This weekend in Montgomery County is shaping up to be one of the busiest of the fall, with festivals, parades, live music, food, and community celebrations taking place across the area. From family-friendly activities and cultural performances to beer gardens, bar crawls, and long-standing neighborhood traditions, there will be no shortage of ways for residents to enjoy the season and come together with their communities.
The popular Takoma Park Street Festival returns for its 44th year of music, vendors, food and fun in Takoma Park. This year’s festival takes place on Sunday, October 5, 2025 from 10:00am-5:00pm on Carroll Avenue in Takoma Park, MD to Carroll Street, NW in Takoma, DC.
WMATA has shared that on Saturday, Oct. 4, and Sunday Oct. 5, free shuttle buses will replace trains between Eastern Market and Minnesota Av/Benning Road on the Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines.
Below is a list of retail and restaurant updates at Westfield Montgomery Mall (7101 Democracy Blvd) in Bethesda:
Niche, a national rankings and review site that analyzes schools and neighborhoods across the country, has released its 2026 list of the top public middle schools in Maryland (top 25 available below). The Niche list of top 25 public high schools in Maryland can be found here.
In early September, we shared the news of Gaithersburg Rental Center’s plan to close later in the month. The business, located at 219 E Diamond Avenue, closed on September 23rd after nearly nine decades as a trusted local business and community staple following the sale of the property it operated on. The community said goodbye on the business’s last Facebook last and some of the comments can be seen below.
Shouk, the plant-based kosher street food restaurant known for its award-winning Shouk Burger, has closed both of its remaining locations permanently (Rockville and DC).
As the federal government shutdown begins, local restaurants are rolling out special offers to help ease the burden on impacted employees. Several dining groups across Montgomery County are showing support by offering discounts and meal deals to federal workers who present valid government ID. (more…)
U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Harold Dotson, 54, of Gaithersburg, to three years in federal prison and ordered him to pay nearly $24.8 million in restitution for his role in a wire fraud conspiracy involving over $24 million in fraudulent CARES Act loan applications.
Montgomery County Councilmembers Kate Stewart and Evan Glass urged MCPS and the Board of Education to improve the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) process, citing inefficiencies, unreliable cost projections, and poor community engagement. They pointed to the $40 million Silver Spring International Middle School project, which failed to address key concerns, as an example of the need for better planning, transparency, and incorporation of community feedback to ensure future school facility upgrades meet actual needs.
WSSC Water announced temporary relief measures for federal employees affected by the government shutdown, including suspending water service turnoffs, waiving late fees, and extending enrollment in its Get Current assistance program to ensure continued access to essential water and wastewater services.