Family Friendly Fall Festivals
By Jae O’Connor
Throughout October, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. // Wayside Farm is home to a giant corn maze, exciting pig races and pumpkin picking. Activities promote American pride and educate children about antibullying with Spookley the Square Pumpkin. / Wayside Farm: 5273 Harry Byrd Highway (Route 7), Berryville; 540-539-3276; $10
Fall Festival at Cox Farms
Throughout October, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. // The Fall Festival at Cox Farms is a Northern Virginia standard. The farm is loaded with slides, animals, games, rides and plenty of pumpkins. If your little ones are feeling brave, they can walk through the Cornundrum, a winding path filled with family friendly surprises. / Cox Farms: 15621 Braddock Road, Centreville; 703-830-4121; $5-$17
Six Flags: Thrills by Day
Throughout October, noon-10 p.m. // Six Flags in Maryland will host its annual Fright Fest events: Thrills by Day and Fright by Night. The daylight events are all kid-friendly with a trick-or-treat trail, a kids Halloween dance party, costume contests, a Pirates vs Cowboys stunt show and loads more. Goblins and ghouls won’t roam the park until after 6 p.m., so there’s no need to worry about unexpected scares for your little ones. / Six Flags: 13710 Central Ave., Upper Marlboro, MD; 301-249-1500; $38-$52
Vienna Oktoberfest
Oct. 3, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. // The Vienna Oktoberfest is an annual event filled to the brim with beer, wine, food, music, vendors and tons of family friendly activities—all with free admission. There will be a variety of live music, children’s activities (including a moon bounce and climbing wall) and plenty of German-inspired food and adult beverages. / Historic Church Street in Vienna: Between Center Street and Mill Street, including the Town Green and the Caboose Parking Lot; Free
Fall for Fairfax KidsFest
Oct. 3, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Oct. 4, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. // This kid-focused event is more than just a fall festival—it also includes carnival rides and attractions. Activities include scarecrow making, pumpkin painting, pony rides, a petting zoo and more. / Fairfax County Government Center: 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax; 703-361-5699; Free
Capitol City Brewing Company Oktoberfest in Shirlington
Oct. 3, noon-7 p.m. // Come celebrate Capitol City Brewing Company’s 15th annual mid-Atlantic Oktoberfest with over 60 breweries and authentic German food and music. / Capitol City Brewing Company: 4001 Campbell Ave., Shirlington; 703-578-3888; Free admission, $30 to sample beer
Fall Festival in Old Town Historic Fairfax
Oct. 10, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. // There will be carnival rides, musical entertainment and activities for the entire family. This festival will feature hundreds of vendors selling food, drinks, arts and crafts, entertainment and information. / Old Town Historic Fairfax: 3999 University Drive, Fairfax; 703-385-7858; Free
Pet-oberfest
Oct. 17, noon-4 p.m. // The Pet-oberfest is an annual celebration for pets and their families. The events include a pet parade and contests, pet-oriented exhibitors, pet rescues, a fashion show, children’s entertainment, prizes and store discounts and much more. / Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center: 15151 Potomac Town Place, Woodbridge; 717-577-6777; Free
Family Fall Festival
Oct. 17, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. // This event is a perfect outing with the kids. This festival features scarecrow making, face painting, pony rides and more. / Armistead L. Boothe Park: 520 Cameron Station Blvd., Alexandria; 703-746-5592; Admission is free, but some activities require tickets
Tysons Fall Harvest Festival
Oct. 17-18 and 24-25, noon-5 p.m. // Free events include a petting zoo, bouncy houses, pumpkin bowling, and more. There will also be corn canons, pony rides, hay rides and a collection of great craft beers and 10 of the state’s best wineries—it’s fun for the whole family. / Lerner Town Square at Tysons II: 8025 Galleria Drive, Tysons; Free
Northern Virginia Brewfest
Oct. 17-18, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. // Come out for one of Northern Virginia’s largest beer festivals. With over 50 local and regional breweries, you’re guaranteed to find a new brew to love. There will also be plenty of activities and music for the entire family. / Bull Run Regional Park: 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville; $35 for adults, $10 for designated drivers, free for children under 16
Annandale Parade
Oct. 24, 10 a.m.-noon // Come in costume for the Annandale Parade and Fall Festival. There will be plenty of candy and activities for the whole family. / Columbia Pike from the Annandale Shopping Center near Gallows Road to the Bowling Alley-Safeway; Free
Fall Harvest Family Days
Oct. 24-25, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. // Mount Vernon will be hosting tons of autumn activities such as wagon rides, apple-roasting, blacksmithing demonstrations, early-American games, music and more. / George Washington’s Mount Vernon: 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon; 703-780-2000; $17
Fall Fun Festival
Oct. 31, 3:30-7:30 p.m. // Free admission includes a magic show, a clown and even a reptile show. There will be games and prizes or the whole family. / Caroline County Agricultural Fairgrounds: 8332 County Fair Lane, Ruther Glen; 804-633-3490; Free