Step into the driver’s seat at the Virginia Touch-a-Truck, sponsored by Joshua’s Hands, on May 9, 2026!
Held at Stone Springs Hospital Center, this annual outdoor opportunity is perfect for little ones looking to get behind the wheel of all their favorite vehicles. Climb aboard a cement mixer, big rig, fire engine, school bus, utility vehicles, and more.
There will be kid-friendly food vendors on-site and a special horn-free hour from 10-11 am for children with special needs or sensitive ears.
Admission is $5 per person and free for little ones 12 months old and younger. Plus, the first 300 children with paid admission will receive a free die-cast vehicle!
For over 50 years, the National Archives on Constitution Ave has celebrated America’s birthday in one of the most meaningful ways imaginable. Their annual celebration returns on July 4, 2026!
The highlight of the day is the iconic reading of the Declaration of Independence — the very document housed inside the Archives — performed on the museum steps by historical reenactors. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that brings the founding of the United States to life in a truly memorable way.
Beyond the reading ceremony, the day features family-friendly activities, hands-on fun, and the chance to explore the museum and see the original Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights up close. All activities are free and open to the public — and if you can’t make it in person, the Declaration reading will be live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube.
This opportunity is over; visit our calendar for up-to-date fun!
The arts come alive at Reston Town Center, from May 16-17, 2026, at Tephra ICA’s annual Arts Festival!
Now in its 35th year, this community event features more than 200 contemporary artists from across the country. As a competitive, juried event, it’s consistently rated among the best outdoor art festivals in the country.
Explore artist booths, participate in a free art project, catch live demonstrations (like glass-blowing), and get excited for live entertainment and performances.
Admission is free, plus find no-charge garage parking Fridays after 5 pm and all day Saturday-Sunday (learn more).
Whether it’s summer, spring break, or a school holiday, iCode Ashburn offers camps that keep kids learning, creating, and having fun! Each program goes beyond its core theme, blending technology, creativity, and real-world skills!
Every iCode Ashburn summer camp begins with Digital Citizenship, helping kids stay safe and responsible online through engaging daily activities. Plus, with Personal Project Lab time, campers will bring ideas to life with support from instructors and AI tools. Throughout the week, they also build skills like teamwork, communication, and critical thinking — gaining confidence as they collaborate and solve problems!
Budding STEM kids and coders, ages 7-18, are invited to grow their skills with iCode Ashburn this summer:
Minecraft
Select Weeks, June 22-Aug 7, 2026 Minecraft: Cyber Defenders
Ages 7-10
This 5-day camp uses Minecraft: Education Edition to introduce students to cybersecurity, moving from digital citizenship basics to more advanced concepts. Campers learn key safety skills like spotting phishing scams and creating strong passwords, then explore hands-on activities such as building networks and understanding data encryption. By the end of the week, they are introduced to topics like social engineering, malware, and ransomware, gaining a well-rounded introduction to cybersecurity.
June 29-July 3, 2026 Minecraft: Modding Adventure
Ages 6-10
Campers learn how to create mods (modifications) for one of their favorite games, Minecraft. Through the process, they build creative computer skills that extend beyond gaming and into real-world applications.
July 13-17 & Aug 10-14, 2026 Minecraft Survival: The Building Blocks of Coding
Ages 10-14
Students learn conditionals, functions, coordinates, and more through block-based coding and JavaScript. They design an original, creative project, programming four tools for a survival backpack to use in a Minecraft world.
July 20-24, 2026 Minecraft Redstone: Escape Room Adventure
Ages 7-14
This hands-on camp introduces students to engineering through Minecraft Redstone. They learn the basics of circuits, power systems, and automation while building projects ranging from simple systems to more intricate machines.
Roblox
June 22-26, 2026 Roblox: Code the Spooky Adventure
Ages 7-10
Students explore the eerie side of game design by building a spooky adventure in Roblox Studio. They learn to create immersive haunted maps with details like fog, flickering lights, and sound, using beginner-friendly coding to add interactive elements like puzzles and jump scares. By the end of the week, each student creates a multi-level horror experience filled with atmosphere and creativity.
July 6-10, 2026 Roblox Design Intro: Capture the Flag
Ages 7-13
Campers dive into game development using Roblox Studio, building foundational skills in game design, 3D modeling, and scripting. Throughout the week, they create interactive environments that culminate in a “Capture the Flag” multiplayer experience.
