October 1-7: Duke Ellington Jazz Festival
This festival honoring local jazz legend Duke Ellington includes more than 100 performances at venues throughout the city. There will also be free all-day concerts on the National Mall October 4 and 5. For the full schedule and roster of artists, see the festival’s Web site.

October 3-5: Wine Festival and Sunset Tour at Mount Vernon
Sample wines from 16 Virginia wineries and take an evening tour of George Washington’s home. Colonial-garbed tour guides will share tidbits of history and take visitors into the mansion’s cellar, where the first president stored his wine in brick vaults. There will also be live music on the east lawn. Food such as fruit-and-cheese boxes, sandwiches, and desserts will be available for purchase. Tickets are $30 and go on sale September 1.

October 4: Taste of Bethesda
More than 50 restaurants participate in this annual event that includes food samples, live entertainment, children’s activities, and giveaways. It’s held in conjunction with Best of Bethesda Day, which includes a classic-car show. The event runs from 11 to 4 along Norfolk, St. Elmo, Cordell, Del Ray, and Auburn avenues in Bethesda. The festival is free, but tasting tickets are sold in booklets of four for $5.

October 4: Fall for Fairfax KidsFest
This free annual festival at the Fairfax County Government Center includes two stages of live, family-friendly entertainment and dozens of interactive exhibits focusing on health, fitness, safety, educational, and environmental issues. There will also be hayrides, a petting zoo, a pumpkin patch, crafts, bounces, and a climbing wall. Most of the activities are free, but some—such as the train and pony rides—have a nominal fee. The event runs from 9 to 6.

October 5: Army Ten-Miler
This ten-mile race brings more than 20,000 runners to DC each year. It starts at the Pentagon at 8 AM and snakes around the National Mall area and parts of Northwest DC. For more info, visit the race’s Web site.

October 5: Art on the Avenue
Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood celebrates art and culture with this annual festival featuring arts, crafts, and music. Last year, 300 artists participated, and highlights included a pie-baking contest, samples of international food, live music from a range of genres, and kids activities such as face painting, spin art, pumpkin painting, and more. The festival runs along Mount Vernon Avenue between Bellefonte and Hume streets from 10 to 6.

October 10-12: Sugarloaf Craft Festival
This juried fine-art and craft show features the work of 350 artists from across the country. Items on display this year include clothing, handbags, sculptures, photography, pottery, glass, and more. Admission is $8; under 13 free.

October 11: Taste of Georgetown
More than two dozen Washington restaurants gather in Georgetown for this annual tasting event. Samples of signature dishes paired with complimentary wine are $5 each. There will also be live entertainment, children’s activities—think balloon animals and jugglers—and jazz performances compliments of Blues Alley. The festival runs from 11 to 4 along Wisconsin Avenue between M and South streets, Northwest.

October 18: Rockville Antique Car Show
Four hundred antique and classic cars are on display at this annual show, which brings out more than 20 area car clubs and hundreds of auto enthusiasts. It’s held at Glenview Mansion at Rockville Civic Center Park. The field opens at 8:30 AM, with judging and events throughout the day. In the event of rain, the show will be held on October 25. Call 240-314-5022 for weather updates.

October 18-19: Bethesda Row Arts Festival
Featuring the work of 180 artists and craftspeople from around the country, this juried outdoor festival includes displays of ceramics, fabrics, glass, jewelry, metalwork, paintings, and more. Art will be on sale to benefit NIH Children’s Charities, but there will also be artist demonstrations, children’s art activities, live entertainment, street performers, and food vendors. The festival opens at 11 AM both days and closes at 6 on Saturday and 5 on Sunday.

October 21-26: Washington International Horse Show
Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, this indoor show features 600 horses and riders competing for championship titles and $400,000 in prize money. It’s held at the Verizon Center, with events almost continuously throughout the day starting at 7 AM. Tickets for daytime events are $15 to $20 and evening events $20 to $40. VIP tickets, which include premium arena-level seating and a complimentary program book, range from $40 to $70.

October 24-26: Boo at the Zoo
Head to the National Zoo from 5:30 to 8:30 and trick-or-treat among the animals. There will be treats galore plus festive decorations, haunted trails, keeper talks, and animal encounters. Tickets are required.

October 26: Marine Corps Marathon
This race packs a full weekend of events throughout the Washington area. There’s a 26.2 mile course for marathon runners and a 10K course for shorter-distance athletes. The marathon starts at 7:50 in Arlington, the 10K at 8:30 at the Pentagon. For kids and nonrunners, other events include a three-day health-and-fitness expo at the DC Armory, a race for kids, and the Finish Festival, welcoming the runners as they cross the finish line.

Related:
Guide to Oktoberfest in Washington
Apple and Pumpkin Picking—Oh My! 

This article is part of Washingtonian.com’s Visitors’ Guide. For more articles like it, click here. And if you're visiting in a different month, check out our City Schedule for events happening throughout the year.