🍁 EXPLORE FALL IN NOVA 🍁
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Explore farms, festivals and outdoor stops on a zoomable map. Click a pin for details and directions. Use the category and county filters to narrow your view; individual event cards also include Directions links.
Fundraisers and community causes worth showing up for this fall.
Community on Purpose
The 3rd annual community-resource event highlighting local small businesses, non-profits, and service providers in Loudoun County: shop, discover resources, and find ways to volunteer.
3rd Annual Veterans Cup: Polo with Purpose
An afternoon polo match with a family festival around it: food, music, activities and veteran-owned vendors. Part of the proceeds goes to nonprofits that serve veterans and military families. Tickets through the Great Meadow event page.
Pumpkin Patches, Corn Mazes & Farms(6)
The region's big harvest-season farms: hayrides, corn mazes, cider, and enough pumpkins for everyone.
Cox Farms Fall Festival
Giant slides, world-famous hayrides, the Cornundrum corn maze, goat village, live music daily, and a pumpkin to take home. Sept/Oct hours 10am–6pm (last entry 5pm); November 10am–5pm (last entry 4pm). Tickets required, sell out on busy dates.
Pumpkin Village: Leesburg Animal Park
Giant slides, wagon rides, petting zoo and weekend entertainment. Closed Tuesdays except November 3. Mon/Wed/Thu 9:30am–4pm; Fri–Sun 9:30am–6pm, with earlier November closing. Weekend and holiday tickets must be purchased online in advance. Check official hours for your date.
Temple Hall Farm: Pumpkin Patch & Sunflower Fields
Pick pumpkins and flowers, take a wagon ride, meet farm animals and enjoy jumping pillows and hill slides. Daily 9am–5pm through November 3; last ticket sold at 4pm. Admission is $15, with a $3 weekday discount; each paid admission includes a pumpkin and flowers. Under 2 free; dogs are not permitted.
Pumpkin Chunkin'
Bring your leftover jack-o'-lanterns and let them fly at the smashin' stations: the Silo Drop, Zip Wire Sploosh, and the 40-foot Pumpkin Drop Zone. Live music and cider pressing on weekends.
Belvedere Plantation
A large fall festival farm: pumpkins, hayrides, and family attractions in Spotsylvania County.
Baby Goat Bottle Feeding
A fun, hands-on day bottle-feeding adorable baby goats. Check the farm's booking calendar for open sessions.
Fall Festivals & Craft Shows(14)
Historic villages, town Main Streets, and county fairgrounds turned into juried craft markets and harvest festivals.
Fall Festival Fun
Moon bounces, bouncing animals, games, crafts, music and autumn-themed adventures, including a visit from Mr. Turkey. Parents don't pay.
Fairfax County LEGO Exhibit
An immersive LEGO installation celebrating Fairfax County's 250th anniversary: free, indoor, spans the whole fall season.
Archwood Green Barns Farmers' Market
A historic restored horse barn turned weekly market: up to 40 local farmers and artisans, indoor and outdoor, rain or shine.
Pickle & Grilled Cheese Festival
A quirky food festival built around two beloved comfort foods (pickles and grilled cheese) with vendors, music and family activities.
2026 DMV Chocolate and Coffee Festival
A weekend celebration of chocolate and coffee makers from across the region: sampling, vendors and family-friendly treats.
Fairfax Funky Flea
A community outdoor flea market in the heart of Fairfax City: 70+ vendors selling vintage clothing, jewelry, home decor, art, and more, plus food trucks.
Stitches on the Farm Quilt Festival
Quilt displays, vendors and demonstrations at the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum in Sterling. Admission is $5 per person.
JBF Loudoun Consignment – Fall/Winter 2026
A large seasonal children's consignment sale: clothing, toys, gear, and furniture for families, at the new DTC Expo Center location.
The Festival of Lights: A Diwali and Tihar Celebration
One of the few community celebrations of its kind in Loudoun County: a vibrant afternoon of culture, tradition, and community. Local vendors, family-friendly activities, and a colorful Rangoli competition. The organizer lists this celebration as open to Stone Ridge residents.
