Wolf Trap’s Filene Center has been a go-to summer destination for decades. But have you ever seen what goes on behind the scenes? The National Park Service hosts free guided tours from October through April that allow you to explore the iconic venue like never before.
Don’t wait to make your reservation because the backstage tour is filling up quick. Of the eight tours on the schedule in 2026, five are already full, but these dates still have openings:
- Monday, October 5 at 1 p.m.
- Saturday, November 21 at 2 p.m.
- Saturday, December 19 at 2 p.m.
Can’t wait to go on the tour for yourself? Take a peek at some of the sights you’ll find behind the Filene Center stage.
Main Stage: You can see all the way to the back of the lawn from the Filene Center stage. And what you don’t see from your seat is the 11-ton fire curtain that protects the stage during emergencies and for the offseason.
Stage Left: The staff at Wolf Trap has saved certain props that have been left behind, like a portrait from an opera, a gold arch used at a 1990s fundraising ball, and a gong that was part of a Riverdance show.
Flywall: Stage right is where the magic happens. It features the stage manager console and fly system, which maneuvers scenery, lights, and other props from the ceiling.
Artist Lounge/Patio: Before performers hit the stage, they hang out in the artist lounge. The area includes a billiard table, Pac-Man machine, TV, and piano. The main dressing room also includes a private patio to take in the park’s scenery.
Feature photo by Michele Kettner
This story originally ran in our March issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
