Mount Vernon Stays Open During Shutdown: Wine Festival, Harvest Days, Trick-or-Treating and More
The privately funded estate of George Washington welcomes visitors this October with family-friendly events, seasonal traditions, and special value pricing options.
MOUNT VERNON, VA — While the federal government remains shut down, the privately funded estate of America’s first president remains open. Visitors are invited to experience the beauty of autumn at George Washington’s Mount Vernon and enjoy a month packed with special events, historic commemorations, and seasonal family fun.
In addition to exploring the 500-acre estate, guests can take advantage of value pricing offers:
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Purchase a full-price ticket in 2025 and return for unlimited daytime visits for the rest of the year.
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Access Mount Vernon at a discount with the Visit Alexandria Key to the City Pass.
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Families can save with the Tuesday Kids Eat Free deal at the Mount Vernon Inn (children 12 and under receive a free meal with each adult entrée).
October Highlights
October 4 – Slave Memorial Commemoration
Mount Vernon joins Black Women United for Action to honor the enslaved men, women, and children who lived and labored on the estate. The day includes guest speakers, live performances, and a wreath-laying ceremony at the Slave Memorial.
October 4 – U.S. Marine Band Chamber Concert
Enjoy Scottish folk songs and an 18th-century quartet performed by the Marine Chamber Ensembles in Parades, Plows, Parties & Parlors.
October 6 – Quilts at the American Museum & Gardens
A lunchtime talk with Kate Hebert, Chief Curator at the American Museum & Gardens, highlighting the museum’s quilt collection.
October 10–12 – Fall Wine Festival
Sample unlimited wines from Virginia’s top wineries while enjoying live music, riverside views, and after-hours access to the historic grounds.
October 18–19 – Fall Harvest Family Days
Celebrate the season with authentic 18th-century demonstrations: wheat-treading in Washington’s innovative 16-sided barn, horseshoeing, hemp and flax processing, archaeology exhibits, fife and drum performances, colonial games, and appearances by General Washington.
October 23 – Book Talk
Historian Kate Haulman discusses The Mother of Washington in Nineteenth-Century America, exploring how Mary Washington’s legacy was shaped in the 19th century.
October 25 – Trick-or-Treating
Families are invited for a one-of-a-kind Halloween on the estate, with candy stops across the grounds and themed entertainment.
October 25 – Sensory-Friendly Family Morning
A welcoming and accessible morning designed for neurodivergent guests and their families.
Looking Ahead to November
On November 7–8, Mount Vernon will host The American Military at 250: The 2025 George Washington Symposium, featuring historians and military leaders examining the creation of the nation’s first standing army and the evolving role of the military in American society.
Mansion Revitalization Project
Mount Vernon is undergoing a landmark restoration to preserve the historic Mansion. While some rooms will close temporarily during this work, the Mansion remains open for tours. Guests can also explore the estate’s museum, gardens, farm, distillery, gristmill, and the George Washington Presidential Library.
About George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Owned and operated by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association—the nation’s oldest historic preservation group—the estate welcomes visitors year-round. Guests can tour the Mansion, gardens, museum, working farm, distillery, gristmill, and Washington’s Tomb.
👉 Learn more, see schedules, and plan your visit: mountvernon.org
