The weekend is almost upon us, and Washingtonians are getting ready to make plans for how to spend their limited free time in one of the country’s best cities.
We’ve rounded up some of the best things to do this weekend in (and around) D.C.!
Held in the historic village of Waterford, Virginia, the annual celebration features juried artisans, historic home tours, live demonstrations, Tent Talks, traditional music, local food, vendors, and family-friendly activities.
The 82nd Waterford Fair takes place Friday, October 2, through Sunday, October 4, 2026, in the historic village of Waterford, Virginia, running from 10 am to 5 pm each day.
Visitors can browse artwork from juried artisans, watch traditional craft demonstrations, explore historic homes and gardens, and listen to live Americana and old-time music throughout the weekend.
Widely regarded as one of the premier Renaissance festivals in the United States, the event transforms more than 25 acres into a bustling 16th-century English village complete with armored knights, costumed performers, artisan marketplaces, and one of the country’s most famous jousting tournaments.
This weekend is one of the most popular of the event’s multi-weekend run, which means that tickets are going fast, so if you are interesting in attending you’ll want to get your tickets ASAP.
Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience is a fully interactive, 3D virtual reality experience that begins at the Smithsonian’s Whipple Observatory before launching visitors into space aboard the world’s most powerful telescopes.
Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, the experience takes visitors on a breathtaking journey through the cosmos, from dazzling galaxies to the edge of a black hole.
The same minds behind the hit ‘Drunk Shakespeare’ show are hosting a ‘Drunk Dracula’ performance that is sure to both get you in the spirit of the season and make you bust a gut laughing.
The experience include craft cocktails being delivered straight to your seat while you watch the performers try to keep their act together after downing more than a few shots of their own before the show begins.
The State Fair of Virginia is ending on Sunday, October 4th, after 10 days of rides, live entertainment, animals, competitions and classic fair food to Doswell.
This year’s fair features a mix of returning favorites and new attractions, including high-energy acrobatic performances, a strongman show, live music and rodeo action.
With more than 45 rides, concerts included with admission and plenty of activities for families, there is plenty to see and do for all ages.
There’s a reason it’s a classic date idea — you can’t beat movies with a snack and a drink!
Now, when you go to a movie at a participating Theater, you can get a discount on your drink and popcorn!
Learn more about discount tickets and vouchers for drinks & snacks here!
The long-secret undercroft beneath the Lincoln Memorial has been transformed into a massive immersive museum—and it’s open now!
The new immersive museum will feature historic exhibits, multimedia presentations, architectural views into the memorial’s foundations, and stories about how the Lincoln Memorial became one of the nation’s most important sites for protests, speeches, and civil rights history.
Open Tuesdays through Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm, Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens is a D.C. gem. Visitors are invited to explore an extravagant mansion, grab a bite to eat at Merriweather Café, and soak up the lush beauty of the outdoor gardens.
Tickets for adults are $15, with various discounts available for seniors, students, and children. Plan your visit here!
There’s no better place to pay respects on Memorial Day than here in D.C., where the city hosts some of the best events of the year, from the National Parade, National Concert, and events at the nation’s biggest cemetery for military veterans.
One of the most anticipated museum openings of the year, the National Geographic Museum in downtown DC at the Nat Geo HQ, is not something you want to skip!
The museum features loads of fantastic exhibits, including:
- A Photography Gallery showcasing iconic NatGeo imagery
- A Magazine Gallery dedicated to the publication’s storytelling history
- The Archives, featuring rare materials from the Society’s nearly 140-year history
- “Rolex Explorers Landing,” an exhibit following real-world exploration missions from oceans to outer space
- Outdoor nighttime projection experiences in the museum courtyard
The 2026 celebration takes place on Saturday, October 3rd, bringing a full day of LGBTQ+ community celebration and entertainment to downtown Annapolis and the Bates Athletic Complex.
With a parade, two stages of live performances, food trucks, a children’s area and more than 150 vendors, there will be plenty happening throughout the day.
And because the event is free and open to the public, it’s an easy option for anyone looking to experience one of Annapolis’ biggest annual community celebrations.
Head to the Wharf’s Oktoberfest celebration featuring beers, competitions, and more!
On Saturday, October 3rd, from 2–6 PM, District Pier at The Wharf becomes the most chaotic — and arguably most joyful — racetrack in Washington, D.C., as dachshunds from across the city compete in the 14th Annual Wiener 500 Dachshund Dash.
There are also a Stein-Hoisting competition, a best-dressed contest, and plenty of cold crisp beer for everyone who attends.
