Fall decor & homecoming outfits are top of mind as October arrives in the District with a calendar full of festivals, spooky season traditions, cultural happenings + major nights out.
Here’s what’s happening:
FUNSET the Festival (10/10)
The local favorite party series takes over Franklin Park for a full-day outdoor celebration with music, community, food, and vendors (12p - 7p, free)
Go-Go 50 (10/30 - 11/1)
Classical ballet meets the sound of the city as The Washington Ballet marks its 50th season with a DC-rooted program (Warner Theatre, multiple showtimes, $65+)
Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden Reopens (10/31)
The museum’s revitalized sculpture garden returns after a four-year transformation with nearly 60 artworks + opening weekend programming through 11/1 (free during operating hours)
Together We Dine (All Month)
Celebrate the DMV dining scene all month-long celebration of the DMV dining scene with meal deals, happy hours, + signature events at participating restaurants, including:
Oct. 7: Behind the Bar with Shawn Townsend - Daikaya | 6p - 8p, free
RAMW President & CEO Shawn Townsend joins Chef Katsuya Fukushima for a guest bartending takeoverOct. 10: Big Schlim’s DC Food Tour - Petworth | $200
A guided food crawl hitting five of Big Schlim’s “STAMPED” spots, with tastings + transportation included
Oct. 16: Behind the Bar with Shawn Townsend - Chicken+Whiskey | 6p - 8p, free
Oct. 19: Monday MOOD with DJ Money - Doi Moi | 7p - 12a, free
Monthly R&B night with food, drinks, & music by DJ Money + DJ Raqie
ACTIVITIES + EXPERIENCES
THROUGH 10/11
Theatre Week - multiple venues + showtimes | $25, $45 + $65 tickets, plus free events
Catch musicals, dramas, comedies + family shows across the DC region at special Theatre Week prices. Participating restaurants around the region are also offering special Theatre Week menus.
HBCU Homecoming Season
Homecoming season is officially here, bringing weeks of football, parades, Yardfests, alumni reunions, concerts + campus traditions across the region.
Howard University - Oct. 11 - 18
The Mecca celebrates in the city under the theme I Am My Ancestor’s Wildest Dreams, with Yardfest, the Greek Step Show, alumni events + Howard vs. Morehouse on Oct. 17.
10/3
Home Rule Music Festival - Alethia Tanner Park | 12p - 9p, free
UCB celebrates 30 years alongside Crush Funk, Angel Bat Dawid, Foots x Coles + more, plus mural painting, a record fair, food, drinks & a kids zone
10/9 + 10/10
Tubi Emochine - The Wharf Interactive Fountain | 10a - 6p, free
Tubi turns an old-school movie-rental kiosk into a mood-based watch finder, with personalized recs + chances to win prizes from keychains to TVs
10/10
Crank & Crabs - Pier Six Pavilion in Baltimore, MD | 4p, $42+
Backyard Band, DCVybe, Raheem DeVaughn + The Crank Crusaders, Scooby DaGodSon & Sirius Company bring go-go to the Baltimore waterfront with Maryland crabs
Heart & Sole 5K - East Potomac Park | 8a - 10:30a, $23
Community run/walk supporting heart health, with a pre-race warm-up + wellness resources
Snallygaster Beer Festival - Pennsylvania Ave NW, 3rd - 7th St | 2p - 6p, $75+
10/12
The Power is Ours Summit + Festival - The Wharf | 11a - 6p, free
Racial justice summit meets community festival with workshops, 50+ organizations, art, food + a go-go finale
10/14
BlackDoctor Film Festival - True Reformer Building | 10a - 8p, free
Films, conversations + community programming centered on Black health, wellness & lived experiences
10/16
10th Annual HU Homecoming Bar Crawl - U Street | 2p - 10p, $25+
