D.C. area festivals: jazz fests in Silver Spring, Arlington; wine festivals

Whether you prefer music, wine tastings or cultural events, September is full of options. Here are some festivals coming up this week that are sure to draw a crowd.

-- Kristen Boghosian

D.C. VEGFEST Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. Vegetarian food vendors, nonprofit organizations and vendors can show you how to eat well without meat. The event also includes speakers, including Miss D.C. MacKenzie Green, who is a vegan, and face painting for kids. George Washington University, 2000 block of H Street NW. 301-891-2458. http://www.dcvegfest.com. Free.

SILVER SPRING JAZZ FESTIVAL Saturday from 3:30 to 10:30 p.m. Now in its seventh year, this festival features seven hours of music outdoors. This year's headliner is New Orleans musician Aaron Neville. Also scheduled to perform are Marcus Johnson, Chopteeth Afrofunk Big Band, Rumba Club and Janine Carter. Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans Plaza, 1 Veterans Place, Silver Spring. 301-565-7300. http://www.silverspringdowntown.com. Free.

ROSSLYN JAZZ FESTIVAL Saturday 1 to 7 p.m. The 20th annual concert features Afro Bop Alliance, Jason Moran & the Bandwagon, the Bad Plus and Tierney Sutton Band. The surrounding streets will also be filled with food and arts vendors. Lee Highway and North Lynn Street, Arlington. 703-276-7759. http://www.rosslynva.org. Free.

THE WINE FESTIVAL AT THE PLAINS Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Enjoy a taste of the good life with Virginia wine and polo. There are 275 wineries represented at this event, with lectures and information on wine pairings. Polo matches begin at 1 p.m., with the U.S. Polo Association Hall of Fame playoff on Sunday. Great Meadow, 5089 Old Tavern Rd., The Plains. http://www.winefestivalattheplains.com. Tasting tickets $35 online, $40 at the gate; non-taster tickets $20 online, $25 at the gate; age 10 and younger free.

ALEXANDRIA FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More than 200 artists will showcase their artwork at this annual event. There will be $15 million worth of art on sale along King Street over a six-block span, turning Old Town into an open-air gallery. King Street between Washington and Union streets, Alexandria. 703-746-3301. http://www.visitalexandriava.com. Free.