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Best Fall Festivals near DC for Kids and Families

Enjoy loads of fall fun at the Cox Farms Fall Festival. Photo courtesy of the festival
Enjoy loads of fall fun at the Cox Farms Fall Festival. Photo courtesy of the festival
9/4/22 - By Christine Mooney

As September arrives in the DC area, fall fairs and festivals begin. There are so many amazing fall festivals near DC, from farm festivals that last all of October (and parts of September and November) to daylong or weekend fairs and festivals that celebrate food, culture, art, and more. These fall festivals near DC have lots to offer, including pumpkin patches, apple picking, crafts, games, live music, and so much more.

Read on for 20 great fall festivals near DC that you'll love to add to your crew's calendar. All of them take place outdoors to allow your family to soak up that fresh fall air. Don't forget to check out our Fall Fun Guide for Washington, DC Families for even more autumn fun!

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

Fall Festivals near DC: Fun on the Farm

Pumpkin Village at Leesburg Animal Park

Leesburg, VA
Daily except Tuesdays, September 1 - November 6, 2022
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

Gaver Farm Fall Fun Fest

Mount Airy, MD
September 2 - October 31, 2022
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

Cox Farms Fall Festival

Centreville, VA
Various dates, September 17 - November 8, 2022
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

Summers Farm Fall Festival

Frederick, MD
September 17 - October 31, 2022
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

Montpelier Farms Fall Festival

Upper Marlboro, MD
Various dates, September 17 - November 6, 2022
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

Butler's Orchard Pumpkin Festival

Germantown, MD
Wednesdays - Sundays (plus Monday, October 10), September 24 - October 30, 2022
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

Great Country Farms Fall Pumpkin Harvest Festival

Bluemont, VA
October 1-31, 2022
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

Reston Farm Garden Market Fall Fest

Reston, VA
Saturdays & Sundays, September 24 - October 31, 2022
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

A Jurassic Corn Maze & Fall Festival

Gambrills, MD
Saturdays & Sundays, September 17 - November 6, 2022
Explore eight acres of a Jurassic corn maze, hayrides, pumpkins, corn pits, pony rides, petting farm, ziplines, slingshots, straw pyramids, jumping pillows, and so much more. Visitors will enjoy festival treats, including fresh dipped corn dogs, kettle corn, and snow balls. The Maryland Corn Maze is open from September 17 through November 6, with three additional Saturday nights where visitors use flashlights in the maze to add to the excitement of getting lost. READ MORE

Burke Nursery Fall Farm Market & Pumpkin Patch

Burke, VA - Free October 1-31, 2022
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
Experience the culture of Turkey at the Turkish Festival. Photo courtesy of the festival
Experience the culture of Turkey at the Turkish Festival. Photo courtesy of the festival

More Family-Friendly Fall Festivals in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

Maryland Renaissance Festival

Annapolis, MD
Saturdays & Sundays, August 27 - October 23, 2022
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

Green Spring Family Fall Festival

Alexandria, VA - Free
Saturday, September 17, 2022
Families can enjoy activities and classes at the Green Spring Annual Family Fall Festival. Vendors will be on site selling plants and other items, and there will be a silent auction, a book sale, and a bake sale. READ MORE

Falls Church Festival

Falls Church, VA - Free
Saturday, September 17, 2022
This free festival features a beer garden, live music, children's entertainment, and booths from local crafters, businesses, and civic organizations. READ MORE

H Street Festival

Washington, DC - Free
Saturday, September 17, 2022
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

Bluemont Fair

Bluemont, VA
Saturday & Sunday, September 17 & 18, 2022
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

Celebrate Petworth

Washington, DC - Free
Sunday, September 18, 2022
The Celebrate Petworth Festival features storytelling about the history of the Petworth neighborhood, delicious food, a dog show, music and performers, and a full day of kids' activities in the Kids' Zone. READ MORE

Mount Vernon Colonial Market & Fair

Mount Vernon, VA
Saturday & Sunday, September 17 & 18, 2022
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

Maryland Seafood Festival

Annapolis, MD
Saturday & Sunday, September 24 & 25, 2022
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

Fiesta DC

Washington, DC - Free
Saturday & Sunday, September 24 & 25, 2022
Experience a celebration of Latino culture from across Central and South America at the 50th-anniversary Fiesta DC. The festival includes a parade, music, and food from several Latino countries.  READ MORE

Pan African Festival USA

Silver Spring, MD - Free
Saturday, September 24, 2022
Celebrate African heritage at the Pan African Festival USA. With the theme “I ♥ African Heritage Unity!", cultures of area residents of African descent will be showcased through live performances, arts and crafts, food, and fashion.  READ MORE

Manassas Latino Festival

Manassas, VA - Free
Saturday, September 24, 2022
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

Mosaic Fall Festival

Fairfax, VA - Free
Saturday, September 24, 2022
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 25, 2022
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

Takoma Park Street Festival - RESCHEDULED

Takoma Park, MD - Free
Sunday, October 2, 2022
Takoma Park Street Festival is rescheduled. Enjoy over 150 vendors, live music from 18 local bands, food trucks, and more fun activities at this popular street festival. READ MORE

Silver Spring Arts & Crafts Fall Fair

Silver Spring, MD - Free
Sunday, October 2, 2022
A wide variety of arts and crafts, food, and dessert vendors are featured at this year's annual Silver Spring Arts & Crafts Fall Fair. Check out the holiday displays, chomp on delicious cookies, and enjoy hot chocolate or apple cider while the kids decorate little pumpkins.   READ MORE

City of Fairfax Fall Festival

Fairfax, VA - Free
Saturday, October 8, 2022
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. Admission is free! READ MORE

Pumpkin Race & Fall Festival

Montgomery Village, MD - Free
Saturday, October 8, 2022
Face off or watch as decorated pumpkins on wheels go head to head in this crazy pumpkin race! There will be awards for best decoration and most innovative design, best themed pumpkin racer and driver duo, and lots of other fun categories. Attendees can also enjoy live music, food, and lots of children's activities. READ MORE

Turkish Festival

Washington, DC - Free
Sunday, October 16, 2022
Celebrate the Turkish Festival’s 20th anniversary with Turkish foods, live music, folk dancing, arts and crafts, and kids' games.  READ MORE

Mount Vernon Fall Harvest Festival

Mount Vernon, VA
Saturday & Sunday, October 22 & 23, 2022
Mount Vernon celebrates fall with 18th-century activities at the Farm at Mount Vernon. Families can meet General Washington, see cooking and spinning demonstrations, learn about 18th-century textile production, and more.  READ MORE

Silver Spring Holiday Crafts & Treats Fair

Silver Spring, MD - Free
Sunday, October 30, 2022
In addition to a variety of sweets and desserts, this festival includes pumpkin decorating, storytelling, a kids' costume parade, and other fun activities. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Burke Nursery and Garden Centre
Falls Church City Hall and Community Center Grounds
Civic Center at Veterans Plaza
Silver Spring Veterans Plaza
Silver Spring Veterans Plaza