The autumn season kicks off this Saturday with the 46th annual Pumpkin Festival at Butler’s Orchard in Germantown, Maryland. Visitors can enjoy hayrides, a corn maze, jump pads, live music and the chance to pick their own pumpkins—both edible and decorative. New treats this year include a pumpkin‑pie milkshake, kettle corn, apple‑cider doughnuts and fresh apple cider from Doc Waters Cidery.
“We are a real farm that’s been farming for 75 years here…It’s a really cool tradition at Butler’s, and it just brings so much joy to the families in the community,” said general manager Tyler Butler. The festival runs through Nov. 1 with ticket prices varying by age and activity.
Other weekend events in the DC area
H Street Festival – Spanning 12 blocks and 15 stages, this pet‑friendly celebration returns Saturday with live music, games, activations and food. Admission is free.
Sawasdee D.C. Thai Festival – Held on Pennsylvania Avenue Saturday, the festival features 45 food vendors offering pad thai, mango sticky rice and more, plus traditional Thai dances and live bands. Free and open to the public.
OktoBEARfest – Red Bear Brewing Co. hosts a Bavarian‑style Oktoberfest Saturday with seasonal beers, giant pretzels, lederhosen contests, polka music and a stein‑holding competition.
D.C. Family Bike Fest – Cyclists can gather at Alethia Tanner Park Sunday for free cycling classes, a Kids Bike Parade, bike tune‑ups, story time and food trucks.
Long Branch Festival – In Silver Spring, Maryland, Friday and Saturday bring live bands, artisan vendors and local eats. Admission is free.
Washington Ukrainian Festival – At St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Silver Spring, the festival runs Friday through Sunday with vendors, crafts, live music and traditional food. Admission is $20 on Saturday and $15 on Sunday for adults 21+, free for those under 21.
Taiwan Bubble Tea Festival – The Square in Rockville Town Center hosts Saturday’s celebration of Taiwanese culture with bubble tea, performances, live music and local food.
Hyattsville Arts Festival – Saturday’s free event showcases over 100 artists, unique vendors, craft brewers and food trucks from across the region.
Celebrate Africa Festival – Prince George’s County Parks presents its ninth festival Saturday with traditional dances, food vendors and a “Parade of Nations.” Free admission.
Reston Multicultural Festival – A family‑friendly art and music gathering expects more than 12,000 attendees on Saturday.
Falls Church Festival – Celebrating its 50th year, the festival offers pony rides, live music, a beer garden and over 85 local vendors Saturday. Free admission.
John Carlyle Square Oktoberfest – Alexandria, Virginia, hosts a classic Oktoberfest Saturday with steins, brats and pretzels. Free entry.
Shenandoah Valley Apple Harvest Festival – Held at the Frederick County Fairgrounds in Clear Brook, Virginia, Saturday and Sunday feature a kids zone, car show, craft vendors and food trucks. Tickets are about $13 per person.
Capital One Center Celebration of the Arts – In Tysons, Virginia, the multiblock festival runs Saturday and Sunday with workshops, immersive art, an artisan market, a “Battle of the Artists” competition and a pop‑up “Art Bark” for dogs.
Cox Farms Fall Festival – Running Saturday through Nov. 8, this family‑friendly event offers slides, animal encounters and a market. Ticket prices vary.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
