Fifty years of fall fun! The City of Fairfax’s annual Fall Festival celebrates 5 decades of fun on October 10, 2026, filling the heart of historic downtown Fairfax with the sights, sounds, and flavors of the season!
What began as a small artisan market has grown into one of Northern Virginia’s biggest seasonal celebrations—while still holding onto that hometown feel. Here’s what you and your crew can look forward to:
Art, Craft & Food Vendors
Browse more than 400 vendors selling handmade wares, local goods, and festival eats.
Three Stages of Entertainment
Catch live bands, dance performances, and magic shows all day long across the Main Stage, Old Town Square Stage, and Children’s Stage.
Children’s Rides
Little ones can circle the carousel, zip down the fire truck slide, and try the 3-in-1 kiddie combo, while bigger kids take a spin on the Fantastic Flyer, Retro Radical Run, and Human Whirl. Rides are ticketed individually, or grab an all-you-can-ride wristband and let the fun roll all day.
Sparky’s Harvest Bash
At this free fire safety event at Fire Station #3, kids can check out the city’s fire truck, meet Fairfax’s volunteer firefighters, and grab a selfie with Sparky!
Free Museum Open Houses
History lovers can step inside the City of Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center and the Legato School Museum.
Beer & Wine Gardens
Grown-ups can raise a glass to 50 years at three beer gardens (plus, wine!) by the Main Stage, Old Town Square, and Food Court #1. Each pours domestic and craft beers alongside wines from local wineries Morais Vineyards and Winery, Old Farm Winery at Hartland, and Cave Ridge Vineyard.
Admission is free, while some activities, such as children’s rides, are fee-based. The festival is held rain or shine. Skip the parking hunt and hop on a free, ADA-accessible shuttle from the GMU Rappahannock Parking Deck or Fairfax High School.
Want festival updates? Text “FALLFEST” to 888-777.
One of Arlington’s favorite fall traditions is back! Clarendon Day returns to Clarendon Metro Park on September 26, 2026. This annual street festival features live music, local makers, food, draft beer and wine, and a packed Kids Zone!
Browse 50+ talented makers, artists, and small businesses from across the DMV — from handmade jewelry and artwork to sweet treats and unique finds. Three live acts take the stage throughout the day: Captain Seawalker, The Fuss, and Legal in the District.
The Kids Zone is free and loaded with fun — an 18-foot inflatable slide, a tropical-themed obstacle course, crafts, glitter tattoos, and balloon animals. The first 500 kids to visit the Clarendon Alliance booth also score a free prize!
Free parking is available from 10 AM to 9 PM in the Mason Square Van Metre Garage nearby.
Established as a military cemetery in 1864 during the Civil War, this 600+ acre site is the final resting place of hundreds of thousands of military veterans and their immediate families. Key landmarks include the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (featuring the Changing of the Guard ceremony), the John F. Kennedy Gravesite, and Arlington House. A government-issued photo ID is required for entry.
In the heart of Old Town Alexandria, Carlyle House is a 1753 Georgian manor built by Scottish merchant John Carlyle. The historic site offers guided tours detailing colonial life, pre-Revolutionary history, and its later role during the Civil War.
Located in Fair Oaks Mall, the Children’s Science Center invites visitors of all ages to learn science, technology, engineering, and math concepts through touch, feel, and play across a variety of zones and a hands-on experiment bar. Advance timed-entry tickets are recommended for weekend visits.
During the school year, the David M. Brown Planetarium hosts weekend public programs. Plus, they offer special seasonal opportunities throughout the year; learn more and see the full schedule by visiting Friends of Arlington’s Planetarium.
The Freedom House Museum occupies the actual headquarters of one of the largest domestic slave-trading companies, which trafficked Black men, women, and children from 1828 to 1861. Today the museum honors their lives by showcasing the area’s Black history and experience in America.
Located inside the terminal building at Manassas Regional Airport, the Freedom Museum offers visitors an interactive, historical experience with free admission. The museum’s exhibits feature stories of ordinary Americans who became heroes by protecting our nation’s freedom, both on the battlefront and on the home front.
Gunston Hall is the 18th-century Georgian mansion and plantation estate of George Mason, Founding Father and author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights. Visitors can explore the historic house, outbuildings, grounds, and visitor center through guided tours and hands-on educational programs.
