August is here, the kids are getting ready to go back to school, and the end of summer is just around the corner! But there’s still time to squeeze in some summertime fun. The month of August is full of events like agricultural fairs, festivals, outdoor movies, live music, and more. Here’s our list of what’s happening in our area and little bit beyond!
Fairs
Fairfax County 4-H Fair and Carnival
Thursday, August 3 – Sunday, August 6
Frying Pan Farm Park
2709 West Ox Road
Herndon, VA, 20171
Get ready for the ultimate farm-fun experience at the 4-H Fair and Carnival at Frying Pan Farm Park! Join us at Frying Pan Farm Park for four action-packed days filled with delightful activities for the whole family. Witness captivating livestock displays and 4-H exhibits, indulge in mouthwatering fair food, and showcase your own creations at the fair. Experience the thrill of carnival rides and games, be entertained by live performances, and get up close with adorable farm animals. Mark your calendars now for an unforgettable adventure at the 4-H Fair and Carnival, where good old-fashioned fun meets the charm of the farm!
Montgomery County Agricultural Fair
Friday, August 11 – Saturday, August 19
501 Perry Parkway
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Founded in 1949, the Montgomery County Agricultural Center has been home to the Montgomery County Fair since its creation. Sitting on 62 acres, the Fair has more than 50 buildings that are filled with more than 5,000 animals every year. The Fair has animals, entertainment, food, commercial, home arts, arts and crafts exhibits, and many others for the whole family to enjoy.
Prince William County Fair
Friday, August 11 – Saturday, August 19
Prince William County FairGrounds
EXPO & EVENT CENTER
10624 Dumfries Road
Manassas, VA 20112
The Prince William County Fair is the largest County Fair in the state of Virginia. The annual event in Manassas includes livestock exhibits, home arts exhibits, tractor pulls, a rodeo, demolition derbies, baby contests, live music and a variety of midway shows. Games and carnival rides are provided by America’s #1 Carnival Company, Deggeller Attractions Inc. Prince William County 4-H Clubs participate in numerous activities and demonstrations. Upwards of 90,000 to 100,000 spectators are expected to pass through the turnstiles this year.
Clarke County Fair
Sunday, August 13 – Sunday, August 19
Clarke County Ruritan Fairgrounds
890 West Main Street
Berryville, VA
The Clarke County fair has been around for 68 years and doesn’t plan on slowing down any time soon. Filled with community, family legacies, animal shows, and some great barbecue chicken, our fair is one you do not want to miss!
Arlington County Fair
Wednesday, August 16 – Sunday, August 20
Thomas Jefferson Community Center
3501 Second Street
South Arlington, VA 22204
The Arlington County Fair is one of the largest free events on the East Coast and has been providing quality entertainment for over 40 years. In recent years, attendance has reached over 84,000 as people come from Arlington, Northern Virginia, and the DC Metro region to enjoy competitive exhibits, midway rides and games, entertainment, vendors, and more. Each year Thomas Jefferson Community Center is transformed into a special place with something for everyone to see. Admission is free, there is a cost for some activities.
Shenandoah County Fair
Sunday, August 27 – Saturday, September 2
Shenandoah County Fairgrounds
300 Fairground Rd
Woodstock, VA 22664
Join the Shenandoah County Fair for their annual event featuring food, rides, exhibits, livestock, games, music, and entertainment.
Food & Drink Festivals
Nomini Bay Oyster Festival
Saturday, August 5 & Sunday, August 6
11:00am – 7:00pm
Dirt Farm Brewing
18701 Foggy Bottom Road
Bluemont, VA 20135
The folks of Nomini Bay Oyster Ranch, LLC will be on the mountain all weekend serving their famous oysters! Enjoy them raw or charbroiled, with specialty options that pair perfectly with Dirt Farm beer.
Peach Fuzztival
Saturday, August 5 & Sunday, August 6
Saturday, August 12 & Sunday, August 13
Great Country Farms
34345 Snickersville Turnpike
Bluemont, VA 20135
Celebrate Peak Peach Picking Season! Come and enjoy peaches in great food and drink at this full collaboration between Bluemont Vineyard, Dirt Farm Brewing, Henway Hard Cider, and Great Country Farms, all located in Bluemont, VA.
