Kid Trips Summer 2013 Calendar Of Fun!

It will soon be summertime in the DC Metro area and we thought it might be fun to put together a great list of upcoming local events.  Our list will help you kick start summer beginning with Memorial Day Weekend and will take you through to Labor Day Weekend! 

We have TONS of family-friendly adventures packed into our Summer 2013 calendar and while we have given you an awesome starting point for warm weather outings, we still have LOADS more in our book Kid Trips Northern Virginia.  For an even more comprehensive list of seasonal events you can buy our book for your digital device or purchase the handy paperback version on Amazon and in select local stores. See our home page for buying options @ http://www.gokidtrips.com/.

---

May 2013

Delaplane Strawberry Festival
May 25 – 16, 2013
Delaplane, VA
www.delaplanestrawberryfestival.com/
Held in the heart of Virginia hunt country, in Sky Meadow State Park, the Delaplane Strawberry Festival a full weekend for the family. The event offers up children's games, hayrides, live entertainment, bake sale, petting zoo, lots of fresh strawberries and a 5k run. The location is roughly an hour from the DC Metro Area. Kids love this event that is normally held over Memorial Day Weekend.

Herndon Festival
May 30 - June 2, 2013
Downtown Herndon, VA
www.herndonfestival.net
Food, fun and lots activities can be expected at this FREE event in downtown Herndon.   For those not familiar with the four-day festival, you will be delighted to see an all star line up of entertainment on three stages.  Kids will love the carnival, fireworks, art and crafts.  The event also features a 10K/5K race and fitness expo.

Hometown Holidays
May 25– 27, 2013
Rockville Town Center
Rockville, MD
LINK
3-day festival that features the Taste of Rockville, loads of entertainment with over 40 performances, kids activities, a Green Festival, and an arts festival.  Festivities conclude with a Memorial Day ceremony and parade.

Memorial Day Parade
May 27, 2013
Washington DC
LINK
The annual event is held the Monday of Memorial Day Weekend. This parade features over 40 bands and 150 veteran units that have representatives from every war dating back to World War I. The festivities kick off at 2pm at 3rd & Madison Streets NW. Admission is free. Note, try to take Metro to avoid the road congestion near downtown. 

Memorial Day Weekend
Rolling Thunder
May 26, 2013
Washington DC
www.rollingthunder1.com/events.html Since 1988 war veterans and supporters have rumbled through our Nation's Capitol over Memorial Day Weekend. The annual pilgrimage draws over 500,000 riders to the Metro DC area. Rolling Thunder blazes a trail through DC on the Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend with a ride from the Pentagon to the memorials. 

City of Falls Church Memorial Day  Parade and Festival
May 27, 2013
Falls Church, VA
LINK
Enjoy a parade through the City of Falls Church, shop at local artisans booths, go on festival rides, watch live entertainment, and feast on great food.  This event has something for every member of the family!

Strawberry Jubilee
Great County Farm
May 25-26, 2013
Bluemont, VA
www.greatcountryfarms.com/
Pick a season and you will find a celebration at Great Country Farms. From the Spring Strawberry Jubilee, that plays host to the Diaper Derby, to the Fall Pumpkin Harvest, it is always a good time to pay a visit to Great Country Farms. The farm makes for a fabulous day in the country. Noteworthy, check the website calendar for the U-Pick seasonal fruits and vegetables. Kids love the chance to get out there and pick their own tomatoes, blackberries and blueberries. Yum!

Viva Vienna!
May 25 – 27, 2013
245 Maple Avenue West
Vienna, VA
www.vivaviennava.org/
Head over to Vienna for an awesome day of live music, entertainment, food, carnival rides and more!  Parking can be tough, so take the shuttle bus service from James Madison High School and the Vienna Metro Station.

---

June 2013

Springfield Days
June 1 – 2, 2013
Springfield, VA
LINK
Locations include the Springfield Mall, Springfield Plaza, Lake Accotink and the American Legion Post.  Fun includes: parades, the Taste of Springfield, live music, an art show and tons more.  Review the website for more information.

Clifton Wine Festival
Clifton, VA
June 23, 2013
LINK
Clifton holds its 7th Annual Wine Festival.  Expect live music, arts & crafts, gourmet cuisine, and fun for kids.

Alexandria Wine & Food Festival
John Carlyle Square
Alexandria, VA
June 22, 2013
LINK
The 2nd annual Alexandria Wine & Food Festival will feature tastes of local foods and wine, as well as artisans, a Children’s Corner, and live entertainment. The event transforms John Carlyle Square into a lively festival venue.

