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Best Harvest & Pumpkin Festivals Near DC, plus More Fall Fairs and Fests for Family Fun

Enjoy loads of autumn activities at the Cox Farms Fall Festival. Photo courtesy of the
Enjoy loads of autumn activities at the Cox Farms Fall Festival. Photo courtesy of the
9/3/23 - By Jennifer Swope

As September arrives in the DC area, pumpkin festivals, harvest festivals, and other fall fairs and fests 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 events that celebrate food, culture, art, and more. These festivals have lots to offer, from pumpkins and apples to crafts, games, live music, and so much more.

We've found nearly 40 harvest and pumpkin festivals in and around DC, plus other fall fairs and fests that you'll want to add to your family's calendar.

Don't forget to check out our Fall Fun Guide for Washington, DC Families for even more autumn fun, including our lists of the best pumpkin patches near DC and where to go apple picking near DC.

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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

Best Harvest and Pumpkin Festivals Near DC

Pumpkin Village at Leesburg Animal Park

Leesburg, VA
Daily except Tuesdays, September 16 - November 5, 2023
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
Daily, September 1 - October 31, 2023
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 16 - November 7, 2023
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
Daily except Tuesdays, September 16 - October 31, 2023
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 16 - November 5, 2023
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, September 23 - October 29, 2023 (plus Monday, October 9)
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
Daily, October 1-31, 2023
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 23 - October 29, 2023
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

Super Hero Corn Maze & Fall Festival

Gambrills, MD
Saturdays & Sundays, September 16 - November 5, 2023
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

Burke Nursery Fall Farm Market & Pumpkin Patch

Burke, VA - Free Daily, October 1-31, 2023
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

Farmers Market Fall Harvest Festival

Oakton, VA - Free
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Celebrate the fall harvest at the Fairfax County Park Authority Farmers Market with fun and free activities including pumpkin painting, hot cider, live music, trivia, and prizes. READ MORE

Pumpkin Race & Fall Festival

Montgomery Village, MD - Free
Saturday, October 14, 2023
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

Fall Festival at Kelly Miller Farm

Washington DC - Free
Saturday, October 21, 2023
The 6th Annual Fall Festival at Kelly Miller Farm is fun for the entire family. Spend the day outside while enjoying the fall weather and great food, pony rides, face painting, games, and more. READ MORE

Mount Vernon Fall Harvest Festival

Mount Vernon, VA
Saturday & Sunday, October 21 & 22, 2023
Visitors can meet George Washington and celebrate fall with 18th-century activities and demonstrations like candle making, cooking, horseshoeing, and textile production. 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 Family-Friendly Fall Fairs and Festivals Near DC

Maryland Renaissance Festival

Annapolis, MD
Saturdays & Sundays, August 26 - October 22, 2023
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

Adams Morgan Day

Washington, DC - Free
Sunday, September 10, 2023
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

H Street Festival

Washington, DC - Free
Saturday, September 16, 2023
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 16 & 17, 2023
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

Mount Vernon Colonial Market & Fair

Mount Vernon, VA
Saturday & Sunday, September 16 & 17, 2023
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

RESCHEDULED: Celebrate Petworth

Washington, DC - Free
Sunday, September 23, 2023
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

Pan African Festival USA

Silver Spring, MD - Free
Saturday, September 23, 2023
Celebrate African heritage at the Pan African Festival USA. With the theme “I ♥ African Heritage Unity!", cultures of area residents of African descent are showcased through live performances, arts and crafts, food, and fashion.  READ MORE

Green Spring Family Fall Festival

Alexandria, VA - Free
Saturday, September 23, 2023
Families can enjoy activities and classes at the Green Spring Annual Family Fall Festival, including vendors selling plants and other items, a silent auction, a book sale, and a bake sale. READ MORE

RESCHEDULED: Falls Church Festival

Falls Church, VA - Free
Saturday, September 23, 2023
This free festival features a beer garden, live music, children's entertainment, and booths from local crafters, businesses, and civic organizations. READ MORE

Fiesta Sterling

Sterling, VA - Free
Saturday, September 23, 2023
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, moon bounces, giveaways, live music, a DJ, and more. READ MORE

CANCELED: Reston Multicultural Festival

Reston, VA - Free
Saturday, September 23, 2023
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

Fiesta DC

Washington, DC - Free
Saturday & Sunday, September 23 & 24, 2023
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

RESCHEDULED: Mosaic Fall Festival

Fairfax, VA - Free
Saturday & Sunday, September 23 & 24, 2023
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

Art All Night

Washington, DC - Free
Friday & Saturday, September 29 & 30, 2023
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

World Culture Festival

Washington, DC - Free
Friday, September 29 - Sunday, October 1, 2023
World Culture Festival takes over the National Mall for three days of dancing, singing, and the joining of humanity from across cultures. A kids corner is among the family-friendly activities. READ MORE

Manassas Latino Festival

Manassas, VA - Free
Saturday, September 30, 2023
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

Silver Spring Oktoberfest Arts & Crafts Fall Fair

Silver Spring, MD - Free
Sunday, October 1, 2023
A wide variety of arts and crafts, food, and dessert vendors are featured at this year's 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

Takoma Park Street Festival

Takoma Park, MD - Free
Sunday, October 1, 2023
Enjoy over 150 vendors, live music from 18 local bands, food trucks, and more fun activities at this popular street festival. READ MORE

Old Bowie Celebrates! Festival

Bowie, MD - Free
Saturday, October 7, 2023
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

City of Fairfax Fall Festival

Fairfax, VA - Free
Saturday, October 14, 2023
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 15, 2023
Celebrate the Turkish Festival with Turkish foods, live music, folk dancing, arts and crafts, and kids' games.  READ MORE

Wheaton Arts Parade & Festival

Wheaton, MD - Free
Sunday, October 15, 2023
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

LoCo Latino Festival

Leesburg, VA - Free
Sunday, October 22, 2023
The Loudoun County Latino Festival is a free community festival to celebrate and showcase Latino culture. The event features live music and entertainment, traditional food, giveaways, local businesses, non-profit and commercial vendors, and children's activities including games, crafts, moon bounces, stack cups, face painting, and more. READ MORE

Silver Spring Holiday Crafts & Treats Fair

Silver Spring, MD - Free
Sunday, October 29, 2023
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
Civic Center at Veterans Plaza
Falls Church City Hall and Community Center Grounds
Sterling Community Center
Reston Town Square Park
All 8 Wards
Silver Spring Veterans Plaza
Chestnut Ave. & 9th St.
Loudoun County Shenandoah Building
Silver Spring Veterans Plaza