School may be back in session for many families in NoVA, but that doesn’t mean that summer fun has to come to an end just yet. Embrace the final days of the season with exciting weekend events like concerts, festivals, and museum exhibits from August 23–25.
Twilight Hike at Sky Meadows State Park
August 23, 6:30–8 p.m.
Enjoy the fair weather with a guided evening hike at Sky Meadows State Park, one of Virginia’s designated dark-sky parks. You’ll get to see the park’s forests, fields, and meadows as the sun sets. 11012 Edmonds Ln., Delaplane, free
2024 Around the World Cultural Food Festival
August 24, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Stroll through this celebration of cultures and try food from every corner of the world. Enjoy cultural performances, a global marketplace, and an ethnic gastronomy extravaganza. Oronoco Bay Park: 100 Madison St., Alexandria, free
National Book Festival
August 24, 9 a.m.–8 p.m.
Get ready for a full day of author talks, book signings, and other fun events for bibliophiles. There will be events from more than 90 authors, including James Patterson, David Baldacci, and Sandra Cisneros. Walter E. Washington Convention Center: 801 Allen Y. Lew Place NW, Washington, DC
Food Truck Fest at Segra Field
August 24, 7:15 p.m.
Head to Segra Field to see the Loudoun United FC play and to indulge in delicious offerings from more than 15 food trucks that will be stationed at Segra Field. You can grab bites from 2 Cousins Cookin, Neko Kitchen, The Cupcake Mafia, and more, then wash it down with a craft beer from the Blue Ridge Tap Truck. Segra Field: 42095 Loudoun United Dr., Leesburg, starting at $19
Voting by Mail: Civil War to COVID-19
August 24–February 23, 2025
Learn about the history of voting by mail in this Smithsonian exhibition. Artifacts include a mailed tally sheet from 1864 and a 5-cent postage stamp. National Postal Museum: 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE, Washington, DC, free
New Works Festival
August 24–25
Support the arts with a weekend of performances at the Workhouse Arts Center. The center recently put out a call for new scripts of plays and musicals and selected six of them to be presented at this inaugural event. Performers will present a 20- to 90-minute section of their work to judges and the audience, and the top-scoring piece will get to present the full work in a staged reading in 2025. Workhouse Arts Center: 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton, $10 for single show, $25 for all shows
Indigo Girls and Melissa Etheridge
August 24–25, 7:30 p.m.
Melissa Etheridge and Indigo Girls will be at Wolf Trap for two nights of memorable music, with hits like “Closer to Fine” and “Come to My Window.” The two acts will have equal stage time and will alternate who closes the show. Etheridge closes on Saturday and Indigo Girls close on Sunday. Wolf Trap: 1551 Trap Rd., Vienna, $55
Women’s Equality Day Power Up Concert
August 25, 6:30 p.m
Sunday is Women’s Equality Day — celebrate with this concert and conference aimed to advance women’s leadership. Performances include composer Marina Arsenijevic, indie-pop band Betty, and a cappella group Sweet Honey in the Rock. Kennedy Center: 2700 F St. NW, Washington, DC, $50–$150
Color Quest 5K
August 25, 10 a.m.
Get moving with a non-competitive 5K run at Franklin Park, where participants will be showered in bright colors throughout the race. Participants get an event package with sunglasses, a bandana, and even their own package of color for a pre-race toss. Franklin Park: 17501 Franklin Park Dr., Purcellville, $25, $15 for kids under 13
Mamma Mia!
Through September 1
If you haven’t had the chance to see this lively performance, now’s the time — the production closes September 1. The show will transport you to a Greek island paradise with ABBA hits and the vibrant characters you know and love. Kennedy Center: 2700 F St. NW, Washington, DC, $49–$209
Feature image courtesy Around the World Cultural Food Festival
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