Getting to the Fall Festivities in DC

by Necole Jackson

As summer ends, we’re looking forward to fall! In addition to DC’s picturesque fall foliage, this is a popular season for music and food events, art shows, and neighborhood festivals throughout the city. There’s a long list of upcoming events, so goDCgo has highlighted a few popular fall festivals you should attend and the best ways to get there without a car.

Whether you live in the District or are visiting to experience the culture, goDCgo highly suggests leaving the car behind to avoid traffic and the search for parking. Get to the fall festivities using sustainable transportation instead! In addition to the public transit options below, you can easily get around by walking, biking, or scooting.

Adams Morgan Day

Did you know that Adams Morgan Day is DC’s longest-running neighborhood festival? This family-friendly celebration of local businesses, artists, and other vendors and activities has been entirely planned by volunteers. Get ready for the return of this all-in-person festival with art, music, a dance plaza, fitness classes, and more!

• When: Sunday, September 14 from 11am-7pm
• Where: Columbia Rd & 18th Street NW
• How to get there:
  • Capital Bikeshare
    • Columbia & Ontario Rd NW
    • Calvert ST & Woodley Pl NW
    • Woodley Park Metro/ Calvert St & Connecticut Ave NW
  • Metrobus
    • C51, C53, D72, D74, C61, D60, D6X, D70
  • Metrorail
    • Red Line – get off at Woodley Park-Zoo Adams Morgan Metro station.

Art All Night

This free, 2-night affair celebrating the arts will take place in 20 neighborhoods with different activations on each night. The festival 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, as well as local businesses and restaurants. 

• When: September 12 & 13 from 7pm-3am
• Where: All 8 wards
• How to get there: Use WMATA’s Trip Planner and Capital Bikeshare’s System Map to plan your trip to/from each neighborhood activation site.

DC State Fair

Join the community for this free daylong celebration of creative talents and all things homegrown. Inspired by time-honored state fair traditions—growing and gardening, contests, and deep-fried foods—the DC State Fair showcases everything that makes the District unique. Everyone is welcome to enjoy free live music, demonstrations, educational workshops, 20+ contests, local vendors, and more.

• When: Sunday, September 6 from 10am-5pm
• Where: Bryant Street NE
• How to get there:
  • Capital Bikeshare
    • MBT & Bryant St NE
    • Rhode Island Ave Metro
    • 10^th St & Rhode Island Ave NE
  •  Metrobus
    • D32, D36, D74, P10, P1X, P40, D34, C63
  • Metrorail
    • Red Line – Get off at Rhode Island Ave Metro Station.

H Street Festival

The annual H Street Festival is one of the most anticipated and highly attended single-day festivals in the District. Stretching 11 blocks with 14 diversely themed and programmed staging areas, this festival draws in the entire DC community with live musical performances and talent shows, in addition to a diverse number of delicious foods and vendors. The staging areas feature music of different genres, dance, youth-based performances, interactive children’s programs, fashion, heritage arts, poetry, and many more. goDCgo will also present some fun giveaways, so stop by our table and say hello!

• When: Saturday, September 20 from 12-7pm
• Where: H Street Corridor
• How to get there:
  • Capital Bikeshare
    • 3rd & H St NE
    • 6th & H St NE
    • 8th & H St NE
    • 10th & H St NE
    • 13th & H St NE
  • Metrobus
    • C53, D20, D2X, C71, D36, C43, D24, C57, C51, C55
  • Metrorail
    • Red Line – Get off at Union Station.

DC Family Bike Fest

Calling all kids on bikes, families on bikes, and bike-curious folks: DC Family Bike Fest is the event for you! Featuring neighborhood bike rides, a Kids Bike Parade, free tune-ups, story time, raffles, a learn-to-ride class, food trucks, and more, you won’t want to miss this bike extravaganza. Stop by to connect with other families, meet local bike shops and organizations, and check out a variety of bikes and bike setups. As always, free snow cones will be provided!

• When: Sunday, September 28 from 10am-2pm
• Where: Alethia Tanner Park (227 Harry Thomas Way NE, Washington, DC 20002)
• How to get there:
  • Capital Bikeshare
    • Tanner Park
    • Eckington Pl & Q St NE
    • 2nd St & Seaton Pl NE
  • Metrobus
    • C53, C57, D34
  • Metrorail
    • Red Line – Get off at NoMa-Gallaudet U.

Takoma Park Street Festival

Celebrating 44 years, the Takoma Park Street Festival will showcase original crafts, artwork, pottery, jewelry, clothing, food, and more, from over 185 vendor booths. You can also enjoy live music on three stages with 18 bands to play all day throughout the event. Takoma’s unique shops, restaurants, and cafes will all be open and welcoming visitors too. Don’t miss the fun!

• • When: Sunday, October 5 from 10am-5pm
  • Where: Carroll Avenue in Takoma Park, MD to Carroll Street NW
  • How to get there:
    • Capital Bikeshare
      • Carroll & Westmoreland Ave
      • Takoma Metro
    • Metrobus
      • C75, C77, P42, D50, D5X
    • Metrorail
      • Red Line – Get off at Takoma Station.