From bans on flavored products and sales near schools to steep fines for retailers, DC, Maryland and Virginia have more protections in place than many parents realize — here's what to know.

As e-cigarettes and vape products become more common in schools and among young people, many parents feel anxious about what their children are exposed to. For parents of young adults 18 and older, it may feel as though there is nothing to stop them from obtaining these products. However, federal and local laws restrict the sale and marketing of e-cigarettes to people under 21, and understanding those laws can help parents recognize potential violations.

Washington, DC

The minimum age to purchase tobacco products nationwide is 21, but enforcement laws differ by jurisdiction. In DC, selling tobacco products, including electronic smoking devices, to anyone under 21 is prohibited. Sellers must also request identification when they have reasonable cause to believe a purchaser is under 30. Violations can result in penalties, including suspension or revocation of a retailer's license.

It is also illegal to sell electronic smoking devices within a quarter mile of a middle or high school in the District. DC law provides penalties for violations, and businesses can face escalating fines.

DC also regulates tobacco vending machines rather than banning them outright. District law limits where licensed tobacco vending machines may be located, including certain establishments where access is restricted to people 21 and older or where machines are positioned and monitored in accordance with the law.

In 2022, the District also banned the sale of flavored tobacco products, including flavored electronic smoking devices. Research has found that flavors can play a significant role in young people's initial use of these products. In a 2015 study published in JAMA, 81% of youth who had ever used tobacco reported that the first product they used was flavored.

Maryland

Maryland prohibits retailers from selling tobacco products, including electronic smoking devices, to anyone under 21. Retailers must verify the age of customers younger than 30. Clerks and license holders who violate the law can face criminal fines of up to $500 for a first offense, $1,000 for a second offense within two years and $3,000 for subsequent violations within a two-year period, according to the Maryland Department of Health.

Maryland also restricts certain flavored electronic smoking devices. A policy first announced by the Maryland comptroller in 2020 directed licensed retailers to stop selling certain flavored disposable electronic smoking devices. Regulatory and enforcement authority now rests with the Maryland Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission, which continues to enforce the policy, according to the Maryland Department of Health's Tobacco 21 law guide.

Maryland also bars the sale of electronic smoking devices through vending machines unless the machine is located in an establishment that people under 21 are prohibited by law from entering.

Virginia

In Virginia, people under 21 are prohibited from possessing covered tobacco products, with limited exceptions, including possession as part of certain employment or approved medical research. Products possessed in violation of the law may be seized.

Virginia also prohibits the knowing sale of nicotine vapor products to anyone under 21. Violating the law can carry a civil penalty of $500 for a first offense and $2,500 for a second or subsequent offense within a three-year period. Repeat violations can also result in the suspension or revocation of a retailer's tobacco license.

Virginia prohibits the sale of tobacco products, including nicotine vapor products, through vending machines. For certain remote retail sales, Virginia law also requires age verification and delivery procedures intended to prevent sales to people under 21. Sellers must use an approved age-verification method, and qualifying deliveries must be accepted by a person who is at least 21.

Do you have a question you'd like to see answered here? Send it to us at editor@washingtonparent.com.

THINGS TO DO

Pumpkins, corn mazes and fall festival fun await

From elaborate fun tunnels and five-acre corn mazes to historic neighborhood walks and a DC Print Fair, here are the best fall festivals and events for families across the DMV this season.

BY STEVIE ROSENFELD

IN THIS SECTION

  • 13 free activities for DMV families this fall — 42
  • Leaf-peeping with littles — 45
  • Fall for these seasonal pumpkin flavors — 46
  • Kids eat free! — 48
  • An in-cider's look at local apple cider — 50
  • Pick the perfect pumpkin at these Maryland and Virginia farms — 53
  • All aboard the best fall rides in the DMV — 56
  • DC Kids Calendar — 58

The air is getting crisp, the leaves are starting to turn and fall festival season in the DMV is officially here. Whether your family wants to get lost in a five-acre corn maze, pick the perfect pumpkin straight from the patch, wander through DC neighborhoods on a guided walking tour or watch a pig race on a Virginia farm, this season has something worth bundling up for. Here are the best fall events and festivals across DC, Maryland and Virginia — from now through Halloween and beyond.

FEATURED FALL FUN

In this section, Washington Parent's advertising partners share their top fall activities for 2026.

Signature Theatre

This fall, Signature offers classes for all ages, from elementary school through high school graduation — including one-on-one College Audition Prep. Whether your student is just beginning or looking to advance their skills, there's something for everyone. Younger students can join Theater Makers (ages 6-11) to build confidence through games and movement, while kids age 11-14 can dive into Musical Theater Fundamentals. See the full lineup on their website.

Don't miss The Secret Garden, the Tony Award-winning musical beginning Dec. 8 — perfect for a family outing or school field trip.

  • Date: Classes begin in September
  • Location: Education Studios, 2784 S. Arlington Mill Drive, Arlington, VA
  • Phone: (703) 820-9771
  • Best ages: 6 and up
  • Reservations: Cost varies based on class
  • Website: SigTheatre.org/Classes

MORE FALL FUN

This section features some of the best fall activities in the DMV and are based on public reviews and parenting forums.

WASHINGTON, DC

DC State Fair

Highlighting the arts and culinary talent of people across the District. The fair is held in a different neighborhood every year to highlight the unique offerings of that area. This year, the celebration will be held downtown between K Street and Anthem Row, at 800 K St. NW, Washington, DC.