This STEM destination at George Mason University gets visitors a little closer to the stars! Boasting many high-powered telescopes, including a 32″ one, the observatory offers public events and tours, including its Evenings Under the Stars program.
Open 365 days a year, Mount Vernon is the former plantation estate and burial place of George Washington, our first President. Visitors can tour the iconic mansion, the tomb of George and Martha Washington, a memorial to the enslaved people who lived and worked on the estate, and interpretive spaces like the Pioneer Farm and Washington’s Gristmill & Distillery (3 miles off-site). Guided and self-guided tours, plus seasonal and special events, are also offered.
This historic apothecary offers a glimpse into 18th-century medicine through preserved rooms, period furnishings, and displays of the tools and remedies physicians and pharmacists once used. Visitors can explore the shop where Hugh Mercer practiced medicine and learn how colonial Fredericksburg physicians prepared and prescribed treatments.
Located on the campus of CD Hylton Senior High School, this planetarium features a full digital laser and projection system that projects stars, visible planets, moon phases, and full-dome laser shows on a thirty-foot curved dome!
Inside Claude Moore Park, the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum highlights 250 years of Loudoun County’s agricultural heritage through exhibits, hands-on activities, and seasonal events.
Preserving over 5,000 acres of historic land, this National Park Service site marks the sites of two major Civil War clashes (the First and Second Battles of Bull Run). Guests can visit the Henry Hill Visitor Center, tour museum displays, and explore miles of walking trails across the battlefield.
Located on Winchester’s largest green space, the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley preserves and enriches the region’s cultural life and heritage. Guests can enjoy seven acres of formal gardens, the 18th-century Glen Burnie House, and The Trails at MSV — a free 90-acre art-and-nature park open daily on the grounds.
The Smithsonian’s second National Air & Space Museum location (the original is on the National Mall) showcases the history and science of aviation and spaceflight. Its two huge hangars display thousands of artifacts, including a Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, a Concorde, and the Space Shuttle Discovery, plus an IMAX Theater and an observation tower overlooking Dulles Airport. Admission is free, but daily parking is fee-based.
Located at the headquarters of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), this free museum celebrates inductees whose innovations changed the world. Interactive exhibits explore patents, trademarks, and technological advances from computing to automotive engineering.
As the Army’s national landmark, this museum honors the accomplishments, sacrifices, and commitment of American soldiers, bringing over 240 years of Army history to life through soldiers’ eyes. Admission is free, but visitors must reserve free timed-entry passes online before arrival.
The United States Marine Corps’ historical museum invites visitors of all ages to experience hundreds of years of American history through a Marine’s eyes, from the recruiting process to battles fought in times of conflict. Both admission and parking are completely free!
Located in historic Middleburg, the heart of Virginia’s hunt country, this library and fine arts museum tells the story of horse-and-field sports, from fox hunting and steeplechasing to polo, through books and art. Admission is fee-based, but free on select days.
This kid-focused touch-and-play museum features 4 stories of exhibits that encourage problem-solving, creative thinking, and collaboration. Best of all, kids don’t know they’re learning — they think they’re just having a great time!
This historic apothecary offers a fascinating look at medicine, pharmacy, and everyday life in the 18th and 19th centuries. Visitors can explore preserved shop spaces, original furnishings, medical tools, and thousands of historic objects while learning how early Alexandrians prepared, sold, and used remedies.
A former naval munitions factory on the banks of the Potomac River, the Torpedo Factory Art Center is home to 75+ working artist studios and fosters connections between artists and the public. It also houses the free Alexandria Archaeology Museum, which shows how the city’s archaeologists, volunteers, and students study and manage local archaeological resources. Its public laboratory even lets visitors see artifacts from the latest digs as they are preserved and cataloged!
Permanently mounted telescopes offer excellent stargazing at Turner Farm Observatory Park! This roll-top observatory includes an Observation Room with three telescopes and a retractable roof, plus an Orientation Room for educational programs. For more information on future programs, visit the Analemma Society.
Situated on 126 historic acres, this site features two distinct architectural landmarks: Woodlawn (a 19th-century plantation built on land originally part of Washington’s Mount Vernon) and the Pope-Leighey House (a rare mid-century Usonian home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright).
