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27 Summer Festivals and Fairs Near DC for Families

The DC State Fair showcases the talents and uniqueness of the city. Photo courtesy of the fair
The DC State Fair showcases the talents and uniqueness of the city. Photo courtesy of the fair
5/26/23 - By Jennifer Swope

Summer festivals and fairs are a great way to enjoy the warm weather and sunshine in the DC area. After all, nothing says "summer" more than festival food, carnival rides and games, and live music.

Luckily, there are all sorts of festivals taking place in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia all summer long. They range from cultural and food festivals to state and county fairs with rides, games, food, and fun for kids and families.

Here are over 25 fun summer festivals and fairs near DC to visit with kids this summer. We've broken them down by month to help you plan, but keep checking our events calendar and our Summer Activities Guide for DC Kids—you never know which new summer festivals and events will pop up!

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Celebrate community and honor Memorial Day at ViVa Vienna! Photo courtesy of the Rotary Club of Vienna, Virginia
Celebrate community and honor Memorial Day at ViVa Vienna! Photo courtesy of the Rotary Club of Vienna, Virginia

Summer Festivals and Fairs Near DC in May

Strawberry Jubilee Fest at Great Country Farms

Bluemont, VA - Saturdays & Sundays, May 18 - June 2, 2024
Great Country Farms celebrates the royal strawberry with a Jubilee packed with live music, farm contests, wagon rides, great food, and fun games for the whole family. READ MORE

ViVa Vienna!

Vienna, VA - Saturday - Monday, May 27-29, 2023
Free
ViVa Vienna! is a three-day, fun-filled event celebrating community and honoring Memorial Day. Families can enjoy food, rides, music, children's activities, and more.  READ MORE

Holi at Mosaic

Fairfax, VA - Saturday, May 27, 2023
Free
Holi celebrates color, spring, and love, bringing friends and family together. The Mosaic District, in partnership with RASA, hosts the community for an afternoon of colored powder, music, and food. The throwing of color begins at 5:50pm. READ MORE

Falls Church Memorial Day Parade & Festival

Falls Church, VA - Monday, May 29, 2023
Free
The annual Falls Church Memorial Day Parade & Festival includes a Memorial Day ceremony hosted by the Falls Church Veteran's Council, a 3K Fun Run, food, vendors, live music, kids' entertainment, and a parade. READ MORE
Learn about various cultures at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Photo courtesy of the UAE Embassy
Learn about various cultures at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Photo courtesy of the UAE Embassy

Summer Festivals and Fairs Near DC in June

Manassas Railway Festival

Manassas, VA - Saturday, June 1, 2024
Free
This family celebration of rich railroad history features model train displays, train memorabilia, and specialty vendors, and is free to attend. These elaborate train displays are created by a number of local model train groups.  READ MORE

World Heritage Festival - Silver Spring

Silver Spring, MD - Sunday, June 4, 2023
Free
Families can sample delicious ethnic foods, watch cultural performances, and shop from more than 70 vendors at Silver Spring's World Heritage Festival.  READ MORE

Portside in Old Town Summer Festival

Alexandria, VA - Friday & Saturday, June 21 & 22, 2024
Free
Summer kicks off at this fun festival that begins Friday evening with an eclectic collection of jazz performances. It continues Saturday with live music, a beer garden, local food, hands-on art and history activities, and more. READ MORE

National Ice Cream Fest

National Harbor, MD - Saturday, June 17, 2023
Enjoy a day of ice cream, games, music, fun, and more at National Harbor's inaugural National Ice Cream Fest. READ MORE

Puerto Rican Festival in Manassas

Manassas, VA - Saturday, June 15, 2024
Free
Puerto Rico Cafe's 2024 Puerto Rican Festival marks their 2nd annual event celebrating the vibrant culture of Puerto Rico in Manassas, which includes musical and dance performances, plus food and vendors reflecting this beautiful Caribbean island. READ MORE

Manassas Bee Festival

Manassas, VA - Saturday, June 22, 2024
Free
Celebrate pollinators at the Manassas Bee Festival. Guests can taste fresh honey, dance with other bees and butterflies in costume, enjoy honey crafts, and see an apiary. READ MORE

Giant National Capital BBQ Battle

Washington, DC - Saturday & Sunday, June 22 & 23, 2024
Restaurants and chefs from around the country compete at this festival, which also offers plenty of food, live music across four stages, BMX and skateboarding freestyle shows, backyard games, and lots of other activities.  READ MORE

Smithsonian Folklife Festival

Washington, DC - Daily, June 26 - July 7, 2024 (except Monday & Tuesday, July 1 & 2)
Free
Through cultural performances, storytelling, workshops, food, and more, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival aims to spark curiosity of various cultures and nurture human connection. READ MORE
The Loudoun County Fair features carnival games and rides, food, a petting zoo, and more. Photo courtesy of the fair
The Loudoun County Fair features carnival games and rides, food, a petting zoo, and more. Photo courtesy of the fair

