Weekender Newsletter

Friday, Sept. 18 - Sunday, Sept. 20

Culmore Community Day

Saturday, Sept. 19, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Celebrate Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month at the Culmore Family Resource Center in Falls Church. This multicultural celebration will feature cultural performances, live music, raffles, food and more. 

Weekend-Long Events

Early Voting for November Election Friday and Saturday, Hours Vary Early voting for the Nov. 3 General and Special Elections starts this weekend. Cast your vote at the Fairfax County Government Center, Mount Vernon Governmental Center or North County Governmental Center.

Friday, Sept. 18 Events

Vaccine and Microchip Clinic (9 - 11 a.m.) Visit Animal Services' Lorton Campus for low‑cost pet vaccinations and microchipping without the added expense of a veterinary exam. Please bring your pet's vaccination records if you have them. All clinics are first‑come, first‑served and are cash only.

Gentle Yoga (11 a.m. - noon)

Explore various elements of yoga while connecting breath with gentle movement at Dolley Madison Library in McLean. Please bring a yoga mat and blocks if needed.

Family Fun Fridays (noon - 5 p.m.)

Spend time together as a family at Riverbend Park’s Nature Center in Great Falls. Read books, make crafts, play games, use a microscope, dig in the sandbox and more. Enjoy a short presentation or read-aloud story by a naturalist every hour. Registration is $5.

Garden Talk - Grow Spectacular Bulbs (1:30 - 2:30 p.m.)

Learn about the enchanting world of bulbs and their cousins, corms, tubers and rhizomes, and how they can add beauty to your garden at Green Spring Gardens Park in Alexandria. Registration is $12.

Saturday, Sept. 19 Events

Stuff the Bus Countywide Food Drive (10 a.m. - 3 p.m.) The buses are fueled and ready to roll for a one-day food drive at district Governmental Centers countywide. Support local nonprofit food pantries by donating nonperishables or gift cards.

Nature Kayaking (10 a.m. - noon)

Paddle with a naturalist at Lake Fairfax Park in Reston to learn about the flora and fauna that call the lake their home. Discover what’s growing along the lake’s edge, who likes to wade in the water and what might be swimming beneath you. All equipment will be provided. Registration is $45. 

Gardening for Fall Beauty (11 a.m. - noon)

The arrival of fall brings new opportunities to create beautiful gardens. Join a master gardener to learn about planting for fall gardens at Kings Park Library in Burke.

Reston Multicultural Festival (11 a.m. - 6 p.m.)

Celebrate Reston’s diversity and community spirit at the Reston Multicultural Festival. This annual event at the Reston Town Center brings together the community to celebrate a rich medley of cultures.

Dairy Days - Ice Cream Making and Butter (1 - 2:30 p.m.)

Churn butter and crank ice cream at Sully Historic Site's historic dairy in Chantilly. Visit and learn about the important role dairy farms played in Fairfax County’s past. Registration is $15.

3D Design with Tinkercad (1 - 3 p.m.)

Learn how to create and personalize a simple 3D-modeling project at Herndon Fortnightly Library. Bring your own laptop; chromebooks will also be provided. Designs will be printed within a week. 

The Old Firehouse Center Block Party (1 - 4 p.m.)

Celebrate the end of the season with The Old Firehouse Center's block party in McLean. This community celebration brings live music, games, activities, food, giveaways and fun for all ages.

Family Skate and Dance Night: Hispanic Heritage Night (6 - 9 p.m.)

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage with a fun evening on wheels at the Franconia Rec Center in Alexandria. Wear traditional attire, cultural clothing, your favorite fútbol jersey or colors that represent your country. Don’t forget to bring your own skates. Registration is $10.

Sunday, Sept. 20 Events

The Civil War at Sully (2 - 3 p.m.) Discover the turbulent history and importance of Sully and Fairfax County during the Civil War at the Sully Historic Site in Chantilly. Tour the site and learn about the different figures who experienced the war. We'll discuss the effects the war had on the county and why it matters today.

Birding for Beginners (8 - 11 a.m.)

Learn how to identify the birds that call Huntley Meadows Park in Alexandria home. This beginner program will start with a bird identification discussion. Registration is $20.

Drawing and Learning About Mushrooms (9:30 a.m. - noon)

It's the perfect time to look for fungi in the woodlands. Join us at Riverbend Park in Great Falls to learn about local fungi and practice field sketching. Registration is $27.

Mill in Motion (noon - 2 p.m.)

Explore the 200-year-old Colvin Run Mill in Great Falls as we grind grain using the power of the waterwheel. Hear and smell the grindstones at work. Learn how automated gristmills revolutionized flour production.

Read to the Dog (2 - 3 p.m.)

Register for a 15-minute slot to read to a trained therapy dog at Kingstowne Regional Library. Registration begins at 1:30 p.m. and slots fill up quickly. Bring your own book or choose one of ours. For children ages 5-12.

Upcoming Events