KidFriendly DC

Corn Maze & Apple Harvest
Where: Great Country Farms | Bluemont, VA
When: September 1-30
Admission: $10-14/child, $12-18/adult, free/2 & under
Great Country is turning up the fun this fall!  Celebrate the season with PYO apples, freshly pressed cider, award-winning apple cider donuts, and a romp in the 12-acre play area. On weekends, there’s live music, marshmallow roasting, pig races,  and cider pressing demos, too!

Fall Fun Fest
Where: Gaver Farm | Mt. Airy, MD
When: September 4 – November 1
Admission: $14.50/weekdays, $20.50/Sept wknds, $24/Oct wknds
Celebrate the arrival of fall in Mt. Airy, MD, with farm activities for the whole family and other great seasonal traditions. Conquer twists and turns of the corn maze, jump on the giant pillow, pet and feed farm animals, and cruise down giant slides. There are over 60 attractions appropriate for any age including mini mazes, playgrounds, duck races, ball games, photo centers, and much more.

Fall at Clark’s Elioak Farm
Where: Ellicott City, MD
When: Daily thru Nov 8 (closed  Mondays 9/14, 21, & 28)
Admission: $8
This fairytale of a farm doesn’t have a special fall festival per se, but with so many activities, including seasonal delights like pumpkins, cider, and Halloween fun, it’s like a celebration all the time. And it all takes place on the sprawling grounds adorned with installations practically straight out of a storybook (they were actually salvaged from The Enchanted Forest, an old Ellicott City amusement park). Kids can sit on a wall with Humpty, Peek in the Three Bears’ windows, climb aboard Cinderella’s pumpkin coach, explore the Old Woman’s shoe. If that’s not enough, there are hayrides, cow train rides, slides, farm animals to pet, a pumpkin patch, the pine tree maze, and even more. Hours are 10am – 5pm weekdays; 10am – 5:30pm Saturday & Sunday.

Autumn Weekend Activities
Where: Larriland Farm | Woodbine, MD
When: September 8 – October 31
Admission: $3/weekdays, $14/weekends
Larriland is best known for their PYO fields, but in the fall, they offer some more for farm-goers on weekends. Take a hayride out to the pumpkin patch to find a potential jack-o-lantern, then play in the Boo Barn or make your way through their mazes. Apple fritters and food trucks are available, too. Note that only the market and PYO are open weekdays.

Harvest Festival
Where: Belvedere Plantation | Fredericksburg, VA
When: September 12 – November 7
Admission: $18-20/weekdays, $24-27/weekends
This heritage farm has loads to keep the whole gang entertained for hours. The Maize maze, slides, hayrides, ziplines, pumpkin patch, playground, flower picking, jumping pillow are just some of the attractions that little ones will love. Plan to eat there — the Red Rooster Grill offers a variety of grilled favorites to satisfy all appetites. FYI: They’re having a sale on season passes September 4-7,  and on weekend tickets September 8-10!

Bethesda Row Arts Festival
Where: Downtown Bethesda, MD
When: September 12-13
Admission: Free
All ages are welcome to join one of the region’s most exciting and esteemed outdoor festivals. Bethesda Row’s Shopping and Entertainment District is transformed into an outdoor art gallery, featuring more than 180 juried fine arts and crafts from artists around the nation.

Maryland Renaissance Festival
Where: Revel Grove | Crownsville, MD
When: Weekends, August 29 – October 25
Admission:
While it’s not a typical fall festival with hayrides and pumpkins, this medieval time trip brings a unique dose of fun to the season.  There is a huge variety of entertainment — jousting matches, cheeky comedy shows, tight rope walkers and other balancing acts, jugglers, musical performances, puppetry, plus slides, play areas, and games. And walking among knights, maidens, pirates, and villagers in Revel Grove, the faire’s location that resembles a 16th-century Tudor village, as you chomp on turkey legs is a fun and interesting jaunt back in time that any age can enjoy. Heads up that there is a wait list for some dates, but it’s worth signing up in case more are released.  

Montpelier Farms Fall Festival
Where: Upper Marlboro, MD
When: September 12 – November 8
Admission: Starts at $21.11
Enjoy all of the staples of a fall festival on the farm — pumpkins, hayrides, animals, hill slides, farm-themed games and rides, and much more. Some of the festivities are add-ons, so plan to spend extra.  They also offer field trips and birthday parties, something to keep in mind for autumn-born children. And a tip based on our experience there: Do not miss the  always epic 7-acre corn maze! (There’s also smaller one especially for kids).

Adams Morgan Day
Where: Throughout Adams Morgan, DC
When: September 13, 12-6pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate one of the city’s most diverse communities at the 48th Annual Adams Morgan Day, DC’s longest-running neighborhood festival!  The family-friendly celebration will have activities for all ages, including free crafts, multiple stages of entertainment, all kinds of demos, a whole Family Fun Zone, and tons more. More details and the schedule of performances are available on the website.