Summer Festivals and Fairs Near DC in July

Silver Spring Arts & Crafts Summer Fair

Silver Spring, MD - Sunday, July 9, 2023
Free
Summer is in full swing at Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring with arts and crafts, music, dancing, live performances, more than 80 vendors, and fun activities for kids and adults.  READ MORE

Purcellville Wine & Food Festival

Purcellville, VA - Saturday, July 22, 2023
This family-friendly festival in the heart of DC's wine country features live music, vendors, kids' activities, and of course food and wine. READ MORE

Loudoun County Fair

Leesburg, VA - Tuesday - Saturday, July 25-29, 2023
Enjoy food, carnival rides, live entertainment, games, a petting zoo, a demolition derby, and more at the annual Loudoun County Fair. READ MORE
The Howard County Fair has sweets and treats for everyone! Photo courtesy of the fair
The Howard County Fair has sweets and treats for everyone! Photo courtesy of the fair

Summer Festivals and Fairs Near DC in August

Fairfax County 4-H Fair and Carnival

Herndon, VA - Thursday - Sunday, August 3-6, 2023
Free
This annual festival includes carnival rides and games, food, farm animals, live  entertainment, tractor demos, and lots more family fun. READ MORE

DC Water Lantern Festival

National Harbor, MD - Saturday, August 5, 2023
Families will be dazzled as they witness the beauty of thousands of lanterns floating on the water in National Harbor. The event also includes food trucks, music, and giveaways.  READ MORE

Howard County Fair

West Friendship, MD - Daily, August 5-12, 2023
At the 76th annual Howard County Fair, families can enjoy rides, agricultural exhibits, a dog show, a parade, food, live music, and more. READ MORE

Prince William County Fair

Manassas, VA - Daily, August 11-19, 2023
The Prince William County Fair features livestock and arts exhibits, tractor pulls, a rodeo, demolition derbies, live music and shows, food, carnival rides and games, and more. READ MORE

Montgomery County Agricultural Fair

Gaithersburg, MD - Daily, August 11-19, 2023
This annual fair offers 62 acres of fun for families, including over 5,000 animals, carnival rides and games, live entertainment, food, arts and crafts, and more.  READ MORE

Library of Congress National Book Festival

Washington, DC - Saturday, August 12, 2023
Free
The National Book Festival brings together bestselling authors and thousands of book fans for author talks, panel discussions, book signings, and other activities. The lineup includes children's authors and activities. READ MORE

Arlington County Fair

Arlington, VA - Wednesday - Sunday, August 16-20, 2023
Free
The Arlington County Fair is back this year with competitive exhibits, midway rides and games, entertainment, vendors, and more. READ MORE

The Flying Circus Hot Air Balloon Festival

Bealeton, VA - Saturday & Sunday, August 19 & 20, 2023
Head out to the Flying Circus Airshow to watch hot air balloons and aircraft take flight. Families wanting a breathtaking view of the area can take a ride for an additional fee. Arrive early, as lines get longer throughout the day. READ MORE

Around The World Cultural Food Festival

Alexandria, VA - Saturday, August 26, 2023
Free
The Around the World Cultural Food Festival returns to Oronoco Bay Park in Alexandria. The festival features national dishes and beverages from around the world available for purchase along with cultural presentations. READ MORE
Enter fun contests at the DC State Fair. Photo courtesy of the fair
Enter fun contests at the DC State Fair. Photo courtesy of the fair

Summer Festivals and Fairs Near DC in September

Greenbelt Labor Day Festival

Greenbelt, MD - Friday - Monday, September 1-4, 2023
Free
The Greenbelt Labor Day Festival includes carnival rides and games, a craft fair, live performances, food trucks, children's activities, and more.  READ MORE

DC State Fair

Washington, DC - Sunday, September 10, 2023
Free
The 14th Annual DC State Fair is back. Showcasing the talents and uniqueness of DC, the fair has contests, a pet parade, exhibitions by local vendors, and more. Be sure to stop by workshops and exhibitions throughout the day. READ MORE

Takoma Park Folk Festival

Takoma Park, MD - Sunday, September 10, 2023
Free
The Takoma Park Folk Festival features six music stages, crafts, food, community nonprofit tables, and games and activities for children.  READ MORE

H Street Festival

Washington, DC - Saturday, September 16, 2023
Free
Eleven blocks long with 14 staging areas, the H Street Festival features tons of music, dance, youth-based performances, interactive children’s programs, and more. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Liberia House and Grounds
Silver Spring Veterans Plaza
Walter E Washington Convention Center
Thomas Jefferson Community Center
Historic Roosevelt Center