With COVID-19 restrictions ending and summer beginning, now is a wonderful time to get out and enjoy some of the fabulous events taking place in Northern Virginia this summer.
Things to Do in Northern Virginia this Summer
Alexandria’s Birthday
July 12
100 Madison Street
The City of Alexandria will celebrate its 259th birthday (and the USA’s 232nd!) at Oronoco Bay Park from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Check out the community exhibitors, children’s activities, and food from 4- 7:30 p.m. The main events are a concert by Alexandria Symphony Orchestra at 8:30 p.m. and a patriotic fireworks show to close the festive evening.
Fireworks at Mount Vernon
June 25-26
6 p.m. to 9:45 p.m
Be sure to visit the iconic home of our nation’s first President this summer. On the last weekend of June, you can enjoy Mount Vernon in the evening with fireworks and a patriotic concert by the National Concert Band. Picnic on the lawn with concessions from the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant and the kids will love watching the 18th-century ice cream-making demonstrations! Member and non-member tickets are available with Mansion tours ($40 and $50, respectively) and without ($28 and $38).
Wine Festival
July 16-18, 2021
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Mount Vernon pushed its spring Wine Festival to July due to the pandemic. Here you can enjoy Mount Vernon’s breathtaking views, sample Virginia wines, and of course, meet George Washington. Tickets range from $43 – $53 for members (depending on the evening) and $53-$63 for non-members. VIP tables are also available.
Loudoun County Fair
July 28 – August 1
17558 Dry Mill Rd, Leesburg VA 20175
Check out this old-school country fair featuring 4-H animals, crafts, carnival rides, professional bull riding, and even a mini demolition derby. Enjoy typical county fair food and rides, a pet show, and even a pig-kissing contest!
Wolf Trap
1551 Trap Road, Vienna, VA 22182
Live music is back! While not offering a full summer schedule, Wolf Trap will host several concerts this summer, including Amos Lee, Max Weinberg, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and Aoife O’Donovan. Enjoy a night under the stars at this iconic outdoor venue.
Rent a Pool by the hour this summer with a new app called Swimply. With Swimply, kind of like AirBnb you can rent your own pool at someone’s residence to cool off. Head to Swimply to see what pools are available in our area.
Drive-in Movies
The summer of 2020 saw a return of the drive-in movie! Both the City of Alexandria and the Lorton’s Workhouse Arts Center will continue to offer drive-in movies this summer. The Workhouse’s Drive-in Movies for the Family will run for six dates in June with $30 tickets (must be purchased in advance online). The Alexandria Drive-In Movie Series will run Fridays and Saturdays through the summer, showing family and classic movies. On-site food trucks will offer both sweet and savory food. Admission is $40 per car with the proceeds supporting charity.
The Bottom Line
There are so many wonderful things to do in Northern Virginia this summer — for families, foodies, movie buffs, music lovers, and more. Go enjoy the sunshine and return to life as we knew it!
