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9 things to do this weekend in DC, Maryland and Virginia | Oct. 21-23

From craft shows to a pumpkin festival, rollerskating, seeing the story of Dracula live and beer-tasting, here's what's happening across the DMV this weekend.

WASHINGTON — Make the most of your free time and the beautiful fall foliage by getting out and about this weekend, checking out all of the fun activities the DMV has to offer!

Every week, WUSA9 is giving you the details on at least nine local activities to check out in your off time. We'll give you three ideas (and, sometimes, a bonus item or two) every week each in D.C., Maryland and Virginia. Have any more events you think your neighbors should know about? Email the time, place and description to bashford1@wusa9.com.

DC

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Smithsonian Craft2Wear 

  • Friday, Oct. 21 and Saturday, Oct. 22 from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • National Building Museum, 401 F St NW, Washington, DC 20001
  • Admission: Starting at $20 general admission, group, student and employee discounts
  • Organizer: Smithsonian Women's Committee 

"Find Your Fabulous!" Organizers encourage at this unique Smithsonian event.

"The country's premier jewelry, leather, and wearable artists are gathering in DC to showcase and sell their beautiful craft . . . Collectors and shoppers alike will find all price ranges in one-of-a-kind works of art to wear."

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Music in the U.S. Botanic Garden

  • Saturday, Oct. 22 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Terrace (Conservatory in case of rain) United States Botanic Garden 100 Maryland Ave, SW Washington, DC 20515, US
  • Admission: Free, no pre-registration required
  • Organizer: U.S. Botanic Garden

This outdoor, family-friendly concert will bring music to the U.S. Botanical Garden this weekend for all to enjoy.

"Join us outdoors for Music in the Garden with JChris (Chris Urquiaga), known for his exciting performance energy and smooth voice. In his shows, this singer-songwriter and pianist performs music in English, Spanish, and Portuguese."

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Día de los Muertos at The Wharf

  • Sunday, Oct. 23, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • District Pier, 101 District Square SW, Washington, DC 20024
  • Admission: Free
  • Organizer: The Wharf

The Wharf invites visitors to spend their day celebrating the Day of the Dead "We're bringing live music, street food, a beer garden, face painting, sugar skull decorating, and more to District Pier in partnership with Modelo and Fiesta DC," organizers said.

MARYLAND

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42nd Butler’s Orchard Pumpkin Festival

  • Recurring; Friday, Oct. 21 through Sunday, Oct. 23. 
    • Friday: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. (Last entry 4:30 p.m.) Saturday through Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Last entry 4:30 p.m.).
  • Butler's Orchard, 22222 Davis Mill Road Germantown, MD 20876
  • Admission: Tickets start at $10 for weekdays if bought in advance and $15 on weekends if bought in advance
  • Organizer: Butler's Orchard

The 42nd Annual Butler’s Orchard Pumpkin Festival includes many activities, including a twisted corn maze, hayrides, corn hole games, pony rides, picking your own pumpkins and more are ready for all of the fall lovers out there. 

Looking for all the local pumpkin patch, fall festival and farm fun in one place? Click here for a full list that spans the DMV

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41st Takoma Park Street Festival

  • Sunday, Oct. 23 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  •   Starts at Eastern Avenue, NW on the Washington, DC border to Philadelphia Avenue in Takoma Park, MD 
  • Admission: Free
  • Organizer: Takoma Park Main Street

"The Takoma Park Street Festival is back for its 41st year in Takoma Park to fill the street with music, artists and makers, community groups, green companies and great food," organizers said. 

The event will celebrate local music with 18 performances on 3 stages, with a mix of soul, blues, roots rock, reggae, folk and everything in between while visitors can shop at more than 150 booths extending all along Carroll Avenue. Booths will feature work from local artists and makers including art, jewelry, stationary, home decor, clothing, personal care products, plants and more. 

Food will also be on-stie from Takoma restaurants, food trucks and festival food favorites. Plus, the Takoma Park Farmers Market runs during the festival with 25 additional vendors.

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Genuine Happiness Halloween Skate Night

  • Sunday, Oct. 23, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. 
  • Skate Zone, Capitol Raceway Road Crofton, MD 21114 
  • Tickets start at $20
  • Organizer: Genuine Happiness Corporation

This rollerskating event hopes to provide some happiness in the form of rolling around the rink and enjoying some classic fall fun. Lace up your skates, grab your Halloween get-up and spread the Halloween spirit on wheels at this Crofton event.

VIRGINIA

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Alexandria’s Ghost & Graveyard Tours

  • Recurring; Friday, Oct. 21 through Sunday, Oct. 23
  • Tour times vary based on day; various one-hour tours range between 7:15 p.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Exact meeting location varies based on day. Click here to learn more.
  • Admission: Adult tickets start at $15, children/teen tickets (Ages 7-17)  start at $10, kids under 6 years old can attend for free. Military/law enforcement discounts offered
  • Organizer:  Alexandria Colonial Tours

Plan to follow a Colonial-costumed guide by lantern light through the charming streets of Old Town Alexandria on this special tour!

"During this entertaining tour, you’ll hear ghost stories, legends, folklore, unsolved mysteries, tales of romance and angry ghosts looking for revenge. This one-hour walking tour covers approximately 6 blocks."

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Dracula at Synetic Theater

  • Recurring; Friday, Oct. 21 and Saturday, Oct. 22 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 23 at 2 p.m.
  • Synetic Theater 1800 S Bell Street Arlington, VA 22202
  • Tickets start at $25
  • Organizer: Synetic Theater

Spend this weekend checking out a fun and festive production before Halloween hits!

"Howling wolves, creeping mists, a ruined castle silhouetted against the night sky . . . Bram Stoker’s classic tale rises again in Synetic’s bold and bloody adaptation of the world’s most iconic horror story. This sensuous and terrifying thriller arrives just in time for Halloween," organizers share.

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Mount Vernon Fall Harvest Festival and beer tasting event

  • Saturday, Oct. 22 and Sunday, Oct. 23 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121
  • Admission: Tickets to fall fest included with Mount Vernon admission. Non-member prices: adults 12+ $26, children $13 and tickets for ages 0-5 are free.
    • Beer-tasting tickets are $15 in addition to admission.
  • Organizer: Mount Vernon

Visitors are invited to celebrate autumn with General Washington, checking out 18th-century activities and demonstrations like candle making, cooking, horseshoeing and textile production.

Beer tasting will also be occurring simultaneously until 4 p.m.Tickets are sold separately for $15 and include six tastings along with a commemorative glass. Additional tastings can be bought for $3 each. Visitors are invited to choose from 32 beers from 16 different breweries.

PLUS... did you hear about Kings Dominion?! Popular Virginia amusement park to be open year-round starting in 2023

RELATED: Seeing fall colors? Here's where leaves are starting to change in the DMV

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