25th Annual American Music Festival
Aug. 31-Sept. 2
Out of four total stages, three (17th Street, 24th Street and 31st Street) offer free concerts over the course of three days, though the fourth (5th Street) is where you will find headliners that include ZZ Top, Goo Goo Dolls, Ziggy Marley and SOJA. // Virginia Beach, VA
Maryland Renaissance Festival
Multiple dates between Aug. 25-Oct. 21
Don’t be afraid to go all out at this annual Annapolis event by donning your best Renaissance getup (rentals are available) and nibbling on a turkey leg while strolling through wares and taking in live entertainment. // 1821 Crownsville Road, Annapolis, MD
26th Annual Taste of the Mountains
Sept. 1, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
While taking in views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, enjoy beer and wine tastings, food, artwork, antique cars and pony rides at this street festival. // 110 N. Main St., Madison, VA
Arts and Crafts Show on the Boardwalk
Sept. 1-2, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Having a hard time saying goodbye to summer? Miss the beach already? At this event, go back to savoring sun, sand and an ocean breeze while perusing art made by area vendors. // Colonial Beach, VA
18th Library of Congress National Book Festival
Sept. 1, 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
115 authors will occupy a number of stages fit for either young people or adults at this event celebrating all things literature. Topics include fiction, history and biography, poetry and prose and more. // Washington Convention Center: 801 Mount Vernon Place NW, Washington, D.C.
BuskerFest
Sept. 1, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
This all-day event focused on buskers, aka entertainers, has something for everyone, starting with a kid-friendly Imagination Stage from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. From noon-5 p.m., fire-eaters, mimes, jugglers and more will fill the streets, and after a brief break will return from 8-10 p.m. for 21-plus people to eat, drink and, of course, be entertained. // 335 Cummings St., Abingdon, VA
D.C. Shorts Film Festival & Screenplay Competition
Sept. 6-16
Over the course of 11 days, take in as many 90-minute short films as possible (there are more than 130) from a number of genres, interests and countries. // Washington, D.C.
Maryland Seafood Festival
Sept. 8-9, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Typically attracting more than 20,000 visitors, this festival is a dream come true for those that love to eat crabs, fish, shrimp and other aquatic creatures. This year will host cooking and eating competitions, demonstrations from chefs, live music, fireworks and more. // Sandy Point State Park, Annapolis, MD
Frederick In The Street Festival, then the Great Frederick Fair
Sept. 8, 8:45 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sept. 14-22
What began in 1983 as a festival celebrating the end of construction along Market Street has grown into an event that brings more than 75,000 people to historic downtown Frederick each year. As one would expect, there will be food, drink (noon-5 p.m. marks a craft beverage experience), entertainment and art, but if you can’t make it, don’t worry. The Great Frederick Fair will give you another reason to visit the area from Sept. 14-22. // Market Street and Carroll Creek Urban Park, Frederick, MD
2018 Cedar Bluff Heritage Festival
Sept. 15, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
At this festival, musicians will take over four stages, craftsmen and women will present their wares alongside antique dealers, food vendors will be on-hand providing eats, guests can take horse and carriage tours and antique cars will drive by in a 3 p.m. parade. For history buffs, there will also be a Civil War encampment. // Cedar Bluff, VA
Shenandoah Valley Apple Harvest Festival
Sept. 15-16, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Bring your kids, bring your pets and bring an appetite for apples to this festival, which (new this year) will feature a human-size hamster ball (Wonderfly Games’ BubbleBall), a dog obstacle course, an antique car show, hard cider and beer tastings, apple butter demonstrations, an apple pie contest and live music. // Frederick County Fairgrounds: 250 Fairground Road, Clear Brook, VA
19th Annual Apple Butter Celebration
Sept. 15, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
See, and then perhaps try your hand at, apple butter-making, but that’s not all that you can do at this festival: ride ponies, make some crafts with the kids, sample wine and hard cider, take in live entertainment and try an assortment of eats starring the much-loved fruit too. // Skyland Resort, Luray, VA
Hyattsville Arts Festival: Art & Ales
Sept. 22, noon-6 p.m.
If you’re over 21, get local craft beer by the glass and stroll through artwork made by area artists. There will be live music to listen to, entertaining activities for kids and of course food. // Farragut Street, Gallatin Street and Church Alley in Hyattsville, MD
Taste of Georgetown
Sept. 23, 11 a.m-4 p.m.
Between Wisconsin Avenue and Thomas Jefferson Street on K Street NW, more than 30 restaurants will share over 60 dishes with attending foodies, who this year will be able to drink beer and wine while walking from one booth to the next. Pets and children are invited to attend, with little ones having the opportunity to color and get their face painted in a Kids’ Corner tent. // K Street NW, Georgetown
ZooFiesta
Sept. 23, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
September is National Hispanic Heritage Month, and to celebrate, Smithsonian’s National Zoo is hosting an event focused on educating people about conservation in Central and South America. Attendees will be able to meet Panamanian golden frogs, Andean bears, sloths and a multitude of other creatures through talks and demonstrations put on by animal keepers. // Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute: 3001 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, D.C.
Devils Backbone Hoopla
Sept. 28-30
More than 20 musicians will flock to the popular brewpub for September’s final weekend, performing on one of two stages. Those interested can buy day passes, two-day passes or a three-day pass, and can also stay overnight by camping on-site. // 200 Mosbys Run, Roseland, VA