Occupying the transformed grounds of the former Lorton Reformatory, this unique arts center features working artist studios, galleries, and performance spaces. The campus also houses the Lucy Burns Museum, which preserves 91 years of prison history and honors the silent sentinel suffragists who were imprisoned here during their fight for women’s voting rights.
Located directly across the street from the National Park Service’s African-American Civil War Memorial, the African-American Civil War Museum highlights the almost 210,000 members of the United States Colored Troops and their historic role in abolishing slavery and keeping America united during the Civil War.
The Albert H. Small Center’s Washingtoniana Collection documents Washington, DC’s history from the eighteenth to the mid-twentieth century. Its more than 1,900 items include manuscripts, books, newspapers, photographs, and a remarkable collection of prints and maps.
This historic 35-acre cemetery offers a fascinating look at more than 200 years of Washington, DC, and American history through the stories of the people buried there. Visitors can explore scenic grounds, distinctive monuments, and self-guided tours highlighting notable figures, presidents, civil rights leaders, suffragists, artists, and other individuals who helped shape the city and nation.
The Daughters of the American Revolution Museum preserves and interprets the material culture and social history of pre-industrial America. Visitors can enjoy galleries, exhibitions, and 31 period rooms illustrating American interiors from the 17th to the early 20th century.
This renowned cultural destination brings Shakespeare, literature, theater, and history to life through exhibitions, performances, rare books, manuscripts, and interactive experiences. Home to the world’s largest Shakespeare collection, it invites visitors of all ages to see First Folios, explore historic spaces, try hands-on activities, and discover how people have interpreted Shakespeare’s stories and language for centuries.
One of Washington, DC’s top entertainment destinations during the Civil War, Ford’s Theatre closed for over a century after President Lincoln’s assassination in 1865. Reopened in 1968 as a historic site and active performance space, it now offers theatrical performances, interactive exhibits, and educational programs for all ages.
Located at Cedar Hill in Anacostia, this preserved historic site is the former home of famed abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Visitors can explore the grounds, take guided tours of the home, and enjoy sweeping views of the Washington, DC, skyline while learning about his life, legacy, and fight for civil rights.
Adjacent to the National Mall, the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn is one of the most visited modern art museums in the US and home to one of the most important collections of post-World War II American and European art. Encounter 21st-century artists through groundbreaking exhibitions, events, and more.
This immersive museum invites visitors to go undercover and explore espionage through interactive exhibits and experiences. Located at L’Enfant Plaza, it brings the history, tools, and techniques of spies to life while offering a closer look at intelligence, deception, and covert operations.
This iconic institution invites visitors to explore the nation’s Library through striking architecture, rotating exhibitions, historic collections, and family-friendly activities. Inside the Thomas Jefferson Building, visitors can take in the grand Great Hall, view the Main Reading Room, and discover exhibits that bring books, history, culture, and the Library’s vast collections to life.
Located on Constitution Avenue, the National Academy of Sciences features interactive exhibits showcasing scientific discovery and innovation. Explore rotating art-meets-science exhibitions and see the iconic, larger-than-life Albert Einstein Memorial statue on its grounds.
The National Air & Space Museum showcases the history and science of aviation and spaceflight, as well as planetary science, terrestrial geology, and geophysics. Popular attractions include the 1903 Wright Flyer, Apollo 11’s command module Columbia, and a real lunar rock.
This landmark museum brings American history to life through original documents, immersive exhibits, and family-friendly learning experiences. Visitors can see the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights, then explore additional exhibits and the Discovery Center for a closer look at the people, events, and records that shaped the nation.
This one-of-a-kind museum invites families to explore the world of architecture, engineering, construction, and design through engaging exhibits and hands-on discovery. Kids can enjoy touch-and-play opportunities alongside popular exhibits and changing pop-up experiences, all within the museum’s impressive historic home and soaring Great Hall.
This renowned art museum invites visitors to explore centuries of masterpieces from around the world, including paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, and more. Located on the National Mall, it also offers rotating exhibitions, tours, kid-friendly programs, hands-on activities, and opportunities for families to discover art together.
