Weekender Newsletter

Friday, Sept. 27 - Sunday, Sept. 29

Celebrate National Public Lands Day 

Saturday, Sept. 28, Times Vary

Join volunteers and celebrate the largest national single-day volunteer effort to preserve, restore, improve and enjoy America’s public lands.

Take part in a wide selection of service activities at our parks including an open park event at John C. and Margaret K. White Gardens Horticultural Park. Learn about White Gardens and upcoming opportunities for community involvement to preserve this amazing park.

Weekend-Long Events

George Mason Friends Fall Book Sale

Friday-Sunday, 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Visit the George Mason Fall Book Sale to shop from thousands of gently-used books, CDs and DVDs. Items will be sorted into categories so you can easily find what you want. Proceeds from the sale benefit library programs. 

Farmers Markets

Friday-Sunday, Hours Vary

Shop from a wide variety of seasonal produce, local goods and handmade products at our McLean, Kingstowne, Burke, Reston and Lorton farmers markets this weekend. SNAP is accepted at the Reston and Lorton markets. 

Friday, Sept. 27 Events

Bilingual Storytime (10:30 - 11 a.m.) Join us at the City of Fairfax Regional Library for a bilingual storytime. Build your child's early language and literacy skills while enjoying stories, songs and activities in English and Spanish. This program is for children ages 3-5 with an adult.

Ballet and Bookworms (10:30 - 11:15 a.m.)

Explore dance in a fun and imaginative way at the Burke Centre Library. Children ages 2-5 will make storybooks come to life through dance with the Bella Ballerina Dance School. 

Hispanic Heritage Month Trivia (4:30 - 5:30 p.m.)

Test your knowledge of the achievements of Hispanic Americans at the Richard Byrd Library.

Kayak Tour - Wildlife of the Potomac (5:30 - 7:30 p.m.)

Watch for deer foraging on the islands and osprey and bald eagles searching for fish as we paddle through this wildlife-rich section of the Potomac River. The group will meet at at Riverbend Park, and kayaks will be provided.

Late Night in the Virginia Room (5:30 - 11 p.m.)

Join fellow researchers and genealogists for after-hours research in the Virginia Room at the City of Fairfax Regional Library. Research independently or attend classes on Civil War research and how to use Family History Kits. Researchers will enjoy complimentary pizza and drinks.

Saturday, Sept. 28 Events

FCPL Fix-It Clinic (noon - 4 p.m.) Bring broken and damaged items to our library's Fix-It Clinic. We will have fixers skilled in various types of repairs available to help you bring your items back to life for free at nine library locations. Types of repairs include electrical repair, fabric mending, small appliance repair, jewelry repair and knife sharpening.

Harvest Happenings (10 a.m. - noon)

Celebrate autumn with your family at the McLean Community Center. Harvest Happenings is an indoor-outdoor festival with live entertainment, a petting zoo, crafts and games. Visit our pumpkin patch and purchase a pumpkin to decorate.

Bug Fest (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.)

Celebrate all things bugs with the whole family at our creepy-crawly adventure at Lake Accotink Park. Games and activities include insect safaris, live insects, insect collections, log rolling and more.

Feeding Day (10 - 11 a.m.)

Join a naturalist as they demonstrate how we feed our site display animals at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park. Make a birdfeeder to take home, and search for worms and insects.

Storytime: Author Gabriella Aldeman (11 a.m. - noon)

Join local author Gabriella Aldeman for a reading of her new picture book, Squawk of Spanish, followed by a fun craft at the Patrick Henry Library. In the book, Max finds his Spanish-speaking voice with the help of his abuela's pet, Lorito, a talkative parrot.

Salamanders Undercover (1 - 3 p.m.)

Assist a naturalist with a forest salamander survey and help find salamanders in the streams at Riverbend Park. Learn about the secret lives of these important amphibians through hands-on discoveries.

Art and Craft Supply Swap and Talk (2 - 3 p.m.)

Bring your extra craft supplies to swap and get ideas from other artists and crafters at the Patrick Henry Library. Come and chat about craft ideas, share techniques and take home some new opportunities.

Sunday, Sept. 29 Events

Paths of Freedom Seekers (5:30 - 6:30 p.m.) Listen to stories of African Americans who were forced to live and work on the farm at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park. Reflect on individuals’ stories of resistance and survival. Learn how enslaved communities and freedom seekers have forged a path of resiliency throughout history.

¡Celebramos! Hispanic Heritage Storytime (10:30 - 11:30 a.m.)

We will read, sing and craft in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month at the City of Fairfax Regional Library.

Surviving Unplugged - Knots and Rope (2 - 3:30 p.m.)

Master the ancient art of rope making and knot tying in our unplugged survival class at the Sully Historic Site. Learn to make ropes from string and tie essential knots for shelter, rescue and other uses.

Monarch Tag and Tea (2 - 3:30 p.m.)

Dive into the enchanting world of monarch butterflies with this monarch migration program at the Hidden Oaks Nature Center. Join us for an educational and delightful journey as we learn about their fascinating life cycle and migration. 

Upcoming Events

Fairfax Fiesta Saturday, Oct. 5, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Join us at the Culmore Community Library for a free family-friendly event with cultural performances and entertainment, an artisan market featuring handmade goods from local vendors, children’s activities and delicious cultural foods. Learn more.

Goblin Golf Saturday, Oct. 5 - Sunday, Oct. 6, Times Vary Halloween arrives early at the Burke Lake Park mini-golf course. Enjoy a festive themed experience with ghosts, goblins and Halloween treats. Get your tickets before they sell out. 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.