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Harry Potter-Themed Festival

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‹‹ More Fall Fun & Guides

If your family loves all things Harry Potter, Platform 9¾ is closer than you think!

Queen City Mischief & Magic is turning downtown Staunton, Virginia’s streets into an immersive wizarding village on September 26-27, 2026. Found in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, it’s close enough to make an epic day trip, and charming enough to make a weekend of it!

Dreamed up and run by the Staunton community, this fan-powered celebration draws thousands of visitors each year. Expect:

  • Hundreds of costumed characters
    Wear your wizarding best!
  • Quidditch matches and training sessions
    Broomsticks up, feet on the ground!
  • House Sorting ceremonies
    All four houses are sure to be represented… where will the hat put you?
  • Character arrivals by way of the Buckingham Branch train
  • Live owl presentations and exotic animal encounters
    Owl post, delivered in person
  • Wand dueling workshops
    Expelliarmus!
  • Potion making
  • A Polyjuice Parade
  • Pop-up surprises all weekend long

Admission is free, and everyone is welcome; some individual activities may require tickets or advance registration. Important —> the full schedule and weekend map will be available closer to the event date; check the official website often for updates and finalized 2026 details.

Please note, this fantasy-driven festival is a fan-powered tribute, not an officially licensed Harry Potter production.

Details:
Website ∙ Visit Staunton

Dates:
Sept 26-27, 2026

Location:
Downtown Staunton ∙ Staunton, VA

LEARN MORE

Disclaimer: Event details are curated from public sources and subject to change. Verify all information via the provided links before attending.

Where to Find Scouting Opportunities — By County, City, & More

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By DullesMoms, Updated 2026

Did you know most counties, towns, and municipalities offer Scout programs? With a few clicks, find opportunities for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts!

Please note, you don’t have to be a resident of the particular county, city, or town to search or sign up, however, the cost might be nominally higher. Also, some of your searches may result in no events or programs found — opportunities vary throughout the year, so check back later!

ARLINGTON COUNTY

Arlington County
Visit here to learn more about Scouting workshops.

NOVA Parks
Learn more about NOVA Parks Scout opportunities:

FAIRFAX COUNTY

Fairfax County (Park Authority)
Visit the official Fairfax County Scout Programs Hub to explore upcoming events at these locations:

NOVA Parks
Learn more about NOVA Parks Scout opportunities:

Alexandria, City of
Visit here, and under “Search Activities,” enter the keyword “Scout.” You can also click here to see specialized environmental scouting opportunities at Jerome “Buddie” Ford Nature Center.

Falls Church, City of
Visit here to check the active program guide, or visit the community Falls Church Scout House for troop facilities.

Fairfax City
Visit here, and in the registration keyword search bar, enter “Scout.”

Herndon, Town of
Visit here, and under “Keyword Search,” enter “Scout.”

McLean
Visit here, and use the activity search bar with the keyword “Scout.”

Reston Association
Visit here to view current catalogs or search active programs for “Scout.”

Vienna, Town of
Visit here, and under “Keyword Search,” enter “Scout.”

LOUDOUN COUNTY

Loudoun County
Visit here to access PRCS Connect and search for badge programs using the keyword “Scout.”

Leesburg, Town of
Visit here to view current events and class registrations using keyword “Scout.”

NOVA Parks
Learn more about NOVA Parks Scout opportunities:

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY

Prince William County
Visit here to access the active ParkLookup registration network and enter “Scout” under keywords.

Manassas Park
Visit here, and search under active programs for “Scout.”

Disclaimer: Event details are curated from public sources and subject to change. Verify all information via the provided links before attending.

Winter Lantern Festival

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‹‹ More Holiday Illuminations

You’re invited to an immersive festival illuminating the night sky in the heart of Northern Virginia! The Winter Lantern Festival is a dazzling world of Chinese legends and lore.

This enchanting night walk, inspired by traditional Chinese lantern festivals, is the perfect winter outing for friends and families. Explore hundreds of intricately crafted lanterns and discover festive fun for all ages. More than a stroll through a stunning display of larger-than-life lanterns, you’ll also watch jaw-dropping live performances from award-winning Chinese acrobats and tuck into tasty local food.

