Weekender Newsletter

Friday, Oct. 10 - Sunday, Oct. 12

Meet Firefighters at Fire Station Open Houses

Saturday, Oct. 11, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Celebrate Fire Prevention Week with our Fire and Rescue Department at fire station open houses this Saturday. All Fairfax County fire stations will be open. Meet your firefighters, join in fun activities and learn about fire safety.

Weekend-Long Events

Apokalypse: Kingdom of Shadows

Friday - Sunday, 7 - 9:45 p.m.

Dare to visit the Workhouse Art Center's haunted trails? For the first time, Workhouse is offering multiple experiences to give you plenty of time to scream, laugh and celebrate Halloween.

Goblin Golf 

Saturday and Sunday, times vary

Halloween arrives early at the Burke Lake Park mini-golf course. Enjoy a festive themed experience with Halloween treats included. Bring a date, a friend or the whole family — this mini-golf experience is fun for everyone! Registration is $10.

Friday, Oct. 10 Events

All About Owls Campfire (6 - 7:30 p.m.) Barred owls inhabit our stream valley parks. Identify barred owls from other native owls while enjoying a campfire at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly. We'll provide marshmallows to toast over the embers. Registration is $12.

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

Learn chess at Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library and have fun at the same time Each club meeting, for children ideally ages 6-12, has chess instruction from a student volunteer and practice games.

Pajama Storytime with ASL (5 - 5:30 p.m.)

Wear pjs and comfy clothes, and bring a favorite stuffy or blankie to wind the evening down with books, songs and rhymes at the Kingstowne Library. Program will be presented in collaboration with an American Sign Language interpreter in training. 

Saturday, Oct. 11 Events

Mason District Art Festival (10 a.m. - 3 p.m.) Local and regional artists come together for the inaugural festival in Annandale. The event will feature artist booths, live performances, a children’s play area, local food trucks and more.

Bird Walk (8:30 - 10:30 a.m.)

Join the Northern Virginia Bird Alliance and our library for an engaging bird walk at Frying Pan Farm Park. This event is an excellent opportunity for new birders to observe fall migratory species. 

NCS Open Hire Event (10 a.m. - noon)

Interview on the spot for part-time jobs in School Age Child Care and recreation at the Gerry Hyland Government Center in Alexandria. Please bring several copies of your resume.

Sherwood Regional Library's Fall Open House (10 a.m. - 1 p.m.)

Enjoy a fun-filled day of pumpkin painting, crafts, activities, prizes and refreshments at the Sherwood Regional Library in Alexandria. Wear your costume, and use a special map to trick or treat around the library.

Halloween Costumes and Decor Swap (10 a.m. - 1 p.m.)

Bring your gently used Halloween costumes and decor to swap during Sherwood Regional Library's Fall Open House. Costumes for all ages are welcome. 

Animal Tea Party (10 a.m. and 2 p.m.)

Join us for a cozy tea party at Frying Pan Park in Herndon. Bring your favorite stuffed animal, help us decorate for the party and read a story. We will enjoy drinks and cookies and meet one of our animals. Registration is $10.

Cempasúchil: A Paper Marigold Pop-up Craft (10 a.m. - 5 p.m.)

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by crafting your own cempasúchil, a paper marigold, at the Thomas Jefferson Library in Falls Church. Pop in anytime during opening hours to take part in the fun. 

City of Fairfax 49th Annual Fall Festival (10 a.m. - 5 p.m.)

Join the City of Fairfax for its 49th Annual Fall Festival in historic downtown. Enjoy more than 400 art and craft vendors, informational vendors, food vendors, children's activities, beer gardens and more.

Creepy Creations: A Children's Halloween Drawing Workshop (10:30 - 11:30 a.m.)

Come celebrate spooky season at the Reston Regional Library Reston. Join illustrator and comic book Orion Zangara for a Halloween drawing workshop. This program is for children 6 to 12.

Fall Tea Party (1 - 2:30 p.m.)

Bring your child to Colvin Run Mill in Great Falls and celebrate fall. We’ll have tea, savory and sweet treats, and play 19th century games. Registration is $15. 

Preserving Family Recipes: Deciphering History in Your Kitchen (2:30 - 3:30 p.m.)

Learn how to decipher and modernize historic recipes for a modern kitchen at the City of Fairfax Regional Library. Participants will get a chance to taste the flavors of history as well. 

Sunday, Oct. 12 Events

McLean Pet Fest (11 a.m. - 4 p.m.) Have fun at the McLean Pet Fest on the McLean Community Center grounds. Bring your furry friends and enjoy music, Fido’s Bone Bar, the Bark-a-Lounge Beer and Wine Garden, food trucks, a photo booth, pet-related resources and more.

Clifton Day (9 a.m. - 5 p.m.)

Celebrate the 57th annual Clifton Day in downtown Clifton. Enjoy art, crafts, entertainment, food, live music, children’s activities, pony rides, a beer and wine garden and more.

Fall Color Snap Sketch Hike (10 a.m. - noon)

Join us for a hike and learn how to draw a beautiful autumn scene at Huntley Meadows Park in Alexandria. Registration is $18.

Art of Darkness: Teens' Halloween Drawing Workshop (11 a.m. - noon)

Join illustrator and comic book Orion Zangara for a Halloween drawing workshop at the Reston Regional Library. This program is open to teens ages 13 to 19.

Upcoming Events

Fall Harvest Fest Friday, Oct. 17 - Sunday, Oct. 19 , hours vary Join us at Frying Pan Farm Park for a weekend of autumn fun. Enjoy games, rides, farm animals, farm demonstrations and more. Learn more.

Tour de Mount Vernon Saturday, Oct. 18, 8 a.m. - noon Take a scenic, community bike ride through northern and central Mount Vernon District. The ride starts at Woodlawn and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Pope-Leighey House. 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.