Edited by Matthew Tracy
1Celebrate Fairfax Festival
One of Northern Virginia’s largest annual festivals returns this summer to host over 300 exhibitors, vendors and activities. Families will enjoy the highly lauded nighttime fireworks show as well as live concerts on nine different stages. There’s plenty of fun for kids, with carnival rides, a petting zoo and the trademark Inova Train Ride. / June 5-7
2Tall Ship Tours in Alexandria
The French tall ship Hermione lowers its sails in Alexandria this summer. Families with kids who want to be pirates will love exploring the three-masted, 177-foot-long ship, as well as rope- and sail-making demonstrations and living history characters. / June 10-12
3‘Seuss on the Loose’
Artists at Potomac Fiber Arts Gallery take the iconic tales of Dr. Seuss and use them as inspiration for this exhibit that encompasses many mediums, from gifts and jewelry to clothing and wall art. / June 16-July 25
4Manassas Heritage Railway Festival
Great for families, this festival centers on the rich history of railroads in the U.S. Take advantage of your young ones’ love for trains and automobiles with the festival’s vast array of train memorabilia and train displays created by local model train groups, with live country and bluegrass musical accompaniment. As an added bonus, families can board one of four train trips to Clifton and back. / June 6
5Children’s Theatre in the Woods: Recess Monkey
Parents with young children will want to come out and rock out to the newest album from Recess Monkey. Known as one of the best kids’ bands in the country, this trio of elementary school teachers perfectly captures the fun and energy of being a kid. / June 26-27
6World Children’s Festival
The world’s largest celebration of creativity and imagination in children worldwide returns to the National Mall this year. This year’s festival will feature opening speeches by foreign dignitaries and children’s performances showcasing global educational achievements, followed by educational workshops and hands-on activities. / June 30-July 4
7National Capital Barbecue Battle
The top barbecue restaurants in the Metro-D.C. area and around the country return to the capital for an annual cook-off and to vie for over $40,000 in prizes. Patrons can enjoy samples, live music, interactive displays and children’s activities such as rides and magicians. / June 27-28
8‘Newsies’
Disney’s smash-hit musical comes to National Theatre this summer. Perfect for audiences young and old, “Newsies” is the story of 20th-century Brooklyn newspaper boys experiencing one thrill after the other, featuring some of the catchiest numbers on Broadway. / June 9-21
9The Ice Cream Race
People of all ages will want to take part in this race. Runners “sweat their way to sweetness” through a 5K obstacle course that includes a chocolate syrup water slide and whipped cream foam. All runners win ice cream and a custom-made T-shirt at the finish line. / June 27
10‘Peter Pan’
J.M. Barrie’s classic tale gets a special makeover this summer at the Tysons Corner Center. From the acclaimed producer of “Lone Survivor,” this update takes place in the threesixty Theatre lit with more than 15,000 square feet of high-resolution, 360-degree projection, allowing audiences to take flight with Peter Pan and friends. / June 24-July 12
(June 2015)
