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Ultimate Guide to Fall Festivals in 2025 for DC Families

Loads of autumn activities await at the Cox Farms Fall Festival. Photo courtesy of the festival
Loads of autumn activities await at the Cox Farms Fall Festival. Photo courtesy of the festival
8/31/25 - By Stephanie Shipman

Aaahhhh, autumn in the DMV... goodbye stickiness and humidity, hello colorful leaves, cider donuts, and fall festivals in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia! From DC harvest festivals that last all of October (and parts of September and November) to daylong or weekend events that celebrate food, culture, and art, these amazing family fall festivals have so much to offer. There are pumpkins and apples, crafts, carnival rides, games, live music, and so much more.

We've found nearly 40 fun festivals in and around DC this fall so you can soak up all the cozy family vibes. For more autumn fun, check out our Fall Activities Guide. And remember, we are constantly updating our events calendar with more fun things to do all over the DC area.

Tips for Visiting Fall Festivals Near DC with Kids

1. Go Early To Avoid Crowds

Check the festival website to see what time it opens and try to arrive at—or even a little before—that time. Festivals tend to get more crowded as the day goes on.

2. Bring Cash

You never know when there will be pony rides or your kids will be hangry, and some food vendors and rides are cash only. So, it's best to have some money on hand just in case!

3. Check for Online Tickets or Reservation Requirements

Some festivals require tickets or reservations, even if they're free. Sure, there may be tickets available at the gate, but why not avoid lines and get them ahead of time online?

4. Dress in Layers, and Bring Sunscreen and Water

The weather can be wild in the fall, when temps often range from sweltering to frigid. Be prepared!

5. Be Ready for Photo Ops (pumpkin patches, hay bales, etc.)

Make sure your kids are dressed in fall-tastic outfits so you can take advantage of festival photo ops like pumpkin patches and hay bales. Spoiler alert: there will be plenty!

Frequently Asked Questions About Fall Festivals in DC

Q: When do fall festivals in DC usually take place?

A: Most DC fall festivals happen from mid-September through late October. Some run into early November.

Q: Are fall festivals near DC stroller-friendly?

A: Many of them are! Fairs and urban festivals usually accommodate strollers, while DC harvest festivals at farms and orchards often have uneven terrain.

Q: Do we need to buy tickets in advance?

A: Many fall festivals near DC require advance tickets, so be sure to check the official event website.

Q: What age are these festivals best for?

A: Most fall festivals offer activities for toddlers to tweens, such as hayrides, crafts, games, live music, and kid-friendly food options. But even the grown-ups will have a blast!

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Explore the Pumpkin Village at Leesburg Animal Park. Photo by Mosaic Photography
Explore the Pumpkin Village at Leesburg Animal Park. Photo by Mosaic Photography

Best Harvest and Pumpkin Festivals Near DC in 2025

Montpelier Farms Fall Festival

Upper Marlboro, MD
Various dates, September 13 - November 2
Montpelier Farms celebrates autumn with a seven-acre corn maze, hayrides, pumpkin bowling, a petting zoo, evening bonfires, and tons of other attractions. READ MORE

Cox Farms Fall Festival

Centreville, VA
Thursdays - Mondays, September 20 - November 9
Cox Farms' popular fall festival includes hayrides, milking demos, slides and tunnels, swings, a corn maze, and live musical performances. Kids can also pet the animals in the goat farm, wander through the Imaginature Trail, and search for treasure in Cox's mining company. Indulge in kettle corn, caramel apples, and BBQ. READ MORE

Butler's Orchard Pumpkin Festival

Germantown, MD
Wednesdays - Sundays, September 21 - November 3
Also on Monday, October 13
The Pumpkin Festival at Butler's Orchard includes hayrides, corn and straw mazes, jump pads, a playground, giant slides, farm animals to visit, pedal tractors, and several other family activities.  READ MORE

Pumpkin Village at Leesburg Animal Park

Leesburg, VA
Daily except Tuesdays, September 21 - November 5
Leesburg Animal Park celebrates the season with giant hill slides, lawn games, pony rides, a hay maze, pedal carts, moon bounces, plenty of animal meet-and-greets, and more. READ MORE

Reston Farm Garden Market Fall Fun Fest

Reston, VA
Saturdays & Sundays, September 27 - October 26, 2025
Also on Monday, October 13
Kids can enjoy bounce houses, games, train rides, a petting zoo, and other fun activities at this fall festival. Each child also receives a free pumpkin.  READ MORE

