Rustico is transforming its bar and patio into a Bavarian-inspired beer hall and garden for Oktoberfest on September 19 from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. The free celebration will feature 8 rare and seasonal Märzens, Festbiers, and other German-style brews, plus live Oompah music from The Alpine Players from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and the annual stein-hoisting contest. Bavarian-inspired food specials include beer bratwurst, pork schnitzel, jumbo pretzels with beer cheese, käsespätzle, sauerbraten, and Black Forest cake, with all food and drinks available à la carte; rusticorestaurant.com

Oktoberfest kicks off September 19 at noon with German beers, daytime DJs, and live music into the evening, with the Bier Garden, rooftop, Hofbräu Room, and three bars all open for the festivities. The celebration continues throughout the season, including Puptoberfest on September 27, featuring live music, drink specials, and a competition to crown the coolest Oktoberfest dog; alexandriabiergarden.com

Prost is taking Oktoberfest to the dogs with Puptoberfest on September 22. Guests can bring their 4-legged friends to the patio for puppy beers, Prost doggie bandana giveaways, Tito’s cocktails, and plenty of Oktoberfest festivities. Festive attire for pups is highly encouraged; prostdc.com

Union Market’s Bar Betsie is going beyond the glass this September with a rotating lineup of one-night-only food pop-ups pairing local culinary talent with the bar’s cocktails and wine. The series kicks off September 1 with Chefs Apple and Khan serving an Asian-inspired cookout menu featuring Wagyu Nori Hot Dogs and oysters, followed by Toot Toot on September 6 with Lebanese manoushe, cookies, and more. On September 15, Fish Shop takes over happy hour with seafood and a special menu created for the occasion. All three pop-ups are first come, first served; barbetsiedc.com

From 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., spend the day with family and friends at North Bethesda’s premier fall festival – PIKEtoberfest. Get into the fall groove Oktoberfest-style with live music and entertainment throughout the day. Enjoy a bountiful harvest of craft beer, eats and treats from the neighborhood’s retail and restaurant partners. Discover artisanal hand-crafted goods at the pop-up Makers Market, play against your friends in exciting games, and get creative with kid's activities. The event is free to attend and dogs are welcome!

Reston Farm Garden Market will host Fall Fest for the farm’s 50th autumn on Baron Cameron Avenue — its annual festival built from the ground up for families with children ages 2 to 12. The festival opens Saturday, September 26, and runs every Saturday and Sunday through Saturday, October 31, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — five and a half weekends of fun — with a bonus day on Monday, October 12, for Columbus Day. Early Bird child tickets are $16.99 through Sunday, September 13. After that, buy Monday through Friday ahead of your visit and save $1 per child ticket, or pay full price the day of your visit, online or at the gate. To purchase a ticket, click here.

DC Motorsport Community (DCMC) will bring the energy of Spanish race day to Washington, DC with 2026 Lights Out Madrid!, a rooftop celebration of the newest race on Formula 1’s calendar, the Madrid Grand Prix at Realm Rooftop. Beginning at 8:00 a.m., the experience will transform Realm into a high-energy motorsport destination as fans gather to watch the race live at 9:00 a.m. You will be able to enjoy an immersive race experience with large-format race viewing, automotive displays, interactive partner activations, and food and beverages with a VIP Experience option made possible by Merolin Caviar, King Street Oysters and The Macallan. Additional sponsors and activations include Brugal Rum, Heineken, Aria Cocktails, Conniption Gin, Grey Goose Vodka, Patrón Tequila, Segura Viuras Cava, and FORWARD Real Estate. Every overtake, pit stop and battle for position becomes a shared experience as DCMC recreates the excitement and social energy of being trackside in the heart of DC. When the checkered flag drops, the celebration continues. At 11:30 a.m., race morning transitions into the Porrón DJ After-Party with music, flowing porróns and an afternoon celebration inspired by the energy of Madrid. TICKETS!

Samuel Beckett’s Irish Pub at the Village at Shirlington will host its annual Celtic Festival from 12:00 - 6:00 p.m. Come out for traditional Irish music and dance, food and drinks, festivities, and a pop-up makers market. Campbell Avenue will be closed for the celebration, so you can Sip & Stroll your way through the Celtic Festival and around the neighborhood. For more information, click here.

Join Tapori for a special evening of food, community, and solidarity in support of Nepal. In response to the devastating floods affecting communities across Nepal, chefs from Washington, DC and beyond are coming together for a one-night-only collaborative dinner.Chef Erik Bruner-Yang Maketto/ProvidenciaChef Mari Kolchraiber Revelers HourChef Pepe Moncayo Bully/The Talbard InnChef Vishwesh Bhatt Chai PaniChef Kevin Tien Moon RabbitChef Baburam Sharma TaporiChef Suresh Sundas Daru/TaporiTogether, the chefs will prepare a special multi-course menu inspired by their individual kitchens, experiences, and love of food. 100% of dinner proceeds will be donated to the Government of Nepal’s Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund, supporting relief and recovery efforts for communities affected by the floods. Book here!

The Prevent Cancer Foundation will host its 32nd Annual Gala at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. This year’s theme, La Isla del Encanto, will celebrate Puerto Rico and highlight progress in cancer prevention and early detection. CNN’s Sara Sidner will serve as master of ceremonies, while House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Rep. Richard Neal will receive Cancer Champion awards. The annual fundraiser brings together nearly 1,000 guests and raises more than $2 million to support cancer research, education, advocacy and community programs. This year, donations made during the Gala will specifically support research for cancers without recommended screening or early detection methods. Click HERE to learn more.