Want to plan an exciting weekend adventure across the DMV region? Check out some of the best events, showcases, performances, and concerts from Maryland, D.C., and Fairfax County, Virginia!
Shows, Activities, Events & More in Maryland This Weekend
Whether you’re intrigued by all things waterfowl or you want to explore Frederick as it lights up its downtown area for the holiday season — Maryland has a multitude of exciting community events to enjoy this weekend.
Frederick @ Night


Where? Downtown Frederick
When? November 8th
Take advantage of one of the most enchanting starts to the holiday season in Frederick! The downtown area will be transformed into a winter wonderland as tree lights turn on for the festive season. Downtown businesses will be open late, with special offerings for visitors. Whether you want to pack in some holiday shopping or you just want to take a romantic stroll under the stunning canopy of lights, Frederick at Night is a fun event for the whole family. Grab a bite to eat and relax in the outdoor lounge while enjoying the ambiance of live musicians. Select shops that will extend their hours for this event include Augusta Rose, Brick and Mortar, Curious Iguana, Dancing Bear Toys & Games, Frederick Social, Molly’s Meanderings, and many more.
Waterfowl Festival



Where? 40 South Harrison Street
When? November 8th-10th
Every November for a three-day period, up to 20,000 visitors enjoy the best of local wildlife, nature, art, heritage, food, and fun at the Waterfowl Festival in the streets of Eaton. Tickets are on sale now for $25 and admission is good across all three days! Visitors will have access to all galleries and most pavilions, as well as bus shuttles and parking at auxiliary lots. No tickets are required for children ages 10 and under. At the tasting pavilion, guests 21 and up can purchase a glass for $10 which includes unlimited tastings! The festival features a variety of events and vendors, displaying items such as fishing lures to all-terrain vehicles and boats. Watch Dock Dogs competitions, goose and duck calling contests, and street musicians! The Waterfowl Festival has gone cashless, so make sure to have a credit or debit card on you.
Maryland Irish Festival
Where? 2200 York Road
When? November 8th-10th
This year’s Irish Festival will be held at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium beginning at 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM on Friday. Saturday’s hours are scheduled from 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM and Sunday caps off the event with a Catholic mass at 10:30 AM and the festival running until 6:00 PM. This annual celebration features all things Irish, including local, regional, and international music, Irish dancers, traditional cuisine, cultural exhibits, workshops, and a diverse variety of vendors selling Irish and Celtic goods. Whether you want to throw back a beer or two or get your Christmas shopping off to a roaring start, the Irish Festival is a great way to spend the weekend with friends, family, and even the kiddos! Swing by the kid’s play area for activities and games.
Friends of the St. Mary’s County Library Fall Book Sale
Where? 23630 Hayden Farm Lane
When? November 9th
The much-anticipated Fall Book Sale will be held at the Leonardtown Library. The general public is welcome to shop from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM and members can swing by two hours earlier, beginning at 10:00 AM. The Friends of St. Mary’s County Library is an organization interested in advocating and supporting libraries as both a group and as individuals. The organization has raised over $880,000 and counting for St. Mary’s County Libraries. Members receive newsletters and earn early buying privileges. If you’re interested in early access for 2025, memberships run from January through December! If you join after October 1st, your membership will be through December of the following year.
AppleFest 2024
Where? 1700 West 41st Street
When? November 9th
Union Collective is excited to present AppleFest! This family-friendly celebration of all things apples is a great way to discover the answer to the question: “How do you like them apples?” There will be farm-fresh apples at the beer garden, as well as fall crafts and delectable apple-inspired specials across the Collective. The Charmery will also be featuring live music by The Wafflers from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM and DJ Heady Brau will be spinning sick tunes at Union Craft Brewing from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Adults can indulge in cocktails, wine, and beer offerings while kiddos will love the ice cream treats!
Dino Fest
Where? 11401 Thrift Road
When? November 9th
Dive into a prehistoric adventure at the Clearwater Nature Center Dinosaur Park in Clinton this Saturday! Highlights of this event include the Birdly VR experience, free giveaways, gemstone art, fossil digging, exhibits, and an array of dinosaur-themed arts and crafts. There will even be toasty campfire fun! Registration is required to attend Dino Fest but admission is completely free. When you register, you can select from one of three time slots beginning at 11:00 AM and wrapping up at 4:30 PM. All ages are welcome! This is a “dino-mite” opportunity to learn all about nature and history while keeping little ones engaged and excited to discover more about our prehistoric past.
Annapolis Jazz & Roots Festival
Where? Various Locations
When? Through November 10th
The Annapolis Jazz & Roots Festival celebrates all things cultural diversity and artistic excellence in an inviting atmosphere. The educational and fun activities are designed to entertain participants of many interests, ages, and backgrounds — including teaming up with state, county, and city government, nonprofits, and businesses. November 8th-10th is the second and final weekend of the festival for 2024, featuring concerts by Theresa Sise & Sweet Tea featuring Sue Matthews, The JoGo Project, and a Jazz Salute to Veterans. For concerts, reservations are required but tickets are free! Check out the schedule lineup here.
The Howard County Veterans Day Parade & Celebration