Cox Farms Fall Festival
Where: Centreville, VA
When: September 19 – November 8
Admission: $15-30 depending on dates
This festival is enormous!  So big I recommend giving the website a good look to help prepare and navigate your way around the sprawling grounds that contain multiple slides, swings, games, mazes, pumpkins, picnics, live entertainment, farm animals, and much more. Expect some lines, especially for the giant slides that take you swooping down several humps over a hillside. There is also a Kiddie Zone just for little ones aged 5 and under. Be prepared for a crowd, especially on weekends. FYI: $12 Last Call Tickets are available when you arrive 4-5pm. on Discount and Value Weekday afternoons in September and October. 

Hayrides and more fun at the scenic Homestead Farm

Fall Fun
Where: Homestead Farm | Poolesville, MD
When: September & October
Admission: $4 (extra for some activities)
Homestead doesn’t have an official festival, but the farm embraces the spirit of autumn every year. Tractor rides out to the pumpkin patches, apple picking, hot cider, farm animals, and scarecrows make it a great place to spend a few hours enjoying the season with the family. The good thing about the lack of a festival, admission is cheap! You still pay for pumpkins and cider – and their can’t-miss caramel apples.

Colonial Market & Fair
Where: Mount Vernon, VA
When: September 19-20, 9am – 5pm
Admission: $28/adult, $14/age 6-11, free/5 & under
At George Washington’s old stomping grounds, they re-create a lively early-American marketplace with demonstrations, crafts, and entertainment. Take in the sights and sounds of it all on Mount Vernon’s 12-acre field and chat with colonial artisans selling traditional handcrafted food and wares. Colonial music transports you back to the 18th century as experts demonstrate period crafting techniques. And you can see General Washington in the General’s Tent. There’s plenty of fun for the whole family! Read more about Mount Vernon here.

Fall Pumpkin Harvest Festival
Where: Great Country Farms | Bluemont, VA
When: September 19 – October 31
Admission: $14-18/adult, $12-18/child, free/2 & under
Great Country is known for its awesome festivals, and the Pumpkin Harvest is no exception. Thrills for little people (okay, us grown-ups, too) include P-Rex, the pumpkin eating dinosaur; Oinkintucky Derby pig races; a cow train; wagon rides to pick pumpkins; five mazes; big slides; rope swings; tractor rides; and even more fun in the country. Find a future jack o’ lantern in the pumpkin patch, one of the largest u-pick patches in the area. See allllll of the many activities here.

Homecoming at Abe’s Place
Where: President Lincoln’s Cottage | Petworth, DC
When: September 19, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free (parking $12)
Lincoln’s Cottage presents this annual day of family fun: Homecoming! During the Civil War the Lincoln family called the Cottage home, and every year they welcome everyone back “home” to join in a full day of activities where you can run, walk, and play like they did. There will be arts and crafts, pony rides and a petting zoo, hands-on activities for kids, cottage tours, picnic ops, and more.

H Street Festival
Where: H Street NE, DC
When: September 19, 12-7pm
Admission: Free 
The annual festival on northeast DC’s thriving corridor is always huge — so beware that there could be a crowd — and there is tons to see and do.  The event always features loads of live entertainment, art exhibits, food trucks; crafts for sale by local vendors, fashion shows, dancin’ in the street, moon bounces, and even more. Public transportation is highly recommended, as parking is always difficult.

Artsfest ’26
Where: Annmarie Sculpture Garden | Lusby, MD
When: September 19-20
Admission: $10/online, $13/at gate, free/11 & under
Celebrate the visual and performing arts at this event that brings together the country’s most accomplished artists for a fabulous weekend extravaganza of the arts — all set amidst the spectacular backdrop of the beautiful woods of Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center.  Enjoy more than 170 artist booths, 40+ performers, activities for kids in the Discovery Tent, Studio School, and the Zany Zone, along with great food, wine & beer, and much more! Read more about Annmarie Sculpture Garden here and here.

Pumpkin Festival
Where: Butler’s Orchard | Germantown, MD
When: September 19 – November 1, Weds – Sun
Admission: $12-15/weekdays, $18-20/weekends 
Enjoy a country outing and celebrate the harvest with traditional autumn activities. An area favorite, kids love jumping in the hayloft, heading out on hayrides, the tube slide, a rubber ducky derby, animal petting area, pony rides, pumpkin picking, corn maze, face painting, and much more. Some activities and food cost extra. Purchase there or bring along a picnic, but be sure to treat the kids – and yourself – to a yummy caramel apple! Snag tickets in advance, as this fest often sells out.