Select Weeks, July 13-Aug 14, 2026 Roblox Editor: Create & Code Your Own World
Ages 7-13
This camp takes students on a fun Roblox journey, where they learn to create games, program with Lua, and explore how to monetize their work. Along the way, they build the skills and confidence to become creators.
Fortnite
July 27-31, 2026 Fortnite Designer: Game Development with UEFN
Ages 11-16
Students move from player to creator as they learn the fundamentals of UEFN, Epic Games’ tool for building games and experiences in Fortnite. They design and develop their own projects, import assets, add gameplay mechanics, collaborate with others, and learn how to publish their creations.
Python
June 29-July 3 & Aug 3-7, 2026 Top Gun Drone Mission: Python Flight Academy
Ages 7-15
Campers work with iCode’s Programmer Pack, using a range of devices to apply Python programming to drone flight and control. In this Top Gun-inspired experience, they take on the role of flight academy students, building skills in programming drone flight, digital logic, music, drone photography, digital art, and data visualization. The camp wraps up with a final project mapping a 3D area using drones and advanced programming, while encouraging teamwork, creativity, and hands-on exploration throughout.
July 6-10 & Aug 10-14, 2026 Drone Code: Programming with Python 3
Ages 11-18
Campers focus on data analysis and quick decision-making as they navigate drone obstacle courses using Python 3. Along the way, they explore the relationship between software and hardware and code solutions to real-world limitations. With a strong foundation in Python, they learn to plan their course, write code, and take flight.
Gaming
July 20-24, 2026 Unreal Designer: 3D Game Development with UE5
Ages 11-16
Campers dive into professional game development using Unreal Engine 5, learning the fundamentals of Blueprints, level design, animation, and game mechanics while creating their own game. By the end of the camp, they complete a basic game and gain valuable skills in development, programming, and design, making it a strong introduction for those ready to move from players to creators.
Aug 3-7, 2026 Jr. Programmer: Intro to 2D Game Development with Scratch
Ages 11-15
Campers learn to create games and advanced applications using the Scratch programming language, integrating functions, custom code blocks, and physical components into their projects. Along the way, they build skills in flowcharting and basic electrical engineering while developing games inspired by titles like Flappy Bird, Pac-Man, and other platformers.
3D Modeling & Engineering
July 20-24, 2026 3D Modeling with Blender
Ages 7-14
Students explore 3D design and animation, learning to navigate Blender’s workspace while building and shaping models, applying colors and materials, and adding lighting, cameras, and basic animation. Throughout the week, hands-on practice and creative challenges build their skills, culminating in a final project in which each student designs and presents a unique 3D creation — from characters and vehicles to imaginative original designs.
Aug 10-14, 2026 To Infinity & Beyond: Engineering Journey Through Space
Ages 7-13
By exploring space, scientists and engineers have answered fundamental questions that connect back to Earth. In this camp, students build problem-solving skills through hands-on activities like simulating galaxy formation with slime, building a Mars rover, and designing a new type of spacecraft in 3D.
Shark Tank
June 22-26 & July 13-17, 2026 Shark Tank: Create & Pitch Your Own Product
Ages 7-14
Campers think like creative entrepreneurs as they explore how to stand out with innovative solutions to real-world problems. Using tools like Adobe XD, they bring ideas to life while building startup concepts, creating websites, and developing marketing plans. By week’s end, teams pitch their projects to a panel, gaining experience in presenting and refining their ideas.
VEX Battle of the Bots
June 22-26 & July 27-31, 2026 VEX Battle of the Bots: Tournament of Champions
Ages 7-13
Battle of the Bots gives campers a fun, hands-on way to explore programming, sensors, gears, and mechanics while learning the basics of mechanical engineering. Working in teams, they build robotic systems and compete in challenges such as sumo wrestling, tug-of-war, and head-to-head battles, all leading up to a final showdown to determine who can create the ultimate battle bot.
Website Coding & Design
June 29-July 3 & July 6-10, 2026 Web Developer: Website Coding & Design
Ages 11-18
Campers develop a fully functional website using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Bootstrap while learning research, design thinking, and visual prototyping.
YouTube Production
YouTube Creator: Learn Production Basics
YouTube has become a leading platform for creators to produce content that reaches millions. This camp helps future content creators build the skills needed to stand out, from using digital cameras to editing audio and video. Campers also learn how to produce content that is both unique and engaging for their audience.