Heritage India Festival
Celebrating 25 years as one of the DMV's largest and longest-running festivals: hundreds of booths featuring jewelry, art, handicrafts, and South Asian cuisine from top restaurants. New dates: the organizer moved the Virginia festival from Oct 24-25 to Nov 28-29 because the Expo Center's certificate of occupancy didn't come through in time. Free parking, kids 5 and under free, tickets sold at the door.
Putt & Play
Indoor play in the gym with a 9-hole mini golf course, moon bounces and scooters. All ages, $5. Activity codes 104708-02 (Oct 29) and 104708-03 (Nov 9) in PRCSConnect.
Family Nerf Battle Night
A family Nerf battle on an obstacle course set up in the community center gym. Bring your own blaster or sign up for the blaster-rental session. Ages 5 and up, $5 per participant; registration required (activity 101120-01, or 101120-02 for rentals).
Stormwater & Fairfax Recycles Day
Fairfax County's recycling and stormwater celebration, tied to America Recycles Day. Kids can climb into county vehicles at the Touch-A-Truck, and the county collects hard-to-recycle items and donations (check the event page for the list of accepted items). The county page doesn't list a price and shows no registration.
30th Annual Hunt Country Classic British Car & Motorcycle Show
A field full of classic British cars and motorcycles on Members Hill at Great Meadow. Spectators get in free; parking is $10 per car at Gate 1. Children's activities are announced the day of the show, and leashed pets are welcome. Rain or shine; it moved here from its original Oct 11 date because of weather.
5Ks, fun runs, and races that double as a good excuse to be outside while the weather's perfect.
RTC Run for Valor 5K
A Veterans Day 5K through Reston Town Center, hosted by BXP's veterans employee group with Microsoft. Proceeds go to Soldiers' Angels, which supports service members, veterans and their families. $35 through race day; packet pickup Tue, Nov 10, 11am-7pm at the PR Run and Walk Store, 11911 Democracy Dr.
Farm tours, orchards and drives to catch peak color in the Blue Ridge foothills.
Bluemont Vineyard & the Blue Ridge foothills
Right across from Great Country Farms: sweeping mountain-view foliage with a glass of wine, easily paired with a farm visit the same day. Check the vineyard's events page for current hours.
Reel Memories Trout Derby
Anglers of all ages cast in for a whopper of a good time: prizes for the most fish caught in each age category. Under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Family Fun Fridays at Riverbend Park
Drop-in family time at the Riverbend Nature Center with crafts, games, microscopes, sensory play and naturalist talks. The theme changes each date. All ages; $5 per person.
Insect Scavenger Hunt at Claude Moore Park
Self-guided scavenger hunt for creepy crawlies around the park. Pick up a flyer at the Visitor Center and finish the hunt for a small treat. Free, all ages.
Bird Walk With a Naturalist
A guided walk to spot and listen for native birds. Good for beginners; bring binoculars or borrow the park's. Ages 6 through adult, $9. The Park Authority page wasn't taking registrations as of Oct 4, so check it before you plan on it.
Exploring the Inner Planets
Compare handheld globes of Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars and the moon, then look through telescopes at the planets and night sky if the weather cooperates. Meets in the Roll-Top Observatory rain or shine. Ages 8 and up, $13. The Park Authority page wasn't taking registrations as of Oct 5, so check it before you plan on it.
Boardgames and Bird Walk
A naturalist-led bird walk on the trails, then a lesson and a game of Wingspan, the bird-themed board game. All skill levels welcome. Ages 12 and up; kids come with a registered adult. $15. The Park Authority page wasn't taking registrations as of Oct 5, so check it before you plan on it.
Pathway of Pages at Woodgrove Park
A self-guided story walk: read a picture book page by page on signs posted along the park trail. Free, all ages, no registration.
Fairy Folk Trail at Scott Jenkins Memorial Park
A self-guided hunt for fairy folk hidden along the park trail, with signs pointing the way. Free, all ages, no registration.
Luminary Walk at Hanson Park
A self-paced walk around the pond lit by lanterns, with stops about how light is used in traditions around the world. Free, all ages (activity 174725-01).