This immersive museum brings the spirit of National Geographic to life through interactive technology, iconic photography, artifacts, and experiences inspired by exploration around the world. Across more than 100,000 square feet, visitors of all ages can discover wildlife, geography, science, storytelling, and the work of National Geographic Explorers through hands-on exhibits and larger-than-life multimedia experiences.
This Smithsonian museum shares the story of African American life, history, and culture through powerful artifacts, art, stories, and interactive exhibitions. Located on the National Mall, its expansive collections explore the contributions, struggles, and triumphs that have shaped the nation, offering visitors of all ages opportunities to learn, reflect, and connect with American history.
This Smithsonian museum invites visitors to explore Africa’s creativity, history, and cultural traditions through art from across the continent. Located on the National Mall, its galleries feature historic and contemporary works, rotating exhibitions, and family-friendly opportunities to discover the stories, ideas, and artistic traditions represented in its collections.
This Smithsonian museum brings the nation’s story to life through iconic artifacts, immersive exhibitions, and collections spanning politics, innovation, culture, entertainment, food, transportation, and more. Located on the National Mall, it also offers hands-on spaces for kids, including Wegmans Wonderplace for ages 0-6 and Draper Spark!Lab for ages 6-12.
This Smithsonian museum shares the histories, cultures, and contemporary experiences of Native peoples from across the Western Hemisphere through exhibitions, artifacts, photographs, media, and educational programs. Located on the National Mall, it also offers family resources, special events, performances, and opportunities to learn directly from Native perspectives and voices.
This Smithsonian museum invites visitors to explore art and culture from across Asia, from ancient works to contemporary pieces, through exhibitions, collections, and interactive experiences. Located on the National Mall, the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery together offer family activities, special events, and opportunities to discover connections between Asian art, history, culture, and the wider world.
This Smithsonian museum invites visitors to explore the natural world through fossils, gems and minerals, wildlife, human origins, oceans, and other science-focused exhibits. Located on the National Mall, it offers family-friendly galleries and hands-on opportunities that make it easy for visitors of all ages to discover more about Earth, life, and the planet’s incredible diversity.
This museum explores the history and heritage of the US Navy through artifacts, ship models, historic objects, and exhibits spanning major conflicts, naval technology, and life at sea. Located at the Washington Navy Yard, it offers visitors a closer look at the people, ships, and innovations that have shaped the Navy from its earliest days to the present.
This one-of-a-kind museum celebrates women artists through a collection spanning the 16th century to today, along with rotating exhibitions that highlight both historic and contemporary work. Visitors of all ages can discover more than 5,500 works, explore changing exhibits, and enjoy programs and events that encourage conversation, connection, and a deeper appreciation for women in the arts.
This Smithsonian museum explores America’s postal system through stamps, historic mail vehicles, and artifacts that show how mail has connected people and communities over time. Its exhibitions bring postal history to life with familiar objects, surprising stories, and family-friendly opportunities to learn how messages and packages have traveled across the country.
Also known as The Secret Door Museum, this imaginative destination invites visitors to explore 100+ themed rooms filled with art, music, sports memorabilia, history, and American pop culture. Families can hunt for 80+ secret doors, uncover hidden passages and surprises, and enjoy a hands-on experience that turns every visit into an adventure.
Planet Word brings language to life through immersive exhibits that turn reading, speaking, and wordplay into a hands-on adventure! Located in the historic Franklin School, its voice-activated galleries invite visitors to explore how communication works and discover its creativity, fun, and power.
This historic destination invites visitors to explore the place where Abraham Lincoln, the nation’s 16th President, developed the Emancipation Proclamation and made some of his most consequential decisions. Set on a historic 250-acre campus, the museum offers interactive tours and exhibits that explore Lincoln’s legacy while encouraging thoughtful conversations about freedom, justice, and civic responsibility.
This iconic memorial honors Thomas Jefferson, the nation’s third President and primary author of the Declaration of Independence. Set along the Tidal Basin near the National Mall and other well-known landmarks, its classical design, bronze statue, and surrounding landscape invite visitors to explore Jefferson’s life, ideas, and lasting impact on American history.
This historic Georgetown estate invites visitors to explore more than two centuries of American history through a landmark home, thousands of historic objects, and 5½ acres of gardens and grounds. Once home to six generations of Martha Washington’s descendants, Tudor Place shares the Peter family’s story, as well as the stories of the enslaved and free people who lived and worked there.
