Fall festivals, Oktoberfest celebrations, apple picking, rigorous races and fun runs, a new pop-up art gallery, fall wine trips, and Halloween spookiness. Your weekends might need weekends to get it all in. Here’s a peek at the latest happenings.
The Fall Edit at Capital One Center
From Oct. 1-Nov. 15, restaurants at Capital One Center are offering food and drink specials in honor of the season. At Sisters Tysons, fall brings two new cocktails: The 1800 Tequila, made with house-made five-spice tamarind syrup; and the Orchard Ember with Bulleit Rye and apple-ginger syrup. Fill up on Fusilli Alla Nerano (house-made pasta with zucchini puree, fried zucchini and provolone cheese) at Stellina Pizzeria. On Oct. 20, Wren will host a Fall Cocktail Tasting on the Terrace with live entertainment and a focus on gin and rum spirits. 1803 Capital One Drive, Tysons
YIKES! at SPARK! Not Your Usual Halloween Art Market
The monthly market that runs from May-November will put a spooky twist on the fun this month. Stop by Oct. 4, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., for a monster meet and greet, pop-up poetry and a costume swap. Donate gently used Halloween get-ups and/or choose a new-to-you look. (Donations are not required to participate. 2700 Art Space, 2700 S. Nelson St., Arlington (Shirlington)
Every Single Ophelia at Avant Bard Theatre
Taylor Swift isn’t the only one with the fate of Shakespeare’s Ophelia on her mind. Avant Bard kicks off its 37th season with free performances Oct. 2, 7:30 p.m. at Ballston Quarter and Oct. 4, 2 p.m., at Mason Exhibitions. The play tells the story of what it means to live as a side character and how the gender politics of the bard’s era remain relevant today. Ballston Quarter, 4238 Wilson Blvd., and 3601 Fairfax Drive (Virginia Square), Arlington
Ballet Hispánico New York at Alden Theatre
Celebrate Latin cultures and the beauty of kinetic expression with the nation’s premier Hispanic and Latin dance troupe on Oct. 2, 7 p.m. MUJERES: Women in Motion features three powerful choreographic voices—each exploring themes of identity, conscience, and cultural inheritance. Tickets are $25-$35. 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean
Art on the Avenue
Stroll the streets of Del Ray on Oct. 3, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. during this annual multicultural arts and music festival and browse artisan creations including bags, books, ceramics, clothing, jewelry and candles. Check out the jam-packed schedule of performers here, and don’t forget to bring your appetite. Local eateries like Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Co., Spice Kraft Indian Bistro and Cheesetique will be cooking up a variety of enticing bites. Mt. Vernon Ave., between Hume and Bellefonte avenues, Alexandria (Del Ray)
Stumbling Stones Dedication Ceremony
On Oct. 3, 11 a.m., Arlington Public Library, in partnership with the Arlington Historical Society and the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington, will host an unveiling of two bronze markers honoring the lives of Bess (born circa 1735) and Nann (born circa 1747). Both women were enslaved by the Wheeler and Triplett families in the 18th century, living and working on the land where Central Library now stands. Made by students at Arlington Tech High School, the Stumbling Stones are bronze plaques commemorating the first and last names, birth dates and death dates of enslaved people who lived in what is now Arlington County. Intersection of North Quincy Street and 10th Street North, Arlington (Virginia Square)
14th Annual Wiener 500 Dachshund Dash
Oktoberfest at The Wharf brings the return of this ruff-and-tumble event Oct. 3, 2-6 p.m. Cheer on the doxie of your choice as the pups give it their all at the District Pier. Between races, meet adoptable dogs from D.C.-based Rural Dog Rescue. Humans can get in on the spirit of competition, too, with a stein-hosting contest at 3:15 p.m., and a best-dressed contest at 4:15 p.m. For more Oktoberfest fun on the Virginia side of the Potomac, check out this list. District Pier, 101 District Square, S.W., Washington, D.C., and Transit Pier, 970 Wharf St., S.W., Washington, D.C.