BBQ & Bluegrass/Sunset Saturday
Saturday, August 12
11:00am – 6:00pm
Breaux Vineyards
36888 Breaux Vineyards Ln
Purcellville, VA 20132
FREE ADMISSION! Grab your banjo and your eatin’-rib bibs, it’s BBQ & Bluegrass time at Breaux! We don’t want the fun to end, so we’ll be open until 8:30 PM to bring in the sunset while we jam out to some local Virginian bluegrass.
TASTE Leesburg
Saturday, August 12
5:00pm – 10:00pm
Downtown Leesburg
Food vendors, breweries, wineries, businesses, artisans, and entertainment will fill five blocks of the historic downtown. Experience the flavor of Leesburg with over 65 booths showcasing a taste of all that the Town has to offer. Local restaurants, food trucks, and vendors will offer a variety of menu options for purchase or stop into one of the downtown restaurants for a bite to eat.
Around The World Cultural Food Festival
Saturday, August 26
11:00am – 7:00pm
Oronoco Bay Park
100 Madison St,
Alexandria, VA 22314
Enjoy delicious foods from around the world while watching a diverse folk show with singers and dancers from different countries, then take a break between meals and go shopping from the ethnic artisans and crafters participating in the festival.
Hot Air Balloon Festivals
Airshow & Hot Air Balloon Festival
Saturday, August 19 & Sunday, August 20
Flying Circus Aerodrome
5114 Ritchie Road (Route 644)
Bealeton, VA
Come early in the morning and/or stay after the airshow so you can see the splendor of many colorful balloons inflating and lifting slowly into the sky. Airplane rides will be available for purchase at the gift shop first thing and it’s SO special flying in a vintage aircraft as the balloons go up – just WOW!! Many of the balloon pilots will be giving tethered and/or chartered flights. However, the balloon rides are not sold by the Flying Circus. The arrangements for a flight must be made with the balloon pilot.
Arts & Cultural Festivals
Vietfest 2023
Saturday, August 12
10:00am – 10:00pm
Sunday, August 13
11:00am – 8:00pm
The Plaza at Tysons Corner Center
1961 Chain Bridge Rd
McLean, VA 22102
Celebrate Vietnamese culture with VietFest, a 2-day festival on the plaza at Tysons Corner Center. Attendees can look forward to food and exhibition vendors, raffle prizes, live music and entertainment, traditional dance performances, crawfish eating contest, pho eating contest, and much more!
Festival of Kites & Crafts
Saturday, August 19
11:00am – 6:00pm
Ida Lee Park Recreation Center
60 Ida Lee Drive Northwest
Leesburg, VA 20176
Enjoy a full day of flying kites, eat good food, shop and support local artisans and crafters and other small businesses, great music and entertainment from our international DJ, and lots of activities for kids.
Live Music
Take a Break Concert Series
Thursdays, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Reston Station
Reston, VA
Parking is free at ParkX with validation during these concerts. Three hours free parking. Validation only good at ParkX and not the Metro garage.
- August 3 – Scott Kurt and Memphis 59: Modern Country
- August 10 – Dominique Blanco and Friends: Vocal Jazz
- August 17 – Justin Trawick and Common Good
- August 24 – Pebble to Pearl: Funkified R&B
- August 31 – Seán Heely Celtic Trio: Magic music of Scotland AND Ireland
Chillin’ on Church
Ocho De Bastos
Friday, August 18
6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Church Street
Vienna, VA
Chillin’ on Church is the hottest block party around and fun for the whole Town! The event includes food, local beer and wine, music, and family-friendly activities. Admission is free.
Rock the Block
Sudden M Pac
Friday, August 25
6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m
Old Town Square
10415 North Street
Fairfax City, VA
Summerbration Fab Fridays
Fridays, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Reston Station
Reston, VA
Parking is free at ParkX with validation during these concerts. Three hours free parking. Validation only good at ParkX and not the Metro garage.
- August 4 – Don’t Back Down: Tom Petty Tribute Band
- August 11 – Jarreau Williams Experience: Modern R&B
- August 18 – Black Masala: World Beat Mash-Ups
- August 25 – U.S. Army Latin Jazz Ensemble: Latin Music from the best of the U.S. Army
Friday Night Live! – Herndon Rocks
Fridays, 6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
The Town Green in Herndon
777 Lynn Street
Herndon, VA
- August 4 – The Reflex
- August 11 – The Rockets
- August 18 – Screaming Mönkeys
- August 25 – Social Call
Mosaic Live!
