What To Do Around NoVa Through Sept. 25, 2022

Fall festivities are in full swing in Northern Virginia! If you’re overwhelmed by the volume of events and activities to choose from, then we’ve got your list of 12 family-friendly things to do around Northern Virginia now through Sept. 25.

Keep reading to find everything from corn mazes to craft fairs, and movie nights to Oktoberfests:

Sunset Cinema in Cherry Hill Park

Bring your family and pack blankets and a picnic to watch Encanto under the moon! Beginning Friday, 9/23 and continuing for the following two Fridays, the City of Falls Church Recreation and Parks Department will host a PG movie night in the park.  

When: Friday, 9/23 beginning at 7:45pm.
Price: Free, but bring cash to purchase popcorn and drinks.
Address: Cherry Hill Park, 312 Park Avenue, Falls Church, VA 22046
Find out more on their website here.

Lovettsville Oktoberfest

Celebrate one of Loudoun County’s signature events: Lovettsville Oktoberfest on Friday 9/23 and Saturday, 9/24. This community festival offers something for the whole family, promising “a bit of Germany and a lot of Virginia” with local food and craft vendors, a 5K and kids fun run, and a “Bohemian Rhapsody” World Record sing-along attempt. Saturday’s activities kicks off with a 5k race and kids 1k run culminating in a pancake breakfast.

When: Friday, 9/23 from 5pm-11pm and Saturday, 9/24 from 8am-9:30pm, plus an Oktoberfest Brunch at Flying Ace Farm on Sunday morning.
Price: You can purchase drink tickets in advance to avoid the lines. Drink tickets range from $8.50-$10 per adult depending on the number of drinks. Individual registration for the 5K is $45 and family registration is $100.
Address: 6 East Pennsylvania Ave, Lovettsville, VA 20180
Find out more about the schedule of events here, and learn more about the 5K and kids fun run here.

Fields of Fear at Cox Farms

See the dark side of Cox Farms this fall and brave their Fields of Fear. Beginning Friday, 9/23, the farm will host 20 acres of themed attractions perfect for adults and older children seeking spooky activities. Thrills include the Dark Side Hayride through the abandoned Lost Circus, the Forest: Back 40 where you’ll shriek your way through a haunted forest of chainsaws and frights, and the Cornightmare, the scariest corn maze of its kind. If you need a break from the frightful activities, you can visit the Firegrounds, where you’ll find blazing fires, karaoke, a dance floor, music, and a six-lane slide.

When: Begins Friday, 9/23 and runs every Friday and Saturday night through 11/5 from 7:30pm-11pm.
Price: Tickets are only available online and should be purchased in advance. Cost of admission varies depending on peak days. Regular pricing is $30/guest and peak pricing is $35/guest.
Address: 15621 Braddock Rd, Centreville, VA 20121
Learn more and purchase tickets on their website.

Cox Farms Fall Festival

Want to enjoy Cox Farms without the Halloween-ish fright? The Cox Farms Fall Festival is still going. With giant slides, hayrides, a cornfield adventure, rope swings, straw tunnels and much more, this is a great family-friendly way to savor the farm's fall season. 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: Began Saturday, 9/17 and runs every 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.

Wayside Farm Fun

Wayside Farm is a 120-acre family farm full of fun for kids and kids-at-heart. Their fall activities begin Saturday, 9/24 and run through Sunday, 10/30. Kids and families can soak up the fall season with a 10-acre corn maze, 8-acre u-pick pumpkin patch, and hay rides, a pumpkin playhouse, farm slides, barnyard ball zone, and much more. You can also enjoy other farm activities, like visiting the farm animals or watching pig races on weekends.

When: Open 9/24 through 10/30.
Price: Free for children ages 2 and under. General admission is $15, and there are ticketing tiers for additional activities. These tickets do not include the u-pick pumpkin patch. Pumpkin patch tickets must be purchased separately. The pumpkin patch tickets are $20 and reserve your family a 1 hour slot in the patch.
Address: 5273 Harry Byrd Highway, Berryville, Virginia 22611
Purchase the Farm Fun tickets here and the u-pick pumpkin patch tickets here.

Mountaineering Day at the Embassy of the Czech Republic

Enjoy a day of “mountaineering through Europe,” in the heart of Washington, DC! The European Union National Institutes of Culture in Washington, DC (EUNIC DC), is hosting a  Mountaineering Day at the Embassy of the Czech Republic on Saturday, 9/24. All ages are welcome. Guests can conquer the climbing wall, listen to the folk band Orchester Praževica, and watch a raptor demonstration from a Master Class Falconer from the West Virginia Raptor Center or a German Shepherd demonstration by Rodina Straze. Relax with a cold brew, make a tasty trail mix, and sample “mountain cuisine” with a cooking demo by Italian Chef Roberto Donna.