This living plant museum invites visitors to explore gardens and conservatory spaces filled with plants from around the world. Near the US Capitol, its tropical displays, seasonal exhibits, outdoor gardens, and family-friendly learning opportunities make it an engaging place to discover plant life, ecosystems, and the importance of conservation.
This powerful museum examines the history of the Holocaust through artifacts, photographs, personal stories, and immersive exhibitions that document the experiences of victims, survivors, witnesses, and perpetrators. Its galleries encourage visitors to learn about the consequences of hatred and antisemitism while reflecting on individual choices, human dignity, and the importance of remembering history.
Rising above the National Mall, this iconic marble obelisk honors George Washington, the nation’s first President and a central figure in the founding of the United States. Standing 555 feet tall, the monument defines Washington, DC’s skyline and sits near many of the capital’s best-known memorials, museums, and landmarks.
This soaring Gothic cathedral invites visitors to explore remarkable architecture, stained glass, stone carvings, chapels, and hidden details throughout its grand interior. Families can discover highlights like the Space Window, gargoyles, exhibits, gardens, and scenic grounds, with self-guided and themed tours offering even more ways to explore.
Located at the Earth and Space Science Laboratory, the Ausherman Planetarium’s 35-foot dome is built to amaze and educate stargazers of all ages! Its Chronos Hybrid system models the night sky and also displays 360-degree movies.
A Smithsonian affiliate on a site regarded as the birthplace of the American railroad, the B&O Railroad Museum houses our country’s oldest and most historic railroad collection! Explore full-size locomotives and train cars inside, see model replicas and historic artifacts, and ride along the first commercial mile of railroad track laid in America.
Owned and operated by Howard County Recreation & Parks, Ellicott City Station is America’s oldest surviving railroad station and the original terminus of the country’s first 13 miles of commercial railroad. Highlights include a 40-foot model train layout of that original route from Baltimore to Ellicott Mills, a replica of the first horse-drawn passenger railcar, and a 1927 caboose.
This community planetarium invites visitors to explore the universe through full-dome presentations and programs focused on astronomy and space science. Located at CCBC Catonsville, its 10-meter dome and digital projection system bring planets, stars, and other celestial wonders to life for school groups, families, and the public.
The Brunswick Heritage Museum is like two museums in one! One floor uses recreated late Victorian rooms to tell the story of a town built by the B&O railroad and the railroad families who lived there in the early 1900s. Another floor holds a 1,700-square-foot HO-scale model railroad depicting the B&O Metropolitan Subdivision, from Brunswick’s rail yard to Union Station in Washington, DC.
The Chesapeake Children’s Museum helps kids get closer to the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland history! Live animals, a docked boat, theatrical costumes, nature trails, and Underground Railroad trails keep kids busy while they learn about the local environment.
This aviation museum brings the story of flight to life through historic aircraft, interactive exhibits, and hands-on learning experiences. Located at the world’s oldest continuously operating airport, it invites visitors of all ages to explore aviation history, see airplanes up close, and discover the people and innovations that helped shape early flight.
This NASA center gives visitors a closer look at the science and technology behind missions that study Earth, the Sun, the solar system, and the universe. Exhibits and visitor experiences highlight spacecraft, satellites, engineering, and the people behind NASA discoveries, offering an engaging introduction to space science and exploration.
This aviation museum celebrates the region’s rich aircraft-building history through restored airplanes, artifacts, photographs, and exhibits connected to Hagerstown’s role in American aviation. Visitors can get up close to historic aircraft while learning about the people, companies, and innovations that helped shape flight in the region.
This educational science center lets visitors explore astronomy, earth science, biology, and other STEM topics through interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, and specialized learning spaces. Its planetarium, observatory, and science programs bring complex ideas to life through engaging experiences for students and families.
Dedicated to the Mind of a Maker, KID Museum sits on the plaza level above the Bethesda Metro Station. The 28,000-square-foot space serves creators ages 4-14 with hands-on coding, robotics, and engineering design experiences, plus programs that foster community and connection.