13th Semi-Annual Fairlington Free Clothing Swap
BYOB (in this case, bags) Oct. 3, noon-3 p.m., and load up on new-to-you clothes, shoes, jewelry and Halloween costumes for men, women and children—all for free. You can also pick up a book while you’re there, courtesy of Luci’s Mobile Free Library, a nonprofit based in Springfield and inspired by Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. New this year: The Art Cart, where kids can get creative while the adults browse the goods. Abingdon Elementary School, 3035 S. Abingdon St., Arlington (Fairlington)
Rosslyn Fall Fest
Get your gourd on Oct. 3, 1-6 p.m. in Rosslyn’s NOW pop-up park (the acronym stands for its cross streets: Nash Street, Oak Street and Wilson Boulevard). The fun includes live tunes by Loyal Skeptics, craft ciders, pumpkin decorating, an inflatable corn maze, a local-makers market and a beer garden. Littles can bounce in inflatables and try their hand at lawn games. 1401 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Rosslyn)
Jason Bell and Nicholas Reynolds at Fonts Books & Gifts
Calling all World War II buffs: Jason Bell, a philosophy professor at the University of New Brunswick, will discuss his new book, Operation Sparrow: The Incredible True Story of the Spies Who Tricked Hitler and Won the War. This event also features local author Nicholas Reynolds, whose new book, Ortiz’s War: The Allies’ Secret Weapon Against the Nazis in France, came out in August. The free event takes place Oct. 3, 3-4 p.m. 6262 Old Dominion Drive, McLean
Dance The Line—A Country Swing & Line Dancing Social
Ready to boot scoot? Perfect your grapevine, heel dig and do-si-do on Oct. 3, 4-7 p.m., at Westpost plaza. A DJ will play country-western mash-ups, and there will be a free dance class with Inspira Dance School, courtesy of Westpost. 1201 South Joyce St., Arlington (National Landing)
McLean Artfest
The event formerly known as MPAartfest returns to McLean Central Park on Oct. 4, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., displaying works by more than 30 local and Mid-Atlantic visual artists. The outdoor festival also promises a beer and wine garden, live music and interactive art experiences. Admission is free. 1468 Dolley Madison Blvd., McLean
Fall Charm Bar at MoCA on the Move
On Sundays this fall, the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington will host live music and hands-on art activities guided by local artists at Met Park. First up: An opportunity to make your own jewelry with charms Oct. 4, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Come back on Oct. 11 to make stained glass dreamcatchers; Oct. 18 for Build-a-Gnome doll making; and Oct. 25 to make calavara masks in the lead-up to Dia de los Muertos. All workshops are free. 1330 S. Fair St., Arlington (National Landing)
Afternoon Tea at Northside Social
NoSo’s Falls Church location will host high tea on Oct. 4, 2 p.m., in the Farm Room. A $50 ticket includes a selection of fine teas and house-made petit fours. Sparkling wines will be available, too, for an additional charge. 205 Park Ave., Falls Church
Banned Book Community Discussion: 1984
Join Arlington County Board Member Takis Karantonis for a community discussion of George Orwell’s famous—and famously contested—dystopian classic, 1984, on Oct. 6, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Central Library. A concurrent talk at the Courthouse Library, led by academic librarian Anita Coleman, is titled “Freedom to Think: From Banned Books to Self-Censorship.” Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington (Virginia Square), and Courthouse Library, 2100 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington (Courthouse)
Falls Church Chamber of Commerce Family Fun Night
See if your mini golf game is up to par at Jefferson District Park on Oct. 7, 5:30-7 p.m. and enjoy dinner, plus kids entertainment such as face painting. Tickets cost $20 for adults; $15 for kids ages 11-16; and $10 for ages 2-10. 7900 Lee Highway, Falls Church
Betrayal at 1st Stage
Married couple Emma and Robert have a history with Jerry. He’s Emma’s former lover and Robert’s best friend. As their marriage unravels, the relationships spiral. Tickets begin at $15, and the show runs Oct. 8-25. 1524 Spring Hill Road, Tysons
Monsters of the Villa Diodati at Creative Cauldron Stage
Running Oct. 8-Nov. 1 in The Little City, this musical adaptation by creative power couple Matt Conner and Stephen Gregory Smith reimagines the dark and stormy night on Lake Geneva that gave life to John Polidori’s The Vampyre and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Lord Byron is hosting a group of famous writers who entertain themselves by telling ghost stories. He issues a challenge: to craft “the perfect take of terror” in one night.Tickets are $25-$50. 127 E. Broad St., Falls Church
