National Harbor Kicks Off FestiFall with a Wide Array of Fall Activities

National Harbor Kicks Off FestiFall with a Wide Array of Fall Activities
Special Dining Offers, Live Entertainment, Charity Walks, Harbor Halloween and More Highlight the Season

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md., Sept. X, 2026—National Harbor welcomes the fall season with its annual FestiFall, a September and October celebration featuring dining specials, live entertainment, charity walks, family activities, Harbor Halloween and more. “It’s a full fall at National Harbor with so many fun activities,” said Deborah Topcik, senior director of marketing. “There’s something for everyone.”

The season kicks off with National Harbor’s popular Burger Week, Sept. 12-18. More than a dozen restaurants will offer featured burgers, with $1 from each burger sold benefiting Susan G. Komen. Participating restaurants include Walrus Oyster & Ale House, Fogo de Chão, Nan Xiang, Succotash, McCormick & Schmick’s, BurgerFi, Shake Shack, Nando’s, TAP Sports Bar, Bread & Butter and more.

Cirque de Paris Comes to National Harbor. Tanger National Harbor hosts Cirque Anouchka Bouglione Presents Cirque de Paris Sept. 11-20. Presented by one of Europe’s most prestigious circus families, the one-ring spectacle combines thrills, humor and elegance in an immersive performance making its highly anticipated debut at National Harbor.

Cheer on the Washington Commanders. TAP Sports Bar at MGM National Harbor will host a Washington Commanders Rally Party beginning at noon Sept. 20. Additional rally parties are scheduled for Nov. 12 and 29 and Dec. 6 and 27.

Sip and Shop at Tanger. The 4th Annual Tanger National Harbor Fall Wine Tasting takes place Oct. 9 from 5 to 8 p.m. Hosted with support from Vino301, the event features a selection of wines, food trucks and music. For $25, guests receive six wine sampling tickets, a commemorative wine glass and special offers from Tanger stores. A $5 nondrinking option includes a commemorative glass and store offers. Individual wine pours and commemorative glasses will also be available for purchase.

Celebrate the Community. National Harbor’s Community Day takes place Sept. 20 from noon to 4 p.m. and features family-friendly activities, free health screenings, live performances and more.

Get Spooky at Harbor Halloween. Harbor Halloween
returns to Waterfront Plaza (150 National Plaza) Oct. 25 from 12:30 to 3 p.m. National Harbor restaurant chefs and artists will compete in a pumpkin-carving contest at 2:30 p.m., with spectators invited to watch the creative transformations and vote for their favorites.

Costumed pets can join the fun during the Pet Pawrade, with prizes for best costume, most creative costume and more. Kids in costume and dogs may ride The Capital Wheel free with a paying adult, with up to two dogs permitted per ticket. The Spirit Park Carousel will also host trick-or-treating from noon to 2 p.m., with candy and free rides for children in costume.

Walk for a Cause. National Harbor will also serve as the setting for numerous charity walks and runs throughout the fall, including:

Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Sept. 19
MMRF 5K Walk/Run, Sept. 26
St. Jude Walk/Run, Oct. 3
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington, D.C. Red Shoe 5K, Oct. 4
Susan G. Komen Walk, Oct. 10
PPF Walk, Oct. 17
SunriseWALKS, benefiting children with cancer, Oct. 18
Easterseals Walk With Me, Oct. 24
Hot Cider Hustle 5K and 10K, Oct. 31

Watch Movies on the Waterfront. Movies on the Potomac continues through the end of September with free Thursday “Date Night” movies and family favorites on Sundays at 6 p.m.

Get Your Workout in with Free Fitness Classes. Enjoy free weekly fitness classes through the end of September on the Waterfront Plaza powered by Onelife Fitness. Monday classes “Butts & Guts” are at 7 p.m. followed by Dance Classes at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays. Yoga is offered at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

For more information about National Harbor’s FestiFall activities, visit NationalHarbor.com/blog/things-to-do-this-fall. For more information about National Harbor, visit NationalHarbor.com.

# # #

About National Harbor
Situated on the banks of the historic Potomac River and just minutes from the nation’s capital, National Harbor is a waterfront resort destination unlike any other. National Harbor is home to two of Maryland’s Four Diamond-rated hotels—Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, the East Coast’s largest non-gaming hotel and convention center, with almost 2,000 hotel rooms and 660,000 square feet of meeting space; and MGM National Harbor, an integrated luxury casino resort with renowned chef-driven restaurants, a 3,000-seat state-of-the-art theater and one of the largest gaming floors outside Las Vegas.


The vibrant Waterfront District features boutique shops, restaurants and entertainment along picturesque promenades. The iconic Capital Wheel, a 180-foot observation wheel; Tanger National Harbor’s 85 designer brands; and a robust calendar of events round out a destination that welcomes more than 15.2 million visitors annually. For more information, visit NationalHarbor.com.