Naturalist Guided Pokémon Go at Hanson Park
A naturalist leads a hike around Hanson Park looking for Pokémon and real wildlife along the way. Bring a phone or iPad. Free, all ages (activity 174739-01).
Trails & Tales Trek at Lovettsville Community Park
A guided nature hike mixed with storytelling along the park trails. Dress for the weather. Ages 3 and up, $10; registration required (activity 176720-03).
Choose Your Own Adventure Trail Walk
A self-guided story trail where you pick which way the story goes at each sign. Starts behind the Nature Center. Free, all ages, no registration (activity 174743-01).
Owl Prowl at Hanson Park
A guided evening walk about the owls that live in the park: how they behave, how to hoot like one, and how to help protect them. All ages, $8; registration required (activity 174706-01).
Community Science Corner at Claude Moore Park
Pick up a sightings sheet at the Visitor Center, explore the trails and report the wildlife you spot to help the park track local species. Kid and adult versions. Free, all ages, drop in (activity 161711-01).
Little Explorers Camping Play Lab
Pretend camping indoors at the Banshee Reeks Nature Center: sit around a make-believe campfire, crawl into a tent with a sleeping bag, toast pretend marshmallows and explore forest sights and sounds through hands-on activities. Free, all ages, drop in (activity 167100-01).
Nature Bobsledding
A dry-land bobsled-style ride on the park's forest trails. Ages 8 and up, $15 per person; registration required (Oct 24: activity 174738-04; Nov 21: 174738-05 and -06).
Autumn Leaf Animals
Kids make animal art out of natural materials gathered around the park. Ages 5 to 12, $12. Park in the main lot at the Packard Center, 4022 Hummer Rd, and take the paved path about 75 yards to the nature center. The Park Authority page wasn't taking registrations as of Oct 21, so check it before you plan on it.
Sully Illuminated
A candlelit evening tour of Sully's historic buildings and grounds that looks at how different kinds of light shaped daily life for the free and enslaved people who lived there, with refreshments after. Ages 8 through adult, $12; preregistration required (Nov 14 runs 5:30 to 7:15pm). You'll walk indoors and outside in very low light. Part of the VA250 and Fairfax250 programs. The pages weren't taking registrations as of Oct 23.
Royal Lake New Trails Celebration
The Park Authority marks the finished trail improvements around Royal Lake with a Wonder Wagon, a naturalist-led fall nature walk around the lake, and time to try the new trails on foot or by bike.
Family Fishing
A naturalist teaches the basics of fishing at the lakefront, with rods and bait provided. Ages 5 through adult, $14. Kids come with a registered adult, and anyone 16 or older needs a valid Virginia fishing license. The Park Authority page wasn't taking registrations as of Oct 24, so check it before you plan on it.
STEM Day at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park
Hands-on STEM activities and conversations with local professionals from a range of fields, with a look at the career paths behind them. Free, and you can drop in anytime with no registration. It also covers the Girl Scout STEM Career Exploration badge requirements. Free parking at 5301 Walney Road.
Geocaching Adventures
A guided geocaching session: hunt for hidden caches around the park with a GPS. Equipment provided. Ages 8 through adult, $18. The Park Authority page wasn't taking registrations as of Oct 27, so check it before you plan on it.
Model Rocket Launch at Great Meadow
The Northern Virginia Association of Rocketry (NOVAAR) holds a launch day on the open field at Great Meadow. Free and open to the public to watch. Nonmembers who bring a rocket pay a small launch fee at check-in ($1 per model rocket launch).
Ginkgo Gold Weekend at Blandy Experimental Farm
The State Arboretum's grove of about 300 ginkgo trees turns bright gold this time of year. On visitor services weekends Blandy adds food trucks, a souvenir stand, extra restrooms and a ginkgo tree sponsorship booth near the grove. Free admission; enter from Route 50, park near the Quarters building and walk about 10 minutes to the grove.
Ticketed concerts and shows worth the drive this fall.
Storytime at 1st Stage
An interactive storytime for kids up to age 8 and their families on the 1st Stage theater stage. Free; each child gets a copy of the book and a snack. Reservations required, no walk-ins.
