October in Arlington
The leaves are falling, and autumn events are calling! October is an action-packed month here in Arlington.
From the iconic Marine Corps Marathon and Arlington Restaurant Week to fall festivals and farmers' markets, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy.
Festivals and Arlington Signature Events
NaLa Noches Latin Music Series
Dates: October 1, 8, and 15, 2026
Location: Metropolitan Park | 1330 S Fair Street
Spice up your Thursday evenings from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with NaLa Noches, a high-energy celebration of Latin music and culture in the heart of National Landing. Each week showcases live performances handpicked by DC trumpet legend Joe Herrera. Grab empanadas from local favorite Peruvian Brothers and dive into hands-on art activations by Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington. Plus, stop by the National Landing BID tent for giveaways!
Festival LatinoAmericano
Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
Location: Arlington Mill Community Center | 909 S Dinwiddie Street
The 2026 Festival LatinoAmericano will be held on October 3 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. This free festival welcomes hundreds each year and will include live music and dance, great local vendors, interactive children’s entertainment, delicious food, and exciting community spirit.
Rosslyn Fall Fest
Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
Location: NOW Pop-Up Park | 1401 Wilson Blvd
Join the Rosslyn BID for the Rosslyn Fall Fest for an afternoon of fall-favorite activities perfect for all ages. You'll find local beer and cider, seasonal food, a pie-eating contest, live music, pumpkin carving, lawn games, and more!
Fall Heritage Festival
Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026
Location: Fort C.F. Smith Park | 2411 24th Street N
Mark your calendar for the 2026 Fall Heritage Festival. Step back into history and try your hand at some old-time games and crafts, make a corn husk doll, churn butter, dip candles, and work the cider press. You can even bring your old pants and shirts to make a scarecrow - child sizes work best!
Pike Fest
Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026
Location: Penrose Square | 2597 Columbia Pike
Join the Columbia Pike Partnership on October 18 from noon to 5:00 p.m. for Pike Fest at Penrose Square. Enjoy local food and drinks, music, family-friendly activities, and Pike photos, all designed to showcase and uplift the businesses that make the Pike special.
Army Ten-Miler
Date: Sunday, October 11, 2026
Location: The Pentagon | Washington, D.C.
The Army’s annual Army Ten-Miler Race and Expo attracts military, civilians, wheelchair athletes, and wounded warrior athletes. The race, open to the public and featuring a Youth Run, also includes a two-day Expo with deals on clothing, shoes, accessories, and other health and fitness items. Hear performances from The Old Guard Drill Team and Fife and Drum Corps too!
Marine Corps Marathon
Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
Location: Runners begin between the Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery and finish at the Marine Corps War Memorial
Whether you’re a runner or cheering for one, join in on the fun! The Marine Corps Marathon is one of the country's largest marathons, hosted annually in Arlington and the nation's capital. The MCM offers runners the opportunity to tour the nation's most recognizable landmarks while supported by the men and women of the United States Marine Corps.
For the Foodies
Columbia Pike Happy Hour
Date: Thursday, October 1, 2026
Location: Palacio Latino | 3709 Columbia Pike
Join the Columbia Pike Partnership from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. to unwind, meet new people, and connect with the community—all while enjoying great food and drinks! Find more information here.
Brunch on the Boulevard
Date: Thursday, October 8, 2026
Location: 3130 Langston Boulevard
Join the Langston Boulevard Alliance from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for Brunch on the Boulevard! Enjoy local food and beverage while networking with Arlington’s best and brightest business founders.
Arlington Restaurant Week
Dates: October 12-19, 2026
Location: various restaurants around Arlington
Enjoy some of the best food the area has to offer at special prices! Hosted by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, the annual Arlington Restaurant Week is a great opportunity to explore Arlington's diverse restaurant scene and find a new go-to place for dining out.
Columbia Pike Lunch Club
Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Location: Thai Square | 3217 Columbia Pike
On the Pike, you’ll find the most eclectic food scene in Arlington, home to dozens of international, locally owned restaurants. Columbia Pike Partnership's Monthly Lunch Club will introduce you to these beloved eateries.
Arts and Culture
Movie @ Met
Date: Friday, October 2, 2026
Location: Metropolitan Park | 13th Street South and South Eads Street
Settle in with the fam for a screening of Encanto from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Local neighborhood retailers will also be popping up for fun treats and extras to shop.
MoCA on the Move at Met Park: Fall Family Days
Dates: Sundays in October
Location: Metropolitan Park | 13th Street South and South Eads Street
MoCA on the Move: Fall Family Days brings free, family-friendly creativity to Metropolitan Park with live music, hands-on art activities, games, face painting, glitter tattoos, and more. Each week features new artists and musicians, with additional public programs and classes available at MoCA throughout the fall.
Plants in the Park
Date: Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Location: Metropolitan Park | 13th Street South and South Eads Street
Head to Metropolitan Park from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for Plants in the Park, featuring a fun Halloween-themed terrarium hosted in partnership with PlantHouse, a local, experience-based terrarium workshop and plant store, where participants can create and take home a themed plant project.
The Fall Makers Market with URBNMarket
Dates: October 17-18, 2026
Location: The Crossing Clarendon | 2800 Clarendon Blvd
Experience a weekend of market vendors, live music, and fall activities at The Crossing Clarendon on from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Halloween-Themed Events
Halloween Lanterns
Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026
Location: Fairlington Community Center | 3308 South Stafford Street
Enjoy a night creating a spooky, fun Halloween craft to light up your home. Register here for your spot to make a cute seasonal craft.
Pumpkin Walk
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
Location: Lubber Run Community Center | 300 N Park Drive
Grab your costume and join Arlington County for a thrilling event the whole family will enjoy. More details about the Pumpkin Walk are coming soon, so make sure you're registered; walk-ins will not be admitted.
Spooky Stories
Date: Friday, October 30, 2026
Location: Aurora Hills Center | 735 18th Street S
Bring the whole crew for a family-friendly spooky story and Halloween fun. This event is open to all ages and will be sure to get you in the Halloween spirit.
Health and Wellness
Fit @ Met Park
Dates: Wednesdays in October
Location: Metropolitan Park | 13th Street South and South Eads Street
Join DC Fray and the National Landing Business Improvement District on Wednesdays from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. at Metropolitan Park for free, instructor-led rotating fitness classes. Try everything from Pilates to Zumba! More information here.
Wellness Events at MoCA
Dates: Various Dates in October
Location: Museum of Contemporary Art | 3550 Wilson Blvd
Head over to MoCA's Innovation Studio and Store in National Landing on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. for a variety of wellness topics/classes each week. Programming includes yoga, intuitive art, sound baths, and more.