The Maryland Science Center is a must-visit STEM museum packed with hands-on exploration, including permanent exhibits like Newton’s Alley, Cells: The Universe Inside Us, and Dinosaur Mysteries! Young kids get their own gated room with a Chesapeake Bay-themed water play area, and there’s even a space just for infants and toddlers under two. Don’t miss the Davis Planetarium, where you can take in the stars and sky beneath a 50-foot dome; check the upcoming events calendar for the full lineup of public opportunities.
Consistently ranked among the nation’s top three aquariums, the National Aquarium is home to more than 20,000 fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and marine mammals living in award-winning habitats! Visitor favorites include a multi-level tropical rain forest, the Australian Outback, and an Atlantic Coral Reef exhibit with sharks, eels, and hundreds of colorful tropical fish.
This transportation museum brings the history of streetcars and electric railways to life through historic trolleys, exhibits, and hands-on experiences. Visitors can explore vintage railcars, learn how streetcars helped shape communities, and enjoy rides that offer a fun glimpse into the region’s transportation past.
This fascinating museum pulls back the curtain on the secret world of codemaking, codebreaking, and intelligence through thousands of historic artifacts and interactive exhibits. Visitors can see rare encryption machines, including a German Enigma machine, and explore stories spanning America’s first spy ring, Native American code talkers, World War II, the Cold War, cybersecurity, and more.
This museum explores how Civil War medicine shaped care for wounded and sick soldiers and influenced the future of American medicine. Through artifacts, exhibits, and personal stories, visitors can learn about battlefield treatment, hospitals, nursing, surgery, and the medical challenges faced during the war.
This fascinating museum explores the history and science of medicine through exhibits featuring medical artifacts, specimens, technology, and stories of discovery and innovation. Its collections offer visitors a closer look at human anatomy, military medicine, disease, treatment, and the ways medical knowledge has evolved.
Ranking among the top children’s museums in the United States, Port Discovery offers 80,000 square feet of interactive, hands-on exhibits and activities designed for curious, active kids!
This museum explores the history and traditions of the United States Navy and the Naval Academy through ship models, artifacts, artwork, and exhibits spanning centuries of naval service. Located in Preble Hall on the Academy grounds, it offers visitors a closer look at naval leadership, life at sea, and the people and events that have shaped the Navy’s story.
This community planetarium invites visitors to explore astronomy and space science through immersive programs beneath its domed theater. Presentations bring stars, planets, constellations, and other celestial topics to life, offering an engaging way for families, students, and curious visitors to learn more about the night sky.
Disclaimer: Event details are curated from public sources and subject to change. Verify all information via the provided links before attending.
This opportunity is over; visit our calendar for up-to-date fun!
Get ready to tinker the day away!
Tinkerfest takes over the National Children’s Museum on October 4, 2026 — a one-day celebration of curiosity, creativity, and hands-on STEAM learning for all ages!
Partner organizations from across the region join the fun for a day packed with activities, not only inside the Museum, but outside on Woodrow Wilson Plaza, too.
Partner Activations on Woodrow Wilson Plaza
Free & open to the public! Tinkerers from a dozen partner organizations take over the plaza with live demonstrations, showcases, and hands-on activities all day long.
Technology Take-Apart
Peek inside everyday tech by taking apart old, broken devices with simple tools — a crowd favorite for curious kids!
Large-Scale Printmaking
Press, roll, and stomp everyday objects across large sheets of fabric to create designs, and leave your mark on a final exhibit installation with NCM’s Tinkerer-in-Residence.
Tinkering with Textiles
Design a custom quilt block with precut felt shapes while exploring shapes, patterns, and patchwork basics.
Zoetrope Pop-Up
Draw a sequence of images on paper strips, then watch your story move inside a zoetrope — stop-motion animation at its simplest!
Chain Reaction Challenge
Line up blocks, ramps, and balls, then tinker with timing, spacing, and placement to trigger the perfect chain reaction.
STEAM Storytime
Listen to Boxitects by Kim Smith, then become a Boxitect yourself and team up to build a collaborative structure from large cardboard pieces.
Balance Pop-Up
Tinker with wire sculptures and discover what it takes to keep everything steady.
Bike Spirographs
Turn real bicycle gears into oversized spirograph cogs and create bold geometric patterns — seriously cool!
Outdoor programming on Woodrow Wilson Plaza is free and open to the public, while indoor activities require Museum admission.
