If you have $5
Head down to the National Mall on Saturday afternoon for the ninth annual National Book Festival. In the space between the Capitol and the Washington Monument, more than 70 recognizable authors, including “A Walk to Remember” phenomenon Nicholas Sparks, will be signing books and reading excerpts. Admission is free!
If you have $10
Enjoy music, beer and some friendly military competition at the Barracks Row’s sixth annual Oktoberfest on Saturday. Starting at 11 a.m., all of Eighth Street in Northeast will be filled with Army, Navy and Marine officials holding various cook-offs, with cheerleaders from the Washington Redskins entertaining the crowds. The event is free and open to the public, but you’ll want to bring at least $10 to sample whatever the chefs whip up.
If you have $20
On Saturday more than 15 bands will wind down the Sonic Circuits Festival of Experimental Music, which has been happening all week. If technology, musical improvisation and the avant-garde put the beat in your bop, be sure to show up at U Street’s Velvet Lounge at 2 p.m. for the twelve-hour-long finale of the electro-event.