Celebrate Father’s Day and beautiful weather with these weekend events. The weekend of June 14–16 offers line dancing lessons, carnival rides, and a variety of live music options.
Rosslyn Cinema
June 14 and June 21
Watch some of your favorite movies on the lawn of Gateway Park. The park will be screening family favorite The Secret Life of Pets this Friday. Various food trucks will be on site. Beer and wine are available at the Pub in the Park pop-up bar. Gateway Park: 1300 Langston Blvd., Rosslyn, free
Columbia Pike Blues Festival
June 15
Now in its 27th year, the Columbia Pike Blues Festival celebrates women in blues in 2024. Enjoy live blues, R&B, funk, and soul music. Performers include The Honey Larks, Mama Moon & The Rump Shakers, and headliner Bette Smith. There are family-friendly activities and craft beer and wine. Guests are welcome to bring their own chairs. South Walter Reed Drive from Columbia Pike to 9th Street S., Arlington, free
Hillsboro Hoedown
June 15, 6–10 p.m.
Get your dancing boots on and enjoy an evening of traditional Appalachian music. Groove to the twang of the banjo with a performance by bluegrass band The Short Hill Mountain Boys while caller Sam Kroiz teaches traditional Appalachian square dancing. Beer and wine from Old 690 will be available, along with ice cream from Moo-Thru. Hillsboro Old Stone School: 37098 Charles Town Pk., Hillsboro, $18, free for kids 12 and younger
Innovations in Flight
June 15, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Bring the whole family out to explore inventions that have shaped the last 100 years of flight at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. More than 50 aircraft will be flown in for one day at this outdoor event. Talk with pilots of vintage and modern aircraft. The aircraft that will be there include two A-10 Warthogs, two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, NOAA’s P-3 hurricane hunter, an F-18 Super Hornet, and a U.S. Coast Guard Dolphin helicopter. While free tickets are required for the outdoor fly-in, indoor activities are not ticketed. Parking is $15. Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center: 14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy., Chantilly, free
Cajun Fest
June 15, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Come celebrate New Orleans and Cajun heritage with a day of food and fun for the whole family at Breaux Vineyards. Visit Cajun-themed food trucks and craft vendors while listening to jazz music. There will be a crawfish boil hosted by chef Erik Foxx-Nettnin, with additional registration required. Breaux Vineyards: 36888 Breaux Vineyards Ln., Purcellville, $20 for adults, $10 for kids; $45 for crawfish boil
Juneteenth Celebration
June 15, 10:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Join the Stafford NAACP in celebrating Juneteenth with “a day of joy, reflection, and unity” for the community. This event will feature a parade, music, food vendors, and re-enactments at Colonial Forge High School. Colonial Forge High School: 550 Courthouse Rd., Stafford, free
Philippine Independence Day Festival
June 15, 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; June 16, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
This inaugural festival at The Mosaic District celebrates the independence of the Philippines. With a theme of “Celebrating the Independence of Independents,” the event will include more than 80 food vendors, musicians (including Mongolian singers and rappers), line dancing, and more. Mosaic District: 2910 District Ave., Fairfax, free
Army’s 249th Birthday Festival
June 15, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Learn about Army history. Army vehicles will be on display. There will be aerial parachute demonstrations, and the U.S. Army Field Band will play. The event features an inflatable bounce house and gaming activities for children, along with outdoor food trucks. Army cupcakes and an exclusive 2024 festival souvenir will be available in limited quantities. Advanced reservations recommended. National Museum of the United States Army: 1775 Liberty Dr., Fort Belvoir, free
Virginia State Parks History and Culture Day
June 15, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Take a trip to the past by exploring the archeological work at Mason Neck. The event is open to all ages and includes three stations where participants find and piece together artifacts to become Junior Archeologists. Park Rangers will be present to provide examples of artifacts found at past excavations. Mason Neck Park: 7301 High Point Rd., Lorton, $10
Alexandria Country Music Festival
June 15, noon–5 p.m.
Check out the first annual Alexandria Country Music Festival. Featured performers include Ruthie and the Wranglers, Ty Braddock and the Loyal Inmates, Billy and Bob Classic Country Band, and more. Free line dancing will be offered. Walk two blocks to the Art Mart at Canal Center Plaza, where you’ll find over 50 artists, food vendors, and activities for kids. Montgomery Park: 901 N. Royal St., Alexandria, free
The Dad Games! at Dave & Buster’s
June 16
Compete against other families at the first-ever Dad Games. This epic arcade showdown pits teams against one another for a chance at winning free gameplay for a year. Tickets include entry to the competition, access to an appetizer banquet, unlimited soft drinks, and a $20 power card. Dads receive unlimited video games the entire day. Dave and Buster’s: 11958 U Fair Oaks Shopping Ctr., Fairfax, $34.11
Sully Antique Car Show
June 16
Dad will love this. The antique car show includes restoration displays, cars for sale, and a tour of the first floor of the Sully historic house. Music and food are included, and a children’s tent is available for families. Peruse the auto, antique, and craft flea market for even more goods. Sully Historic Site: 3650 Historic Sully Way, Chantilly, $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, $10 for kids ages 5 to 15
One Loudoun Carnival at Uptown
Through June 23
One Loudoun brings back its classic carnival. Purchase tickets to relax on the merry-go-round or scream your lungs off on one of the other rides. Concession stands serve classic carnival favorites, including hot dogs, funnel cakes, ice cream, and pizza. One Loudoun Uptown: 20626 Easthampton Plz., Ashburn, free
Feature image courtesy One Loudoun
For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine’s Things to Do newsletter.