When: Saturday, 9/24 from 10am-2pm
Price: Admission is free, but an RSVP through Eventbrite is required.
Address: Embassy of Czechia, 3900 Spring of Freedom Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
Read more and reserve tickets here.

18th Annual Apple Festival at Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum

Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum’s upcoming annual festival celebrates all-things-apple! Enjoy hands-on children’s activities, apple tasting, cider pressings, a moon bounce, and food trucks. For adults 21+, enjoy the Wine and Hard Cider-tasting garden featuring sips from local wineries.

When: Saturday, 9/24 from 10am-4pm.
Price: Free for children ages 2 and under. $10 for general admission, and $8 for members.
Address: 21668 Heritage Farm Lane, Sterling, VA 20164
Learn more and purchase tickets here.

Old Town Manassas Art Show and Craft Fall Fair

Visit over 60 local artisans and crafters on the lawn of the Manassas Museum this Saturday, 9/24. Jumpstart your holiday shopping and enjoy the array of paintings and art photography to handmade jewelry, glass and wood products, home decor, clothing and accessories for people and pets, and much more.

When: Saturday, 9/24 from 10am-4pm.
Price: Admission is free.
Address: Manassas Museum, 9101 Prince William Street, Manassas, VA 20110.
Find out more on the event page here.

Occoquan RiverFest and Craft Show

Downtown Historic Occoquan has everything autumn at their regional arts and crafts show this Saturday, 9/24 and Sunday, 9/25. Celebrate the beauty of the Occoquan River and enjoy over 200 artisans, makers, and creators. The RiverFest and Craft Show will also feature live music, festival food, and a wine and beer garden for those 21+. Children can explore Imagination Alley and create their own art, or paint on the 32-foot mural.

When: Saturday, 9/24 and Sunday, 9/25.
Price: Admission is free, but you may have to pay for the shuttle if you park in a satellite lot. Shuttles are free for children ages 12 and under, and $8 round-trip for 1 passenger or $15 round-trip for 2 passengers.
Address: Yellow parking lot located at Workhouse Arts Center, 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton, VA. Green parking lot located at the corner of Route 123 and Old Bridge Road, Woodbridge, VA. Purple parking lot located at the corner of Old Bridge and Minnieville Roads, Woodbridge, VA.
Learn more on their website.

Mosaic Fall Festival

Enjoy Mosaic’s annual fall festival with live music and entertainment, over 50 FRESHFARM Farmers Market Vendors, a wine garden, and a beer garden hosted by Caboose Brewing Company. There will also be plenty of family-friendly and kids activities, including a moon bounce, balloon twisting, music, face painting offered by the Vienna Singing Princesses, and pumpkin painting.

When: Saturday, 9/24 and Sunday, 9/25 from 11am-6pm.
Price: Admission is free, and there is a complimentary shuttle service from the Dunn Loring Metro Station.
Address: 2905 District Avenue, Fairfax, Virginia 22031
See the full schedule here.

Fall Fest at Reston Farm Garden Market

Join the Reston Farm Garden Market for a day of fun, games, activities, pumpkins, and more. This family-friendly festival includes bounce houses, train rides around the Garden Market, a petting zoo, and a free pumpkin with each child’s ticket. For additional costs, you can also purchase face painting, animal feed for the petting zoo, freshly baked apple cider donuts, and balloons.

When: Begins Saturday, 9/24 and runs every weekend through 10/30. Time slots begin at 10am.
Price: Tickets are $28/child and $7/parent. Free for children ages 2 and under with paid admission. When you purchase a ticket you are also reserving a specific 90-minute time slot for your visit.
Address: Reston Farm Garden Market, 10800 Baron Cameron Ave, Reston, VA 20190
Learn more and purchase tickets on their website.

Hill Center’s Family Day 2022

Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital in Washington, DC provides engaging arts, education, and cultural programs for the community. This fall they’re bringing back their family day on Sunday, 9/25! Family Day includes crafts, live entertainment from magicians and musicians, carriage rides, balloon animals, and a family fitness class. Beer, wine, and other concessions will be available.

When: Sunday, 9/25 from 2pm-6pm.
Price: Free, but registration is required.
Address: Hill Center DC, 921 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003.
Register for Family Day here.