Falls Church Festival
Where: City Hall Campus | Falls Church, VA
When: September 19, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free, but tastes and rides are a fee
The 50th Annual Falls Church Festival returns to The Little City with plenty of family fun. It features The Taste of Falls Church, a beer garden, live music, children’s entertainment, plus booths of local crafters, businesses, and civic organizations.

Susquehanna Wine & Seafood Festival
Where: Concord Point Lighthouse | Havre de Grace, MD
When: September 19, 12-7pm
Admission:  Starts at $20
Experience some of Maryland’s best seafood in a fun, casual, waterfront setting at the 6th Annual Susquehanna Wine & Seafood Festival. The family-friendly event will feature 20+ local restaurants and food trucks, each serving signature seafood dishes. Along with the culinary offerings, the festival will feature live music, a family zone, cooking demos by local chefs, wine pairings, mixology demos, unique shopping, and more fun. Wine tasting tickets are extra.

PYO Pumpkins & Fall Fun
Where: Berryville, VA
When: September 19 – November 1
Admission: $15/weekday, $18-30/weekend
The whole family can enjoy hours of farm fun for visitors of all ages. Get lost in the corn maze, pick out a pumpkin, watch piggies race, bounce around, visit farm animals and check out the goat walk, whiz down slides, romp in the play yard. Admission covers all of those activities and even more. Plan on lunch from the Feed Trough and stock up on fresh farm goods from the Food Stall.

Jumbo’s Pumpkin Patch
Where: Middletown, MD
When: September 19 – November 1
Admission: Free/weekdays, $10-12/Saturday & Sunday
Pick out a pumpkin and enjoy other fun activities for little ones at this 131-acre farm. A 15-acre corn maze, pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting, and wagon rides will delight young farm-goers. Concessions and craft shopping are part of the offerings, too. Check the schedule for any special workshops.  Some activities may cost extra.

Get a taste of Latin Culture at Fiesta DC!

Fiesta DC
Where: Pennsylvania Ave. 3rd-7th St. NW | Downtown, DC
When: September 26-27
Admission: Free
Celebrate Latino culture at the Annual Fiesta DC.  On both days of the weekend, Pennsylvania Avenue from the Navy Memorial Plaza to Freedom Plaza will be filled will lively festivities, including stages featuring a variety of performances, children’s activities, international cuisine, arts & crafts, and more!

Fall Adventures at Summers Farm
Where: Frederick, MD
When: September 26– November 1
Admission: $21.42/ages 3+
With so much farm fun, there undoubtedly will be something to excite every kid. A pumpkin patch, giant jumping pillows, live entertainment, hay rides, hay slides, pig races, rubber ducks races, straw mountains, a mini obstacle course, even a campfire area if you want to “chill” out. Be sure to check the calendar for any special events going on.

Mosaic’s Fall Festival
Where: Mosaic District | Fairfax, VA
When: September 26-27
Admission: Free
The big shopping center in Fairfax host this annual fall event. Festivities include live entertainment and musical performances; the FRESHFARM Farmers Market with 50+ vendors; the URBNmarket with 90 handmade and vintage vendors; beer and wine gardens; kids activities like bouncy fun, balloons, and face painting; plus more special activities for all.

Occoquan Fall Arts & Crafts Show
Where: Mill Street in Occoquan, VA
When: September 26-27
Admission: Free
Plan for a day of family fun as the streets of Occoquan come to life with beautiful art, live music and great food! The historic town will close its street and host hundreds of contemporary and country crafters and artisans from across the US. Find one-of-a-kind, hand crafted items galore! Located just 20 minutes south of DC, but far from the hustle and bustle of a big city, exhibitors and shoppers alike will enjoy the small town oasis nestled along the Occoquan River.

Fall Fest
Where: Reston Farm Garden Market | Reston, VA
When: September 26 – October 16, weekends
Admission: $18.62/child, $7.23/adult
Reston Farm Garden Market’s annual festival offers an array of family-friendly activities — slides and moon bounces, a petting zoo, the Reston Farm Garden Market Express Train, pumpkins and more. The Market also features a wide selection of seasonal products for purchase. And Leo’s food truck will also be on-site each weekend, offering delicious treats to complement your visit.

Fall Fun & Pumpkins
Where: Schlagel Farm | Waldorf, MD
When: October 3-31, Saturdays & Sundays
Admission: $11
The farm known for its berry picking in spring and summer also welcomes guests to pick out pumpkins in the fall. Hayrides, farm animals to visit, and small slides, and a straw maze give kids a little extra fun, too.

Frederick’s Oktoberfest
Where: Great Frederick Fairgrounds, MD
When: October 3
Admission: $6-8/age 3-12, $15-29/age 13+,  free/2 & under
The Frederick Fairgrounds once again will be transformed into a German village where dancing, live music, children’s events, bratwurst, Oktoberfest bier, German wines, and much more will make for a fun time for all ages. Especially for kids: face painting, pumpkin decorating, scarecrow making, and musical entertainment.

