We refuse to accept that summer is ending. Let’s just enjoy the long weekend and try to forget that Labor Day Weekend means pumpkin spice everything is coming.

Make food trucks part of your weekend at Truckeroo. (Photo via Facebook)

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

TRUCKEROO: Food trucks are already a staple of your lunchtime routine. Make them part of your weekend at Truckeroo. There will be drinks, live music, and a bunch of restaurants on wheels. When you’re craving empanadas, dumplings, and lobster, why not have a little of everything? (The Fairgrounds, 4-11 p.m. FREE)

STRING QUARTET: Keep it classical this Friday with works by 18th century Austrian composer Joseph Haydn, performed live by Diderot String Quartet. You’ll hear String Quartet in D Major, Op. 20/No. 4 and String Quartet in E-flat Major, Op. 76/No. 6 fill the high ceilings of the beautiful National Cathedral. (Washington National Cathedral, 7:30 p.m. $20-40)

RAP IT OUT: You can see Talib Kweli on stage this Friday in D.C. Hear the accomplished and socio-politically conscious hip-hop artist perform, along with Jessica Care Moore, Alex Vaughn, Luc Ra, Afrah Ali, Odd Mojo & Sir EU at Sunkissed Sundown. (The Howard Theatre, 7 p.m. $45-75)

Courtesy of the Library of Congress.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

TAKE A LOOK; IT’S IN A BOOK: The 17th Library of Congress National Book Festival is this Saturday. Buy a new book, get it signed by the author, listen to a discussion about diversity in kids’ books, or sit in on a poetry slam. The annual event is bringing some big names in literature to Washington, including historian David McCullough, J. D. Vance, Roxane Gay, cartoonist Roz Chast, and more. (Washington Convention Center, 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. FREE)

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 BEERS: It’s a small world after all. Explore it with small pours, lots and lots of them, from around the globe. This Saturday, Drink The World at the international beer festival. With wines, ciders, and dozens of beers from more than 30 countries, the festival is a great opportunity to practice whatever language you studied in high school, while showing off the skills you gained in college. (The Fairgrounds, 12-10 p.m. $39-49)

JAZZ FEST: Got that almost-end-of summer sadness? Call it the Labor Day weekend blues. Hear some songs that’ll fit your mood, plus a bunch that will pick it up again, at the 11th Annual Lake Anne Jazz & Blues Festival. See performances by Grammy-nominated musician Cheick Hamala Dibate, Gigi MacClaughlin, Crush Funk Brass, and more. (Lake Anne Plaza, 1-9 p.m. FREE)

STAY LOCAL: D.C. venues attract musicians from around the world, but we have plenty of talent right here at home. The DC Music Rocks Festival keeps it local with performances by Hayley Fahey Band, Throwing Plates, The Split Seconds, Stone Driver, and Thaylobleu. (9:30 Club, 7:30 p.m. $15)

More: SiP & DiP Presents: Night Swim Labor Day weekend, Fort Dupont Summer Concert Series

Eat your fill of falafel and other delicious fare at Holy Transfiguration’s Middle Eastern Food Festival. (Photo by Mr.TinDC)

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3

ACT I, SCENE I: It’s that time of year again. Theater creators and fans will read, perform, and experience new works this weekend at the annual Page-to-Stage New Play Festival. You can come Saturday, Sunday, or Monday for free readings and open rehearsals. More than 60 local theater companies will be testing our their plays and musicals. Sunday’s program includes a dark comedy that delves into women’s friendships, journeys, and reproductive choices. (The Kennedy Center, 6-7:30 p.m. FREE)

LET’S EAT: Forgive us, oh summer body, for we are about to say “screw it.” The Holy Transfiguration Melkite Greek Catholic Church presents its 24th Annual Middle Eastern Food Festival this Saturday and Sunday in McLean. There will be plenty of pita, kebabs for days, falafel, shawarma, stuffed grape leaves, and delicious Middle Eastern desserts—plus some American favorites. Dance the Debke and give praise for this culinary event. (Holy Transfiguration Melkite Greek Catholic Church, 12-6 p.m. FREE)

AMERICAN MUSIC: The National Symphony Orchestra presents its annual Labor Day Capital Concert, a program inspired by America. Guest conductor John Morris Russell will lead the orchestra and vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter Aoife O’Donovan in a series of bluegrass songs and folk music, plus marches to get you in that national holiday state of mind. The set will include songs written by O’Donovan: “Red & White & Blue & Gold,” “Magic Hour,” and “The King of All Birds.” (West Lawn, U.S. Capitol, 8-9:30 p.m. FREE)

The Maryland Renaissance Festival provides entertainment for all, plus plenty of beer and turkey legs. (Photo by Rob Cannon)

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4

HIVE MIND: It’s your last chance to see what all the buzz is about at the National Building Museum. Hive, the 60-foot-tall installation made out of 2,700 paper tubes, closes Monday. We checked out the art and its acoustics when it opened in July. Grab your tickets and get pics for the ‘gram before it’s too late. (National Building Museum, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $16)

DON’T CALL ME “M’LADY”: ‘Tis a fine weekend to feast on a turkey leg, relax to the sound of the lute, and take in a good showing of brute force on horseback. The Maryland Renaissance Festival is open for old timey business Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, giving you plenty of opportunities to reuse that Game of Thrones costume you bought for the pop-up bar. (Crownsville, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. $19)

PARADE: If you absolutely must celebrate workers by elbowing through a crowd to watch people in costume cheerily march down paved roads, then perhaps you won’t mind driving into the Maryland suburbs for the 50th Annual Kensington Labor Day Parade and Festival. Hear local marching bands, see fancy horses, watch dancers do their thing, and wave to the friendly politicians and community leaders. Remember: If someone throws candy your way, don’t push children out of the way to grab it. After the spectacle, there will be a festival featuring food and games. (St. Paul Park to Town Hall, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. FREE)

CARIBBEAN: Celebrate the music and art of more than two-dozen Caribbean countries at Carifesta. The free festival will feature performances by Ras Slick & The Dutty Bus Crew, The Unknowns, Lady Flame, ShaMain & Greg Jamz, and King Lock, plus reggae, soca, meringue, and more spun by DJs from around the world. After you expend your energy on dancing, revitalize yourself with beer, spirits, and Caribbean cuisine. (Woodrow Wilson Plaza, 12-8 p.m. FREE)