Oct 3, 2026
Big Dig Touch-a-Truck
Ashburn, VA
It’s big fun for a big cause! The Big Dig invites kids to climb into the driver’s seat and operate real heavy machinery — excavators, scissor lifts, and more. This special you-touch event benefits local children and families affected by pediatric cancer.
Oct 3, 2026
Manassas Fall Jubilee
Manassas, VA
Fall is in full swing in Old Town Manassas! The Fall Jubilee brings 100+ craft and community booths, two stages of live entertainment, food trucks, and a dedicated kids’ zone to the heart of the city.
Oct 3, 2026
Vienna Oktoberfest
Vienna, VA
Steins up! Historic downtown Vienna goes full Oktoberfest with three live music stages, a global food court, and a craft beer and wine garden. The free Kids Zone keeps little ones busy with hands-on activities and fun. Ein, zwei, drei — don’t miss it!
Oct 3, 2026
Fiesta Fairfax
Old Town Square ∙ Fairfax, VA
Old Town Square comes alive with culture, music, and flavor at this free celebration of Fairfax’s Hispanic, Latino, and Latinx community! Enjoy folklore dance performances and live music, authentic Latin food vendors, local artisans, and more.
September is going out with a bang! From Oktoberfest celebrations to airshows, big trucks, and a wizarding weekend, the last weekend of the month is packed with family fun:
Sept 24-27, 2026
Just Between Friends PWC
NOVA Sportsplex ∙ Manassas, VA
Families can score 50-90% off retail prices at the Just Between Friends PWC Consignment Event, where racks of kids’ clothing sit alongside shoes, toys, books, baby gear, furniture, and more!
Sept 26, 2026
Two Towns Bike Rodeo
Vienna, VA
The Herndon and Vienna Police Departments team up for the Two Towns Bike Rodeo, a free morning on the W&OD Trail all about bike and e-bike safety. Kids can bring their bikes to tackle a cone course, get helmet fittings, learn the rules of the road, and meet officers and community partners!
Sept 26, 2026
Bug Fest
Springfield, VA
Creepy-crawly fun takes over Lake Accotink Park at Bug Fest, a celebration of insects and why they matter to the ecosystem. Insect safari hikes, live bug meet-and-greets, crafts, storybook readings, a buggy maze, and a spiderweb slackline course keep little explorers busy!
Sept 26, 2026
Harvest Happenings
McLean, VA
The McLean Community Center hosts Harvest Happenings, an indoor-outdoor fall festival with live entertainment, a petting zoo, crafts, and games. Kids can pick the perfect pumpkin from the patch and decorate it on-site for a picture-perfect gourd to take home. Admission is free!
Sept 26, 2026
Leesburg Airshow
Leesburg, VA
All eyes are on the skies for the Leesburg Airshow, where stunt pilots roll, loop, and dive overhead and skydivers drop in throughout the day (see the lineup). Antique and modern aircraft on display, autographs from the pros, inflatable slides, face painting, and festival food round out the day. Admission is free!
Sept 26, 2026
Lovettsville Oktoberfest
Lovettsville, VA
One of Loudoun County’s signature festivals, Lovettsville Oktoberfest turns this little Virginia town into a slice of Munich! German-style food, live bands, more than 50 craft vendors, and all-day competitions like Stein Hauling and the famous Wiener Dog Races fill the day, while Kinderfest keeps kids busy with activities of their own.
Sept 26, 2026
Tons-of-Trucks
Alexandria, VA
Little ones can climb aboard police cars, snow plows, fire trucks, and DASH buses at the City of Alexandria’s 10th annual Tons-of-Trucks, then meet the staff who build, maintain, serve, and protect the community. The Mobile Art Lab, giveaways, music, and food trucks keep the fun rolling!
Sept 26-27, 2026
Mosaic Fall Festival
Mosaic District ∙ Fairfax, VA
The Mosaic Fall Festival returns with a weekend of family-friendly fun! More than 90 handmade and vintage vendors set up shop alongside fresh produce and tasty snacks, with live music and family activities around every corner.
Sept 26-27, 2026
Burke Centre Festival
Burke, VA
The Burke Centre Festival packs one big weekend with an arts & crafts show, live entertainment, and community booths. Kids will love the amusement and pony rides, midway games, face painting, and clown, puppet, and magic shows, while grown-ups can visit the wine & beer garden featuring Cave Ridge Vineyards and Bunnyman Brewing. Admission is free!
Sept 26-27, 2026
Occoquan Fall Arts & Crafts Show
Occoquan, VA
Historic Occoquan’s streets fill with hundreds of artisans and makers for the Occoquan Fall Arts & Crafts Show, complete with live demonstrations and a chance to meet the creators. Families will love the crafts and performances in Imagination Alley, plus the brand-new Art Park and its immersive art experiences. Admission is free!
Sept 26-27, 2026
Queen City Mischief & Magic ∙ A Harry Potter-Themed Festival
Staunton, VA
Downtown Staunton becomes an immersive wizarding village for Queen City Mischief & Magic, a fan-powered celebration that draws thousands each year. Costumed characters, Quidditch matches, House Sorting, live owls, wand-dueling workshops, potion-making, and a Polyjuice Parade fill the weekend. It’s an epic day trip to the Shenandoah Valley, and charming enough to make a weekend of it!
