October 8 – 21: National Harbor Restaurant Week. National Harbor Restaurant Week offers prix fixe lunch for $20 and three-course dinner menus for $35. Cuisines include American, Chinese, Mexican, Seafood, and more.

Weekends through October 21: The Maryland Renaissance Festival recreates a 16th century English village with crafts, food, live performances on 8 stages, a jousting arena and lots of games…a fun family event held in Crownsville, MD.

Friday – Sunday, October 12-14: Sugarloaf Crafts Festival at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Gaithersburg. Enjoy craft demonstrations, great food and live entertainment.

Friday – Sunday,October 12-14: Collector’s Showcase of America at the Dulles Expo Center. Sports Collectibles of every variety. Numerous celebrity autograph guests.

Saturday and Sunday, October 13 – 14: Fall White House GardenTours. The White House Garden Tours have been a tradition since 1972 when Pat Nixon first opened the White House gardens to the public. Visitors are invited to view the Rose Garden, Children's Garden and South Lawn of the White House. The Kitchen Garden, a new addition to the South Lawn, will be viewable from a distance along the tour route. The event is open to the public; however, a ticket is required for all attendees, including small children. The National Park Service will distribute free, timed tickets at the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion located at 15th and E Streets on tour days beginning at 8:00 a.m.

Sunday, October 14: The City of Gaithersburg presents the 21st Anniversary Celebration of Oktoberfest at the Kentlands, Sunday, October 14, from noon to 4 p.m. at Kentlands Village Green. Admission and parking are free. Amidst horse-drawn wagon rides, pumpkin painting, and wine-tasting, festival goers can enjoy authentic Bavarian food and beer and lively performances by the Alte Kameraden German Band and Alt-Washingtonia Bavarian dancers. Alt-Washingtonia instructs and encourages participation in some of its dances.