Celebrate the official opening of West Falls at Fall Into Fun, a community-wide autumn festival. From 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., The Commons will come alive with live music, seasonal flavors, community art, games, and a Sip & Stroll neighborhood crawl highlighting local businesses.Festival Highlights:Live music from The CollectiveApple cider, seasonal backdrops, and pumpkin-decorated photo opsInteractive community art, including oversized paint-by-number muralsGames & entertainment: pumpkin bowling, tic-tac-toe, cornhole, face painting, balloon art, and morePop-up bites & drinks from Dok Khao Thai Eatery, Honoo Ramen Bar, Jake’s Gourmet Popcorn, and Lillian Nathalie CakeCraft table hosted by Levine MusicDance-along performance by CityDanceSip & Stroll Crawl:Visit participating West Falls businesses such as CityDance, Honoo Ramen & Sushi Bar, Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls, Ice Cream Jubilee, Seoulspice, Perspire Sauna Studio, Casabella Salon, The Alder Apartments, and moreCollect stamps at each stop to enter the Grand Prize Giveaway: a candy-filled Yeti cooler and a West Falls toteDownload the West Falls app for a chance to win a $50 gift card to any West Falls businessThis free, family-friendly festival is the perfect way to welcome fall and explore the new West Falls neighborhood.

Oktoberfest at The Wharf returns on Saturday, October 4, 2025, bringing Bavarian traditions to DC’s waterfront. Guests are encouraged to don lederhosen or dirndls and bring their Dachshunds for a day filled with festive competitions, dancing, and seasonal brews. The Wharf’s restaurants and bars will serve Bavarian fare and Samuel Adams Oktoberfest Beer throughout the celebration.Event Highlights:Wiener 500 Dachshund DashTime: 2:00 – 5:00 PM | Where: District Pier | Cost: FreeOver 140 dachshunds race for glory in this fan-favorite event benefiting Rural Dog Rescue. Guests can watch the races live on District Pier or catch all the action on the Transit Pier jumbotron while enjoying seasonal beer.Stein-Hoisting ChampionshipTime: 4:00 – 4:30 PM | Where: District Pier | Cost: FreeWinners from stein-hoisting preliminaries at Wharf restaurants compete for the title of Oktoberfest Champion. Limited walk-up entries will be accepted during the Wiener 500.Polka on the PierTime: 5:00 – 7:00 PM | Where: Transit Pier | Cost: FreeEnd the evening with a lively polka dance lesson and authentic German music. A prize will be awarded to the Best Dressed Polka Dancer—no sign-up required, just show up ready to dance.Over the past 12 years, The Wharf has raised over $100,000 for animal welfare organizations through this event. Prost to another year of fun and community spirit!

YELLOW, the Levantine café from Chef Michael Rafidi, and DOLCEZZA are teaming up to debut the Pistachio di Bronte Soft Serve Sundae, a limited-time offering available from September 21 through October 5, 2025, at select YELLOW and DOLCEZZA locations.Created by YELLOW Executive Pastry Chef Alicia Wang and DOLCEZZA co-founder Robb Duncan, the sundae features Pistachio di Bronte soft serve topped with preserved lemon honey, crispy phyllo, and caramelized pistachio dust. The pistachios, often called “green gold,” are grown in Sicily on the slopes of Mount Etna and harvested only once every two years, making this treat especially rare. Each sundae will be priced at $12, available while supplies last.On Sunday, September 21, from 2–5 PM, Chef Wang and Duncan will personally serve the first sundaes at DOLCEZZA’s H Street location. The first 25 customers will receive a free DOLCEZZA organic hemp tote bag.Following the launch, the sundae will be available at:DOLCEZZA, H StreetDOLCEZZA, The HirshhornYELLOW, Union MarketYELLOW, Georgetown