Freedom Art Days at Franklin Park Arts Center
A free drop-in art day: the arts center supplies the materials and kids make their own pieces, using the gallery exhibit as inspiration. Ages 3 and up. Oct 21 runs 11am to noon and 1 to 3pm (activity 163786-01); Nov 4 runs 11am to 1pm (activity 163786-02).
WOW in the World Presents: Make It WOW!
A live, interactive game show from the WOW in the World kids' science podcast, hosted by Mindy Thomas and Carly Q. Ciarrocchi. Two teams turn odd ideas into inventions with trivia, challenges, music from The Pop Ups and appearances by Dennis, Gramma G-Force and Thomas Fingerling. Recommended for ages 5 and up; 95 minutes with intermission; ASL interpreted. Tickets $35, $55 or $75, fees included.
Shanghai Ballet at George Mason: Butterfly Lovers and Giselle
Shanghai Ballet performs two full-length ballets on its North American tour: Butterfly Lovers, based on the Chinese folk tale, on Saturday night, and Giselle on Sunday afternoon. Each runs about 100 minutes plus intermission and is listed as appropriate for all ages. Tickets $45, $60 or $70, half price for youth through grade 12.
Indoor Play & Family Spots(70)
Year-round indoor places for rainy days and chilly afternoons: play cafes, trampoline parks, kids' museums, bowling, pools and libraries, grouped by county. Hours and prices change, so check the venue's site before you go. Seasonal programs are tagged.
Loudoun County (13)
Hyper Kidz
A 16,000-square-foot candy-themed soft-play maze with multilevel climbing and interactive floors, split into age zones for kids up to 13. Kids from $13.99 weekdays, $18.99 weekends; two adults included.
Play Street Museum (Ashburn)
A child-sized pretend-play town with shops and role-play stations, built for ages 1–8. $17 per child; reserve a 90-minute session online.
UP! Ultimate Adventure Park
Auto-belay climbing walls, ropes course, zipline and slides, with climbing geared to ages 4 and up. $35 for two hours or $50 all day; closed-toe shoes required.
We Rock the Spectrum Kid's Gym
An inclusive sensory gym where kids of all abilities play on swings, zip lines and sensory equipment. $22 per child, $20 for siblings and military families.
Altitude Trampoline Park
Wall-to-wall trampolines, airbag pit, dodgeball and battle beam at the Village at Leesburg. Grip socks and a waiver are required.
Leesburg Animal Park (Indoor Play)
An indoor play structure for kids 10 and under plus a live-animal theater and crafts area, alongside the outdoor animal park. Usually closed Tuesdays; group tickets don't include the indoor area.
Wonder Learning & Discovery
A downtown Leesburg discovery space with imaginative play stations and open-ended building materials, aimed at ages 0–6. Babies under 12 months and the first caregiver are free.
Cozy Village Play Cafe
A small pretend-play village with a café for parents, designed for kids under 6. Capacity is about 20 children, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Dulles Town Center Play Area
A children's play area inside Dulles Town Center, handy for a quick rainy-day stop. Check with guest services for current play-area hours and rules.
Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum
Hands-on exhibits on Loudoun's farming history inside Claude Moore Park. Adults $5, kids 2–12 $3, under 2 free. Closed Mondays.
Sky Zone (Dulles Town Center)
Trampolines and active play near Dulles Town Center, separate from the mall's small playground. Book a timed jump online.
Tot Drop-In (Sterling Community Center)
Ride-on toys, climbing and bounce play for ages 1–5 with a caregiver. Just $2 per child; check the county calendar for closures.
ZavaZone
Obstacle courses and adventure challenges geared to older kids and tweens. Monday through Thursday is reserved for groups.
Fairfax County (incl. Fairfax City & Falls Church) (22)
Chuck E. Cheese (Richmond Highway)
Arcade games, prize tickets and pizza on Route 1. Pricing runs on game and meal packages.
Fun Land of Fairfax
Indoor go-karts, laser tag, climbing and a big arcade. Weekday afternoons are arcade-only, so plan the full-attraction visit for a weekend.
Me Land
A space-themed indoor playground with a separate little-kid area, for ages up to 12. Ages 3–12 are $15.99 weekdays and $19.99 weekends; one adult free.