The fun all happens at Lerner Town Square in Tysons, VA (adjacent to Tysons Galleria), on select nights from November 20, 2025-January 20, 2026. Purchase your admission in advance; parking is fee-based.

Details:
Website

Dates:
Select Nights, Nov 20, 2025-Jan 20, 2026

Location:
Lerner Town Square ∙ Tysons, VA

LEARN MORE

Disclaimer: Event details are curated from public sources and subject to change. Verify all information via the provided links before attending.

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Be Washington: It’s Your Turn to Lead

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By DullesMoms, Feb 2018

Included in your admission to George Washington’s Mount Vernon, you’re invited to take part in a dynamic experience that allows you to put yourself in George Washington’s shoes: Be Washington: It’s Your Turn to Lead!

In a dedicated theatre, you’ll be presented with the same challenges and scenarios George Washington faced, including The Battle of Second Trenton, The Whiskey Rebellion, The Genet Affair, and more.

For each scenario, you’ll control an interactive kiosk that will allow you to choose whom to take advice from, including Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and more. Act on their counsel and see how your opinions differ or align with how Washington carried out decisions. During this interactive opportunity, you’ll also have the chance to see how your opinions compare to your neighbors.

In the end, you’ll have a greater appreciation for the tough job George Washington faced. You’ll also get a glimpse into why he is one of the most celebrated Americans in history, as well as our nation’s first President.

Details:
Website

Location:
George Washington’s Mount Vernon ∙ Mt. Vernon, VA (Map)

LEARN MORE

Disclaimer: Event details are curated from public sources and subject to change. Verify all information via the provided links before attending.

Terms & Conditions ∙ Contests

By entering a contest, you conclusively agree to be bound by these contest rules and terms as well as by any rules specific to such contest. This is an irrevocable condition of entry, and DullesMoms.com reserves the right to alter contest terms at any time.

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Enter For Your Chance to Win…

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Paw Patrol Live › Win Tix

PAW Patrol Live: A Mighty Adventure is wagging its way into the DMV from May 1-3, 2026!

Kids and their families are invited to Fairfax’s Eagle Bank Arena to see Chase, Marshall, Skye, and the rest of the Mighty Pups live on stage. Enter for your chance to win tickets:

The contest ends at 9 am on April 29, 2026. By entering this contest, you agree to these rules and opt in to receive emails from DullesMoms.com (with a 1-click unsubscribe option). If we’re already in your inbox, your subscription will not be duplicated.

5+ Nature Centers Worth Checking Out

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By DullesMoms, Nov 2024

Our community is lucky to have such active park systems that offer nature centers with live animal exhibits, learning opportunities, hands-on events, and more:

Gulf Branch Nature Center
Arlington, VA

Exhibits, a classroom, a children’s Discovery Room, a pollinator garden, live animals, and a pond are just a few of the things that make this nature center unique. Don’t miss the restored log cabin, observation beehive, or frequent family-friendly events.

Frogshackle Nature Center
Sterling, VA

Within the Lanesville Heritage Area, a special section of Claude Moore Park is the Frogshackle Nature Center. This Center is a great place to stop after a hike or picnic and features animal and plant collections, plus hands-on learning activities for kids themed around exploring nature.

Hidden Oaks Nature Center
Annandale, VA

Annandale District Park, a 52-acre oasis of nature, is home to Hidden Oaks Nature Center and family-loved Nature Playce. After exploring the park’s woodland trails, ponds, and creeks, stop at the Nature Center (which also doubles as a visitor center with bathrooms). Complete with live animals and exhibits, Nature Playce (below) is nearby.

Nature Playce @ Hidden Oaks Nature Center
Annandale, VA

Nature Playce is a 1/3-acre unstructured, woodland play area. Children can visit Nature Playce’s water feature with rocks to climb on, puddles to splash in, digging areas, and a sandbox. There are also plenty of opportunities for self-directed play, including building forts and finding fallen trees and low stumps to climb on.

Hidden Pond Nature Center
Springfield, VA

Part of the 25-acre Hidden Pond neighborhood, Hidden Pond Nature Center features exhibits and live animal displays that orient you to the park and the natural world of Fairfax County. Surrounded by acres of undisturbed woodlands, quiet trails, slashing streams, and a tranquil pond, the Center is a great place to start your journey into nature!

