
The trees in the area are just so gorgeous with the various colors of yellows, oranges, and reds!
Some other spots to take in the fall foliage in Washington DC are along the United States Arboretum, Arlington National Cemetery, and the Capitol Hill area.
READ NEXT: Best things to do this fall in Washington DC
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