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It's sweater weather — a time when you can enjoy outdoor festivals without breaking out the deodorant. Sip on craft brews, local wines and munch on food truck fare this fall. The beer-laden German folk festival Oktoberfest makes its way to Maryland and DC while Taste of Georgetown returns to the waterfront. There's also a wine festival at George Washington's Mount Vernon estate in Virginia for the history buffs.
Here's a look at some of the area's best fall festivals.
DC
What: Take part in a week-long festival with German and regional brews, Bavarian musicians and a dirndl relay race at the Wunder Garten, a pop-up beer garden at NoMa.
Where: NoMa, 150 M St. NE
When: Sept. 28-Oct. 4
Cost: $10 for weekend entry
What: More than 130 vendors will offer free samples of their meatless creations. There’s also live music and cooking demos.
Where: Yards Park, Lot H/I, across from Nationals Park
When: Oct. 3
Cost: Free admission
What: Nearly three dozen Georgetown restaurants will serve a taste of their dishes, including crepes from Café Bonaparte, paella from Bodega Spanish Tapas and Lounge and cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcakes.
Where: 3050 K St. NW, under the Whitehurst Freeway
When: Oct. 3
Cost: Free; $5 per small plate
What: Sample dishes from more than 40 restaurants and nearly a dozen food trucks along four blocks of Pennsylvania Avenue.
Where: 7th St. and Pennsylvania Avenue NW
When: Oct. 10-Oct. 11
Cost: $20-$40
What: Dozens of craft breweries, food trucks and DJs return to Nationals Park.
Where: Nationals Park
When: Nov. 7
Cost: $40
What: The smorgasbord of locally made foods makes its way back to Union Market. Expect dishes from your favorite celeb chefs, including Edward Lee, Erik Bruner-Yang and Mike Isabella.
Where: Union Market
When: Nov. 14-15
Cost: $15-$40
Maryland
What: Two days of Oktoberfest fun with games, rides and contests — compete for the best beer belly. A new addition this year is the free Bavarian Village, with German food, dancers and live music. Das Bier Garden is open Saturday from noon-5 pm.
Where: National Harbor
When: Sept. 25-26 (Held again in Baltimore, Oct. 10)
Cost: $49 for admission to the beer garden
Maryland Microbrewery Festival
What: Live music, crab cakes and pit beef and beer from 19 microbreweries are some of the highlights of the Maryland Microbrewery Festival.
Where: Westminster
When: Sept. 25
Cost: $18-$20
Virginia
Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour
What: Listen to live blues and taste wines from 17 Virginia wineries at George Washington's Mount Vernon estate. Admission also includes a visit to the basement where George Washington stored his wine.
Where: Mount Vernon
When: Oct. 2- Oct. 4,
Cost: $40 Friday, $36 Sunday; VIP tables available for Saturday
Tysons Fall Harvest Wine Festival
What: Held over two weekends, the festival features craft beers and wine from 10 Virginia wineries. Pumpkin bowling, a petting zoo, crafts and a kids candy walk make it a good event to take the kiddos.
Where: Lerner Town Square at Tysons II
When: Oct. 17-18, Oct. 24-25
Cost: $10-$40
Woodbridge Food Truck Festival
What: More than 20 area food trucks will be on hand, along with microbrews, including Flying Dog Pale Ale, Devil's Backbone and Port City Optimal Wit.
Where: Pfitzner Stadium
When: Sept. 26
Cost: Free general admission; $25 for beer tent admission
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