Burke Nursery Fall Farm Market & Pumpkin Patch

Burke, VA
Daily, October 1-31
Burke Nursery offers a small play area for kids with festive photo backdrops. There are also plenty of pumpkins, gourds, Halloween decorations, and more available for purchase. Be sure to try the apple cider donuts! READ MORE

Pumpkin Race & Fall Festival (at North Creek Community Center)

Montgomery Village, MD - Free
Saturday, October 4
Face off or watch as decorated pumpkins on wheels go head to head in this crazy pumpkin race. There are awards for best decoration and most innovative design, best themed pumpkin racer and driver duo, and other fun categories. Attendees can also enjoy live music, food, and lots of children's activities. READ MORE

Bowie Baysox Pumpkin Patch & Fall Festival

Bowie, MD - Free
Saturday, October 18
The Bowie Baysox baseball field at Prince George's Stadium transforms into a pumpkin patch at this fall festival, which also features face painting, pumpkin painting, and more. Halloween costumes are encouraged. READ MORE

Fall Carnival and Fall Harvest Days at Frying Pan Farm Park

Herndon, VA
Saturday & Sunday, October 18 & 19
Enjoy a weekend of fall fun including games, rides, and fair food. You can also explore the farm on Fall Harvest Day. Watch the cider press in action, milk a goat or a cow, shell corn, peel apples, meet the farm animals, and see traditional farm demonstrations. READ MORE

Mount Vernon Fall Harvest Festival

Mount Vernon, VA
Saturday & Sunday, October 18 & 19
Celebrate the crisp autumn season with 18th-century activities and demonstrations at the Farm at Mount Vernon. Watch wheat-treading demonstrations in Washington's innovative 16-sided threshing barn, and visit the Farrier to learn how horseshoeing was performed in the 18th century. See how laundry was done and help in the process, and watch demonstrations of cooking, candle-making, and spinning. READ MORE

Fall Events for Families Worth the Day Trip From DC in 2025

Summers Farm Fall Festival

Frederick, MD
Daily except Tuesdays, September 13 - October 31
Summers Farm's Fall Festival features more than 45 family activities, including a corn maze, a pumpkin patch, corn pits, mini golf, a pumpkin train, and lots more. There is also weekend entertainment, fireworks, and great food. READ MORE

Maryland Seafood Festival (at Sandy Point State Park)

Annapolis, MD
Saturday & Sunday, September 13 & 14
This festival celebrates the bounty of Maryland seafood with oyster tastings, crabs, crab cakes, and more from local restaurants. There are also plenty of activities and performances for kids. READ MORE

Bluemont Fair

Bluemont, VA
Saturday & Sunday, September 20 & 21
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains, the 200-year-old village of Bluemont hosts its annual fair the third weekend of September. Listen to music while browsing craft vendors and eating local food. Children can enjoy free games and a petting zoo.  READ MORE

Maryland Renaissance Festival

Annapolis, MD
Saturdays & Sundays, through October 19
This massive annual Renaissance Festival includes live entertainment, food, arts and crafts, and more. Visitors are encouraged to wear family-friendly costumes to get into the spirit. READ MORE

Gaver Farm Fall Fun Fest

Mount Airy, MD
Daily, through November 2
There are over 60 fun attractions for families at Gaver Farm's Fall Fun Fest, including giant slides, a corn maze, a petting zoo, playgrounds, jumping pillows, and more. READ MORE

Great Country Farms Fall Pumpkin Harvest Festival

Bluemont, VA
Daily, October 1-31
Great Country Farms' fall festival includes hayrides to a pick-your-own pumpkin patch, pig races, a ninja warrior course, jumping pillows, slides, playgrounds, and much more. Don't forget to meet P-Rex the Pumpkin Eating Dino and try freshly baked cider donuts. READ MORE

Wicked Corn Maze & Fall Festival

Gambrills, MD
Saturdays & Sundays, September 13 - November 2
Explore eight acres including a corn maze, hayrides, pumpkins, corn pits, pony rides, a petting farm, zip lines, slingshots, straw pyramids, jumping pillows, and so much more. Enjoy festival treats including fresh-dipped corn dogs, kettle corn, and snow balls. READ MORE

