Festivals and Fairs in September
In September, there are several notable and fun festivals and events across Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. Here are some highlights:
Washington, DC
National Symphony Orchestra's Free Labor Day Concert
Sept. 1, 2024, at 8 p.m. - Free!
The National Symphony Orchestra's free annual Labor Day weekend concert returns to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The performance is free to attend, and tickets are not required. Seating is first-come, first-served.
Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, at 8 a.m.
Start Line Location: 12th St. NW and Constitution Ave. NW.
Finish Line Location: 300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.
With a family-friendly course, this event is one of the biggest cycling celebrations in DC and offers a unique car-free experience of our capital city’s monuments. The 20-mile excursion winds riders through city streets and by monuments and memorials. Riders over the age of three are welcome. The Finish Festival, which includes food, music, and fun activities, is a must.
Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Franklin Park, 1332 I Street Northwest Washington, DC, 20005
A celebration of local culture and community featuring agriculture, culinary arts, crafts, food, live music, and more. Enjoy a free showcase of the District’s agricultural, culinary, and creative talents with a daylong celebration of all things homegrown. Inspired by time-honored state fair traditions, growing and gardening, contests, and delicious foods, the DC State Fair honors what makes the nation's capital one of a kind.
Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, from noon to 7 p.m.
18th Street and Wyoming Ave NW, Washington, DC - Free!
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.
Sept. 14 - 22, 2024
Experience the incredible walkability of the nation’s capital during this free, week-long public tour program. This year marks the 25th anniversary of Walkingtown, DC. In total, dozens of guided walking tours will be held throughout the District, including neighborhood showcases, themed excursions, historical journeys, and many more. Historians, licensed tour guides, community leaders, and business owners host these adventures to take you to well-known and hidden gems across DC. The anniversary celebration will be capped off by a closing reception on Sept. 22.
Celebrate Oktoberfest in the District
Mid Sept. into Oct. 2024
DC beer enthusiasts break out their lederhosen and dirndls to observe Oktoberfest with German beer, bites, and live music. Locations across the city will participate, including a few annually recurring favorites: Bluejacket serves weissbiers, schwarzbiers, and helles lagers from the keg, Wunder Garten hosts its Pridetoberfest LGBTQ+ party, and the Wharf goes all out the weekend of October 5, with Polka on the Pier, a Stein Hosting Competition and the thrilling Dachshund Dash.
LIVE! Concert Series on the Plaza
Monday through Friday through Sept. 27, 2024, from noon-1 p.m. - Free!
Wilson Plaza, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004
From salsa to strings and blues to swing, Live! Concert Series on the Plaza features hot entertainment for the downtown DC community. Head to Wilson Plaza between noon and 1 p.m. and take in free lunchtime performances showcasing the area's most talented entertainers. This year’s lineup focuses on the official music of DC, Go-Go. The roster includes The Chuck Brown Band, DC Vybe, Heat Stroke, Junkyard Band, and E.U. Featuring Sugar Bear.
Maryland
Saturday, Sept. 27, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 28, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Held in the Inner Harbor in and around Waverly Main Street.
This event features author readings, book signings, and literary-themed activities.
Saturdays and Sundays and Labor Day through October 20th, 2024, from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
1821 Crownsville Road, Annapolis, MD
A tradition for the entire family, the Maryland Renaissance Festival begins its 48th season of thrills, feasting, handmade crafts, entertainment, and merriment. Frolic in the 27-acre re-creation of a 16th-century English village, Revel Grove, featuring more than 200 professional performers on ten stages, a 3,000-seat arena with armored jousting on magnificent steeds, and streets filled with village characters.
Silver Spring Arts & Crafts End Of Summer Celebration
Sept. 8, 2024, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring, Maryland - Free
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.
Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Takoma Park Middle School - Free!
The Takoma Park Folk Festival features six music stages, crafts, food, community nonprofit tables, and games and activities for children.
Virginia
Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
1300 Langston Boulevard, Arlington, VA - Free!
Arlington, Virginia’s most popular free outdoor music festival at Gateway Park! Join the Rosslyn BID and Arlington Arts at the 32nd Rosslyn Jazz Fest for an afternoon of music, community, food trucks, yard games, and more.
Fiddles and Fifths Bluegrass and Bourbon Festival
Sept. 14, 2024
Old Town Winchester, VA
Join in the fun at the third annual Bluegrass and Bourbon Festival, which features a fantastic variety of food trucks, a beer garden featuring our amazing local breweries and cideries, and, of course, plenty of bourbon! Festivalgoers will need a wristband ($25 in advance and $35 the day of) to enter Bright Box and The Monument (one wristband gets you into both venues), but the rest of the festival is free and open to the public.
Colonial Market & Fair at George Washington's Mount Vernon
Saturday, Sept. 14, and Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Included with admission (Free for members!)
Step back in time at Colonial Market & Fair, an 18th-century marketplace on Mount Vernon's 12-acre field. Chat with colonial artisans selling traditional handcrafted food and wares and hear live music from the colonial era. Play 18th-century games on the bowling green and watch expert artisans demonstrate period crafting techniques.
Monday, Sept. 2, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Segra Field, Leesburg, VA - Free!
Families are invited to Loudoun County’s annual LoCo Kids Fest, with many family-friendly activities at the Segra Field Parking Lots on Labor Day.
West Virginia
Mountain State Forest Festival
Sept. 28 - Oct. 6, 2024
Downtown, Elkins, WV
The Mountain State Forest Festival is one of the largest and oldest festivals in West Virginia. It promotes the beauty and splendor of the mountains and valleys in all their autumn glory. There is something for everyone to enjoy, including headline concerts and music shows, a lumberjack competition, forestry and wood exhibits, a juried art show, a photography exhibit, a quilt show, arts and crafts, amusement rides, and parades.
Randolph County and the City of Elkins open their streets to accommodate 75,000+ visitors each year, with an opportunity for exploring our surrounding counties.
West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival
Aug. 30, 31 and Sept. 1, 2024
Clarksburg, W.V.
Come join the fun at the 45th annual celebration of Italian culture with music, food, and crafts. The Festival offers a wide array of authentic Italian "street food," complete with pastries, that one can eat while watching the entertainers and visiting the vendor booths! There is entertainment for the bambini as well, with a specially designated children's area, a stage and entertainment for the kiddos, and a safe carnival midway with rides and games.
These festivals offer a variety of experiences, from literary and cultural celebrations to food and historical reenactments, ensuring something fun and engaging for everyone in September!
