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? For over 45 years, 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 8 from 11am-7pm
- Where: Columbia Rd & 18th Street NW
- How to get there:
- Capital Bikeshare
- Columbia & Ontario Rd NW
- Adams Mill & Columbia Rd NW
- Columbia Rd & Belmont Street NW
- 18th Street & Wyoming Ave NW
- DC Circulator
- Woodley Park-Adams Morgan-McPherson Square Metro Route - Get off at Adams Mill Rd NW/Columbia Rd or Columbia Rd NW/Ontario Rd NW.
- Metrobus
- 42, 43, 90, 96, L2
- 42, 43, 90, 96, L2
- Capital Bikeshare
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 27-28 from 7pm-3am
- Where: All 8 wards
- How to get there: Use goDCgo's interactive 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. Download our custom Get Around Guide as an additional resource for getting to the fairgrounds.
- When: Sunday, September 7 from 10am-5pm
- Where: Franklin Park (1332 I Street NW)
- How to get there:
- Capital Bikeshare
- 14th Street & L Street
- 15th Street & K Street
- 13th Street & New York Ave
- Vermont Ave & I Street
- DC Circulator*
- Woodley Park - Adams Morgan - McPherson Square
- Metrobus
- 54, 80, D6, S2, S9, 16Y, X2
- Metrorail
- Yellow, Blue & Silver Line - Get off at McPherson Square Metro station.
- Capital Bikeshare
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 long 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 21 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
- DC Circulator
- TBA
- Capital Bikeshare
-
- Metrobus
- B2, D4, D8, X2, X3, X8, X9
- Metrorail
- Red Line - Get off at Union Station.
- Metrobus
Open Streets DC
First launched in DC in 2019, Open Streets will close 7th Street to all vehicles for people to safely walk, bike, scoot, and play! Five activation zones along the route will host hourly programmed classes and demonstrations, including yoga, drum circles, double dutch, traffic gardens, pop-up bike lanes, dancing, and more. Businesses along the route will also provide space for outdoor dining and retail. The event is free and suitable for all ages and abilities! No cars, just people.
- When: Saturday, October 5 from 9am-5pm
- Where: 7th St NW from Rhode Island Ave to E St NW
- How to get there:
- Capital Bikeshare
- 7th & F Street NW/National Portrait Gallery
- 8th & H St NW
- 7th & K St NW
- Convention Center/ 7th & M St NW
- 9th & N St NW
- 8th & O St NW
- 7th & R St NW/ Shaw Library
- 7th & S St NW
- Metrobus
- Routes and closure will be updated one month prior to the event
- DC Circulator
- Georgetown - Union Station route
- Note: DC Circulator will operate every 20 minutes starting October 1, 2024
- Capital Bikeshare
-
- Metrorail
- Green/Yellow Line - Get off at Mt. Vernon Sq 7th St - Convention
- Gallery Pl - Chinatown
- Shaw - Howard U
- Metrorail
Takoma Park Street Festival
Celebrating 43 years, the Takoma Park Street Festival will showcase original crafts, artwork, pottery, jewelry, clothing, food, and more, from over 150 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 6 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
- F1, F2 K2
- Metrorail
- Red Line - Get off at Takoma Station.
- Capital Bikeshare