Can’t make it on October 4? Stop by the Tinkerfest Preview on October 3 for a sneak peek of indoor pop-ups!
Spooky season has arrived at Upton Hill! Enjoy frights and fun on select evenings from October 21-November 1, 2026.
This event transforms some of the park’s signature attractions into family-friendly haunted Halloween experiences, including Climb Upton (a 3-level, 90-element vertical ropes course featuring zip lines, a free fall, and more) and Upton Hill Mini Golf (18 holes of fun to perfect your short-game skills)!
Bring the crew for haunted adventures, pumpkin contests, cotton candy, and games for all ages. With special themed activities each night, every visit brings something new to discover. Costumes are encouraged, and Halloween spirit is a must!
Separate tickets are required for Mini Golf and Climb Upton.
Spooky season brings out the creepy crawlies at Claude Moore Park! Grab a scavenger hunt flyer from the Visitor Center foyer any day from October 1-30, 2026, then head out on the White Trail to find them. Answer the questionnaire at the end for a spooky treat (available for pickup Mon-Fri). Free!
Pumpkins have overrun Hanson Park! Little ones are invited to stop by the Nature Center daily (except Sundays) from October 3-November 4, 2026, to pick up a scavenger hunt sheet and find all the pumpkins and ghouls in Hanson Park!
Oct 10, 2026 Spook & Swim
Claude Moore Rec & Comm Ctr ∙ Sterling, VA
Swim with skeletons, dive for ghosts, and collect pumpkins from a floating patch on October 10, 2026! This spooky splash at the Claude Moore Recreation and Community Center is fun for the whole family. Fee-based; pre-registration required.
Grab your magic wand and fairy dust! On October 16, 2026, kids ages 3 and up transform a small pumpkin into an enchanted fairy home using natural materials and craft supplies. Fee-based (accompanying adult req’d & free); pre-registration required.
Not all spiders are scary! On October 17, 2026, kids ages 4-12 learn how spiders build webs and help our planet, then make a special Halloween oobleck to take home. Fee-based; pre-registration required.
Oct 17, 2026 Truck-or-Treat
Claude Moore Park ∙ Sterling, VA
Come in costume and climb aboard trucks, tractors, wagons, and more on October 17, 2026! Families can also tackle the maze, play spooky games, brave the haunted house, and stop by the candy stations. Fee-based (2 & under free); pre-registration required for all ages.
Oct 17, 2026 Pumpkin Palooza
Ashburn Rec & Comm Ctr ∙ Ashburn, VA
Carve out some time for fall fun on October 17, 2026! Kids ages 3-12 can come dressed up for Trunk-or-Treat, enjoy festive games and crafts, and pick their own pumpkin from the Ashburn Recreation and Community Center pumpkin patch. Fee-based (2 & under free); pre-registration required for all ages.
Spirits, scares, and magical beasts come out to play on October 17, 2026! Brave souls enter the haunted trail in timed groups, first-come, first-served, and those who make it back receive a free treat bag. Recommended for ages 10 and older; children under 16 must be with an adult. Free; pre-registration required.
Stop by the Loudoun Valley Community Center anytime on October 19, 2026, to pick up a Halloween scavenger hunt booklet, then search the grounds for hidden spooky surprises. Collect a stamp at each station and return the completed booklet to claim a prize! Costumes welcome, and all ages invited. Free!
Oct 22, 2026 Monster Mash
Loudoun Valley Comm Ctr ∙ Purcellville, VA
Dance to spooky tunes, decorate pumpkins, make Halloween crafts, and burn off extra energy in the moon bounce on October 22, 2026. There’s plenty of candy and a photo booth too, so wear your best costume! Fee-based; pre-registration required.
Strikes, putts, and treats! On October 23, 2026, families and little ones aged 5 and up can enjoy spooky-themed bowling, haunted mini golf, Halloween music, glowing decorations, games, and fun characters. Costumes encouraged! Fee-based; pre-registration required.
Oct 24, 2026 Pumpkin Swim
Dulles South Rec & Comm Ctr ∙ South Riding, VA
Swimmers ages 3 and up can splash through Halloween-themed games and collect pumpkins from a floating patch at the Dulles South Recreation and Community Center on October 24, 2026. Fee-based; pre-registration required.
