Labor Day has come and gone, the pools are closing, and you’ve packed away your white pants for the year (do people still do that?). In short, summer’s over. But don’t worry, because there’s no shortage of things to do in DC this fall, and we’ve put together a concise list to help you cut through the noise and get your event priorities in order.

Read this list, grab yourself a PSL, a warm sweater, and get out there!

1. Washington Redskins Home Opener

September 16, 2018, FedEx Field

For DC sports fans, the show never stops. After a long summer of National’s games, it’s time for tailgates, solo cups, cornhole, and Redskins football. Now led by quarterback Alex Smith, the Skins are playing their first home game of the season on September 16th at 1 PM.

The team has recently acquired a few notable players, including Paul Richardson, Jr. and Adrian Peterson, as the Redskins look for their first playoff appearance since 2015. Will this be our year?

Tickets are available here.

2. Taste of Georgetown

September 23, 2018, Georgetown

Craft beer. Fine wine. Delicious food. Now imagine enjoying that trifecta while you stroll through one of DC’s most historic and beautiful neighborhoods – Georgetown! Now in its 25th year, Taste of Georgetown is a fall event that should definitely be on your list.

Over 30 of the neighborhood’s most popular restaurants will have booths set up along a stretch of the Georgetown waterfront, where you can spend the Sunday afternoon strolling the various vendors and sampling the best of what Georgetown has to offer.

Best of all, the event benefits the Georgetown Ministry Center’s Homeless Assistance Programs!

(#Fraylife Tip: It’s an old neighborhood. Parking is tight. Take public transportation, or a rideshare!)

Snag your tickets here.

3. The DC State Fair

September 23, 2018, Waterfront Station

DC’s ninth annual state fair will showcase our city’s agricultural and artistic talents in a way that is creative, collaborative, sustainable, and accessible to both District residents and visitors alike.

Historically, the fair has been held in a different neighborhood each year since its inception in 2010. This year’s fair (which is free to attend!) will offer contests, live music, educational workshops, food vendors, and even a pet parade.

After the fair, explore the rest of DC’s scenic Southwest Waterfront. Might we suggest catching a show at DC’s newest concert hall, The Anthem?

4. Art All Night

September 29, 2018, Various Neighborhoods

Art All Night is DC’s annual free overnight arts festival. Starting at 7:00 PM on the 29th and ending at 3:00 AM the next morning, the festival spans eight different neighborhoods: Congress Heights, Minnesota Avenue, Dupont Circle, Deanwood Heights, Shaw, Tenleytown, H Street, and North Capital.

The festival will showcase 100 artists from across the region, and attendees are invited to travel across the city to experience the various installations, which will include performing arts, painting, photography, crafts, fashion, music, film, and more!

For more information, check the website.

5. All Things Go Fall Classic

October 6-7, 2018, Union Market

Maybe you missed out on this summer’s music festival season and want to make up for it. Or, maybe you went all out and are still riding the festival wave. Either way, here’s a fall festival to wrap up the year with — and you won’t even have to leave the district.

This year’s lineup includes BØRNS, Maggie Rogers, Billie Eilish, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Cautious Clay, to name a few. Full lineup, and tickets, here.

#FrayLife Tip: First time to Union Market? Read this.

6. Snallygaster

October 13, 2018, Pennsylvania Ave NW between 3rd & 6th

Strange name? Maybe. A beer festival for the books? Definitely. Snallygaster calls itself the District’s “beastliest beer festival, bar none,” — and for good reason. The seventh annual iteration of the salute to craft beer will treat attendees to over 350 small batch brews on tap, plus a smattering of local food trucks and two stages of live music.

The festival is put on by the same beer lovers who brought Bluejacket, Churchkey, and Sovereign to Washington, so we’ll assume they know what they’re doing.

Ticket sales (here’s a link) benefit Arcadia, a nonprofit dedicated to creating a more equitable and sustainable local food system in the DC region.

7. The Maryland Renaissance Festival

Every weekend now through October 21, 2018, 1821 Crownsville Road, Annapolis, MD

Armor. Swords. Corsets. Jousting. Throwing axes. Massive turkey legs. Mead. You get it.

Come party like it’s the dark ages at Maryland’s annual Renaissance Festival (or Ren fest, if you want to sound like you’ve been before).

About an hour’s drive from downtown Washington lies the world of knights and jesters, blacksmiths and beer maids, and any other medieval characters you can remember from Game of Thrones, or the Monty Python movies.

The festival is outside, rain or shine, so dress accordingly. For the best experience, buy your tickets online before arriving at the gates.

8. The Virginia Wine Festival

October 13-14, 2018, Gateway Park Rosslyn, 1300 Lee Highway, Arlington, VA 22209

The Virginia Wine Festival is a storied local institution, now entering its 43rd consecutive year of consolidating the state’s best wines and ciders for your enjoyment. Over 200 wines will be available for tasting at the festival, and tickets include unlimited samples. Do we really need to say more?

Tickets available here.

9. Emporiyum

November 9-11, 2018, Dock 5 at Union Market

Emporiyum is an annual gourmet food marketplace pop-up that aggregates some of the most delicious treats from across the U.S. and brings them all to DC for one weekend in November.

Free samples, tons of vendors, a DJ, and a slew of artisans selling top-quality gifts will definitely make for a prime chance to relax, indulge, and even get a headstart on your holiday shopping. Last year’s pop-up was staffed by some heavy-weight vendors, including Whole Foods, CharmCity Meadworks, BarkThins, Swizzler, and dozens more. It’s safe to assume that this year will be just as good, if not better.

More information here.

What local events around the DMV are you most excited to attend this fall? Don’t forget to tag #FrayLife #DCFray in your social posts to share us in your fun.

Do you need even more ideas for exciting activities this September and beyond? Hit up these yoga events combining fitness and fun OR give back to local pets at these awesome charity events.

View More Articles By Mark Satter

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