By Doreen Gagne

Spring is in full swing, and May brings some of the best events of the year. Use this guide to discover great local festivals, concerts, and family adventures happening all month long.

🗓️  May 1 to May 7, 2026

• Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival ( April 24-May 3) Winchester- This historic 10-day festival celebrates the arrival of spring with parades, live music, and family-friendly activities.
• Annual Alexandria Old Town Springtime Art Festival (May 3-4) Old Town, Alexandria-The popular September Art Festival is rated as one of the top 100 art shows in Sunshine Artist Magazine.
• Virginia Gold Cup (May 2,  Great Meadow, The Plains) – Celebrate the 100^th Running of this premier steeplechase horse racing event. They’ll be elaborate tailgating and fashionable derby attire.
• Run The Greenway: (May 3, Dulles Greenway) Experience the Dulles Greenway like never before with 5K, 10K, and Kids Fun Run options. This event supports local charities and offers a unique opportunity to run on the scenic toll road.
• PAW Patrol Live! (May 1-3, EagleBank Arena) The Great Pirate Adventure – family show, multiple performances.
• Revolutionary War Weekend at Mount Vernon : Historical reenactments & family educational fun.
• Friday Night Live! (May 2, Downtown Herndon) Friday Night Live! kicks off May with another season of weekly concerts in downtown Herndon.
• Beer, Bourbon & BBQ (Fest: May 24, 868 Estate Vinyards, Hillsboro, VA)

🗓️ May 8 to May 14, 2026

🌸 Top 10 Family-Friendly Mother’s Day Activities — Northern Virginia (2026)

• Mother’s Day at Great Country Farms May 9–10, Great Country Farms — 34345 Snickersville Turnpike, Bluemont
  Celebrate Mom with farm animals, wagon rides, flower picking, and a relaxed countryside picnic atmosphere.
• Mother’s Day Garden Stroll at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens May 9–10, Meadowlark Botanical Gardens — 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct, Vienna
  Families can explore blooming spring gardens, walking trails, lakes, and scenic picnic spots.
• Family Day at George Washington’s Mount Vernon May 10, Mount Vernon Estate — 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy, Mount Vernon
  Enjoy a day of history with estate tours, gardens, farm animals, and special Mother’s Day dining options.
• Mother’s Day Flower Market at Reston Town Center May 9, Reston Town Center — 11900 Market St, Reston
  An outdoor market with local vendors, flowers, handmade gifts, and live music.
• Mother’s Day Picnic at Stone Tower Winery May 9–10, Stone Tower Winery — 19925 Hogback Mountain Rd, Leesburg
  Bring a picnic and enjoy family-friendly lawn seating and panoramic vineyard views.
• Mother’s Day Weekend at Leesburg Animal Park May 9–10, Leesburg Animal Park — 19246 James Monroe Hwy, Leesburg
  A great option for families with young children featuring pony rides, animal encounters, and playgrounds.
• Mother’s Day Nature Walk at Riverbend Park May 10, Riverbend Park — 8700 Potomac Hills St, Great Falls
  Celebrate the holiday with a peaceful nature walk along the Potomac River and spring wildlife viewing.
• Mother’s Day Strawberry Season Kickoff May 9–10,  Wegmeyer Farms — 38299 Hughesville Rd, Hamilton
  Families can pick fresh strawberries and enjoy a classic spring farm outing.
• Mother’s Day Weekend at Frying Pan Farm Park May 9–10, Frying Pan Farm Park — 2709 West Ox Rd, Herndon
  Kids can see farm animals, historic barns, and interactive exhibits at this working park.
• Mother’s Day Paddle or Picnic at Burke Lake Park May 9–10, Burke Lake Park — Fairfax Station
  Rent paddle boats, enjoy scenic lake trails, or have a relaxing family picnic.

More Events:

• Art in the Burg: May 9, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Middleburg. Enjoy live music and artistic performances, craft wine, beer cider and food onsite, while shopping for local artists’ paintings, pottery, jewelry, sculptures and photography to woodworking, leather goods, candles, soap, and more. 
• Mason Neck Eagle Festival: May 9, 10 am- 4pm. Mason Neck Park, Lorton. Learn about eagles with a full day of live animal shows and family-friendly activities plus bird walks, pony rides, food, and more. FREE. 

• Asian American & Pacific Islander Festival: May 9, 12:30pm – 5:00 pm. Mason District Park Amphitheater, Annandale. Join the FCPA and community partners for a celebratory day of Asian culture and heritage with live performances, food and art vendors, and a parade. 

• Clifton Home & Garden Tour: May 10. Tour a diverse sampling of Clifton’s most unique homes and gardens. Purchase tickets in advance.
• Reston / Vienna outdoor concert nights and community music series.

.🗓️  May 15 to May 21, 2026

• Tephra ICA Arts Festival: May 16–17, Reston Town Center — 11900 Market St, Reston, . An acclaimed outdoor arts festival featuring hundreds of contemporary artists, live performances, interactive art, and family‑friendly experiences in the heart of Reston

• Spring Wine Festival and Sunset Tour at Mount Vernon: May 16–18, George Washington’s Mount Vernon — 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy. Enjoy a celebration of Virginia wine with tastings from numerous vineyards, live jazz on the lawn, and beautiful sunset views over the Potomac River.

• McLean Day Festival & Carnival: May 16–17, Lewinsville Park — 1659 Chain Bridge Rd, McLean. A lively community festival featuring carnival rides, live entertainment, a petting zoo, food trucks, and family‑friendly activities celebrating the spirit of McLean.

• Bike to Work Day – Northern Virginia Region: May 15, Multiple area bike pit stops across Northern Virginia. Part of the regional Bicycle Coalition’s annual event encouraging healthy transportation, with over 100 pit stops offering refreshments, music, and giveaways for participants

• Lincoln Strawberry Pancake Breakfast: May 16–17, Wegmeyer Farms — 18451 Taylor Rd, Hamilton. Start festival mornings with strawberry pancakes and farm‑fresh fun as part of the Strawberry Festival weekend celebrations.

🗓️ May 22 to May 28, 2026

• NoVA MusicFest: May 24, 868 Estate Vineyards. Enjoy local wine, food, and music including blues, rock, & country features a lineup of DC-area talent benefiting Cancer Can Rock. 
• Wolf Trap Concert 2026 Summer Season Kick Off: May 21-23. Sting, known for his work as a solo artist and as the frontman of The Police, will kick off Wolf Trap’s 2026 summer season. 

 Memorial Day Events (May 25)

• National Memorial Day Observance: 11:00 AM, Arlington National Cemetery, featuring military bands and a wreath-laying ceremony.
• National Memorial Day Parade: 1:00 PM, Constitution Avenue. The nation’s largest Memorial Day parade features bands, celebrities, and veterans.
• Rolling to Remember: May 24, 2026. A demonstration ride in D.C. raising awareness for veterans’ suicide and POW/MIA issues.
• National Memorial Day Concert: May 24,  8pm. On the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, featuring the National Symphony Orchestra. 
• Flags IN at Arlington National Cemetery: View American flags placed at more than 250,000 graves, with the Memorial Day Flowers Foundation providing free roses to visitors who come in tribute.
• Falls Church Memorial Day Festival & Parade: 10:00 AM, May 25, Falls Church Community Center, Festivities start at 9am, parade at 2pm. Includes rides, food vendors, and family entertainment.