By Patricia Hall, FairfaxFamilyFun.com It's Northern Virginia's largest community festival, and with good reason: with 25 acres packed with fun including dozens of concerts (including major headliners) and other live entertainment, carnival rides, activities for children, and nightly fireworks, Celebrate Fairfax! packs much fun into three days. The 35th annual Celebrate Fairfax Festival, June 10-12, takes place on the grounds of the Fairfax Continue Reading...
Kick off summer at the Wolf Trap Summer Blast-off
By Patricia Hall, FairfaxFamilyFun.com Summer is almost here, and that means many of us will be enjoying fun concerts and other shows at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts in Vienna. On Sunday, May 29, 2016, you can kick off summer at Wolf Trap's annual Summer Blast-off, a FREE community event that includes music and fireworks! The annual tradition takes place every Sunday before Memorial Day. Since the following Monday is a Continue Reading...
BioBlitz events in Northern Virginia and DC
By Patricia Hall, FairfaxFamilyFun.com Kids are "natural scientists," so here is something that is perfect for them -- and really, for anyone of any age with a curiosity about our natural world: the BioBlitz coming up this weekend, May 20-21, 2016. At a BioBlitz, you team up with volunteer scientists and educators along with other members of your community to try to identify as many species of plants, animals, and organisms in one place as Continue Reading...
Celebrate Kids to Parks Day May 21 and win a prize!
By Patricia Hall, FairfaxFamilyFun.com As we all know, every day is a great day to take kids to a park, but one time each year, the National Park Trust brings attention to the importance of outdoor time with "Kids to Park Day." This year, Kids to Parks Day is on Saturday, May 21, 2016. This sixth annual celebration promises to be bigger than ever, as the National Park Trust is celebrating the centennial of the National Park Service and the Continue Reading...
2016 Reenactments and Major Living History Events
By Patricia Hall, FairfaxFamilyFun.com Just about everywhere you go in Virginia, you will find reminders of battles, mostly from the Civil War. Historical markers, battlefields, and commemorative events abound, and it’s no wonder: with more than 2,000 "military events" recorded in Virginia during the Civil War, the commonwealth, in all its regions, is rich in military history. These markers, sites, and occasions make Virginia a great place Continue Reading...
Walker Nature Center hosts Spring Festival
Celebrate nature! That's what the Walker Nature Center will help you do at its annual Spring Festival on May 7, 2016, a free community event with fun for all ages. The festival will have indoor and outdoor exhibits from multiple organizations, plus entertainment, craft-making for kids and native plants for sale. Guests also can enjoy the trails, fishing, or canoe or kayak rentals at Lake Audubon for $3. This event, from 1 pm to 5 pm, is a Continue Reading...
Kid Junction to host all-day anniversary celebration
Guess who's turning three? No, not one of our kids. But three-year-olds -- and kids younger and older -- are all invited to celebrate when Kid Junction hosts a party for its third anniversary! This fun indoor playground in Chantilly has been serving fun for young children, who come for the variety of options: tot play areas, big indoor climbing structures, pretend-play rooms in a Kid Village, a nice cafe, arcade games, and more. Kid Junction is Continue Reading...
Unique, fun runs and races in the NOVA and DC area
By Patricia Hall, FairfaxFamilyFun.com Running is great for fitness, but who says it has to be "all business?" Maybe you're a serious marathoner focused on getting your next personal record or winning an elite race. If so, this post is not for you! But if you're looking for some just-for-fun races, you're in luck! The Northern Virginia area and the metropolitan Washington, DC, region are home to many non-competitive, lighthearted, unique runs Continue Reading...
Finding famly fun at Busch Gardens Christmas Town
By Patricia Hall, FairfaxFamilyFun.com It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here, but at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, the season has been shinning bright since Nov. 21! At the annual Christmas Town™ festival, now through Dec. 31, 2014, "the world's most beautiful theme park" becomes even more spectacular with sparkling lights, spectacular shows, and fun seasonal extras. We recently made our first visit to Christmas Town and can Continue Reading...
Family-friendly holiday fun at National Harbor!
UPDATE: PLEASE NOTE THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM IS NO LONGER AT NATIONAL HARBOR By Patricia Hall, FairfaxFamilyFun.com With so much to do, you'll never run out of ideas for family fun in Fairfax County (the focus of this site). But we love our neighbors just as much and increasingly find that some areas are easier to get to than you'd imagine. One such place is National Harbor in Maryland. With dozens of restaurants (from elegant to casual) and Continue Reading...