This October, the DMV is going to the dogs - and cats – and everyone is invited! From 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at Oronoco Bay Park, the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, founded in 1946, will celebrate its 80th birthday and throwing a free public festival Paws in the Park, where vendors, live music, food trucks, behavior demonstrations, 20 rescue groups and a "happy birthday" moment complete with dog cupcakes. Paws in the Park is a FREE, fun-filled day for the whole family (including pets), featuring entertainment and live music, activities, food and drink, vendors, shopping, and adorable adoptable animals!

Lower Georgia Avenue is keeping the spice tradition alive with the 6th Annual Chili Cook-Off. Local businesses will be competing for the coveted People’s Choice Award & other prizes. Join your friends and neighbors for family-friendly fun to sample your fill and pick your favorite. For more information, click here.

The Calico Oktoberfest celebrations begin with a proper Oktoberfest kickoff from 1:00 - 9:00 p.m. Lederhosen are strongly encouraged, with prizes and bragging rights up for grabs in a Best Dressed competition. The afternoon will also feature classic Oktoberfest-inspired games starting at 3:00 p.m. including hammer striking, pretzel toss and stein-hoisting.

In celebration of Negroni Week, you can sip your way through an afternoon at CUT Above with a “Perfect Negroni” by Wolfgang Puck poured from a signature Campari fountain, paired with a small bite of Tomato & Ricotta Arancini while DJ Niels sets the soundtrack. The rooftop will be transformed with Campari-inspired décor, including complimentary custom engraving on rocks glasses and a curated take-home gift bag featuring elevated Campari gear. $45 a person. Book HERE.

TikTok star and DMV native Chris Olsen will make the final stop of his book tour at CUT Above to celebrate the release of his debut book, I Think My Therapist Hates Me. Guests will have the opportunity to meet Olsen, take photos and receive a signed copy of the book while enjoying skyline views from the rooftop. Each ticket includes a specialty mocktail, “The Bookmark,” inspired by the book and featuring blue spirulina, lemon, peach blossom, aloe vera, coconut nectar and probiotic. $45/person. Book HERE.

Celebrate the harvest season with an intimate four-course dinner at CUT, thoughtfully paired with wines from Barboursville Vineyards. Throughout the evening, wine producer Luca Paschina will share insights into Virginia wine, harvest and the estate’s winemaking traditions. $155/person plus tax and gratuity. Book HERE.

Inspired by Diptyque’s new Les Rituels de Soin collection, this afternoon tea invites you to experience fragrance in an entirely new way. Designed around the natural rhythm of the day, the ritual moves from morning to evening, transforming the collection’s olfactory signatures into moments to sip, taste and savor. Each tea and confection is inspired by a fragrance from the collection, translating its character from scent to flavor.You will also be able to explore the Les Rituels de Soin collection at an interactive Diptyque cart, with the opportunity to see, smell and try the products. Upon departure, you will receive a curated gift bag from Diptyque, including a 2.4 oz Baies candle and additional goodies. $105/person for food + selection of tea or coffee; $125/person for food, selection of tea or coffee, and your choice of a cocktail or glass of champagne. Book HERE.

Tales of the Cocktail Foundation is thrilled to bring its reimagined Tales on Tour experience to Washington, DC, on September 21-22, delivering two days of education, wellness, networking, and celebration designed specifically for bartenders and hospitality professionals. For more information and to purchase a ticket, click here.

Outstanding in the Field returns to the roof of the Smithsonian Museum of American History to celebrate the 250th Birthday of the USA! The last time they were invited to set their table was also a historic occasion: the Julia Child Kitchen exhibit was revealed as part of 50 Years of Food Transforming the American Table 1950 -2000, which is now a permanent exhibit. Central to the exhibit is a 22 foot communal table, inspired by Outstanding in the Field.Chef Kevin Tien of Moon Rabbit and Chef Lonie Murdock of ISLA come together as co-chefs for an evening that weaves their culinary stories in equal measure. Together, the two chefs will create a menu that reflects the intersections of their backgrounds, influences, and shared commitment to honoring culture through cuisine.

All three DMV Pisco y Nazca locations are ringing in Labor Day Weekend with extended brunch hours beginning September 5!