Celebrate Fairfax
Fairfax County Gov Center
Fairfax, VA
June 7-9, 2013
http://www.celebratefairfax.org/
I love this event.  Great music, food, entertainment, and an awesome carnival await you.  This is great fun for young and adult! Fairfax County uses 25-acres and packs the area full with of kids’ activities, a children’s’ avenue, exhibitors, and carnival rides.  They typically have great live music all weekend long.

Frederick Festival of the Arts
Carroll Creek Linear Park / Market St
Frederick, MD
June 1 – 2, 2013
http://www.frederickarts.org
The Frederick Festival of the Arts is a juried, two-day art festival.  You will find over 100 professional artists, plus kids’ crafts and entertainment.

Heritage Days Festival
Historic Downtown Cumberland, MD @ Washington Street
Cumberland, MD
June 8– 9, 2013
http://www.heritagedaysfestival.com
Food, music and fun! Enjoy the quaint atmosphere and serene ride to this tiny historic town. 

Imagination Bethesda
Children’s Summer Street Festival
Woodmont Avenue
Bethesda, MD
June 1, 2013
LINK
Celebrate children, art, and all things fun at the 19th annual Imagination Bethesda. The festival takes place on Auburn & Norfolk Avenues. Activity tents line the streets, face painters bring butterflies and pirates to life, a stage of live entertainment will have the whole street dancing and more! Enjoy this FREE family fun day!

Manassas Heritage Railway Festival
June 1, 2013
Manassas, VA
LINK
Old Town Manassas plays host to this celebration of the rail history.  Kids will love the train displays, VRE rides, Civil War re-enactors, animal nursery, food and entertainment.

Millennium Stage
Free Shows @ The Kennedy Center
Summer 2013
http://www.kennedy-center.org/
For those who haven’t experienced the Millennium Stage, it is time to head downtown.  This is the ideal opportunity to introduce young children to the wonders of the stage.  All of the Millennium shows are free to the public and are held almost daily around 6pm.  For a full list of the upcoming shows throughout the summer, check the website.

Insider Tip: Shows can be crowded.  Try to get to the Kennedy Center early.  After the show take a walk on the outdoor balcony and don’t miss the gorgeous views of the Potomac and Georgetown Waterfront. Hey…even if Junior is acting up, you can always end the day with a walk on the waterfront and you didn’t pay a dime for the show.

National Barbeque Battle
June 22– 23, 2013
Washington DC
www.barbecuebattle.com/
For 21 years the Barbecue Battle has featured serious competition between top BBQ competitors, great BBQ restaurants from our area and around the country, cooking demonstrations, free food samples, interactive cooking displays and children's activities. Experience regional Rock, Reggae, Jazz, and Blues. This is a two day event was voted one of the Top 100 Events in North American. Note, in my humble opinion, young children do not belong at this festival. Take a warm DC day and add in 5 blocks of vendors with grills and ovens and presto...IT'S HOT! I saw more than a few cranky, overheated toddlers and infants that wanted OUT! Lines can be long, try to get the event at the start or in the late afternoon.

Smithsonian Folk Life Festival
June 26 -30 & July 3-7, 2013
Washington DC
LINK
The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is an international exposition of living cultural heritage annually produced outdoors on the National Mall of the United States in Washington, D.C., by the Smithsonian Institution's Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. The Festival takes place for two weeks every summer overlapping the Fourth of July holiday. It is an educational presentation that features community-based cultural exemplars. Free to the public, like other Smithsonian museums, each Festival typically draws more than one million visitors. Information courtesy of Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

Taste of Reston
Reston Town Center
June 14 – 16, 2013
www.restontaste.com
Spotlighting the many restaurants and cuisines offered in Reston, VA, this festival also has lots of entertainment, a family fun zone, and hands on kids cooking activities.

Washington Folk Festival
June 1 - 2, 2013
Glen Echo Park
Glen Echo Park, MD
LINK
The festival features music, dance, storytelling, and crafts from artists in the Washington, DC area. With performances representing cultures from around the world as well as around the country, it is your chance to find out what is going on in the folk communities of the area.

