WASHINGTON — It’s always sad to see summer go, but fall offers plenty to look forward to — apple cider doughnuts, we’re looking at you.
This season, there are a number of beer, wine, food, art, apple and pumpkin festivals on the calendar in the D.C. area. Here are some of the best bets:
Sept. 7-8 The national Gelato Festival is making a stop in D.C. Sept. 7 and 8 at the City Market at O. Admission ($25 for adults) gets you all-you-can-eat gelato, plus access to demonstrations, contests, games and more. (AP/Toby Talbot)
AP/Toby Talbot
Sept. 8 Just because D.C. is not technically a state, doesn’t mean it can’t celebrate with a state fair. The 10th annual DC State Fair will be held at the art park and pavilion, Gateway DC. Bring your best baked goods: The festival features culinary contests, crafts, a pet parade and more. (ASSOCIATED PRESS/Russel A. Daniels)
ASSOCIATED PRESS/Russel A. Daniels
Sept. 14 Ciders from more than 25 producers around the country will be featured (and poured) at the annual Virginia Cider Festival in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Just a word of warning: the event celebrates hard cider, not the kid-friendly variety. (AP/Matthew Mead)
AP/Matthew Mead
Sept. 21-22 Sample wines from wineries across the state, peruse merchandise from local arts and crafts vendors, taste cheese from Maryland’s creameries and kick back to live music at this year’s Maryland Wine Festival. (Getty Images/David Silverman)
Getty Images/David Silverman
Sept. 21-22 More than 200 local and national artists will display their work in a show that takes over King Street, Sept. 21 and 22. There will be paintings, jewelry, sculptures, photography and more at this free festival. (Getty Images )
Getty Images
Sept. 21 Celebrate one of D.C.’s hottest corridors at the annual H Street Festival. Events for the day include music, dance, food, fashion and children’s programming. (WTOP/Dana Gooley)
WTOP/Dana Gooley
Sept. 22 Georgetown brings together the neighborhood’s growing list of restaurants, cafes and fast-casual concepts at the annual Taste of Georgetown. (Courtesy Taste of Georgetown, Sam Kittner)
Courtesy Taste of Georgetown, Sam Kittner
Sept. 27, 28 Find bratwurst, beer and bands in Frederick, Maryland, at one of the biggest and best Oktoberfest celebrations in the D.C. area. The family-friendly event also has a kid zone and German heritage activities.
Sept. 29 The Turkish Festival will take place on Pennsylvania Avenue NW, between 12th and 14th Streets on Sunday, Sept. 29. Visitors can expect authentic Turkish cuisine, live music, folk dance performances, Turkish arts and crafts vendors, kids games and more. (AP/Lefteris Pitarakis)
AP/Lefteris Pitarakis
Sept. 28-29; Oct. 5, 6, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 26, 27 In Maryland, check out the pumpkin festival at Butler’s Orchard. The festival features hayrides, a corn maze, a playground, pony rides, face painting and pick-your-own pumpkins. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
AP Photo/Matt Rourke
Sept. 30-Oct. 31 The drive to Bluemont, Virginia, is well worth it, with all the fun waiting at Great Country Farms’ annual fall festival. Expect wagon rides, pumpkin picking, pig races, marshmallow roasting, live music, a corn maze and a large play area for little ones. Across the street, pop in for a pint at Dirt Farm Brewing. Or opt for a tasting at Bluemont Vineyard. (AP/Matt Rourke)
AP/Matt Rourke
Oct. 4-5 D.C. United is hosting a new festival this year at the team’s home field in Southwest, D.C. There will be tastings from more than 20 restaurants and 10 breweries, plus live music, interactive art installations and more. (WTOP/Noah Frank)
WTOP/Noah Frank
Oct. 5 Back for its fourth year, the annual Hops & Harvest Festival has a new location for 2019: Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods in Columbia, Maryland. Expect more than 80 breweries, wineries, distilleries and local food vendors — plus live entertainment and games for kids. (AP/Dean Fosdick)
AP/Dean Fosdick
Oct. 11-13 This wine festival takes place on the historic grounds of George Washington’s Mount Vernon in Alexandria, Virginia. The event includes live blues music, tours of Washington’s home and educational seminars. (Courtesy Maria Bryk for George Washington's Mount Vernon)
Courtesy Maria Bryk for George Washington's Mount Vernon
Oct. 12 D.C.’s biggest beer festival is back. This year, visitors will pay a flat fee for unlimited craft beer tastings. There will also be food trucks and live music. (WTOP/Brennan Haselton)
WTOP/Brennan Haselton
Oct. 19-20 Virginia’s wine industry is booming, and there’s no better way to taste all that’s coming out of the state than at the 44th annual Virginia Wine Festival, featuring more than 200 Virginia wines. Bring your appetite: The event will also have a Virginia oyster pavilion.
Oct. 19 Craft beer tents, oyster tents and local vendors will take over Shirlington Village in Northern Virginia on Oct. 20 for Copperwood Tavern’s Shucktoberfest event. There will also be a kids station with games. (AP/Steve Helber)
AP/Steve Helber
Through Oct. 21 Looking for mead and merriment? You’ll find both at the Maryland Renaissance Festival — along with plenty of period-themed food, art, music and costumes. This year’s festival, in Crownsville, Maryland, runs through Oct. 21. (Courtesy Maryland Renaissance Festival)
Courtesy Maryland Renaissance Festival
Nov. 2 Maryland breweries will be well represented on Nov. 2 at Canton Waterfront Park for this year’s Baltimore Craft Beer Festival. Don’t miss the home-brewing competition, local food vendors, yard games, music and more. (AP/Patrick Semansky)
AP/Patrick Semansky
Nov. 9 New to Mount Vernon’s event lineup is the George Washington Whiskey Festival. Enjoy spirits from Virginia distillers and other famous whiskey producers, plus learn about the whiskey operations at George Washington’s Mount Vernon. (WTOP/Rachel Nania )
WTOP/Rachel Nania
