It’s FINALLY fall! Yes, fall means back to school and moving away from the dog days of summer, but it also means crunchy apples, bright orange pumpkins, delicious treats, and crisp autumn air. We’ve gathered a list of the most fun and most entertaining fall festivals and autumnal events in the area. Take your family, go on a date, even take a stroll alone! These fun festivals have something for everyone.
BOO AT THE ZOO
The Smithsonian’s famous National Zoo hosts an amazing treat-filled event – BOO AT THE ZOO!
Come dressed up in costume ready to trick or treat at over 40 treat stations! There is candy as well as non-food items to collect as you walk around and explore the zoo. Many animal enclosures are open as well for zoo-goers. The decorations and spooky art installations make for a hilariously scary walk from station to station. Beer and food are available for purchase at the zoo as well. Come ready to say “boo!” And collect yummy treats! All ticket holders get a free treat bag to hold your goodies!
Festival Info:
When: Friday, October 19th, Saturday, October 20th & Sunday, October 21st from 5:00 – 8:00pm
Address: Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute
3001 Connecticut Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20008
Cost: $20/per person for FONZ members, $30/per person for non-FONZ members
Parking Pass: $15, or you can take METRO at the regular commuter cost of the trip
Silver Spring Fall Fair
Come down on a Sunday afternoon to Veterans Plaza for the Silver Spring Fall Fair! You can taste yummy fall cookies, sip on hot chocolate or apple cider while your kiddos decorate pumpkins! Walk around, meet your neighbors, look at local arts & crafts vendors and celebrate FALL!
Festival Info:
When: Sunday, October 21st from 1:00– 6:00pm
Where: Veteran’s Plaza – Downtown Silver Spring
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Cost: FREE!
BOOtanica at Brookside Gardens
Bring your kids to Brookside Gardens for a fun pumpkin-filled evening! Children can dress up in their Halloween costume, march through the gardens in a costume parade and paint pumpkins. There are also pumpkin treats to try all while listening to award-winning storyteller Gary Lloyd present “Pumpkin Tales for the Young” telling tales that are more funny than scary.
Festival Info:
When: Friday, October 26th from 5:30-8:30pm
Where: Brookside Gardens Visitors Center
1800 Glenallen Avenue
Wheaton, MD 20902
Cost: $18/per child (3-13), parents/adults are free. Register at ActiveMontgomery
Pumpkin Rock n’ Roll
Join in the Halloween fun at Pumpkin Rock n’ Roll – a full-blown Halloween extravaganza. Participate in a costume parade and enjoy family-friendly attractions including live musical performances, food trucks, inflatable rides and slides, and a hay maze. Don’t miss the main event: The Pumpkin Roll, a derby race of Halloween pumpkins-turned-boxcars.
Festival Info:
When: Saturday, October 27th from 12:00-4:00pm
Where: Warner Circle Park
Kensington, MD 20895
Cost: FREE! RSVP/Register in advance.
Butler’s Orchard: Pumpkin Festival
Located in upper Montgomery County, Butler’s 38th Annual Pumpkin Festival is the place to be on the weekends in October! Families will certainly enjoy this festival with kids! There are so many activities and fun stations, that everyone will have done something they loved by the end of the day. Check out the straw pyramid, pumpkin coach rides, a combine slide, pedal tractors and even get your face painted! There are lots of food vendors to tackle all your fall-food cravings as well!
Festival Info:
When: Weekends in October (13th-14th, 20th-21st & 27th-28th)
Where: Butler’s Orchard
22222 Davis Mill Road
Germantown, MD 20876
Cost: $12/per person CASH ONLY AT THE GATE* (children 24 months & younger free)
*You can use a credit/debit card if you buy tickets at the market
Fall Fun Festival at Gaver Farm
The Gaver Farm Fall Fun Festival has so many activities you will have to pack it all in to get everything done! They have everything from pumpkin picking and corn mazes to duck races and a petting zoo. New this season are cool jump pillows for kids. Take a weekend to enjoy the farm air and activities at Gaver!
Festival Info:
When: Open Now thru November 4 from 10:00am-6:00pm daily
Where: Gaver Farm
5501 Detrick Road,
Mount Airy, MD 21771
Cost: $13.50 per person weekends, $9 per person weekdays, kids 2 & under free.
Montpelier Farms Fall Festival
Come enjoy this beautiful farm for their fall festival! They have a corn maze, hay rides and pumpkin- activities galore! Come enjoy fall with arts and crafts and farm-hand activities that the family and kids will love. While enjoying the festival, pick out some pumpkins to buy for your porch or house! They have a large selection. There are many other activities and events that you can purchase separately at the farm as well like punkin’ chunkin’, pumpkin painting and scarecrow making!
Festival Info:
When: Thru November 4 from 10:00am-6:00pm daily
Where: Montpelier Farm
1720 Crain Highway North
Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20774
Cost: $12/per person (2 & under are free)
