This post was written by Hatchet reporter Jarrod Carman.

From sneak previews of Oscar contenders to every Oktoberfest in the area, it’s time to put down the textbooks and pull out your Metro SmarTrip card. Relax after a long week and enjoy a few beer-filled nights with friends. Here are your top picks of the week: Oktoberfest edition.

Thursday

“Gone Girl” preview screening, Q&A with author: Based on the book The New York Times calls “populated by characters so well imagined that they’re hard to part with,” “Gone Girl” is here to kick off October with a spine-chilling thriller. When Amy Dunne (Rosamund Pike) goes missing, her family and the media try to piece together the clues. Could her husband Nick (Ben Affleck) himself have been behind Amy’s disappearance? Stay after the screening for a Q&A with the book’s author (and the movie’s screenwriter) Gillian Flynn, hosted by Rolling Stone film critic Peter Travers.
West End Cinema, 2301 M St. NW. 7 p.m. Tickets: $15

Second Annual Oktoberfest at Doner Bistro: One (German) word and one word only: Oktoberfest. It’s one of the few times each year you can skip your 8 a.m. class the next morning with a good excuse: you were learning about another culture, right? Doner Bistro in Adams Morgan will serve tasty schnitzel alongside foaming pitchers of beer. If you make it to Happy Hour, you’ll only need to shell out $3 a bottle. G’suffa.
Doner Bistro Adams Morgan, 1654 Columbia Road NW. Open Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., happy hour 3 to 7 p.m. Free entry.

Friday

Capitol City’s 15th Annual Oktoberfest: With over 50 breweries and 100 beers, Capitol City is holding the biggest Oktoberfest in Northern Virginia. The fest will include live music from Germany’s Liab’ und Schneid and tastings of authentic drinks like Oktoberfest Lager and Pumpkinator Ale. Admission is free for designated drivers and children. That’s right: Bring the family.
Capital City Brew, 4001 Campbell Ave., Arlington, Va. Noon. $25

We Are Scientists and Surfer Blood: It’s concert night in D.C. as three bands take the stage at U Street Music Hall. We Are Scientists is a California indie rock band that’s been around for over a decade and released a double A-side, “Something About You/Let Me Win” in July. They’ll be joined by Surfer Blood, an alternative rock band from Florida whose members met at the Ultra Music Festival in Miami, and Eternal Summers, a rock band from Roanoke, Va.
U Street Music Hall, 1115 U St. NW. 6 p.m. $20

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Saturday

Town Tavern Oktoberfest: Grab $3 beers and $6 burger baskets at the Town Tavern, a bar celebrating Oktoberfest with half-off prices. Soak in the German spirit as you grab an overflowing pint or two and kick back with some college football. Pro tip: Reserve a spot now to enjoy the $10 open bar.
Town Tavern, 2323 18th St. NW. Open 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. Free entry.

Maryland Renaissance Festival: At the annual Maryland Renaissance Festival, this year’s plot is as follows: The town gets ready for King Henry VIII’s arrival with his new wife (a marriage that will surely last). It’s also romance weekend at the Festival, so make sure to rent some costumes and take advantage of a unique date opportunity with your crush.
Maryland Renaissance Festival, 1821 Crownsville Road. Annapolis, Md. 10 a.m. $12.

Sunday

“From Here to Eternity:” Based on the 1951 novel, “From Here to Eternity” is a musical about the G Company, a fictional World War II military unit. When two soldiers become embroiled in scandalous affairs with women, they are not prepared for the dangerous consequences. The film is coming to screens for a limited time only, so grab tickets while you can.
Regal Bowie Stadium 14, 15200 Major Lansdale Blvd., Bowie, Md. 8:55 p.m. $18.

Fort Belvoir’s Oktoberfest: There’s more to Oktoberfest than just beer. Actually, the holiday is a Bavarian festival originally held to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. Head to Fairfax to catch the last day of Fort Belvoir’s Oktoberfest, where there will be a 10k walk, a gondola wheel, authentic German food, raffles and prizes in addition to beer.
Fremont Field, 9910 Tracy Loop, Fort Belvoir, Va. Noon. Free entry.