It's time for our weekend roundup!
Have any plans? Between food fests, county fairs, and a Disney-themed bar crawl, we've got all kinds of top-notch entertainment coming your way in the DMV this weekend. Here are the top 10 events happening August 16 to August 18.
Solomons Island Dragon Boat Festival | Solomons Island, MD | Friday–Saturday
Experience an enchanting spectacle at Solomons Island! Enjoy a high-paced weekend on the island with food vendors, a parade, and of course, the races! Watch colorful dragon boats speed across the water—winners will be announced at the concluding Awards Ceremony! The race starts at 9 a.m. sharp, so come early! Festival admission and the shuttle service are free. Check it out here!
Augustoberfest | 14 North Potomac Street | Hagerstown, MD | Saturday–Sunday
October is still months away, but it's never too early to celebrate Oktoberfest! Fill up on German beer and cuisine (bratwursts! pretzels!) while enjoying traditional music and exploring craft vendors. Kids can watch a Punch and Judy puppet show and twirl around a maypole! Admission is only $7—a total steal! View more information here!
Key City Steampunk Festival | Clarion Inn Frederick Event Center | 5400 Holiday Drive, Frederick, MD | Saturday–Sunday
Step into the surreal world of Jules Verne for this year's Steampunk Festival! Attend writing workshops on steampunk fiction, hone your sewing skills, and learn about the aesthetic's history. The panel on the 1893 Chicago World's Fair should be especially enlightening! Tickets are $15-$150, with single-day and weekend passes available. Find out more here!
Kegs and Corks | Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds | Crownsville, MD | Saturday
Can't decide between beer and wine? No worries—this festival is all about both! Try unlimited samples of local beer and wine, jam out to live music, and get your grub on with delicious eats. Event proceeds go toward the Special Olympics Maryland, so have fun while supporting a great cause! General admission is $40-$45. Check it out here!
Whitewater Rafting Trip for All Levels | 604 Valley Road, Knoxville, MD | Sunday
Have an adventure this Sunday with a whitewater rafting trip! Soak up some history about the region as you travel the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers, and conclude the outing with a riverside picnic! Beginners and seasoned pros alike are welcome! General admission is $79. Check it out here!
The Raconteurs | The Anthem | 901 Wharf St. SW, Washington, D.C. | Saturday
Raconteurs fans, rejoice! The group is back and heading to The Anthem in support of 2019's Help Us Stranger. Lead by the idiosyncratic Jack White, their retro-rock throwbacks will have you grooving all night! Miami band Jacuzzi Boys will open. Tickets are $65–$95 and come with a copy of their new album. Buy them here!
DMV Summer Restaurant Week | Locations Vary | Monday–Sunday
DMV Restaurant Week is back, summer-style! From August 12 to 18, 250 restaurants in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia will be offering insane deals on multi-course meals. For only $22-$35, you can try brunch, lunch, and dinner for a fraction of the price. It's the perfect time to try something new! You'll want to make a reservation, as this event is extremely popular. Find out more here.
Around the World Cultural Food Festival | Freedom Plaza | 1455 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. | Saturday
Take your tastebuds on a trip without leaving D.C.! Freedom Plaza will be hosting the finest selection of foods from around the world. Try cuisines ranging from Peruvian to Greek and enjoy live music, dance, and craft vendors for your browsing pleasure. All food is authentic and freshly made, so you're in for a big treat! Festival admission is free. Check it out here!
Once Upon a Bar Crawl | D.C. (Locations vary) | Saturday
This bar crawl may be about fairytales, but the experience you'll have is no make-believe! Dress up as your favorite Disney character and hit up District faves like Sign of the Whale, Decades, and Dirty Martini for the day-drinking of your dreams. Tickets start at the early-bird price of $19.99 and will increase to $29.99 the day of. Find out more here!
Arlington County Fair | Thomas Jefferson Community Center | 3501 Second Street South, Arlington VA | Wednesday–Sunday
Over 80,000 people a year attend this event, and it's not hard to see why. Five days of delicious fair foods, midway rides, games, and more await you! New this year is Baby Goat Yoga (tickets are $40—buy them here) and enjoy old favorites like pony rides and parades. The best part? Free admission! Find out more here!
What are your weekend plans? Doing anything on this list? Give us the scoop in the comments!