Where? Downtown Columbia
When? November 10th
Downtown Columbia will feature The Howard County Veterans Day Parade & Celebration this Sunday starting at 9:30 AM. There will be a ceremony immediately following the parade, so make sure to show your support for active and retired military members and the sacrifices they have made. This year marks the 10th annual parade and celebration, which always draws a crowd eager to pay respect to more than 20,000 local veterans and their families. The parade route follows Merriweather Drive, Little Patuxent Parkway, and ends at Wincopin Circle. The grand marshals of this year’s event are Tracy Adkins and Kelly Kesler.
Shows, Activities, Events & More in Washington D.C. This Weekend
Washington D.C. has multiple events to offer this weekend, including a film festival and a family-friendly screening of Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse with a live orchestra!
HBCU First LOOK Film Festival
Where? 2397 6th Street NW
When? November 8th
The HBCU First LOOK Film Festival is an annual initiative designed to focus on diversity and inclusion opportunities that can bring together HBCU students with HBCU graduates who have gone on to become creators and leaders in film, TV, and broadcast industries. The schedule kicks off on Friday at 9:00 AM with walk-up and on-site registration, followed by a two-day marathon of continuous film screenings and opportunities to learn and sign up for internships and meet vendors in the Lights Career Lounge. Saturday keeps the good times rolling with panel discussions, a movie reception, and even a conversation with a former Manhattan prosecutor and television producer! See the full schedule of events here.
Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse in Concert
Where? 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
When? November 8th & 9th
This highly anticipated sequel to the Oscar-winning Spider-Man animated Spider-Verse film will captivate audiences in The National Theatre. The films have garnered immense popularity amongst audiences of all ages, largely due to their groundbreaking soundtracks that have been widely praised for their innovative fusion of orchestral and electronic elements alongside scratch DJ techniques. This weekend’s event will feature the movie showcased on a massive HD screen, complemented by an ensemble of musicians and instrumentalists who will be performing the film’s iconic score and soundtrack live to audiences. Witness Miles Morales as he reunites with Gwen Stacy and embarks on a riveting journey across the Multiverse.
Capital Audiofest 2024

Where? 1750 Rockville Pike
When? November 8th-10th
Capital Audiofest is Washington D.C.’s premier high-end audio festival, hosted at the Hilton Rockville. Tickets are sold at the door and students with ID can enjoy the festivities for free. If you purchase your tickets online, you’ll gain a free raffle entry for awesome prizes like a GIA-275 Integrated Amplifier and a Record Doctor VI Record Cleaning Machine. Single-day passes are priced at $20 and multi-day passes are sold for $40. The Audiofest began in 2010 as a very casual show before evolving into a well-organized and well-attended event that brings together members of the audio industry and those interested in learning more. This is a family-friendly event as well, so bring the kids along to listen to music, check out gear, and browse bins of vinyl records, CDs, and accessories in the Atrium Marketplace.
Shows, Activities, Events & More Near Arlington, VA This Weekend
Virginia is going to be a hot place to be this weekend! From Alexandria’s annual film festival and the various Veterans Day activities at Mount Vernon — you won’t want to miss out on the fun.
Alexandria Film Festival



Where? 201 South Washington Street
When? November 7th-10th
The 18th annual Alexandria Film Festival will kick off this weekend! The festival is a nonprofit organization that brings high-quality short and feature-length films, documentaries, panels, and art presentations to the city of Alexandria and beyond. The event highlights the diverse talents of local, national, and international filmmakers. All Festival Passes can be purchased for $80 and entitle the purchaser to any film at any venue, which is a great way to take advantage of the weekend-long festival and the multitude of movies that will be screened. This year’s film guide includes Baby Love, Because I Love You, Breaking the West, Color Book, Dying Laughter, and many more. In total, the festival will offer nearly 60 films in venues across the city including Patagonia Old Town, Beatley Library, NOVA’s Alexandria Campus Auditorium and more.
Willy Wonka Jr. Musical
Where? 1108 Jefferson Street
When? November 8th
Momentum Collective Inc. has partnered with the Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities to present the Willy Wonka Jr. Musical! The performance will feature a talented cast of 38 youth members in a captivating adaptation of the family-friendly Roald Dahl tale. Fan-favorite songs from Willy Wonka Jr. include “Candy Man” and “Think Positive,” so get ready to hum along and tap your feet. The performance starts at 7:00 PM and tickets are on sale now. General admission seats are priced at $15.
Nocturnal Animal Hike
Where? 3608 North Military Road
When? November 8th
The Nocturnal Animal Hike will be held at the Gulf Branch Nature Center in Arlington from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Come on out to enjoy this evening outdoor activity where participants will discover the wildlife that lurks in nature once the sun sets. Families will first visit the classroom to learn about the animals before hitting the trails to see if they can spot them in the dark! Organizers recommend bringing layers in case the weather gets chilly. Registration for this event is required, as well as a small fee. Grab your spot while they’re available for this exciting educational event!
Veterans Day Weekend
Where? 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
When? November 9th & 10th
Veterans Day is officially on Monday, November 11th, but Mount Vernon is kicking things off early with a Saturday and Sunday celebration! From 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM on both days, come on out and pay your respects to military veterans of the United States Armed Forces at the home of George Washington. Tickets are priced at $26 for adults, $13 for youth (ages 6 to 11), and free for children 5 and under. Members receive free admission! Veterans Day Weekend activities include 18th-century military drills, wreath-laying ceremonies, story times, and even an opportunity to write a letter to veterans thanking them for their service.
We Hope You Enjoy Your Weekend!
Whether you call Maryland, D.C., or Virginia home — these are some of the best weekend activities across the region. Enjoy Veterans Day celebrations, film festivals, book sales, live music, and more!