Cooler temperatures are coming, and they’re bringing oodles of October activities. Dance to Taylor Swift’s new album, celebrate Oktoberfest, take the kiddos to a corn maze or pumpkin patch, pick your own apples or get away from it all at a secluded inn. It’s also not too late to sign up for a fall race or fun run. And we haven’t even talked Halloween yet. Pull up that scheduling app. You’ve got some planning to do.
National Coffee with a Cop Day
Sip a cuppa joe with an Arlington County police officer on Oct. 1 at two locations. These meet-and-greets are meant to strengthen ties between the police and the community. Meet 8-11 a.m. at the Starbucks in Clarendon or 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Good Company Doughnuts and Cafe in National Landing. Starbucks, 2690 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon), and Good Company, 1350 S. Eads St. (National Landing)
Pumpkin Palooza: Fall Flavors & Fun in Ballston
Hungry for fall foods? From Oct. 1-Nov. 6, pick up a Pumpkin Punch Card at participating Ballston Quarter restaurants and cafés and sample a variety of pumpkin- and fall-themed specials to get that card punched. Rack up six punches and bring your card to the Ballston BID tent at the Mega Market on Nov. 6 to get a limited-edition Pumpkin Palooza mug. Participating locations include Timber Pizza Co., Whino, Ice Cream Jubilee, and Roggenart Bakery, Bistro and Café.
Kids CARE Club: Happy Howl-O-Ween
On Oct. 2, 5:30-6:30 p.m., animal lovers ages 4-10 may attend this meeting of the Kids CARE (Creating a Responsible Environment) Club at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington to make creepy crafts and treats for doggos, while learning how to keep animals safe during Halloween. The event is free to attend, but AWLA welcomes donations. 2650 S. Arlington Mill Drive, Arlington (Shirlington)
Festival Latinoamericano
Enjoy Latin American art and culture while feasting on traditional Hispanic food and drink at this free Arlington County event. Happening Oct. 3, 5-9 p.m. at the Arlington Mill Community Center, the party also includes live performers and a free Zumba fitness class. 909 S. Dinwiddie St., Arlington (Arlington Mill)
McLean 5K
Run for a cause with this annual 5K on Oct. 4, 8 a.m., benefiting the McLean Community Foundation. Bring a canned food donation to support Share of McLean, an all-volunteer organization providing food and clothing to neighbors in need. Registration costs $45-$50. McLean Community Center, 6631 Old Dominion Drive, McLean
5Dollar5K
Communidad, a community-building nonprofit, will host a family-friendly walk/run at Bluemont Park on Oct. 4, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Registration is $5; free for kids 12 and under. 329 N. Manchester St., Arlington (Bluemont)
Capital One Center Celebration of the Arts
This free inaugural celebration in Tysons will take place outdoors Oct. 4-5, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Several surrounding blocks will be in on the fun, with interactive installations, hands-on workshops, live music and food. 1803 Capital One Drive S., Tysons
Rosslyn Fall Fest
Celebrate the season with local beer and cider, pumpkin decorating, a pie-eating contest, and live music at this free annual event. This year’s fun unfolds at NOW Pop-Up Park, an underused terrace-turned-public-use-space, on Oct. 4, 1-6 p.m. 1401 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Rosslyn)
Westover Day
Head out to this neighborhood gathering Oct. 4, 2-6 p.m. for live bands, food from local restaurants, kids’ games and inflatables, and a “Paws in the Park” adoption event hosted by Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation. Cardinal Elementary School, 1644 McKinley Road (Westover)
Arlington ArtWalk
The fourth annual self-guided art walk will showcase local creativity in Ballston and Clarendon on Oct. 4, 3-8 p.m. Check the map to find participating galleries, artist studios and exhibits. Live music and an artisan market will round out this free outing. Multiple locations along Metro’s Orange Line
Killing Me Softly: A Love Letter to Roberta Flack
Honor the Arlington legend’s music and social justice work at this free event featuring Munit Mesfin and the First Take Band. Using original compositions and Flack’s, they explore her life, friendships and talent Oct. 4, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Theatre on the Run, 3700 S. Four Mile Run Drive, Arlington
MPAartfest
The McLean Project for the Arts’ 18th annual art festival returns Oct. 5, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at McLean Central Park, featuring works for sale by some 40 local and regional artists. In addition, musicians will perform on two stages and kids can make their own art. New this year is a yarn bombing installation. Admission is free. 1468 Dolley Madison Blvd., McLean
The Best Haunted House Ever
On stage through Oct. 5 is this play follows students who sneak into a local haunted house to scare their classmates and are surprised when a zombie and ghost get in on their fun. The show is best for ages 6 and up. The Oct. 4, 3 p.m., performance will include an American Sign Language interpreter. Add on a pre-show Monster Mash Dance party ticket for $10 and the cast and crew will teach you their ghoulish grooves. Tickets to the play are $16 per adult and $13 for children, students, military members and seniors. Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre 125 S. Old Glebe Road, Arlington (Arlington Heights Historic District)
Met Park Bingo
Get those daubers ready because bingo kicks off Oct. 8, 4:30-5:30 p.m., at Met Park. B4 you go, mark down the other dates:Â Oct. 22, Nov. 5 and Nov. 19. Game winners will get prizes. 1330 S. Fair St., Arlington (National Landing)
Author Talk: Mike Curato