July 20-24, 2026 AI-Powered Robotics Lab
Ages 10-17
This camp introduces students to artificial intelligence through hands-on robotics. Using the VEX IQ AI Vision Sensor, they learn to train a robot to “see” and identify objects, applying these skills to complete challenges and tasks. Students also explore AI language models like Gemini as coding assistants to help generate and troubleshoot block-based programs. The experience culminates in an AI Grand Challenge, where they build and program a robot to solve a complex, custom-designed problem.
Lake Fairfax Park is going bigger than ever for America’s 250th birthday!
On June 28, 2026, the Lake Fairfax 250th Independence Day Celebration arrives with a first-of-its-kind drone light show. See hundreds of synchronized lights illuminate the night sky with bold imagery honoring Fairfax County and American independence.
It’s a sensory-friendly, environmentally friendly, and pet-friendly alternative to traditional fireworks — and a genuinely unforgettable way to mark the occasion.
Make a full day of it! Spread across 476 acres, Lake Fairfax Park is a destination all its own, with hiking and biking trails, boating, fishing, a skate park, a pump track, athletic fields, picnic areas and camping. Spend the day exploring the park before settling in for an evening of live music, family fun and the drone light show. Families can also make a splash at the Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole — a Gold Rush-themed waterpark featuring three 3-story waterslides, a 725-foot lazy river, a multi-level interactive water playground, a tot spray pad, and more (admission sold separately).
As the evening kicks off, live music from Reflex (an ’80s headliner), Sonic Boom, and School of Rock will keep the energy going, alongside food trucks, refreshing drinks, and family-friendly entertainment.
Parking passes will be available to purchase in advance (link to event listing). This is a popular event, so plan ahead and arrive early for the best experience!
This opportunity is over; visit our calendar for up-to-date fun!
The Running of the Chihuahuas returns to The Wharf on May 2, 2026 — and it’s as gloriously chaotic as ever!
This free event features over 150 Chihuahuas racing in groups of eight on a 60-foot track, with all the action captured on a giant video screen. Beyond the races, enjoy a Pacifico Beer Garden, a DJ, an adoptable pet parade with Rural Dog Rescue, an all-breed dog costume contest, and a giant inflatable Chihuahua for photo opportunities.
Only Chihuahuas may race, but all dogs — and all dog lovers — are welcome to join in the fun. Spectators need no tickets; just show up and enjoy the show! All race proceeds benefit Rural Dog Rescue, a nonprofit dedicated to pulling dogs from high-kill rural shelters.
Great Falls knows how to celebrate Independence Day! On July 4, 2026, Great Falls Village Centre comes alive for a beloved hometown tradition that’s been going strong since 1955.
The 4th of July Hometown Celebration kicks off with the Little Patriots Parade — a sweet Great Falls tradition where babies through kindergartners dress in patriotic attire and parade around the Village Green. Then, the Main Parade takes over the Village Centre loop, featuring horses, antique cars, fire trucks, local clubs and organizations, and more!
After the parades, stick around for food, kids’ inflatables, face painting, commemorative merchandise, and good old-fashioned neighborhood fun.
This opportunity is over; visit our calendar for up-to-date fun!
Celebrate Reston! returns to Lake Anne Plaza on April 18, 2026, marking 22 years of the event and Reston’s own 62nd birthday!
Formerly known as Founder’s Day, this free community gathering honors Bob Simon’s vision of Reston as a place to live, work, and play — a vision still very much alive today.
Celebrate Reston will feature live performances, a book fair featuring local authors, art walks, talks with historians, organizations, and vendors, and family-friendly activities for all ages!
This opportunity is over; visit our calendar for up-to-date fun!
Horse lovers, this one’s for you! Frying Pan Farm Park’s Horse Expo returns on April 18, 2026, bringing a full day of equestrian demonstrations, hands-on experiences, and family-friendly fun to the Equestrian Center.
This year’s standout feature is a special appearance by Freedom and Liberty — the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) wild mustang ambassador duo traveling the country as part of the BLM’s Freedom250 campaign. Catch them in the Parade of Breeds, a training and handling demonstration in the Indoor Arena, and a Q&A session, plus meet-and-greet and photo opportunities in barn one.
Beyond the featured mustangs, enjoy food trucks, interactive activities, and the beloved Friends of Frying Pan Pony Ride Experience ($10 per rider).
Admission is free; parking is $10 per vehicle (on-site payment only).
