August 30-October 5: Kennedy Center Prelude Festival
Think movie trailers but for the performing arts—catch a peek of what’s on the boards in Washington’s upcoming theater season. Many events are free, and the program includes a range of performances, from classical and jazz concerts to dance and performance art.

September 4-7: Prince George’s County Fair
Dating to 1842, this is Maryland’s oldest county fair. It’s held at Prince George’s County Equestrian Center and includes rides, animals, arts and crafts, contests, and more. It costs $6 for adults, $5 for children ages 6 to 17, free under age 6. The fair opens at 5 PM on Friday and at 11 AM Saturday and Sunday.

September 6-7: Black Family Reunion Celebration
Head to the National Mall starting at noon both days for the annual Black Family Reunion Celebration, a cultural event celebrating the African-American family. During the day, sample food and check out the arts and crafts, international marketplace, and kids’ activities. Each night, there will be a free R&B concert. The festival is held at 15th Street and Constitution Avenue.

September 11-18: DC Shorts Film Festival
This festival includes screenings and moderated discussions of international short films. To qualify, movies must be 25 minutes or less. On the last day of the festival, there’s an awards ceremony for the winning entries. Most screenings take place at Landmark’s E Street Cinema.

September 13: Silver Spring Jazz Festival
Head to Silver Spring for a day of free outdoor jazz. This year’s lineup has yet to be determined, but last year’s featured Grammy Award winner Arturo Sandoval, guitarist Dani Cortaza, and vocalist Ethel Ennis. The festival will be held at Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street. If you’re looking for more to do in Silver Spring, check out our guide to the suburb.

September 13: Arts on Foot Festival
This rain-or-shine event kicks off the fall arts season in DC’s Penn Quarter neighborhood. Expect visual art, music, theater, dance, film, and food. Eighty regional artisans will participate in a juried show and market, and 30 of the neighborhood’s restaurants will offer bites to sample. The festival takes place throughout Penn Quarter with many of the outdoor activities happening along F Street between Sixth and Ninth streets, Northwest.

September 13-14: Alexandria Arts Festival
Artists from across the country descend on Old Town for this annual juried festival. The massive art show, which includes the work of more than 200 artists, is set up along King Street, Old Town’s main thoroughfare. Art on display includes sculpture, painting, photography, glass, jewelry, and more. For more ideas of what to do in Old Town, check out our guide to the neighborhood.

September 14: Adams Morgan Day
This daylong neighborhood festival celebrates the cultural diversity of DC’s Adams Morgan community. It takes place on 18th Street between Florida Avenue and Columbia Road and on side streets in between. Live-music stages bookend the festival at Florida and Columbia, and in addition there are food vendors, an art show, dance workshops, and a kids’ fair.

September 21: Fiesta Musical at the National Zoo
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the National Zoo holds this free annual celebration chock-full of Hispanic cultural events—music, dancing, food, crafts, and more. There will also be animal demonstrations and opportunities to talk with zoo scientists about research in Latin American countries. The event runs from 11 to 5.

September 27: National Book Festival
The Mall becomes the National Library for the day during this annual festival dedicated to the written word. Dozens of authors, illustrators, and poets are on hand for book discussions and signings. There are also tents for book sales and information about reading programs at libraries across the country.

September 27-28: Virginia Wine Festival
Sample local food and wines from 60 Virginia wineries. There will also be seminars on everything from wine-and-food pairings to planning a Virginia wine tour. Other activities include concerts and an arts-and-crafts marketplace. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the gate; nontasting tickets are $12. Children under age four get in free. The festival is held at the Prince William County Fairgrounds and runs from 11 to 6 both days.

Related:
Guide to Oktoberfest in Washington

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