Banned Books Week is Oct. 5-11 this year. In honor of the freedom to read, Arlington Public Library will host a talk with author and illustrator Mike Curato, whose graphic novels include Flamer, a 2024 Top Ten Challenged Book. The semi-autobiographical work tells the story of a boy who was bullied at Boy Scouts camp for seeming gay. Listen to Curato’s insights on Oct. 8, 6:30-8 p.m. at Dorothy Hamm Middle School. 4100 Vacation Lane, Arlington (Donaldson Run)
Lebanese Cookbook Author Signing
Lebanese Taverna’s Tysons Galleria location welcomes Edy Massih, Rose Previte and Maureen Abood on Oct. 9, 6:30 p.m., for a meet-and-greet and panel discussion. The $75 cost includes wine and small bites, plus one signed cookbook. 2001 International Drive, McLean
Anime USA
The Hyatt Regency Crystal City will welcome all things anime Oct. 10-12. The convention includes fan-made music videos, a manga library, traditional games, a video gaming area, and Artist’s Alley, a marketplace where artists sell original works. Attendees can also participate in workshops and attend meet-and-greets with anime pros. Registration is $40 for kids ages 6-12 and starts at $75 for everyone 13 and older. 2799 Richmond Highway, Arlington (Crystal City)
Mount Vernon Fall Wine Festival
On Oct. 10-12, 6-9 p.m., sample wines from Virginia wineries while relaxing on the east lawn of George Washington’s estate. Plus, get an after-hours tour of the mansion itself. Take in the New Room, servants’ hall, kitchen and study, all of which will be open until 8:30 p.m. Featured wineries include Gray Ghost Vineyards, Paradise Springs and The Winery at Bull Run. Tickets start at $50. 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon
Falls Church Farm Day
Enjoy a day of family-friendly fun with a petting farm, pony rides, pumpkin decorating, birdhouse painting, blacksmith demonstrations and tours of the historic Cherry Hill Farmhouse and barn on Oct. 11, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Entry is free, but some activities require purchased tickets. Cherry Hill Farmhouse and Park, 312 Park Ave., Falls Church
Snallygaster 2025
Beer lovers, rejoice! This giant beer festival returns to D.C. on Oct. 11, noon-6 p.m. Choose from more than 450 brews from 175 breweries while listening to live music, shopping a pop-up vinyl shop and munching snacks from 26 local food vendors. The event doubles as a fundraiser for Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture, an organization that supports food equity, education and sustainable farming in the D.C. region. Tickets start at $75. Pennsylvania Avenue N.W., between Third and Seventh Streets Washington, D.C.
Fall Heritage Festival
Gather at Gulf Branch Nature Center’s historic Walker Log House on Oct. 11, 1-4 p.m. to play old-timey games, make a corn husk doll, churn butter, dip candles and work the cider press. Got old clothes? Bring them to make a scarecrow. Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 N. Military Road, Arlington (Gulf Branch)
Army Ten-Miler
Celebrating its 41st anniversary Oct. 12 with in-person and virtual races, this run starts at the Pentagon and winds through iconic D.C. monuments and landmarks. Fuel up the night before at the General Dynamics Pasta Dinner, where you can rub elbows with the sergeant major of the Army, sergeants major of the Army Reserve and Guard, and Wounded Warriors. Kiddos 12 and younger can participate in the 400-meter Youth Run, which immediately follows the main race. If you choose to do the virtual option, you have from Oct. 12-Jan. 19, 2026, to run it. Find the full race schedule here. Registration for in-person or virtual costs $99 for ages 13 and up or $35 for kids 12 and younger.
McLean Pet Fest
Bring your furry friends for a pet parade (costumes encouraged), bone bar, photo booth and tricks demonstrations Oct 12., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Looking for pet care resources? You can meet expert pet trainers, sitters, groomers and adoption associates, too. Free. 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean
Ballston Pop-Up Market
Get a jump on holiday shopping Oct. 15, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., at this pop-up event featuring about a dozen local artists and small businesses selling art and handcrafted goods. Ballston Quarter Plaza, 4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston)
Lucketts Fall Vintage Market
Plan a road trip to Berryville to hunt for vintage treasures and oddities Oct. 17-19. Organized by the Old Lucketts Store, this massive semiannual sale features one-of-a-kind furnishings and decor, mid-century pieces, and rustic farmhouse goods, plus food and live entertainment over three days. Participating sellers include Ekster Antiques, Southern Duo Designs and Vintage Marshall. Admission starts at $23.18. Clarke County Fairgrounds, 890 W. Main St., Berryville
The Pike Fest
Support Columbia Pike’s small businesses and nosh on local food while enjoying family-friendly activities at this event. It’s free to attend Oct. 18, noon-5 p.m., in Penrose Square. 2597 Columbia Pike, Arlington (Columbia Pike)
Fall Book Sale
Join Friends of the Arlington Public Library on Oct. 23-26 to peruse thousands of bargain books, games, puzzles and more. All sales support library programs and collections. See website for event times. Free. Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington (Virginia Square)
Tunnel Vision
Head to Marymount University’s Cody Gallery through Oct. 25 to contemplate works by artist Foon Sham, including sculptures, drawings, video and photographs, plus a scaled model of a recent site-specific installation, Vision on the Pond. Sham’s large-scale interactive sculpture, Shield, is on view at the corner of North Glebe Road and Fairfax Drive, and a permanent installation called Ridge is in Virginia Square. The artist will discuss his work Oct. 17, 4-5 p.m., followed by a reception. 1000 N. Glebe Road, Arlington (Ballston)
International Gold Cup
Don your dapper best and take a day trip to The Plains on Oct. 25 for the 88th running of the International Gold Cup at Great Meadow. Gates open at 10 a.m. and the first horse race is at noon. Tickets start at $25. 5089 Old Tavern Road, The Plains