Jerome Buddie Ford Nature Center
Alexandria, VA

Located next to the Dora Kelley Nature Park, a 50-acre wildlife sanctuary with a one-mile-long nature trail that meanders along streams, wooded hills, and freshwater marshland, the Jerome Buddie Ford Nature Center is a great place to start your journey into nature! Families can see live animals up close, learn about the cultural and natural history of the surrounding park, and access the wealth of knowledge from on-site Naturalists.

Long Branch Nature Center
Arlington, VA

Featuring exhibits, a children’s Discovery Room, live animal displays, and a viewing pond, Long Branch Nature Center is a family favorite. The center is located at the beautiful, secluded 95-acre Glencarlyn Park, offering nature trails, connections to the Four Mile Run and W&OD trails, a playground, an amphitheater, and more.

Potomac Overlook Nature Center
Arlington, VA

Located in Potomac Overlook Park, with 67 acres of peaceful woodland, trails, and educational gardens, Potomac Overlook Nature Center lets visitors see live animals, explore natural history exhibits, and visit its exhibit, Energerium. Energerium gives visitors a fun, accessible way to learn energy basics and how they can help create a sustainable energy solution.

Riverbend Park Visitor Center
Great Falls, VA

Beyond a stop for a cold drink, the Riverbend Park Visitor Center offers self-guided activities for children, live animal displays, and natural and cultural exhibits. Plus, you can check out a Scavenger Hunt packet and follow the clues as they lead you through the park in search of cool nature facts!

Walker Nature Center
Reston, VA

Nestled in a 72-acre woodland, Nature House is home to on-site naturalists who will introduce you to their resident box turtle and a snake. Before exploring the nearby pond, trails, and stream, families are also encouraged to enjoy exhibits and displays, a nature library, and a variety of nature programs for all ages.

Walney Visitors Center
Chantilly, VA

The Walney Visitors Center, part of the 650-acre EC Lawrence Park, is a converted 1780 farmhouse. More than a rest stop for hikers and naturalists, they offer live-animal and historical exhibits, a children’s touch table area, a greenhouse, and a classroom.

Disclaimer: Event details are curated from public sources and subject to change. Verify all information via the provided links before attending.

Terms & Conditions ∙ Advertisers

STEP 1:
Read through items 1-7 below.

STEP 2:
Complete the form below.

FORM

 

WHAT STATE IS YOUR BUSINESS / ORG LICENSED IN?

 

WHAT COUNTY IS YOUR BUSINESS / ORG LICENSED IN?

 

ACKOWLEDGEMENT:

Advertiser acknowledges that he or she has read and fully understands this entire Agreement (items 1-7 below) and that, by submitting and/or clicking "yes," agrees with and accepts all the terms and conditions contained herein.

1. AGREEMENT

This Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered effective on the date of submission (the “Effective Date”) by and between Dulles Moms LLC, dba DullesMoms.com (hereinafter “Company”), a limited liability company registered in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the advertiser whose signature is contained in the signature line at the end of this agreement (hereinafter “Advertiser”).

Now, therefore, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises of the parties hereto, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

2. SERVICES

A. Advertiser hereby purchases the identified advertising package (the “Package”) from the Company at the listed rates and for the specified duration: Please see the most recent invoice for package details.

B.
Any additional services not otherwise contracted for herein shall be agreed to in writing between the parties, and the provision of advertising services shall be reflected in subsequent Company invoices.

3. PAYMENT

A. Company shall provide an invoice to Advertiser reflecting the amount due for the Package purchased herein.

B. Advertiser agrees to pay the total amount listed on the Company’s invoice within thirty (30) days of the billing date.

C. In the event that any account becomes past due, the full amount of the Advertiser’s account shall become due immediately.

D. Unpaid amounts shall accrue interest at 2% per month.

E. Company reserves the right to request full or partial payment before publishing any advertisement on behalf of the advertiser.

F. Company reserves the right to cease publishing any advertisement when payment for previous advertising is over forty-five (45) days overdue.

G. Advertiser agrees to bear responsibility for all expenses incurred by Company in connection with the collection of past due amounts payable, including attorney’s fees and costs.

