15 Fall Things to Do in Georgetown

All the Fall finds, all in one weekend. Over 30 Georgetown businesses will host in-store and sidewalk sales during the Georgetown Fall Market, Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20 along Wisconsin Avenue. Shop your heart out, and enjoy Fall food and programming.

Don’t miss the boat! Georgetown Heritage’s C&O Canal historic walking tours run through November, offering an experience unlike any other in DC. During the 90-minute tour, guides will take you to sites along the C&O Canal to tell the story of how this historic waterway shaped the industrial development of Georgetown, and how Georgetown shaped the canal. Learn about what it was like to be a canal boat worker and the science behind the lock system, and board the docked canal boat. Tours will run Thursday – Sunday.

Get down at this free weekly outdoor dance class with the Potomac as your backdrop. Dancing at the Waterfront takes place in Georgetown Waterfront Park, where participants of all ages and skill levels gather on Saturday evenings through October to learn everything from salsa to bachata while a DJ will spin a mix of music.

Remember going back-to-school shopping when you were a kid and getting a serious wardrobe refresh? No more teachers, no more books—but adults still need some new looks. Shoppers of all ages and tastes can play dress up (and take home) at over 150 fashion specialty stores, with sneaker heads and politicos alike flocking to Georgetown for a range of preppy, cutting-edge, casual and elegant clothes and accessories. Check out our Fashion directory for boutiques to national brands, and everything in between.

While we’re in back-to-school shopping mode, why not spruce up your office supplies? Paper Source, Just Paper and Tea, and Shop Made in DC are what stationery dreams are made of, and you’re guaranteed to turn heads at the next staff meeting. The thrill of a new notebook will almost make you forget your summer vacation is over.

Fall = football. Cheer on Georgetown University at one of their six home games in 2024. If you’ve got an excess of school spirit, the men’s crew and women’s rowing teams can be easily spotted (and supported) on the Potomac.

Georgetown’s free annual arts festival brings together local artists and businesses as part of a city-wide Art All Night event. Join Georgetown Main Street on Friday, September 27 from 6 pm – 11 pm and make your way to 19 locations along Wisconsin Avenue, from N St to R St, for live music, art demonstrations, workshops, magicians, family friendly activities, and more.

It is your duty to eat and drink all things pumpkin spice and chai this Fall. Head to neighborhood favorite Baked & Wired for a Dirty Chai cupcake. Vanilla cake blended with chai spices and topped with espresso buttercream frosting? Chai five to that! Sprinkles, Georgetown Cupcake, and Dog Tag Bakery also offer Fall-themed cupcakes and baked goods, and Blue Bottle, Starbucks, and Grace Street Coffee have all the caffeine you could ever want.

Celebrate Halloween with a visit to the infamous stairs featured in the cult horror classic. If you’re looking for exercise over exorcise, take on the challenge of running up all 75 of them. Want more fright in your night? Tour companies around the city, including Visit DC Tours and DC By Foot, offer ghost tours of DC’s oldest neighborhood.

East Coast leaf peeping is a hallmark of the Fall, but when you’re in Georgetown’s charming residential neighborhood, elevate your game by admiring the beautiful fall wreaths adorning many of the homes. But be forewarned: You’ll want them all.

Join Tony & Joe’s Seafood Place for their 11th annual Georgetown Shuck It! Beer and Oyster Festival on Saturday, October 19 from 1-5 pm. Enjoy grilled and freshly shucked oysters by local suppliers, locally brewed beers, local wines, traditional BBQ favorites, and live music from The Yachtsmen and Jumpin Jupiter.

You can stake out a spot on M street on Sunday, October 27, to catch them early around miles 4-5 and show your support for ‘The People’s Marathon’—a DC tradition.

This small but mighty (and delicious) sweets shop hires wounded veterans and their spouses to complete a program that provides work experience and tailored curriculum at the School of Continuing Studies at Georgetown University. During the day, veterans operate all aspects of the bakery, while also studying to eventually start their own small business.

From Wisconsin Avenue and Book Hill to the surrounding side streets, there are more than 300 small businesses in Georgetown, each with its own unique story, products, and hardworking owners who contribute to the rich fabric of our community. They are the heart of Georgetown; support them on Saturday, November 30 as part of Small Business Saturday.

If Georgetown were a high school senior, it would be voted Most Photogenic. If you’re going for a cobblestone couture effect, Cady’s Alley has a great mix of painted brick walls and is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of M Street. More of a parks connoisseur or water buff? Georgetown Waterfront Park has a ton of green space, with unrivaled views of the Potomac River, Key Bridge and Kennedy Center. Never made it to Paris but want to pretend you did? Book Hill with sidewalk cafes, art galleries and adorable pastry shops for the win.