Play N' Learn Open Play
Kids play on the showroom's indoor swing sets, trampolines and playsets, best for ages 2–8. $10 per child; advance online purchase required.
Children's Science Center Lab
Hands-on science and engineering exhibits for ages 2–12 inside Fair Oaks Mall. $13 online or $15 at the door; reserve a two-hour session.
Chuck E. Cheese (Fairfax)
Arcade games, prize tickets and pizza. Pricing runs on game and meal packages rather than an admission fee.
Fair Oaks Mall Play Area
A small children's play stop inside Fair Oaks Mall. Confirm current hours and rules with guest services before you go.
Jolly Yolly Kids
An ocean-themed soft-play center with a separate toddler area, for kids 13 and under. Socks and waiver required; card payment only.
Play Street Museum (Fairfax)
A farm-themed pretend-play museum with a barn, farmhouse, feed store and ice cream shop, for ages 1–8. $18 per child.
Romp n' Roll
An early-childhood gym with open play, music, art and movement classes for ages 3 months to 5 years. Open play is sold in a 10-visit pack for $150; trial class $20.
SensePlay Studio
A 45-minute guided sensory, art or cooking class followed by 45 minutes of free play, for ages 6 months to 5 years. $38 drop-in.
Scramble (Falls Church)
Soft play, a huge climbing structure, sports area and a café with a kids' bookstore, for ages 0–12. Ages 1–4 from $10, ages 5–12 from $12 on weekdays; walk-ins welcome.
Chuck E. Cheese (Herndon)
Arcade games, prize tickets and pizza near Dulles. Pricing runs on game and meal packages.
Kiddie Open Gym (Herndon Community Center)
Gym equipment and movement play for ages 6 months to 5 years with a caregiver. Only $3 per child.
Launch Family Entertainment
Trampolines, ninja course, dodgeball, laser tag and arcade, plus a Toddler Time for ages 5 and under ($15 with one adult). Packages start at $28. Closed Tuesdays.
Tysons Corner Center Play Area
A children's play area near the AMC Theatres inside Tysons Corner Center. Confirm current hours and rules with guest services.
Tot Time (Reston Community Center)
Free toys, books and active play for ages 0–5 with a caregiver at Hunters Woods. Capacity is 20 children; check the RCC calendar for times.
Flight Adventure Park
Trampolines, climbing walls and ninja-style obstacles. Book a timed pass and waiver online.
LEGO Discovery Center
Twelve LEGO zones including DUPLO play, Mini World, building workshops and a 4D cinema, best for ages 2–12. Tickets from $24.99 online; plan two to three hours.
Sky Zone (Springfield)
Trampolines, foam pit, ninja course and a zipline. Book a timed jump and check for toddler sessions.
Springfield Town Center Play Area
A children's play area on the lower level near Macy's. Confirm current hours and rules with guest services.
Super, Awesome & Amazing
A climbing, ropes and ninja adventure center at The St. James, plus a separate indoor water park on weekends and a Sunday morning Tot Time for ages 6 and under. Closed Monday through Wednesday.
Fauquier County (8)
Bealeton Branch Library
Free storytimes, crafts and kids' reading programs. Filter the library calendar to Bealeton for this branch's events.
John Marshall Branch Library
Free storytimes and kids' programs inside the Marshall Community Center. Filter the library calendar to John Marshall.
Fauquier History Museum at the Old Jail
Local history exhibits inside Warrenton's historic jail buildings, best for school-age kids. Adults $6, kids 6+ $2, under 6 free.
Frozen Yogi
A Main Street frozen yogurt shop with a little kids' play corner and scheduled pottery and craft sessions. Yogurt is sold by the ounce.
Galaxy Strikes Bowling Center
Bowling, indoor mini golf and an arcade. $8 per game or $32.95 per lane-hour; shoes $5; mini golf $7.
Warrenton Aquatic & Recreation Facility (WARF)
Indoor pools with zero-depth entry, a lazy river and water slides. Fauquier resident day pass $7 for kids and $8 for adults; ages 0–2 free.
Warrenton Central Library
Free storytimes, family learning activities and school-age programs. Check the library calendar for the week's events.
