Weekender Newsletter

Friday, April 12 - Sunday, April 14

Where to See Bluebell Blooms this Weekend

Friday April 12 - Sunday, April 14, Times Vary

Each spring, our woodland floors transform into carpets of bluebells that beg to be seen. 

See Visit Fairfax's list of where to see bluebells throughout the county, including Riverbend Park's Bluebells and Bloodroots event on Saturday, April 13. 

Weekend-Long Events

Library Book Sales

Friday-Sunday, Hours Vary

Visit multiple library branches this weekend to shop spring book sales. Shop for bargains from a huge selection, and find your new favorite book. Proceeds benefit library programs.

Prom Dress Shop

Friday-Sunday, Hours Vary

Find the perfect prom dress at the Prom Dress Shop at Centreville High School. Any area student may choose from hundreds of new dresses donated by Macy’s. They must show a form of school identification to select a free dress.

Friday, April 12 Events

Conversations with Authors (1-2 p.m.) Meet our panel of local authors as they discuss their books and journeys as writers in this virtual event. Authors include Jaimie Schock, Carol Mitchell, Kacy Cooney and Bill Lewers. Register online and an invitation will be sent to participants one day prior to the event.

Seed Library (10 a.m.-6 p.m.)

Grab up to three seed packets per visit to start a spring garden at the John Marshall Library. Donate unused seeds from last season for others in the community to enjoy.

French Conversation Group (noon-2 p.m.)

Bonjour! Practice your French language conversation skills with a fluent speaker at the Kings Park Library. Basic knowledge of French required. 

Campfire Fridays (7:30-8:30 p.m.)

Join us for an evening campfire the whole family can enjoy at Lake Accotink Park. Explore the wonders of our natural world through nature walks, interactive activities and animal presentations. End the evening with s'mores.

Saturday, April 13 Events

Art and Architecture at Huntley (1-3 p.m.) Join us at Historic Huntley for a celebration of arts and architecture. Enjoy free tours and watch artists paint “en plein air” (outdoors). At 3 p.m., attend a free reception where paintings of the day will be available for viewing and sale. Admission to the grounds, site tours and reception attendance are free.

Drawing and Learning about Spring Signs (9:30-11:30 a.m.)

Explore the pastel colors of spring strolling and field sketching at the Hidden Oaks Nature Center. Then go inside to create a color wheel of dots decorated with wildflowers, tree buds, fiddleheads, bees, tadpoles and more.

Green Reston (10 a.m.-noon) 

Join us on the plaza in front of the Reston Community Center Hunters Woods for a fun and eco-friendly family event to mark Earth Day. Local organizations will be onsite to provide information on resources, programs and services.

Horse Expo (10 a.m.-3 p.m.)

Immerse yourself in the equestrian world at Frying Pan Park. Experienced riders and new horse enthusiasts will enjoy food trucks, speakers, demonstrations and horse-related products and services.

Pachycephalosaurus Picnic (12:30-1:30 p.m.)

Stomp your way to a most unusual picnic in the woods at Lake Fairfax Park. Bring your picnic blanket and lunch or snack for an outdoor lesson about dinosaurs.

An Afternoon with Mark Twain (1-2:30 p.m.)

Celebrate the end of Library Week with noted author, speaker and humorist Mark Twain at the Patrick Henry Library. This program is geared for adults.

The Human Library (1-4 p.m.)

Join us for an event developed by The Human Library, a nonprofit learning platform that allows attendees to have a conversation with a human book. Human books represent a group that faces misunderstanding, prejudice or stigmas because of their lifestyle, ethnicity, beliefs or disability. Come with questions and an open mind. 

Eid Ul Fitr & Ramadan: Stories and More (2:30-3:30 p.m.)

Celebrate Eid Ul Fitr and the end of Ramadan with stories, henna, calligraphy and more at the Thomas Jefferson Library. 

Wetland at Dusk Walk (7-9 p.m.)

Join park naturalists at Huntley Meadows Park for a relaxing stroll through the park's forest and wetland paths. Look and listen for wildlife settling down or waking up during the transition of day to night. 

Sunday, April 14 Events

Feminist Art Before Feminism (1-3 p.m.) Long before the women’s art movement of the 1970s, female painters were using their art to protest the sexism and racism of the male-dominated art world. Join Historic House staffer Karen Heyda Jackson at Green Spring Gardens and explore how these courageous artists defied constraints of their times and flourished.

Nature Kayaking (9-11 a.m.)

Paddle with a naturalist at Lake Accotink Park to learn about the flora and fauna that call the lake home. Find out what’s growing along the lake’s edge, who likes to wade in the water and what might be swimming underneath you. All equipment provided. 

Sketching Along the Lakeside (9-11 a.m.)

Walk with a naturalist lakeside at Burke Lake Park and learn techniques and tips for drawing the natural world. Learn how to use different sketching and observational skills. Bring the medium of your choice.

Houseplant Swap (10:30 a.m.-noon)

Are your houseplants overgrown? Looking for new houseplants to add to your collection? Bring your houseplant cuttings and seedlings and swap for new-to-you plants at the Sherwood Regional Library.

Jigsaw Puzzle and Game Swap (3:15-3:45 p.m.)

Tired of the same old games and puzzles? Swap out your gentley-used jigsaw puzzles, board games, cards and party games with other enthusiasts at the Chantilly Regional Library.

Internet Safety Seminar (4:30-5:30 p.m.)

Learn how to recognize and protect yourself and others against some of the most common and dangerous online scams and cyber attacks at the Centreville Regional Library. A security systems professional will show you how to avoid phishing, spam and viruses.

Upcoming Events

Earth Day Fairfax Saturday, April 20, 10 a.m-4p.m. Join us at the county’s largest Earth Day celebration at the Sully Historic Site. Discover how you can make an impact on family, community and planetary health through fun, hands-on activities, games, live music and educational entertainment. Learn more.

Family Skate and Dance Night – Glow Party Saturday, April 20, 6-9 p.m. Light up the night at the Family Skate and Dance Night: Glow Party at the Franconia Rec Center. Come decked out in your best and brightest outfits for this fun, family friendly skating. Groove to the tunes as you walk, dance or take a spin across the gym floor. Learn more.

Weather and Event Status

Weather and other reasons may impact the events listed above. View the weather forecast.

Be sure to check the links for each event's status. You may also view department operating status information. 

View additional events.

To request this information in an alternate format, call 703-324-3187, TTY 711.