Sept 27, 2026
The Great Zucchini & Abracadabra Alex Live Show
Arlington, VA
Two of the DMV’s favorite children’s entertainers share the stage for The Great Zucchini & Abracadabra Alex Live Show. Expect giggles, belly laughs, and a whole lot of magic!
Sept 27, 2026
NatureFest
Runnymede Park ∙ Herndon, VA
The animals, plants, and insects that call Runnymede Park home take center stage at NatureFest, a hands-on nature festival in the heart of Herndon. Families can explore educational exhibits, play Bird Bingo and the Web of Life Game, and go for gold in the Nature Olympics. Admission is free!
September weekends don’t get much busier than this!
From big festivals and cultural experiences to high-flying thrills, creative fun, and plenty more, family calendars will be packed:
Sept 18, 2026
Opening Day! Venardos Circus
Loudoun Station ∙ Ashburn, VA
The American circus gets a Broadway makeover from a former Ringling Bros. ringmaster, mixing daring aerial acts and trampoline stunts with comedy and heart. The Venardos Circus pitches its tent at Loudoun Station September 18-October 4, 2026, and opening day kicks it all off!
Sept 19, 2026
Fall Festival @ Claude Moore Park
Sterling, VA
Paint pumpkins, catch live music, and browse handmade crafts from local makers and artists at Claude Moore Park’s Fall Festival, set alongside Frogshackle Pond. Admission is free!
Sept 19, 2026
Falls Church Festival
Falls Church, VA
The Falls Church Festival turns 50 with restaurant tastings, a beer garden, live entertainment, and a kids’ stage packed with magic, science shows, and Rocknoceros. Little ones will love the inflatables and pony rides, and the Big 50 Scavenger Hunt is a must. Admission is free!
Sept 19, 2026
National Gymnastics Day Open House
Chantilly, VA
Flip into fall at Gym America’s National Gymnastics Day Open House, where open gym and demo classes fill the 14,500-square-foot facility. Moon bounces, a balloon artist, and arts & crafts round out the morning, and it’s a great chance for families to meet the coaches and find the perfect class!
Sept 19, 2026
Reston Multicultural Festival
Reston Town Center ∙ Reston, VA
The Reston Multicultural Festival brings three stages of live music, global food, arts & crafts, and family activities to Reston Town Center, drawing more than 12,000 people. Guests are encouraged to wear clothing representing their cultural roots, and admission is free!
Sept 19, 2026
Celtic Festival
Arlington, VA
Slainte! Campbell Avenue closes down for the Celtic Festival, a festive afternoon of traditional Irish music and dance, food and drinks, and a pop-up makers market at Samuel Beckett’s Irish Pub. Sip and stroll your way through the Village and soak up the Celtic spirit!
Sept 19, 2026
Old Town Alexandria Oktoberfest
John Carlyle Square ∙ Alexandria, VA
Dust off the lederhosen! The Old Town Alexandria Oktoberfest brings the spirit of Bavaria to John Carlyle Square with bratwurst, pretzels, strudels, live German music, traditional dance performances, and handmade arts & crafts vendors. There’s a lively beer garden for adults 21 & over, plus fun competitions, too. Admission is free!
Sept 19-20, 2026
Bluemont Fair
Bluemont, VA
A 200-year-old Blue Ridge village transforms into an old-fashioned country fair for the Bluemont Fair, with juried crafters, three stages of Americana and bluegrass, a petting zoo, model trains, a real caboose, and a Pickle & Pie Contest. Kids 9 & under get in free!
Sept 19-20, 2026
Colonial Market & Fair
Mount Vernon, VA
Step into the 18th century at George Washington’s Mount Vernon’s Colonial Market & Fair for handcrafted ceramics, textiles, glasswork, and fresh-baked bread from artisans across the nation. Colonial-era games, live music, and a Punch and Judy puppet show round out the weekend, and General Washington himself makes an appearance!
Sept 19-20, 2026
Hot Air Balloon Fest & Airshow
Flying Circus Aerodrome ∙ Bealeton, VA
The biggest weekend of the year at Flying Circus is here, and the Hot Air Balloon Fest & Airshow packs in morning and evening balloon launches with afternoon airshows in between. Tethered and free-flight balloon rides, plus open-cockpit biplane rides, are available weather permitting (find updates). Arrive early for this popular event!
Sept 19-20, 2026
Celebration of the Arts
Capital One Center ∙ Tysons, VA
Tysons goes all-in on the arts for the Celebration of the Arts, an outdoor, multi-block festival spread across the 35-acre Capital One Center campus. Art workshops, a local artisan market, live music, a Battle of the Artists competition, and a pop-up Art Bark for dogs fill the weekend. Admission is free, but registration is appreciated!
Sept 19-20, 2026
Monster Truck Wars
PWC Fairgrounds ∙ Manassas, VA
Monster Truck Wars rolls into the PWC Fairgrounds for three giant shows, with national TV monsters like Shark Attack, T-Rex, Outlaw, and the debuting Locomotive tearing up the track. Add Quad Wars racing and hilarious children’s Power Wheels Races to the mix — arrive early, because general admission fills up fast!
Disclaimer: Event details are curated from public sources and subject to change. Verify all information via the provided links before attending.