Edited by Emily Cook
1 Olde Towne Carriage Witch, Ghosts, Thieves, Murder and Mayhem Tours
The search for ghosts and ghouls begins Sept. 1 as a 50-minute carriage ride through historic downtown Fredericksburg unveils the haunted past of this Virginia city. / Through Oct. 31
2 ‘The Lego Movie’ in Mosaic’s Strawberry Park
Pack a picnic and grab a blanket for Mosaic’s Films in the Park series showing of “The Lego Movie.” Starring Will Arnett, Elizabeth Banks, Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Liam Neeson, Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Shaquille O’Neal and Morgan Freeman, this comic, endearing and imaginative film scored a 96 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and is enjoyable even for those above 5 feet. / Sept. 4
3 Baby Loves Disco at Jammin Java
Dance the midmorning away with a live DJ beneath the flashing lights of a disco ball. While taking a juice break from your vivacious moves, enjoy a bubble machine, maracas, balloons, face painting and crafts. Don’t forget to snap some family shots for your Christmas card inside the photo booth. / Sept. 19
4 Cox Farms’ Fall Festival Preview Weekend
Spend the day sliding and swinging, nibbling on apples and sipping on cider one week prior to the farm’s official opening. / Sept. 19-20
5 Old Fashioned Barn Dance & Dinner
Celebrate Cows-N-Corn’s corn maze opening weekend with an all-you-can-eat roast beef dinner feast, a swingin’ barn dance (including a quick lesson for beginners) and hayride tour. Adventurous guests are further encouraged to get lost in this season’s debut corn maze. / Sept. 19
6 Museum Day Live!
Visit fee-based museums—Morven Park, Sully Historic Site, Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, Mary Washington House, Rising Sun Tavern, Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop, The James Monroe Museum—free of charge with a downloadable Museum Day Live ticket. / Sept. 26
7 Annual Chili Cook-Off and Kids Fest
Historic Manassas hosts a chili cook-off with a fiery collection of homemade recipes and a live performance by the Southern Persuasion Band. The daylong extravaganza will also feature an assortment of games, face painting and a clown show. / Sept. 26
8 Lovettsville Oktoberfest
Celebrate the last full weekend in September with home-cooked German delicacies, music, dancing, local beers and hard ciders. The Kinderfest will feature an assortment of games, rides and activities. / Sept. 26
9 Barktoberfest
Bring your whole family (including canine children) to the Loudoun County Fairgrounds for a day of fun with live music, wine tasting, bites, games for kids and dogs, pet contests and prizes and a Mutt Strut. Hosted by Friends of Homeless Animals, this event raises funds to find families for animals without them. / Sept. 26
10 23rd Annual Fall Pumpkin Harvest Festival
Celebrate Great Country Farms’ 23rd Annual Fall Festival by picking pumpkins, fishing, racing on bouncy horses and cows and venturing through the corn maze. Feast on cider doughnuts, pumpkin ice cream, cider pork barbecue sandwiches and apple pies. / Sept. 26-Oct. 31
