It’s the month you’ve all been waiting for and after a miserable, rainy end of September, we deserve it. October in D.C. means fall foliage, neighborhood festivals, ghost tours, and lots and lots of beer.
Celebrate Oktoberfest
Put on your dirndl or lederhosen. D.C. breweries go all out for Oktoberfest. Wunder Garten has a month-long party with different competitions each weekend, and Wonderland is hosting an Oktoberfest-A-Pa-Looza. My favorite though is Oktoberfest at The Wharf which includes the famous Wiener 500 Dachshund Dash.
Have a Pumpkin Party
Nothing screams October more than pumpkin picking, so get yourself to a pumpkin patch. Many farms around D.C. go all out with hay rides, corn mazes, and petting zoos. After, I always love hosting a little pumpkin-carving party with plenty of spiced cider 😋
Get Your Trick-Or-Treat On
Just because you live in an apartment or townhouse doesn’t mean you can’t give out candy. Grab a bag of cheap candy (preferably one you won’t finish yourself) and signal your presence to trick-or-treaters with a festive door light or just sit on your stoop.
How your leaves should be looking this Oct. 28. (Elvert Barnes/Flickr)
Rake Up Those Leaves
Leaf collection will begin Oct. 28 this year for DPW-serviced households. Leaves clog storm drains and cause street flooding, which pollutes local water bodies. They can also contribute to seasonal allergies, so it's important to get them raked into the treebox in front of your home for collection. Check DPW’s leaf collection tracker for updates.
Go On a Ghost Tour
Take one of the famous ghost tours of Old Town Alexandria, which are way scarier than they should be. Or, go on one of the evening soul strolls at the National Congressional Cemetery. Or, if you’re really in search of a scare, scroll through your old Hinge matches 💀
Watch Your Favorite Podcast Live
Ok, maybe “favorite” is a bit presumptuous, but we’re hosting a free City Cast DC podcast taping at Black Cat on Oct. 9 and would love for you to come! We’re discussing all the local election drama to get you prepped for November.
Make Tea From Scratch
Become a witch for a day at Common Good City Farm. This free workshop on Oct. 11 will teach you how to dry your own herbs and make herbal infusions from them. There will also be raffles, a photo booth, and games.
Need even more things to keep you busy? We’ve got a podcast episode all about it!
