Family-Friendly Events in NoVa Through Sept. 18

Fall is in the air! The new season brings a wealth of activities to NoVa. Between back-to-school excitement, holiday planning on the horizon, and the busyness of everyday life, we know the last thing you want to do is spend hours researching family activities. To celebrate the season and help with your planning, we’ve compiled a list of family-friendly events happening around Northern Virginia this week.

From corn mazes and carnivals to a colonial market, here are 11 events happening this week:

Kids Night Out - In Space! at the Children’s Science Center

Kids can enjoy a fun-filled night at the Children’s Science Center while making new friends who share a love of science! Activities include making a nebula, going on a moon adventure, and creating a Mars rover. Snacks will be provided, and groups will get to rotate between experience areas for guided science activities, followed by free Lab exploration. Kids are welcome to wear their favorite space-themed outfits or costumes, but should wear safe, comfortable shoes. This is a drop-off event, and may not be the right activity for children with separation anxiety or children who need individual attention to eat or visit the bathroom.

When: Friday, 9/16 from 6pm-8pm
Price: $40/child
Address: Children’s Science Center, 11948 Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax, VA 22033 Learn more and register here.

Falls Church Festival

The 46th Annual Falls Church Festival is a family-fun event featuring The Taste of Falls Church, a beer garden, live music, children's entertainment, and booths from local crafters, businesses, and civic organizations.

When: Saturday, 9/17 from 10am-4pm
Price: Admission is free to the public, but food, beer, and amusement rides require the purchase of one or more tickets.
Address: Falls Church City Hall and Community Center Grounds, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, VA 22046
See more on their website.

The Reston Multicultural Festival

The Reston Multicultural Festival is a celebration of the diversity and community spirit that is found in Reston. This annual event brings together the people of Reston to celebrate the area’s rich medley of cultures. Family, friends, and neighbors are treated to music, entertainment, and cultural treasures from all over the world. Attendees are encouraged to dress in attire from their own cultural roots.

When: Saturday, 9/17 from 11am-6pm
Price: Free
Address: Reston Town Center Park, 11900 Market St, Reston, VA 20190
Learn more on their website.

Corn Maze and Apple Harvest at Great Country Farms

Celebrate fall and apple season at Great Country Farms. Enjoy apple picking, award-winning apple cider donuts, and explore the farm’s 12-acre play area. On Saturdays and Sundays, the farm hosts live music, marshmallow roasting, pig races, and cider pressing demonstrations.

When: Open 9/1 through 9/30. Weekdays from 10am-5pm, with the last wagon to the orchard leaving at 4pm. On weekends it is open from 9am-5pm with the last wagon leaving at 4:30pm.
Price: Weekday admission $10/child and $12/adult. Free for children ages 2 and under. Advance tickets not required at this time for weekdays. Advance tickets are highly recommended on weekends, and cost $14/child & $16/adult.
Address: 34345 Snickersville Turnpike, Bluemont, VA 20135  
Get tickets and learn more on their website.

Family Flashlight Corn Maze Night at Great Country Farms

Explore Great Country Farms after dark! Bring your own flashlight and tackle the corn maze, enjoy a cider tasting or a warm mulled cider, and then cozy up by the fire for family-friendly storytime.

When: Saturday, 9/17 from 6pm-9pm. Storytime from 7:30pm-8:30pm.
Price: $14/child and $16/adult
Address: 34345 Snickersville Turnpike, Bluemont, VA 20135  
Learn more and purchase tickets on their website.

Green Spring Gardens Family Fall Festival and Plant Sale

Enjoy fall activities for the entire family at Green Spring Gardens, including classes for children and adults, a silent auction, a book sale, and a bake sale. Vendors will be selling a large variety of plants and other items.

When: Saturday, 9/17 from 9am-5pm
Price: Free
Address: Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Rd., Alexandria, VA, 22312
See more here.

Pumpkin Village at Leesburg Animal Park

Leesburg Animal Park is open year-round, but fall is the perfect time to enjoy their Pumpkin Village. The festivities include several bounce houses, a petting zoo, zip line, hill rides, pillow bounce, wagon rides, and weekend entertainment. In addition to the fall activities, you can also walk around the park and see the zebras, goats, birds, deer, and other animals.

When: Opens Saturday, 9/17 and runs through 11/6. The park is closed on Tuesdays, and hours vary depending on the day.
Price: Prices vary depending on the date, but expect it to be around $17.95/children and seniors and $20.95/adults. Prices increase by $1 when bought on-site.
Address: 19246 James Monroe Hwy Leesburg, VA 20175
Click here to see their list of activities and hours, and purchase tickets.

Mount Vernon Colonial Market & Fair

Step back in time at Colonial Market & Fair, featuring food and wares made by colonial artisans. Take in the sights and sounds of the marketplace on Mount Vernon’s 12-acre field. Chat with colonial artisans selling handcrafted food and wares, listen to live music from the colonial era, and watch expert artisans demonstrate their craft. And meet General Washington in the General’s Tent!

When: Saturday, 9/17 and Sunday, 9/18 from 9am-5pm
Price: The event is included when purchasing general admission tickets to Mount Vernon on 9/17 or 9/18. If you’re not a member, tickets are $26/adult, $13/children ages 6-11, and free for children ages 0-5.
Address: 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, VA 22121
Learn more on their website.

Cox Farm Fall Festival

Cox Farm Fall Festival features giant slides, hayrides, a cornfield adventure, rope swings, straw tunnels and so much more. You can enjoy local apples, fresh cider, live entertainment, and a patch pumpkin to take home. You can also visit their farm animals and have fun in their themed play areas.

When: Begins Saturday, 9/17 and Sunday, 9/18 and will run everything Thursday through Sunday until 11/7, plus 11/8. Open from 10am-6pm.
Price: Tickets are only available online and should be purchased in advance. Free for children ages 2 and under. Cost of admission varies depending on peak days. (Most weekends in October are peak pricing). Regular pricing is $20/guest and peak pricing is $25/guest.
Address: 15621 Braddock Rd, Centreville, VA 20121
Find out more on their website here.

Fair Oaks Mall Carnival

Experience the sights, sounds, and aromas of exciting rides and games for all ages. Enjoy carnival classics like deep-fried treats, sweets, and other carnival eats.

When: The carnival ends Sunday, 9/18. Open from 5pm-10pm Monday-Thursday, 5pm-11pm on Friday, 12pm-11pm on Saturday, and 12pm-10pm on Sunday.
Price: Event admission and parking are free. Unlimited ride wristbands (for riders 36 inches and taller) are $35 on site while supplies last. Parent/guardian supervision is required for all children ages 17 and under.
Address: 11750 Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax, VA 22033
Learn more here.

Music in the Gardens

Enjoy an afternoon with the Virginia Chamber Orchestra for "Music in the Gardens," a classical ensemble concert at the Korean Bell Garden at Vienna's Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. A string quartet of leading players from the professional orchestra will perform music by Mozart, Dvorak, and more. Bring bag chairs or blankets or sit on the grass.

When: Sunday, 9/18 from 3pm-4pm
Price: The event is free but admission to the park must be purchased. Admission is free for children under the age of 6, $3 for children ages 6-17, $6 for adults, and $3 for seniors.
Address: 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna, VA 22182
Find out more on their website.