Call us biased, but we feel Washington, DC is even more beautiful in the fall. Monuments seem to glow in autumn’s golden light. Tree-lined paths turn shades of orange and red, framing Capitol Hill in a kaleidoscope of color. There are several fall festivals in Washington DC to keep your social life busy, and some of the District’s best foodie events take place this time of year.
At Capitol Hill Hotel, guests are close to the best fall D.C. events and happenings. Plus, award-winning restaurants, world-class museums, and fascinating history. From Washington DC fall foliage to a haunting Halloween party, here are the best things to do in DC this season.
Eat & Drink Like the Locals at DC’s Fall Festivals
DC Wine Fest (Oct. 16-17) brings the vinophiles to Union Market for an all-you-can-sip wine tasting. More than 50 wine and spirit brands will participate this year, alongside local food vendors and DC musicians.
For a more historic spin, opt for The Roost Ancient World Wine Fest (Oct. 18), a small-but-impressive celebration of sustainable wines crafted in ancient wine-producing regions like Greece and Rome, and those lesser-known in Croatia, Armenia, Ukraine and beyond. Walk around for an intimate wine tasting, and purchase your favorite bottles on the spot (remember, holiday season is just around the corner).
Fancy a beer instead? Save the date for November 7, when the annual DC Beer Festival returns to Nationals Park. This fall DC event offers unlimited samples from over 80 breweries, and tons of live entertainment all day long, including dueling pianos, cover bands, and live DJ sets.
Discover What’s New in DC’s Art & Culture Scene
When fall foliage beckons you outdoors, answer the call at The Hirshorn’s Sculpture Garden. After a four-year renovation, the art museum will debut new guest experiences, nearly 30,000 plants, and expanded lawns to host rotating exhibitions starting October 31. Visit the DC museum this fall to view acclaimed works by Rodin, Lucio Fontana, Elisabeth Frink, Joan Miró, and Pablo Picasso, plus a limited-time exhibition by Yoshitomo Nara titled, Sentinels of Stillness.
The annual Adams Morgan Porchfest is one of our favorite things to do in Washington DC in the fall. Each year, dozens of local bands and artists perform across the neighborhood, taking over patios, parks, front porch steps, and local businesses. This year’s event takes place on Saturday, November 7, and features a holiday market with handmade crafts and vintage items for sale.
Lean Into the Season with Pumpkins & Halloween Parties
If you’re the sort who loves a pumpkin-spiced anything, the annual PumpkinPalooza is for you. Happening October 28 at Alethia Tanner Park in NoMa, the family-friendly DC event offers free pumpkins from a “pick your own” patch, as well as costumed characters, cirque performers, local vendors, a petting zoo, and lots more. Grown-ups can also enjoy specialty brews at the Red Bear Brewing Co. beer garden. A free movie screening of Minions & Monsters wraps up a picturesque fall day in DC.
Across town, in Adams Morgan, a free apple festival sees 16 local bakers compete for the winning title of best apple pie. Bring your appetite on October 24, and your wallet, too; each pie purchase goes to support a neighborhood non-profit organization.
On the hunt for something, ahem, spookier? Nightmare in Navy Yard (Oct. 31) is a mega-Halloween party that brings the thrills, plus three dance floors, “haunted decor,” live DJ sets, food trucks, cocktails, and other tricks and treats.
Snap a Photo of DC’s Fall Foliage
Of course you don’t need a special event to soak up fall vibes in DC. During the autumn months, our historic monuments are surrounded with beautiful fall foliage, with color-changing trees framing the U.S. Capitol and Jefferson Memorial.
Walk the Tidal Basin for picture-perfect moments of crimson, gold, and auburn; or venture to the National Arboretum for fall foliage set against wide-open skies.
Where to Stay: Capitol Hill Hotel
After a day of DC fall adventure, return to Capitol Hill Hotel for a relaxing stay. Our all-suite accommodations offer extra space to sprawl, and residential-style amenities that make you feel at home. Plus, a 24-hour fitness center, bike rental program, and curated neighborhood “Explorer’s Pass” offering perks and discounts at DC’s best shops.
Plan your DC fall getaway with Capitol Hill Hotel and book exclusive savings with our seasonal hotel offers