NOVA This Week (10/08): 2026 Morven Park International & US Equestrian Open

Don't Miss This Week

Loudoun's fairgrounds turn into an Olympic-caliber showground this week as the Morven Park International & US Equestrian Open kicks off, bringing top-level jumping and eventing plus a full festival atmosphere to Leesburg.

Closer to the city, Mount Pleasant throws open its streets for the SOROCHE Block Party & Record Release on Saturday — a free, outdoor neighborhood concert that doubles as a record release party.

Thursday, October 8

Civic & community: AAUW hosts Equity and Education for Women: A Virginia Legislative Update with Del. Kathy Tran, a rundown of where state legislation on women's equity stands, while LAYC's DC Prevention Center stops by the library for A Visit with LAYC DC Prevention Center to talk through youth-focused public health resources.

Books and TV nostalgia share the evening: DC's library system hosts a Banned Book Read-In in solidarity with challenged titles, paired elsewhere with an A Different World Watch Party for anyone craving a dose of '90s sitcom comfort.

Seasonal and quirky: Loudoun's High Tea with the Highlands pairs a Bridgerton-inspired tea service with actual highland cows, while Art with Julie: Fall Collage Cards channels the same autumn mood into a hands-on paper-art session in Alexandria.

Friday, October 9

Festival mode: Mount Vernon uncorks its Fall Wine Festival for an afternoon of tastings on the estate grounds, while in the city the Latinx Movement Festival DC turns up a showcase of Latinx dance and artistry at Dance Place.

Loudoun's teen programming leans into hands-on fun, with an After Hours Teen Center: Life-Sized Battleship turning the classic board game into a room-sized version for middle and high schoolers, and DIY Teens: Fall Foliage Gel Printing putting real leaves to use in a printmaking craft.

Elsewhere, the Herndon Quilters Community Bee welcomes stitchers of any level, and Alexandria's Low Vision Resource Group: Voting Aids walks voters with visual impairments through the accessibility tools available this election season.

Saturday, October 10

Learning and discovery: Arlington's Digital Discovery Fair: Explore. Learn. Connect. opens up a hands-on look at emerging technology and digital literacy, while DC hosts an Author Talk: Lotería exploring Latin American folklore through the lens of the classic card game.

Spooky season arrives early with Bellevue Saturday Cinema: Horror screening for genre fans, right alongside the library system's Evil Laugh Contest, which is exactly what it sounds like.

For a change of pace, the DC Mural Tour walks through the city's street art, and Arlington's middle-schoolers dive into Dungeons & Dragons: The Wild Beyond the Witchlight Adventure for an afternoon of tabletop storytelling.

Sunday, October 11

Georgetown marks its history along the water with the Second Annual Georgetown Canal Day, a free outing celebrating the C&O Canal's past right where it happened.

For a quieter Sunday, Arlington's Board Game Afternoon gathers strategy fans for an easy way to meet neighbors, while Loudoun offers Live Music: Guitarist Osvaldo Gold as a low-key soundtrack to the afternoon.

Families have options too: a Hispanic Heritage Month Scavenger Hunt turns the holiday into a game, and Loudoun's Fall Native Plant and Seed Exchange is a good excuse to swap seeds and talk gardening.

Monday, October 12

Creative outlets: Arlington's Arlington Songwriters Group gives local musicians a space to workshop lyrics and melody, and the same library system runs Family Art Night, a loose, process-over-product session for kids and parents.

If your digital life needs an intervention, DC's library offers Breaking up with Big Tech, a practical workshop on stepping back from the platforms that run your day.

Tuesday, October 13

In the kitchen: Hill Center's Chicken 101 with Chef Wendi James walks home cooks through poultry basics worth knowing.

Art takes over Loudoun's libraries, from seasonal Art Attack: Pumpkin Painting to a sit-down with Artist-in-Residence Brett Wilson for a closer look at a working artist's practice.

History buffs get two angles on exploration: the Built to Inspire: DC Design Tour looks at the city's architecture, while Echoes of the Past: Paranormal History digs into the spookier stories behind it.

And for anyone who just needs a straight answer, DC's Free Walk-In Legal Clinic offers no-appointment-needed legal help.

Wednesday, October 14

Game night: Arlington celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with Lotería / Bingo!, and the same system keeps the dice rolling with Board Game Evening at Westover.

On the page: teens get license to make a mess at Bad Art Day, and Alexandria hosts a Book Talk: Breathing Out Live with the author.

The youngest readers have their own spot at Shirlington's bilingual Cuentos en pijama / Pajama Storytime, pajamas encouraged.

And Loudoun seniors can find support and services at the Area Agency on Aging Resource Fair.

Thursday, October 15

DC's Go-Go heritage gets its due at Live at SOAK: Push Play, a show built around the city's own sound.

Screens and games share the evening: Alexandria Oddball Cinema brings its usual eclectic picks, and Arlington's Ready, Set, Game! at Glencarlyn Library is a casual meetup for competitive types.

Elsewhere, a Reverse Glass Painting Workshop teaches a tricky hands-on technique, and MOLGBTQA's 20th Birthday Celebration marks two decades for the community organization.

And Loudoun residents can weigh in on road design at the Braddock Road and Trailhead Drive Roundabout Design Public Hearing.

Friday, October 16

Grown-ups can sip their way through the DC Wine Fest: Fall Edition, while the littlest locals get their own science time at Preschool STEAM Play at Courthouse.

Saturday, October 17

Howard Homecoming takes over the city this weekend, from the 5th Annual Blaque Mecca Block Party to HU Homecoming: The Reunion featuring Method Man and the Bison Day Vibez After-Game Party.

DC dining history gets a toast at The Palm's 100th Anniversary Wine Dinner, marking a century for the steakhouse.

For a lower-key Saturday, kids can roll dice at Dungeons & Dragons at the Library, and Arlington hosts a sensory deep-dive, Exploring the World of Tea with UppiTea, led by a certified tea professional.

Sunday, October 18

Civic: Early voting opens closer to home for Loudoun residents, with sites at Ashburn Recreation Center and Carver Senior Center.

For something stranger, The YoYo Club meets for anyone who wants to learn tricks, and the International Runway Show & Pop Up Shop brings a fashion show and shopping to close out the week.

All Week

• Bilingual (Spanish-English) Storytime runs for families in Fairfax.
• Candle Making Workshop offers a hands-on craft session in historic downtown Leesburg.
• Cuentos para niños / Stories for Children brings bilingual storytime to Shirlington.
• DIY Craft Club: Fall Wall Decor is a seasonal make-and-take for adults.
• The Duncan Literary Society meets at a local independent bookstore for a cozy book-lovers' chat.
• Multiple branches are running an Evil Laugh Contest this week, for anyone who takes villainy as a hobby.
• Family Storytime with Paws to Read pairs reading practice with visiting therapy dogs.
• Introduction to Tatreez Embroidery teaches the traditional Palestinian needlework technique.
• Latin Dance Lessons at Westover Library are a fun, active way to pick up a new skill.
• Loudoun's Low Cost Vaccination & Microchip Clinic is a practical stop for pet owners.