The annual Clarendon Day street festival will take place a week earlier than usual this year.
Clarendon Day is now taking place on the third Saturday in September — Sept. 17 — from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. That permanent change follows last year’s extension of the event hours by one hour.
This year’s event will include music, food and drink, vendors and a kids area, in addition to a 5K/10K race before the event.
“Clarendon Day is Arlington’s biggest street festival,” the event’s website says. “With four music stages, craft beer and wine, the Clarendon Chili Cookoff, scores of local restaurants, a great kids area, a terrific VIP tent, arts and crafts vendors, plus local businesses and nonprofits, this free event has something for everyone.”
Organizers say they’re expecting more than 30,000 attendees.
Registration is now open for the Clarendon Day Run, which offers both 5K and 10K distances. The race follows a “seriously fast” downhill course from Clarendon to Rosslyn.
This year, however, runners will have to find their own way back to Clarendon following the race.
“Unlike in previous years we are unable to provide Metro cards back to the start line due to Safetrack work and change in WMATA policy for paper Metro cards,” the race’s website says. “Please consider walking or running back to the start (and stopping at Four Courts on the way!) or parking in Rosslyn or Courthouse (be mindful of parking restrictions).”
Clarendon Day is free to attend. Race registration starts at $40, while a separate “Kids Dash” is only $10.