Believe Imagination Station
A two-story, 3,600-square-foot pretend-play museum in Vint Hill, a great fit for toddlers and early elementary kids. Book online.
Clarke County (5)
Barns of Rose Hill
A free art gallery with family workshops, films and concerts on its own schedule. Check each event's description for age fit.
Clarke County Historical Association Museum
Local history exhibits on Berryville's Main Street, best for school-age kids. Confirm hours before driving out.
Clarke County Library
Free storytimes, crafts and family programs, including activities for ages 0–5. Filter the Handley Regional calendar to Clarke County Library.
Clarke County Recreation Center
Gym time for basketball, volleyball and indoor soccer, plus toddler and creative classes at Chet Hobert Park. Day rates $2.50–$4.
Burwell-Morgan Mill
A working historic grist mill with grinding demonstrations most Saturdays, 11am–2pm. The season runs through November.
Frederick County & Winchester (9)
Bowman Library
Free baby and preschool storytimes, puppet shows, LEGO clubs for ages 6–11 and teen events.
Chuck E. Cheese (Winchester)
Arcade games, prizes and pizza, plus a trampoline zone for kids under 56 inches (separate fee).
Handley Library
Winchester's landmark library with free storytimes and family programs. Filter the calendar to Handley Library.
Museum of the Shenandoah Valley
Galleries of regional history, decorative arts and miniature houses. Kids 12 and under free; galleries free on Wednesdays.
Northside Lanes
A 40-lane bowling center with automatic bumpers, a snack bar and cosmic bowling. League nights can limit open lanes.
Polka Dot Pot
Paint-your-own pottery, clay and glass projects in Old Town. Most pottery projects run $30–$35; walk-ins welcome.
Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum
Several floors of hands-on science, building and imaginative play for roughly 6 months to 10 years. $10 per person age 2+; reservations recommended.
War Memorial Recreation Center (Jim Barnett Park)
An indoor pool and gym with open swim and recreation programs. Check the separate pool and gym schedules for family times.
Winchester Sportsplex (Open Bounce)
Inflatable Open Bounce sessions at an indoor sports complex. $10 for two hours, with a price increase announced for Nov 1.
📍 Worth the Drive: Arlington, Alexandria, Manassas & Woodbridge (13)
Bluemont Local
A nature-inspired indoor play structure with two-hour open play plus art, music and tumbling classes, for ages 0–7.
Get Air Trampoline Park
Trampolines and active play, with dedicated Toddler Time for kids 46 inches and under.
Pump It Up (Alexandria)
Giant inflatable slides and bounce houses during scheduled Open Jump sessions. Book an advertised session; this isn't daily walk-in play.
Scramble (Alexandria)
Soft play with separate infant, toddler and big-kid zones plus a café and kids' bookstore, for ages 0–12. Ages 1–4 from $7, ages 5–12 from $10 on weekdays.
Junior Playland
A 3,500-square-foot candy-themed soft playground for ages 1–10. $16 weekdays, $20 weekends; two adults free.
Open Bounce (Fairlington Community Center)
Indoor bounce sessions for ages 3–9, $7 per child, on Saturdays that aren't Lubber Run's first-Saturday slots.
Open Bounce (Lubber Run Community Center)
Indoor bounce equipment for ages 3–9, $7 per child. The season runs Nov 7 through March 20.
Scramble Parkour (Shirlington)
Obstacle and parkour courses for kids and teens, easier junior challenges and soft play for little ones. Two-hour entry; grip socks required.
Sky Zone (Manassas)
Trampolines, foam pit, basketball and dodgeball. Book a timed jump online.
Off Limitz Adventure Park
Ropes course, warped wall, ninja challenges, trampolines and inflatables at Potomac Mills. Formerly Healthy Fun One.
Sky Zone (Woodbridge)
Trampolines and active play. Book a timed jump on the Woodbridge booking calendar.
Slick City Action Park
Giant dry slides, air courts and a Junior Jungle for ages 5 and under. $31.99 for 90 minutes (ages 4+); socks $4.99.
Urban Air Adventure Park (Woodbridge)
Sky Rider, ropes, warrior course, climbing, laser tag and soft play. $34.99 all-day; $17.49 for kids 40 inches and under.