Weekender Newsletter

Friday, Aug. 16 - Sunday, Aug. 18

Children's Summer Reading Festival

Sunday, Aug. 18, noon to 3 p.m. 

Celebrate with us at our annual Children's Summer Reading Festival at the Chantilly Regional Library! Bring the whole family and enjoy:

• Games and crafts
• Face painting
• Bounce house
• Petting zoo
• Caricature artist
• Silly Shotz photo booth
• Popcorn and cotton candy
• Food trucks

Weekend-Long Events

Begonia Show

Saturday and Sunday, Times Vary

Admire the kaleidoscope of begonia varieties at Green Spring Gardens. The Potomac Branch of the American Begonia Society will be on hand to answer questions and give guidance in begonia selection.

Back to School Events

Friday and Saturday, Times Vary

Prepare for the school year by visiting a free Back-to-School event this weekend at the Gum Springs Community Center and Sully Community Center. Enjoy music, food, activities and more.

Friday, Aug. 16 Events

Chair Yoga for Adults (2:30 - 3:30 p.m.) Find stability, alignment and integrity through stretches and safe movement at the Great Falls Library. Sessions are taught by a certified yoga instructor.

Fiber Friday (noon - 2 p.m.)

Calling all knitters, crocheters and yarn enthusiasts. Join us at the Pohick Regional Library to hang out with other fiber friends and learn a technique or two. Bring your own project or get started with our supplies. 

Chess Club for Kids (4:30 - 5:30 p.m.)

Kids ages 6 to 12 can learn chess and have fun at the Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library. Play practice games and get chess instruction from a student volunteer.

Spotlight by Starlight (7:30 - 8:30 p.m.)

Come watch the United States Air Force Strings perform at the Mason District Park Amphitheater. The Air Force Strings consists of 17 active-duty musicians performing a wide range of musical styles.

Saturday, Aug. 17 Events

Family Skate and Dance Night-Back To School Flashback to the '90s and '00s (6 - 9 p.m.) Strap on your skates for one last summertime Family Skate and Dance Night at the Franconia Rec Center. Groove to throwback music at this 90s and 00s themed event and show off timeless outfits from these iconic eras.

Quiet Moments in Nature (8 - 9 a.m.)

Clear your mind as you walk with a naturalist through the woods at Burke Lake Park. Learn techniques to help repair your mind from the stress of daily life.

Springfield Bridge Walk (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.)

Join us as we walk over Veterans Bridge in the Springfield Revitalization District to recognize the renewal of the U.S. Army's Community Covenant. The short walk ends with a community celebration featuring refreshments, entertainment and the introduction of the new Fort Belvoir Garrison Commander. 

Family Fun - Aquatic Adventures (10 - 11 a.m.)

Come learn all about the amazing animals that live in our aquatic ecosystems such as turtles, tadpoles, fish and dragonflies at Green Spring Gardens Park. See some spectacular creatures as we study their habitats and activities.

Arabic Conversation Group (11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.)

Learn and practice Arabic at the Centreville Regional Library. All levels are welcome. 

Show and Tell: Adventures in Collecting (2 - 3 p.m.)

What are you passionate about collecting? Bring photos or items and stories about your collecting adventures and misadventures at the John Marshall Library. Share them with fellow collectors at the library.

Community Plant Swap (2 - 3:30 p.m.)

Bring your cuttings, seeds, seedlings, transplants and plant and garden supplies for a community plant swap at the City of Fairfax Regional Library. Please ensure that your plants and cuttings are pest free.

Summer Vacation Family Movie Matinee (3 - 4:30 p.m.)

Join us for an air-conditioned showing of the movie "IF" on our big screen at the Martha Washington Library. 

Bollywood Dance Extravaganza (6:30 - 8:30 p.m.)

Come to the Pohick Regional Library to see a performance of Bollywood and Bharatanatyam dance. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn a few basic steps of Rajasthani Bolly-Folk dance during an interactive workshop. End the experience with some tasty traditional Indian treats. 

Sunday, Aug. 18 Events

Daring Dragonflies (9 a.m. - noon) Learn about the life cycle, behavior and identification of the many dragonflies and damselflies at Huntley Meadows Park. Venture to the wetland to observe these acrobatic fliers in action.

Birding by Kayak-Single (7:30 - 9:30 a.m.)

Enjoy a naturalist-led birding trip by kayak at Lake Accotink Park. Our lakes are home to more than 100 species of birds. See how kayaks can provide a closer look into the world of birds.

Tai Chi Class (1 - 2 p.m.)

Learn tai chi techniques in this beginner's class at Sherwood Regional Library. While this style has its roots in martial arts, the form is taught as a method of meditation and relaxation.

Fairfax County Master Gardeners Plant Clinic (1 - 4 p.m.)

Got gardening questions? Our Master Gardener Association is available at Pohick Regional Library to answer your questions and give gardening advice.

Are You Going to Eat That? (6 - 7 p.m.)

Identify plants that are safe to eat and which ones to avoid with a naturalist at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park. Learn the usefulness of plants for rope making and folk remedies with connections to Eastern Woodland Indians. 

Upcoming Events

Clear the Shelters Adoption Event Friday, Aug. 23 - Sunday, Aug. 25, Hours Vary Our Animal Shelter's annual Clear the Shelters adoption event is back. All pets will have their adoption fee waived at both our Lorton and Fairfax locations. Learn more.

Tour de Mount Vernon Saturday, Oct. 19, 8:30 a.m. Join us for the 9th Annual Tour de Mount Vernon community bike ride. Take a scenic ride through the southern and central parts of the Mount Vernon District. Register by Aug. 31 to save on registration. 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. 

Looking for more events? Find additional activities on our Events Calendar.

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