Eat, Crawl, and Celebrate at Ballston’s Quarterfest

Every May, the Ballston Business Improvement District throws what has become Arlington’s most delicious annual block party — the Quarterfest Crawl, presented by Ballston Quarter. The festival transforms Wilson Boulevard into a vibrant dining, shopping, and family-friendly experience for all ages, with two dozen or more of the neighborhood’s favorite award-winning eateries offering samples and specials   throughout the day. Past participants have included bartaco, El Rey Ballston, Hot Lola’s, SER, The Salt Line, Bronson Bier Hall, Quincy Hall, and Ballston Local — essentially a who’s who of the Ballston dining corridor, all offering tastes at festival prices in one concentrated, walkable crawl. The event is the signature fundraiser of BallstonGives, benefitting charitable organizations across the Arlington community, which means every bite and sip contributes to something beyond a great afternoon.

The festival typically runs noon to 7 p.m. with live music, entertainment activations, DJ sets, pop-up concerts at satellite venues throughout the neighborhood, and family-friendly activities anchored at Ballston Quarter’s outdoor plaza—with past performers including dueling pianos, local bands, and street performers running throughout the day. Previous years have ended with a Quarterfest Afterparty continuing the festivities into the evening. Quarterfest and its entertainment activations are always open to the public and free to attend—you only pay for what you eat and drink, which is both entirely optional and almost entirely irresistible given the lineup. Check quarterfestballston.org each spring for the 2026 date, restaurant list, and entertainment schedule.