See weiner dogs race at The Wharf’s Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest
Where: The Wharf | Southwest DC
When: October 3
Admission: Free
It’s that time of year… put on your dirndl or lederhosen, grab your Dachshund, and head to The Wharf for  free Oktoberfest festivities. The highlight:  Cheer on the dogs competing in the 14th Annual Wiener 500 Dachshund Dash to benefit Rural Dog Rescue. Throughout the weekend, enjoy German fare, Bavarian decor and costumes, and Sam Adam Octoberfest beer for adults.

Taste of Bethesda
Where: Woodmont Triangle | Bethesda, MD
When: October 3, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free, but pay for samples
According to some stats, Bethesda has more restaurants per capita than any other city in the U.S. Accurate or not, DC’s suburban neighbor definitely has a food scene worth celebrating. The 33rd year of Bethesda’s famous food and music festival will bring the best restaurants and five stages of entertainment to the downtown’s Woodmont Triangle. Along with delicious food samples and live entertainment, there will be a kid’s corner for face painting, arts & crafts, and more fun for young ones. Admission is free, and taste tickets are sold on-site.

Art on the Avenue
Where: Mt. Vernon Avenue in Del Ray | Alexandria, VA
When: October 3, 10am – 6pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate the diversity of Alexandria’s Del Ray community at this multicultural arts festival. Numerous artists — jewelers, woodworkers, pottery makers, soap crafters, glass makers, painters, sculptors, fabric artists, and musicians — will have their work on display and for sale. And kids activities have always been a vital bites.

College Park Day
Where: College Park Aviation Museum | College Park, MD
When: October 3, 12-6pm
Admission: Free
This free event is fun for the whole family with live entertainment on three stages, including a family stage with performances for children and families. There will also be wandering performers, crafts, activities, games, races, bounce houses, obstacle courses, and more. Aviation enthusiasts of all ages will enjoy browsing the College Park Aviation Museum’s exhibits (free on College Park Day) and a helicopter fly-in! Lots of food and drink options, too.

Takoma Park Street Festival
Where: Carroll Ave. to Carroll St. | Takoma Park, MD
When: October 4
Admission: Free
The streets of Takoma Park will be filled with music, artisans, community groups, kids activities, food vendors and a variety of green companies at the city’s 45th annual festival. Get a jumpstart on your holiday shopping — over 150 vendors will be selling all kinds of artistic wares. Music lovers will enjoy three stages hosting 18 bands playing all day.

PIKEtoberfest
Where: Pike & Rose | North Bethesda, MD
When: October 4, 11-4pm
Admission: Free
North Bethesda’s premier fall festival returns with fan-favorite attractions and new experiences for all. Enjoy live music and 2 DJs, over 20 artisans and makers, the PIKEkids Zone with fun and activities, a Rivian Experience, and more!

Capitol Hill Porch Fest
Where: Around Capitol Hill, DC
When: October 10
Admission: Free
PorchFest, the free local music event where bands play right on porches and in front yards throughout a neighborhood, is coming to Capitol Hill! It’s taken place in other parts of DC for years, but this October will be the first time it’s on the Hill. All are welcome to come enjoy the live music and lively community!

Marker-Miller Orchard Fall Festivals
Where: Winchester, VA
When: October 10-11 & October 24
Admission: Free
There’s a variety of fun to be had throughout the season with a couple of different festivals taking place. The Apple Harvest Festival is October 10-11, offering a weekend of, well, everything apples: multiple varieties of apples, apple cobbler, apple caramel sundaes, plus the wagon rides and cow train for kids. October 24 is their annual Pumpkin Festival, when you can find your own Great Pumpkin and enjoy all the usual festivities at the orchard.

Turkish Festival
Where: Pennsylvania Ave, 3rd-6th St NW | Downtown DC
When: October 18, 11am – 6:30pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate Turkish heritage and culture on the streets of DC!  The free event will include live music, folk dancing performances, kids games, arts & crafts, cultural events, and more. Enjoy authentic Turkish cuisines and shop Turkish ceramic bowls, carpets, and other cultural items from local vendors.

Adams Morgan Apple Festival
Where: Adams Morgan, DC
When: October 24, 10am – 1pm
Admission: Free
Adams Morgan’s annual Apple Festival brings the sights, scents, and tastes of the season to the city . This community favorite features an heirloom apple tasting from Licking Creek Bend Farm and a homemade apple pie baking contest judged by local leaders. Festival-goers can purchase pie slices to support a neighborhood nonprofit, enjoy fall-themed specials from local businesses, and take in the cozy, seasonal atmosphere just steps from the Adams Morgan Farmers Market.

Do you have a favorite festival you don’t see listed here? Let us know about it in the comments!