  • Date: Sept. 6
  • Best ages: 6 and up
  • Reservations: Free to attend
  • Time needed: Three to four hours
  • Setting: Outdoors

WalkingTown

Whether you're a transplant family or have lived in the District all your life, there's always more to learn about a historic city like DC. WalkingTown is an eight-day event exploring neighborhoods throughout DC through walking tours. Tour guides, historians and local experts guide walkers through all eight wards, granting them a glimpse into the past and future of DC culture.

  • Date: Sept. 19-26
  • Best ages: 10 and up
  • Reservations: Tour Registration will open on Friday, September 4, 2026.
  • Time needed: Tours are approximately two hours long
  • Setting: Outdoors

African American History Museum 10th Anniversary Celebration

Celebrate a young DC staple this fall by visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture's 10th anniversary weekend celebration. This four-day event will feature surprise activities and events honoring the museum, its history and the people who brought it to life.

  • Date: Sept. 24-27
  • Best ages: 9 and up
  • Reservations: Registration/ticket details vary; check the event schedule.
  • Time needed: Approximately two hours
  • Setting: Indoors

DC Fall Print Fair

A celebration of creativity and storytelling, the DC Print Fair celebrates local artists who create bold and intricate screen prints. Fair organizers will select some of the best creators in the District to showcase their work at this season's event, where visitors can admire and purchase prints.

  • Date: Nov. 7-8
  • Best ages: 11 and up
  • Reservations: Free to attend, print costs may vary
  • Time needed: Approximately one hour
  • Setting: Indoors

MARYLAND

Gaver Farm Fall Fun Fest

Get back to the barnyard with your little animal lover at Gaver Farm, where you can meet goats, bunnies, ducks, donkeys, alpacas and a host of other furry friends. In addition to traditional fall activities, free hayrides are provided to and from fields where families can pick their own pumpkins, sunflowers and apples.

  • Date: Sept. 4-Nov. 1
  • Best ages: 4-12
  • Reservations: Children under the age of 2 are free; tickets are up to $20.50 per person on September weekends; up to $32.95 per person on October weekends and $14.50 per person on weekdays.
  • Time needed: Two to three hours
  • Setting: Outdoors

Montpelier Farms Fall Festival

Home to over a dozen kid-focused activities, the Montpelier Farms Fall Festival features classic activities like corn mazes and hayrides in addition to new traditions like the giant pumpkin bounce and red barn twister. Families can also make time to stop by a public bonfire or staged photo area to make autumn memories that last forever.

  • Date: Sept. 12-Nov. 8
  • Best ages: 4-12
  • Reservations: Tickets available online
  • Time needed: Two to three hours
  • Setting: Outdoors

Summers Farm Fall Festival

Summers Farm encourages families to put their phones away and get lost this fall by visiting their five-acre winding corn maze. For kids less interested in wandering, Summers Farm has barnyard animals, simulated bull riding, zip lines, a round bale roller and more exciting outdoor activities in addition to the more relaxed pumpkin picking event.

  • Date: Sept. 26-Nov. 1; special events may extend hours, check the calendar online
  • Best ages: 4-12
  • Reservations: Tickets available online, prices range from $15-$30
  • Time needed: One to two hours
  • Setting: Outdoors

VIRGINIA

Pumpkin Village at Leesburg Animal Park

Elevate your trip to the zoo with a visit to Pumpkin Village. In addition to pony rides and animal feeding, visitors can visit hay tunnels and jump on moon bounces before bonding at the family game zone with some cow roping and giant Jenga. All visitors are entitled to free face painting, pumpkin cookies and cider.

  • Date: Sept. 19-Nov. 8
  • Best ages: 3-13
  • Reservations: Ticket pricing is TBA
  • Time needed: Two to three hours
  • Setting: Outdoors

Cox Farms Fall Festival

A magical experience, Cox Farms Fall Festival hosts intricate "fun tunnels" and slides designed to resemble treetops, castles, mountains, dinosaurs and volcanoes. But your visit doesn't have to be all play and no work; visitors have a chance to try out real farm chores while hoisting bales of straw and pumping water.

  • Date: Sept. 19-Nov. 8
  • Best ages: 6-12
  • Reservations: Tickets $15-$30 depending on date, only available online
  • Time needed: Three to four hours
  • Setting: Outdoors

Burke Nursery Fall Farm Market

Taste the season at Burke Nursery with seasonal jams, spices, fruits and vegetables. At the farm market, kids can pick out their own pumpkin to carve jack-o'-lanterns or for a homemade pumpkin pie. On the weekends, the market offers pony rides and apple cider donuts.

  • Date: Open daily in October
  • Best ages: 2-16
  • Reservations: Entry is free, pumpkins and other products come at different prices
  • Time needed: One to two hours
  • Setting: Outdoors

Great Country Farms Fall Harvest

Home to pumpkins specially grown for carving or baking, Great Country Farms elevates the annual pumpkin picking tradition with cider donuts, pig races and marshmallow roasting. Special events are held every weekend during the festival to help families appreciate and enjoy the season. Note: Weekend and holiday admission is higher than normal rates. Gate admission also rises and varies by weekday or weekend.

  • Date: Sept. 19-Oct. 31
  • Best ages: 3-13
  • Reservations: Tickets start at $12 for children, $14 for adults; children 2 and younger are free; pumpkins cost extra
  • Time needed: Two to three hours
  • Setting: Outdoors