The DC Coffee Festival takes place October 3–4, 2026, at Dock 5 at Union Market in Northeast Washington, DC. The festival brings the region's top specialty roasters and coffee shops under one roof for two days of tastings, live entertainment, and snacks. All coffee samples are included with your ticket. Dock 5 is at 1309 5th Street NE, Washington, DC 20002. Whether you're driving from Baltimore, the Maryland suburbs, or Northern Virginia, this guide covers directions, parking, Metro options, and why groups from outside DC often skip the drive entirely.
- Two-day festival: Saturday Oct 3 and Sunday Oct 4 at Dock 5 at Union Market in Northeast DC.
- All tastings included: Your ticket covers every coffee sample on the floor. Snacks and food purchased separately.
- Metro accessible: NoMa–Gallaudet University station (Red Line) is about a 10-minute walk. Weekend Metro parking is free.
- Limited parking: Union Market garage at 1300 4th Street NE fills on event weekends. Pre-purchase or arrive early.
- From Baltimore: I-95 South to I-295 to New York Avenue NE. About 50 to 65 minutes on a Saturday.
Coffee Tastings
Exhibitors
Venue Space
Metro Parking
DC Coffee Festival 2026 — Event Details
The DC Coffee Festival is a curated showcase of specialty coffee at Dock 5, the 12,000+ square-foot industrial event venue inside the Union Market District. The exhibitor floor features dozens of roasters and coffee shops sharing their unique beans and flavor profiles, alongside live entertainment and food vendors.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Event | DC Coffee Festival 2026 |
| Dates | Saturday, Oct 3 & Sunday, Oct 4 |
| Venue | Dock 5 at Union Market, 1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002 |
| Tickets | Available at dccoffeefestival.com and Eventbrite |
| Includes | All coffee samples included with ticket |
| Food | Snacks available for purchase; Union Market food hall adjacent |
What to Expect at the DC Coffee Festival
This isn't a trade show — it's built for consumers who want to taste, learn, and discover new roasters. The format encourages wandering the floor, sampling widely, and talking to the people behind the beans. Dock 5's warehouse aesthetic — high ceilings, open floor plan, natural light from the loading-dock doors — matches the specialty coffee world's visual identity and creates a space that feels distinctly different from a convention center. For groups of friends, couples, or coworkers, it's a social event that happens to center around coffee.
How to Get to Dock 5 in DC
Dock 5 is in the NoMa / Gallaudet / Union Market neighborhood of northeast DC, roughly one mile north of the U.S. Capitol. The surrounding area has developed significantly with restaurants, breweries, and retail along 5th Street NE and Florida Avenue.
Parking at Union Market
Union Market has a parking garage at 1300 4th Street NE with paid parking. Rates vary by event, and the garage fills on busy weekends. Street parking and nearby lots along 5th Street NE and Florida Avenue NE are available but limited during events. Pre-purchasing through SpotHero or arriving early gives you the best chance at a convenient spot.
Why Groups from Maryland Skip the DC Drive
For individuals in DC, Metro to NoMa station works well. But for groups from Baltimore, Annapolis, or the Maryland suburbs, the math shifts. A group of 6 from Baltimore faces a 50-minute drive, downtown DC parking ($15–25), navigating the Union Market area, and the return trip. A black car service to DC picks the group up, drops everyone at Dock 5's door, and has a driver waiting when the last sample is finished. The per-person cost split across 6 people is often comparable to parking plus gas, with zero driving stress.
This matters especially for groups combining the coffee festival with other DC stops. Union Market is a short ride from Capitol Hill, the National Mall, or the H Street corridor. A luxury car service that handles the full day — festival, lunch, sightseeing — means the group stays together without anyone navigating DC intersections or hunting for parking twice.
Making It a Full DC Day
- Before the FestivalBreakfast or brunch at Union Market's food hall, which opens before the festival and has a wide range of vendors from Korean fried chicken to artisan ice cream.
- The FestivalSample dozens of coffees, discover new roasters, talk to the people behind the beans, and grab snacks from on-site food vendors.
- After the FestivalWalk south to H Street NE for restaurants and bars, or head to Capitol Hill, Eastern Market, or the Navy Yard waterfront. All within a short ride.
| Live in DC near the Red Line | Metro to NoMa–Gallaudet University station. 10-minute walk to Dock 5. Easiest option. |
| Driving from close-in suburbs | Pre-purchase parking via SpotHero for the Union Market garage. Arrive early. |
| Group of 4+ from Baltimore or Annapolis | Book a car service — everyone rides together, no DC parking, no designated navigator. Call (410) 451-0000. |
| Making a full day in DC | A dedicated vehicle connects festival + lunch + sightseeing without multiple parking situations. |
Your DC Coffee Festival Ride — From Door to Dock 5
Bayside Limousines has been moving groups across the DMV for over 33 years — 500,000+ trips completed and 1,000+ five-star Google reviews. We own every vehicle in our fleet and employ every chauffeur directly. No brokers, no surprises. Book a sedan or SUV for your coffee festival crew and skip the DC parking scramble.
Frequently Asked Questions
Event details confirmed against dccoffeefestival.com and washington.org October events listing. Verify ticket availability and session times directly with the festival before your visit.