Pumpkins, ghosts, and Mothman, oh my! Runners of all ages are encouraged to tackle this multi-terrain 3K in costume on October 24, 2026. Fee-based; pre-registration required (register by October 1, 2026, to guarantee a shirt in your size).
Oct 24, 2026 Trunk-or-Treat
Lovettsville Comm Ctr ∙ Lovettsville, VA
Trick-or-treaters can just show up on October 24, 2026, rain or shine! Only those handing out candy from a decorated vehicle need to register. Free.
Ghosts and goblins of all ages are invited to walk the trail at Lovettsville Community Park on October 24, 2026, as sunset turns the pathway into a not-so-spooky spectacular. Free!
Trick-or-treat by wagon! This annual Philomont tradition takes costumed families on a hayride around town on October 24, 2026, with light refreshments available. Fee-based (2 & under are free); pre-registration required. All kids must be with an adult.
Oct 28, 2026 Halloween Fun
Lovettsville Comm Ctr ∙ Lovettsville, VA
Preschoolers ages 3-5 can make a Halloween craft, play fun games, and eat lunch with friends on October 28, 2026. Fee-based; pre-registration required.
Did you know Banshee Reeks translates from Gaelic to “spirit” and “hills and dales”? Families with kids ages 5 and up can learn how Loudoun’s only nature preserve got its haunted name on an easy 1-2 mile dusk hike on October 29, 2026. Listen for shrieking foxes and screeching barn owls as darkness falls, then stay for a spooky campfire, weather permitting. Fee-based; pre-registration required.
Preschoolers ages 3-5 celebrate all things pumpkin with decorating, sensory bins, crafts, games, music, and story time on October 30, 2026. A tasty fall treat is included. Fee-based; pre-registration required.
Follow a lit trail and collect treats along the way on October 30, 2026! Families in costume (encouraged, not req’d) can check out giant Halloween inflatables, navigate a not-so-scary maze, and visit with Frankenstein. Free!
Candy, crafts, games, and a costume party! Kids ages 2-10 and their grown-ups can join the fun on October 30 or 31, 2026. Fee-based; pre-registration required.
On October 30 & 31, 2026, thrill-seekers ages 11 & up are invited to an evening of haunted attractions, creepy fun, and themed activities! Dare to enter the haunted maze and see if you can survive the night! Fee-based; pre-registration required.
Everyone’s favorite Heelers host a Halloween adventure on October 31, 2026! Breakfast snacks, fruit, coffee, and juice are provided, plus games, a craft table, and photo ops with Bluey and Bingo (bring your phone). Fee-based; pre-registration required for everyone ages 2 & up.
Get ready for a not-so-scary Halloween celebration perfect for toddlers and preschoolers ages 1-5! On October 31, 2026, little ones in costume (encouraged, not req’d) will enjoy festive crafts, pumpkin games, music, dancing, sensory play, and silly spooky activities. Fee-based; pre-registration required.
Disclaimer: Event details are curated from public sources and subject to change. Verify all information via the provided links before attending.
On October 25, 2026, the Del Ray neighborhood comes alive for the Del Ray Halloween Parade’s 30th year! Named one of the 10 best Halloween parades in the country by USA Today, this hometown favorite is a can’t-miss tradition.
Starting on Mount Vernon Avenue at E. Bellefonte Avenue, the parade invites kids, pets, and decorated strollers to march and show off their costumes — from dramatic and spooky to just plain cute!
The parade ends with live music and an award presentation at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center field.
This opportunity is over; visit our calendar for up-to-date fun!
Fairfax City’s Old Town Square comes alive with culture, music, and flavor on October 3, 2026!
Highlighting the vibrant contributions and experiences of the city’s Hispanic, Latino, and Latinx community, Fiesta Fairfax is a free community celebration.
Enjoy a full lineup of folklore dance performances and live music from across Latin America — including Mariachi Los Charros, Fairfax Flamenco Collective, Alma Boliviana, Sol Y Rumba, and more. Come hungry, too — Latin food vendors from across the DMV bring authentic flavors from throughout the region.
Artisans will also sell their creations, and area nonprofit organizations will share information about services and opportunities. Admission is free.