Temple Hall Farm Pumpkin Patch & Sunflower Fields

Leesburg, VA
Daily, Saturday, September 27 - Sunday, November 2
Enjoy a fun, family outing at the Temple Hall Farm Pumpkin Patch & Sunflower Fields! Visitors can pick pumpkins and sunflowers, take a wagon ride around the farm, visit the farm animals, bounce on the inflatable pillows, slide down the hill slides, and more. READ MORE
The Manassas Latino Festival includes live entertainment, kids' games and activities, and so much more. Photo courtesy of the festival
The Manassas Latino Festival includes live entertainment, kids' games and activities, and so much more. Photo courtesy of the festival

More 2025 Family Fall Festivals in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

PRCS Kids Fest (at Segra Field Parking Lots)

Leesburg, VA - Free
Monday, September 1
Families are invited to Loudoun County’s annual PRCS Kids Fest, with tons of family-friendly activities at the Segra Field Parking Lots on Labor Day. READ MORE

DC State Fair

Washington, DC - Free
Saturday, September 6
The DC State Fair is back. Showcasing the talents and uniqueness of DC, the fair has contests, a pet parade, exhibitions by local vendors, and more. Be sure to stop by workshops and exhibitions throughout the day. READ MORE

Petworth Dog Show

Washington, DC - Free
Saturday, September 6
This Petworth community event and dog show is a free neighborhood festival organized by and for the residents of Petworth—celebrating the creativity, diversity, culture, and people of Petworth and its surrounding neighborhoods.  READ MORE

Adams Morgan Day

Washington, DC - Free
Sunday, September 7
DC's longest-running neighborhood festival is a free, family-friendly celebration with music, art, lawn games, face painting, sports, and other activities for all ages. Food and wares from local businesses are available for purchase. READ MORE

Takoma Park Folk Festival (at Takoma Park Middle School)

Takoma Park, MD - Free
Sunday, October 6, 2024
The Takoma Park Folk Festival features six music stages, crafts, food, community nonprofit tables, and games and activities for children.  READ MORE

Bowie International Festival (at Allen Pond Park)

Bowie, MD - Free
Saturday, September 13
Bowie's annual International Festival is a celebration of global culture and diversity with entertainers, artists, crafters, and food from around the world. Kids can pick up a passport and earn stamps at the event by participating in a variety of fun children's activities. At the end of their journey around the world, kids with enough stamps receive a special prize. READ MORE

Falls Church Festival

Falls Church, VA - Free
Saturday, September 13
This free festival features a beer garden, live music, children's entertainment, and booths from local crafters, businesses, and civic organizations. READ MORE

Mount Vernon Colonial Market & Fair

Mount Vernon, VA
Saturday & Sunday, September 13 & 14
Families can step back in time and see 18th-century craft demonstrations, costumed interpreters, and colonial performers. General Washington makes an appearance, too! READ MORE

H Street Festival

Washington, DC - Free
Saturday, September 20
Eleven blocks long with 14 staging areas, the H Street Festival features tons of music, dance, youth-based performances, interactive children’s programs, and more. READ MORE

Pueblo Unido Day (at Sterling Community Center)

Sterling, VA - Free
Saturday, October 11
Sterling Community Center celebrates the history and rich culture of Latinos living in Loudoun and across the world. Enjoy food vendors, non-profit and commercial vendors, children’s activities, petting zoo, moon bounces, giveaways, live music, a DJ, and more. READ MORE

Reston Multicultural Festival (at Reston Town Square Park)

Reston, VA - Free
Saturday, September 20
The Reston Multicultural Festival celebrates the diverse community of Reston. Enjoy music, entertainment, and cultural treasures from all over the world. Festival goers are encouraged to dress in attire representative of their cultural roots. READ MORE

Art All Night

Washington, DC - Free
Friday & Saturday, September 12 & 13
Spanning 22 neighborhoods in all eight wards of the city, DC Art All Night features different activations each night. It brings visual and performing arts including painting, photography, sculpture, crafts, fashion, music, literary arts, dance, theater, film, and poetry to indoor and outdoor public and private spaces, including local businesses and restaurants. READ MORE

Washington Ukrainian Festival in Silver Spring, MD

Silver Spring, MD
Friday-Sunday, September 12-14
Bring your family and friends to the 22nd annual Ukrainian Festival of the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area. Come and enjoy Ukrainian artists and dancers, crafts, children's activities, delicious Ukrainian food, and a Kozak beer garden. READ MORE