Fierce Flora: A Garden Whodunit - U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory | 6p - 9p, $40
Play botanical detective through the Fierce Flora exhibit with clues, cocktails, a live DJ + activities inspired by plants that sting, poison and defend themselves
10/16 + 10/17
DC Wine Fest: Fall Edition - Dock 5 at Union Market | 6p - 9p Fri / 12p - 6:30p Sat, $45+
10/16 - 10/18
Boo at the Zoo - Smithsonian’s National Zoo | 6p - 8:30p, $35
After-hours trick-or-treating + Halloween fun throughout the zoo
10/16 - 5/2/2027
To Hear Her Speak: Black Women and Shakespeare - Folger Shakespeare Library | free, $15 suggested donation
Landmark exhibition exploring the history of Black women in Shakespearean performance + how they reshaped his work
10/17
The Big Build - National Building Museum | 10a - 5p, free
A free hands-on festival where kids can build, design, experiment with STEM, and get creative alongside architects, makers, and craftspeopleKingman Island Friends + Family Day - Kingman & Heritage Islands | 11a - 3p, free
Celebrate nature, art & community with paddling, boat tours, guided walks, wildlife demonstrations, crafts, a clothing swap + more
30 Plus Fest - BERHTA | 2p, $12+
A millennial day party celebrating the music, culture + memories that raised the 30+ crowd
10/17 + 10/18
Georgetown Fall Market - Along Wisconsin Ave NW | 11a - 4p, free
10/18
BLACK HAUSE: The Big Darty - Franklin Park | 3p - 10p, $17.50+
Open-air party with house, hip-hop, R&B, food, drinks, games + vendors
Katt Williams On Book Tour! - Lincoln Theatre | 7p, resale tickets available for $$
Live conversation + audience Q&A for his new book, with a copy included with every ticket
Vivid Seats | SeatGeek | StubHubDMV Music & Vogue Gala - Bethesda Theater in MD | 7p, $85+
10/23
Give a Shuck: A Taste of The Wharf - Dockmaster Building | 6p - 10p, $100
Sample dishes from The Wharf’s best restaurants while enjoying live music
10/24
Air & Scare - Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA | 10a - 3p, free with registration
Spooky science-themed fun and trick or treating at the museum
10/27
17th Street High Heel Race - 17th St, between R & P Streets NW near Dupont Circle | 6p - 10p, free
The race returns for its 39th year with costumed drag performers racing down 17th Street in heels
10/28
PumpkinPalooza - Alethia Tanner Park | 4p - 8p, free
NoMa’s family-friendly Halloween celebration with pumpkins, costumes + seasonal activities
10/29
STUDIO AAIM: The Renaissance of U - National Union Building | 7p, $136+
An evening of beauty, art + innovation inspired by the Harlem Renaissance with activations, live performances, immersive art installations, luxury gifting, & more
Nat Geo Nights: Spooky Night at the Museum - National Geographic Museum of Exploration | 7p - 11p, $40
Celebrate Halloween after dark with tarot readings, Día de los Muertos activations, a costume competition, spooky Explorer stories, themed cocktails + a DJ
10/30
Explorers Table: Dr. Rodrigo Medellín x Chef Christian Irabién - National Geographic Museum of Exploration | 7p - 10p, $250
A multi-course dinner pairing Mexican-inspired cuisine with stories of biodiversity, plus a guided Bat Friendly mezcal + tequila tasting.
10/31
The Black Bar Crawl: Halloween - U Street | 3p - 10p, $20
Friends of the National Arboretum Fall 5K + Festival - U.S. National Arboretum | 8:30a - 2p, $60 registration fee / kids 12 & under free
Run or walk through the Arboretum’s fall foliage, then stick around for Halloween festivities including trick-or-treating, a costume contest + a “Thriller” dance party.