H. If any check or other payment to Company is returned, rejected, or dishonored, Company or any third party on its behalf, as applicable, may in each instance, to the extent permitted by law, assess a charge of fifty dollars ($50) for each returned check in addition to a charge equal to the total of all charges, costs, and expenses incurred by Company in connection with the collection, and/or Company may charge such other fees as may be permitted by applicable law.

4. COMPANY REPRESENTATIONS & OBLIGATIONS

A. Company does not imply, promise, or guarantee exclusivity to the Advertiser. This includes business type, channel, event, promotion, or relatedness.

B. Except as otherwise expressly identified herein or otherwise identified in subsequent Company invoices, positioning of advertisements is at the sole discretion of the Company.

C. Advertiser acknowledges that Company has not made any guarantees with respect to usage, statistics, or levels of impressions for any advertising except where expressly identified below or otherwise identified in subsequent Company invoices.

D. Company does not provide click-through metrics reports.

E. Company will only provide select site traffic metrics and Facebook Lifetime Post Impressions.

5. TERMINATION

A. Cancellations are at the sole discretion of the Company.

B. Advertiser understands and agrees that no refunds shall be issued if cancellation occurs as a result of Advertiser’s material breach of any of the terms set forth herein.

C. Should the Company exercise its right to cancel advertising services identified herein for any reason other than Advertiser’s material breach of this Agreement and before the conclusion of the contracted-for duration, the Company shall provide to Advertiser a prorated refund to be reflected in the subsequent and final Company invoice.

6. INDEMNIFICATION & LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITY

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C. Recourse hereunder against Company shall forever be limited exclusively to the amount owed by Advertiser for the month in which the alleged liability arose. In no event shall recourse include consequential, special, or indirect damages or claims for loss of profit or business. The foregoing limitations and disclaimers will apply irrespective of whether the possibility of such damages has been disclosed to the Company in advance or could have reasonably been foreseen by the Company. No individual member, officer, official, employee, volunteer, agent, or affiliate of the Company shall be personally liable hereunder, and no recourse shall be held against any such party’s assets by reason of a breach of this Agreement by the Company or otherwise. The provisions of this section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

D. Neither party shall be held responsible for delay or failure in performance under this Agreement caused by acts of God, fires, floods, strikes, terrorism, work stoppages, the breakdown of equipment, government action, internet or website downtime, or other causes beyond the affected parties’ reasonable control.

E. Failure or omission by Company at any time to enforce or require strict or timely compliance with any provision of this Agreement shall not affect or impair that provision in any way or the rights of Company to avail itself of remedies it may have in respect to any breach of that provision. Any waiver or consent given by Company must be in writing and shall be effective only as to that instance and will not be construed as a bar to or waiver of any right on any other occasion.

7. MISCELLANEOUS

A. This Agreement is governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia without regard to its principles of conflicts of laws. Any dispute under this Agreement shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of courts in the Commonwealth of Virginia nearest to the Company’s principal business office and Advertiser, and the Company consents to the personal jurisdiction of such courts and waives any objection to such courts’ jurisdiction and venue.

B. This Agreement may be executed by facsimile, PDF, or electronic agreement, and in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall be considered one and the same Agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered to the other Party.

Complete the form here.

Birth & Beyond Expo

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Expecting a baby or navigating the early stages of parenthood? The Birth & Beyond Expo offers families a warm and welcoming space to connect with more than 30 local providers who support parents from fertility and pregnancy through the first year postpartum.

Hosted at the Vienna Community Center on October 18, 2025, this special event showcases prenatal and postpartum care, lactation support, doula services, mental health resources, fitness, nutrition, and more, along with light activities for children.

You’re invited to explore trusted resources, enjoy family-friendly engagement, and enter raffles for premium prizes curated for pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond.

With free admission, complimentary parking, and the chance to connect with experts and other families, this event is designed to leave parents feeling informed, supported, and encouraged on their journey.

Details:
Eventbrite

Date:
Oct 18, 2025

Location:
Vienna Community Center ∙ Vienna, VA

LEARN MORE

Disclaimer: Event details are curated from public sources and subject to change. Verify all information via the provided links before attending.