9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
Sept. 11, 10 a.m.
In addition to pausing to honor all those who lost their lives during the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, this ceremony will also pay tribute to those that were injured or otherwise impacted. After Mayor Allison Silberberg, Fire Chief Robert Dubé, Police Captain Don Hayes and Sgt. Sean Casey speak, the ceremony will conclude with a “Return to Quarters” bell-ringing. // Market Square: 301 King St., Alexandria
Picnic in the Park
Sept. 11, 18 & 25, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Weather permitting, enjoy lunch outside while listening to live music and having the kids participate in hands-on activities each Tuesday for the rest of the month. The Sept. 11 event will appropriately focus on honoring our first responders; the Sept. 18 event will be all about recycling; and the Sept. 25 event will encourage kids to come dressed up as their favorite storybook character. // Hurkamp Park: 500 William St., Fredericksburg
Garden Tour & Tea
Sept. 13, 1 p.m.
Stroll through lush fall gardens led by a master gardener, who will likewise inform guests about the grounds’ history before concluding with a traditional English tea. // Green Spring Gardens: 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria
Ittie Bitte Doggie Dive
Sept. 14, 4-7 p.m.
Have a small dog (less than 50 pounds) and want to officially say goodbye to summer? Let them splash around in the pool, then participate in activities and take in pet-friendly demonstrations. Your pup must have proof of registration and current vaccinations. // Charles Houston Recreation Center: 901 Wythe St., Alexandria
Art in the Park
Sept. 15, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Get a taste of Fredericksburg’s local artist community with Art in the Park, staged in conjunction with the city’s Farmers Market on the first and third Saturdays of the month. It’s an opportunity to shop local and browse goods from the region’s talented artists and makers. // Hurkamp Park: 500 William St., Fredericksburg; free
Big Dog Day Swim
Sept. 15, 10 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
“Man’s best friend” on the larger side? No worries, because they too can end their summer swimming. // Old Town Pool: 1609 Cameron St., Alexandria
Civil War Shelter Day
Sept. 15, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Put your Civil War history to the test by trying to properly identify who sought shelter in certain kinds of tents. Union military interpreters will be there to fill in the blanks. // Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site: 4301 W. Braddock Road, Alexandria
Live Owl and Hawk Fest
Sept. 15, 2-3 p.m.
For $7 per person, say hello to local owls and hawks with artist and wildlife rehabilitator Lois Auer. // Hidden Oaks Nature Center: 7701 Royce St. Annandale
Astronomy Festival
Sept. 15, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
For $10 per person, gather ’round the campfire, learn about constellations, do some stargazing and peer inside a telescope all while enjoying snacks and hot chocolate. Note that in the event of bad weather, the even will be cancelled. // Turner Farm: 925 Springvale Road, Great Falls
Movie Night
Sept. 15 & 21
On a nice night, pack some snacks, grab chairs and a blanket and take the family to see an outdoor movie. On Sept. 15 from 6-9 p.m., see Paddington 2 at the Chinquapin Park Recreation Center and on Sept. 21 from 7:30-10 p.m. at Market Square, see Black Panther. // Chinquapin Park Recreation Center: 3210 King St.; Market Square: 301 King St., Alexandria
Notable Nature
Sept. 16, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Every time you get to go outdoors, do you wish it could last forever? While hiking, learn how to keep a nature journal and sketch what you see that way you can look back at some of those special moments. // Long Branch Nature Center at Glencarlyn Park: 625 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington
Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge Birding Trip
Sept. 18, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Grab the binoculars, pack a lunch and explore Occoquan Bay and its inhabitants on a 2-3 mile walk. // Gulf Branch Nature Center & Park: 3608 North Military Road, Arlington
Fall Harvest Campfire
Sept. 21, 6 p.m.
For $10 per person, play historic games, build your own s’more and listen to fireside tales. For those that like to cook over an open fire, feel free to bring your own hot dogs or other picnic items, too. // Riverbend Park: 8700 Potomac Hills St., Great Falls
Fall Garden Day
Sept. 22, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
This isn’t your typical plant sale. After grabbing some goods for you garden, take part in a silent auction, listen to live music, let the kids explore a tent of activities, purchase some food and bake sale items and more. // Green Spring Gardens: 4603 Green Spring Road, Annandale
Tree ID Hike
Sept. 22, 11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Before all the leaves have fallen, become an expert at knowing what kind of tree they came from. // Long Branch Nature Center at Glencarlyn Park: 625 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington
Corn Grinding and Clay Pottery
Sept. 22, 1 p.m.
Get a glimpse into what it is like to truly live off the land, for entertainment just as much as for survival. Play corn darts, grind corn, make a clay pot and go on a tour of Huntley Meadows Park to see what life was like for Powhatan Native Americans. // Huntley Meadows: 3701 Lockheed Blvd., Alexandria
Burketoberfest Driving Range Social
Sept. 22, 7-10 p.m.
As fall starts settling in, enjoy Oktoberfest food, drinks, music, games and more while hitting an unlimited number of golf balls at the Burke Lake Golf Center’s double-decker driving range. Tickets cost $30 per person. // Burke Lake Golf Center: 6915 Ox Road, Fairfax Station
SlugFest
Sept. 22, 2-3:30 p.m.
Does your little one love slugs, or even just slimy things? At SlugFest, they can create crafts, see slugs race and participate in “slime tossing” for $10 per person. // Hidden Pond Nature Center: 8511 Greeley Boulevard, Springfield
September Moon Night Hike
Sept, 22, 7-8 p.m.
A nighttime walk through the wilderness can be a tranquil, relaxing way to get your steps in. On this hike, learn about the constellations, what animals prefer the dark to the daytime and more. // Gulf Branch Nature Center & Park: 3608 N, Military Road, Arlington
Photographer’s Day at the Mill
Sept. 23, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Are you a photographer, or thinking about getting into it? Colvin Run Mill is a popular spot, and staff members will show you some of the best places to snap a photo, plus discuss commercial permits and related information at this free event. // Colvin Run Mill: 10017 Colvin Run Road, Great Falls
Full Moon Boat Tour
Sept. 23, 7:30 p.m.
Who doesn’t enjoy a nice boat ride? Experience a nighttime cruise on the tour boat for $10 per person and keep an eye out for wildlife while you’re at it. // Burke Lake Park: 7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station
