Mount Vernon, VA, September 9, 2025 – Autumn kicks off this weekend at George Washington’s Mount Vernon with one of the estate’s most popular traditions: The Colonial Market and Fair. With a perfect weather forecast, visitors can stroll the historic grounds while exploring a lively marketplace reminiscent of Washington’s era. The Colonial Market and Fair is scheduled for September 13-14, and is free for members and included in the price of general admission.
More than 50 colonial artisans from across the country will gather on the estate’s 12-acre field, offering hand-crafted wares ranging from pottery, jewelry, and textiles to leather goods, woodwork, and art. It’s a rare opportunity to shop unique, one-of-a-kind items while meeting the makers who keep centuries-old traditions alive.
Beyond the market stalls, families can enjoy live performances, 18th-century demonstrations, and opportunities to explore George Washington’s mansion, gardens, and museum exhibits. The weekend promises a vibrant blend of history, shopping, and seasonal beauty. Guests are encouraged to arrive early, as this popular event attracts visitors from throughout the region.
Next month, esteemed historian and filmmaker Ken Burns will visit the home of America’s first president. On October 29, Mount Vernon, PBS and WETA will hosting a free outdoor screening of highlights from his new documentary series The American Revolution at sunset on the banks of the iconic Potomac Rivers.
The American Revolution is a six-part, 12-hour documentary series that explores the country’s founding struggle and its eight-year War for Independence. Admission is free, but registration is required. Registration opens on September 24, and more information about the event can be found at weta.org/AmRevEvent.
Upcoming highlights are detailed below. Related photos for usage are available here, with attribution to the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association.
Colonial Market and Fair on September 13-14. Step back in time for food and wares by colonial artisans, theatrical entertainment, live music, and demonstrations are all included in the regular price of admission. Learn more.
Founding Debates on September 24. The George Washington Presidential is partnering with More Perfect and the Listen First Project to host the 2025 Founding Debates Program. Speakers will include Sam Feist, CEO of C-SPAN; Liz Joyner, founder and president of The Village Square; David McCullough III, Co-Founder and CEO of The American Exchange Project; and John Wood Jr., former vice-chairman of the Republican Party of Los Angeles County. The discussion will focus on bridging divides to strengthen our social fabric and democracy. The evening will culminate with the inaugural awarding of the George Washington Unity Prize from Listen First Project. Learn more.
Ford Evening Book Talk: Celebrating Constitution Day on September 30. In celebration of Constitution Day, join Congressman Jamie Raskin, former Federal Judge J. Michael Luttig, Baltimore University Professor of Law Kimberly Wehle, and Executive Director of the Washington Library, Lindsay Chervinsky, for a conversation on the history of the U.S. Constitution and its continuing importance today. CBS National Correspondent Robert Costa will moderate this fascinating talk. To commemorate the signing of the U.S. Constitution in September 1787, a recently discovered, rare, ratified copy of the Constitution will be on display for this program. Learn more.
Slave Memorial Commemoration on October 4. Mount Vernon joins Black Women United for Action to honor the lives and legacies of the enslaved men, women, and children who lived and labored at Mount Vernon. This event features special guests, live performances, and a wreath-laying ceremony at the Slave Memorial. It is a moment of reflection, remembrance, and unity, an opportunity for people of all ages to come together to honor the past. Learn more.
Fall Wine Festival on October 10-12. Taste unlimited samples from Virginia’s finest wineries on a blanket overlooking the Potomac River. Guests will also enjoy live music and can explore this historic area after hours. Learn more.
Fall Harvest Family Days on October 18-19. Celebrate the crisp autumn season with 18th-century activities and demonstrations at the Farm at Mount Vernon. Learn more.
Trick-or-Treating on October 25. At this one-of-a-kind Halloween experience, trick-or-treaters can collect candy on the historic grounds and celebrate Halloween with 18th-century entertainment and activities. Learn more.
An Evening with Ken Burns Film Preview on October 29. Join award-winning film director and producer Ken Burns as he shares excerpts at the final preview screening of his new six-part documentary series, The American Revolution, coming to PBS in November. There is no charge to attend, but tickets are required. Tickets will be available starting on September 24. Ticketholders can enter Mount Vernon at any time on October 29 and are encouraged to arrive early to avoid long lines. From 5 p.m. - 6:15 p.m., guests can enjoy a pre-show musical performance. The Executive Orders food truck will be open on the 12-acre field to purchase food and drinks. Learn more.
Visitors can also take advantage of two new value pricing programs to help ensure the iconic historic site remains broadly accessible amid inflation. Visitors who purchase an admission ticket in 2025 at full price now will have unlimited daytime visits to Mount Vernon for the remainder of the year. Additionally, on Tuesdays at the Mount Vernon Inn, children ages 12 and under will receive a free kid’s meal for every adult entrée.
Please note that Mount Vernon has embarked upon a landmark Mansion Revitalization project. During visits, preservation teams are restoring the framing, masonry, drainage, and environmental controls of the Mansion, ensuring America’s first president’s home will be ready to receive millions of guests for generations to come. The Mansion will always remain open during this vital work, with individual rooms taken off display as work progresses. The Education Center exhibit on George Washington’s life will be off display for an extensive rebuild until Spring 2026. However, the expansive estate remains open to visitors, including the museum, more than a dozen historic buildings, the gardens and farm, and the Tomb.
Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington, is owned and operated by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, the oldest national historic preservation organization in the United States. The estate is open to visitors and includes the Mansion, a museum and education center, gardens, tombs, a working farm, a functioning distillery, and a gristmill. It also includes the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon.