Saturdays, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m
Mosaic
2985 District Avenu
Fairfax, VA
- August 5 – Patrick Albán and Noche Latina (Latin, Acoustic Rock)
- August 12 – Tobago Bay Calypso Band (Calypso Music)
- August 19 – Ocho de Bastos (Latin Pop)
Reston Concerts on the Town
Saturdays, 7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m
Reston Town Center Pavilion
1818 Discovery Street
Reston, VA
- August 5 – Deanna Bogart Band with special guest Magic Dick, harmonica player of the J. Geils Band (boogie-woogie/jump blues and swing)
- August 12 – Bumper Jacksons (a swingin’ take on bluegrass, folk, country)
- August 19 – Baaba Seth (worldbeat jam)
- August 26 – Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers (zydeco dance party, blues, funk)
Check out The Sounds of Summer 2023 for more concert listings!
Outdoor Movies
Films in the Park
Thursdays, 7:00pm
Strawberry Park – Mosaic District
2905 District Avenue
Fairfax, Virginia 22031
Film lovers can watch their favorite flicks on the larger-than-life outdoor screen while sitting picnic-style in Strawberry Park. Movies are presented with open captions.
- August 3: The Super Mario Bros. Movie
- August 10: Moana
- August 17: E.T.
Big Screen on the Green
Luca
Thursday, August 10
8:30pm
Vienna Town Green
Vienna, VA
Enjoy a movie under the stars at the Vienna Town Green this summer! Complimentary water and popcorn will be available while supplies last.
Movies Under the Moon
Moana
Friday, August 11
8:00pm – 10:00pm
Van Dyck Park
3720 Old Lee Highway
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Fun and free outdoor movie nights at Van Dyck Park! Please bring blankets and (low) chairs for seating.
Starlight Cinema
Saturdays
Gates open 6:00pm
Trinity Centre
5860 Trinity Pkwy
Centreville , VA
Enjoy Starlight Cinema, outdoor movie nights with your family and friends. Bring a picnic, blanket and chairs, and watch “Movies under the Stars!”
- August 5: Minions: The Rise of Gru
- August 12: Lightyear
- August 19: The Bad Guys
- August 26: DC League of Super Pets
Summerfest: Family Movie Night
Matilda
Friday, August 18
7:00pm – 9:00pm
The Plaza at Tysons Corner Center
1961 Chain Bridge Rd
McLean, VA 22102
Bring your folding chair or blanket for family-friendly outdoor movies and entertainment on The Plaza. Complimentary popcorn and sodas will be provided, while supplies last.
Summerbration at Reston Station
Wild Summer: Movies And Events Under The Stars
Saturdays, 6:30pm – 9:00pm
Reston Station Metro Plaza
1908 Reston Metro Plaza
Reston, VA 20190
- August 5 Double Feature: Fievel Goes West / The Rescuers
- August 12: The Jungle Book
- August 19: Zookeeper
- August 26: Moana
Find more outdoor movies in Summer Movies Under the Stars
And More!
BrickFair LEGO Fan Expo
Saturday, August 5
10:00am – 5:00pm
Sunday, August 6
10:00am – 4:00pm
Dulles Expo Center
4320 Chantilly Center
Chantilly, VA 20153
BrickFair is the premiere LEGO fan experience. bringing together over 1,000 LEGO exhibitors. See, touch, experience, learn, and be inspired. Great Ball Contraption. LEGO Vendors. Hands-on: Derby Race, Green Build, Bridge Build, Art Gallery, Floor Mosaic, Stay & Play, Color Corner. Chances to win: Ring Toss, Go Fish, Guesstimate, Scavenger Hunt, Bingo.
One Loudoun Carnival at Uptown
August 9 – August 20
One Loudoun Uptown
20280 Exchange Street
Ashburn VA 20147
The Carnival at Uptown returns to One Loudoun bringing with it rides, games, prizes, food and fun!
Lake Anne Cardboard Boat Regatta
Saturday, August 19
2:00pm
Lake Anne Plaza
1609 Washington Plaza
Reston, VA 20190
The Lake Anne Cardboard Boat Regatta is a community event designed to foster a sense of Reston pride, celebrate the family-friendly atmosphere of historic Lake Anne Plaza, and support the Reston Museum. Participating teams of all ages will construct and decorate their own life-size cardboard boats. These boats will then take to the water in timed heats with team members rowing out to a designated buoy and back to the docks at Lake Anne Plaza.