Alexandria Art Festival

Alexandria, VA - Free
Saturday & Sunday, September 13-14
This annual art festival is one of the top rated in the DC area, where attendees will be able to peruse art from artists from all over the country. Check out the event website for a list of scheduled exhibitors. Admission is FREE. READ MORE

Galbani Maryland Italian Festival (at Harford County Equestrian Center)

Bel Air, MD
Friday - Sunday, September 26-28
The Galbani Maryland Italian Festival is the state’s biggest Italian Festival, featuring activities, entertainment, and Italian cuisine for attendees of all ages. The three-day outdoor festival includes attractions such as carnival rides and a midway, two wine/beer/liquor piazzas, cooking and wine demos, and local vendors.  READ MORE

Manassas Latino Festival (at Harris Pavilion)

Manassas, VA - Free
Saturday, September 27
The Manassas Latino Festival is an annual celebration of the cultural heritage and contributions of the Latinx community in Manassas. It features live performances by musicians and dancers, diverse foods from a variety of Latin American countries, and fun games and activities for kids. READ MORE

Fiesta DC

Washington, DC - Free
Saturday & Sunday, September 27 & 28
Experience a celebration of Latino culture from across Central and South America at Fiesta DC. The festival includes a parade, music, and food from several Latino countries.  READ MORE

Mosaic Fall Festival

Fairfax, VA - Free
Saturday, September 27
Mosaic District's annual fall festival includes live music and entertainment, vendors, beer and wine gardens, fitness demos, and children's activities including a moon bounce, balloon twisting, face painting, and more. READ MORE

Wheaton Arts Parade & Festival

Wheaton, MD - Free
Sunday, September 28
Everyone can be an artist at the Wheaton Arts Parade and Arts Festival. Participants are invited to make their own art and be part of the parade, or simply watch from the sidewalks. The festival features more than 50 local artists and galleries, performances from top Montgomery County musicians, food from local restaurants, and crafts for kids. READ MORE

Old Bowie Celebrates! Festival

Bowie, MD - Free
Saturday, October 4
The Old Bowie Celebrates! Festival features live music and dance, food vendors with local and global cuisines, arts and crafts, and much more. Children can explore cultures through activities, earning stamps in their festival passports. READ MORE

Silver Spring Arts & Crafts End Of Summer Celebration

Silver Spring, MD - Free
Sunday, September 6
Celebrate the end of summer on Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring with arts and crafts, music, dancing, live performances, more than 80 vendors, and fun activities for kids and adults.  READ MORE

Takoma Park Folk Festival (at Takoma Park Middle School)

Takoma Park, MD - Free
Sunday, October 6, 2024
The Takoma Park Folk Festival features six music stages, crafts, food, community nonprofit tables, and games and activities for children.  READ MORE

City of Fairfax Fall Festival

Fairfax, VA - Free
Saturday, October 11
Fairfax's fall festival features more than 400 arts, crafts, and food vendors, as well as children's activities and three stages with music and entertainment.  READ MORE

Turkish Festival

Washington, DC - Free
Sunday, October 19
Celebrate the Turkish Festival with Turkish foods, live music, folk dancing, arts and crafts, and kids' games.  READ MORE

Silver Spring Fall-O-Ween Holiday Crafts & Treats Fair

Silver Spring, MD - Free
Sunday, October 26
In addition to a variety of sweets and desserts, this festival includes a day of crafts, treats, and spooky festivities that promise thrills for kids, pets, and the entire family.  READ MORE

Ethiopian Fall Festival 2025 (at Chinquapin Park)

Alexandria, VA
Sunday, October 12
Join the 5th annual Ethiopian Fall Festival, a joyful, family-friendly celebration of culture, community, and connection. Enjoy live music, traditional dance, delicious food, local vendors, kids’ activities, and access to vital resources. Everyone is welcome! READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Burke Nursery and Garden Centre
Falls Church City Hall and Community Center Grounds
Sterling Community Center
Reston Town Square Park
All 8 Wards
St. Andrews Ukranian Orthodox Cathedral
Harford County Equestrian Center
Chestnut Ave. & 9th St.
Silver Spring Veterans Plaza
Silver Spring Veterans Plaza