The DC Brewers’ Guild presents the second annual Real-ly LocAle Invitational on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 1:00–5:00 PM at the brand-new Bridge District across from Atlas Brew Works on Howard Road SE.Over a dozen of the DMV’s favorite breweries will go head-to-head, each pouring a limited-edition Real Ale brewed exclusively for this event. Guests can enjoy unlimited tastings, then cast their vote to decide which brew earns the crown and bragging rights until next year.Beyond the beer, the festival features food trucks, giant pretzels, live music, games, beer trivia, and even coaster crafting. Attendees will also have the chance to meet local brewers and learn more about the craft and tradition of Real Ale, which is brewed from traditional ingredients, matured by secondary fermentation, and served without extraneous carbon dioxide.Tickets are $35 (Early Bird, August 12 – September 15) or $40 (Unlimited, September 16 – October 25 and at the door). Entry is 21+ (small supervised children are permitted).Get tickets here.

As part of the DC International Theatre Festival, Studio Theatre hosts Theatrical Process in Translation: A Conversation with Jyana Browne, Simon Godwin, and Mina Morita in collaboration with the Japanese Embassy on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Mead Theatre.The discussion features Simon Godwin (Artistic Director, Shakespeare Theatre Company), Mina Morita (Bold Resident Director & Creative Producer, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company), and Jyana S. Browne (Assistant Professor of Premodern Japanese Literary and Cultural Studies, University of Maryland), with moderation provided by the Japanese Embassy. Together, they will explore cross-cultural theatrical practices and share their experiences working between Japan and the United States.This program is part of The DC International Theatre Festival: A Year of Transformative Partnerships (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026), a year-long celebration highlighting collaborations between American and international theatre artists.RSVP here.

Back to The Yards is set to return from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m., bringing retro-inspired fun to The Yards Park for its seventh year. The free, family-friendly celebration features an exciting mix of nostalgic entertainment and interactive activities for guests of all ages.This year’s event includes breakdancer performances, glowing giveaways, vintage arcade games, kid-friendly crafts, and a live DJ spinning classic throwback hits. Attendees are encouraged to dress in superhero costumes and take advantage of the many photo-ready moments throughout the park.While the event is free, RSVPing is recommended HERE. 

Penn Quarter’s historic underground bar, Silver Lyan, welcomes NYC hotspot Bar Snack for a one-night-only collaboration on Sunday, September 21st from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Bar Snack owner Iain Griffiths and bartender Danielle Cochrane–both formerly of Silver Lyan’s opening team in 2020–return with exclusive cocktails and snacks from their celebrated Lower East Side menu.  Expect spice bags, signature Silver jello shots, a DJ spinning disco, and surprise-delights throughout the evening. Reserve a spot HERE. 

On September 19th in the Austrian Embassy, Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss kicks off Washington Opera Society's 2025-26 Season! In Die Fledermaus, Strauss’s sparkling masterpiece, wit, intrigue, and champagne flow freely as the clever and cunning Rosalinde transforms an opulent masquerade ball into an evening of playful deception and delightful revenge. Amid glittering masks and hidden identities, secrets unravel in the most charming and unexpected ways. Join the Washington Opera Society for this timeless comedic opera where elegance and mischief collide in glorious harmony. Tickets range from $75.00 to $800.00.This event has a dress code of cocktail attire. Reserve a spot HERE.  

Calling all Swifties! In celebration of Taylor Swift’s brand-new album, Problem Child is hosting a tribute night featuring The Fearless Eras Band on Friday, October 3rd from 7:30 p.m. until midnight.Tickets are $12.00 (a nod to her 12th album) plus tax and fees, and include a glittery Jello shot upon entry. Guests are invited to celebrate the release with drink and food specials, party favors, and plenty of singing and dancing to their favorite Taylor Swift hits.Buy tickets HERE.

SHELTER is hosting their annual Commitment Curated showcase September 20th to 28rd, showcasing exclusive pieces from their favorite designers from around the globe.A weeklong celebration of love and design, featuring one-of-a-kind engagement rings, wedding bands, and intimate moments with the artists behind them.More information available HERE.