Halloween in the Heights - Sycamore & Oak | 5p - 8p, free
Club 1BD Halloween Party - Howard Theatre | 4p - 9p, $40+
CONCERTS + SHOWS
10/2
Talib Kweli - Bethesda Theater in MD | 7p, $50+
Black Violin: The Be Free Tour with Braxton Cook - Warner Theatre | 8p, $92+
10/2 + 10/3
Eddie Griffin - Baltimore Comedy Factory | multiple showtimes, $54+
10/4
ScHoolboy Q - The Fillmore in Silver Spring, MD | 8p, $52
Tee Sanders - Baltimore Comedy Factory | 7p, $32
10/8
Cash Money & No Limit Tour - Capital One Arena | 8p, $114+
Master P, Birdman, Juvenile, Mannie Fresh, Boosie BadAzz, Silkk the Shocker, Mia X + more
10/8 - 10/12
Disney On Ice presents Spotlight Magic! - Eagle Bank Arena | multiple showtimes, $23+
10/9
Hannibal Buress - Bethesda Theater in MD | 8:30p, $88+
10/9 - 10/11
TK Kirkland - Baltimore Comedy Factory in MD | multiple showtimes, $32+
10/10
Plies - Nevermore Hall in Baltimore, MD | 7p, $60+
10/11
An Intimate Evening with Tamar Braxton & Friends - Howard Theatre | 8p, resale tickets available for $165+
SeatGeek | StubHub | Vivid SeatsNew Jack Swing Birthday Bash featuring Teddy Riley and Guy 2.0 - The Theater at MGM in National Harbor, MD | 8p, $70+
10/12
2 Chainz - The Howard Theatre | 8p, $73+
10/13
Kelela: new avatar live - The Fillmore in Silver Spring, MD | 8p, $108+
Wesley Joseph - Union Stage | 8p, $27
10/14
Club 520 Podcast LIVE: Homecoming Edition - Howard Theatre | 7p, $57+
10/15
AZ Chike: No Rest For The Wicked Tour - Songbyrd Music House | 7p, $30 (currently waitlist only)
Charleston White - Baltimore Comedy Factory in MD | 8p, $38+
Kool & The Gang with The S.O.S. Band - The Theater at MGM in National Harbor, MD | 8p, $96+
10/16
Rod Wave: Don’t Look Down Tour - Capital One Arena | 8p, $200+
T.I., Fabolous, + Trina - Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena in Baltimore, MD | 8p, $103+
10/16 + 10/17
Michael Blackson - Baltimore Comedy Factory in MD | multiple showtimes, $60+
10/17
Chris Brown + Usher - M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD | 7:30p, $100+
Eddie Griffin - The Theater at MGM in National Harbor, MD | 8p, $57+
Jai’Len Josey - Songbyrd | 7p, $30 (currently waitlist only)
Phoebe Robinson: Feral & Fired Up! - Howard Theatre | 7p, $50+
10/18
Steve Lacy: Oh yeah? Tour - The Anthem | 7p, resale tickets available for $$
Vivid Seats | SeatGeek | StubHub
10/21
JPEGMAFIA: the Experimental Rap Tour - Echostage | 7:30p, $46+
10/22
Tiana Major9 - Union Stage | 8p, $30
10/23
Skilla Baby: The Price of Fame Tour - Howard Theatre | 10:30p, $34+
Aluna (DJ set) - Vera Cocina | 11:30p - 3a, $40+
10/23 - 10/25
DeRay Davis - Baltimore Comedy Factory in MD | multiple showtimes, $50+
10/24
Q Da Fool & Shabazz PBG - Union Stage | 7p, $34+
10/25
Cupcakke - Howard Theatre | 8p, $46+
Earl Sweatshirt & MIKE : Home on the Range Tour 2026 - Nevermore Hall in Baltimore, MD | 8p, $54+
Wyclef Jean - Capital One Hall in Tysons, VA | 7p, $80+
10/26
Hurricane Wisdom - The Fillmore in Silver Spring, MD | 8p, $34+
10/29
Kaytranada - Echostage | 9p, $172 (check resale sites for additional pricing)
Vince Staples - The Fillmore in Silver Spring, MD | 8p, $50+
Q Parker - The Romance Dealer Tour - Bethesda Theater in MD | 8:30p, $50+
10/29 + 10/30
Marvin: The Marvin Gaye Musical - The Lyric Baltimore in MD | 7p on 10/29 + 8p on 10/30, $75+
10/29 - 11/1
Godfrey - DC Improv | multiple showtimes, $44+
10/30
Charlie Wilson - The Theater at MGM in National Harbor, MD | 8p, $109+