---

July 2013

4th of July @ Long Bridge Park Arlington, VA
LINK

City of Fairfax 4th of July Parade
http://www.fairfaxva.gov/


4th of July Celebration at Great Meadow
http://www.greatmeadow.org/


4th of July on the Mall
National Mall
Washington DC
July 4, 2013
www.july4thparade.com
The quintessential 4th of July parade is celebrated annually in DC.  Expect 4th of July festivities on the National Mall replete with celebrity bands, fireworks and a big old parade. This is one that you have to get to at least once in your life. Yes, the crowds can be a bit much but if you go early and use Metro you will be in good shape. Noteworthy, the parade kicks off at 7th & Constitution. The event culminates with fireworks that are set off around 9pm. Most agree this is a LONG day and best meant for older kids. Infants and toddlers tend to poop out in the sun, heat and extended hours. 

Insider tip: If you want to go all in book a room in DC or Arlington. I stayed at the Key Bridge Marriott last year and was able to grab a meal in Georgetown with my crew and then we watched the fireworks from the nearby Key Bridge, which is blocked off during the fireworks.  We had a very short walk to the hotel.  Go early and enjoy the pool or head over to Georgetown for brunch on the 5th of July and keep the celebration going!

An American Celebration
Mount Vernon
http://www.mountvernon.org/

Celebrate America in Old Town Manassas
July 4, 2013
www.visitmanassas.org
All-American party in Old Town Manassas boasts one of the largest Fourth of July fireworks displays in Northern Virginia.  Leading up to the fireworks, the streets surrounding the Old Town train depot, the Harris Pavilion and the Manassas Museum are filled with rides for the kids, live entertainment, concessions, and a red, white, and blue hayride.

Culpepper 4th of July Car and Bike Show
http://www.culpeperdowntown.com/

Loudoun County Fair
Loudoun County Fairgrounds
Leesburg, VA
July 25 to 31, 2010
http://loudouncountyfair.com/
Lumberjack shows, Karaoke contests, Professional Bull Riding, extreme cycling and more! Come out to this exciting week of attractions, carnival rides, animal exhibits, vendors and an amazing display of crafts.

Wolf Trap
Summer Concerts
Vienna VA 22182
www.wolftrap.org
I first discovered Wolf Trap when the Gypsy Kings came to the DC area. After a great night under the stars with my own picnic dinner and wine, I was sold. Bringing your own food and alcohol is a great, relaxed feature about Wolf Trap.  Don’t miss the full schedule of children’s performances.  The Theatre-in-the-Woods hosts a number of great shows in the month of July.  For a full schedule of events view the Wolf Trap website. 

---

August 2013

Arlington County Fair
Thomas Jefferson Community Ctr
Arlington, VA
August 7 – 11, 2013
www.arlingtoncountyfair.us
A fun event that is filled with competitive exhibits, farm animals, food, community vendors, carnival games and rides, and live entertainment.  This is a big fair and very stroller friendly too.

Brick Fair
www.brickfair.com
Dates To Be Announced
Brick Fair brings together LEGO fans for two days of fun at the Dulles Expo Center every August with LEGO models, displays, vendors, friendly competitions and plenty of hands on games and activities for adults and children alike. 

Dog Days Peach Festival
Great Country Farm
Bluemount, VA
August 10 -11, 2013
www.greatcountryfarms.com
Lots of u-pick peaches in Great Country Farms’ orchards. Fun event for families. Features Doggie Olympics and performances.  All visiting dogs should be on a leash and be wearing a valid rabies certification tag. There is a great play area at the orchard

Friendship Firehouse Festival
Friendship Firehouse
Alexandria, VA
August 3, 2013
www.alexandriava.gov
This popular family event features antique fire equipment, craft booths, displays by Alexandria merchants, and live entertainment.
Expect to find Free balloons and hats (for the kids), free tours of Friendship Firehouse, antique firefighting equipment, food from local restaurants and more!

Labor Day Concert
National Symphony Orchestra
September 1, 2013 @ 8pm
US Capitol Building - West Lawn http://www.kennedy-center.org/
Take a moment to soak in the official last moments of the summer at The National Symphony Orchestra FREE Labor Day Weekend concert. Held on the West Lawn of the U. S. Capitol the annual concert is led by NSO Associate Conductor. This is the time to book a sitter and take your significant other to this wonderful evening event for an enchanted night under the stars.

Lucketts Fair @
Lucketts Community Center
Lucketts, VA
August 17 & 18, 2013
http://www.theluckettsfair.com/
Annual event that caters to family and kids.  Food, fun and music in a lovely little town.  Check out Historic Point of Rocks, MD during your visit. 

Maryland Renaissance Festival
Anne Arundel Cty – Crownsville, MD
August 24 - October 20, 2013
http://www.rennfest.com/index.php
For 37 years the Maryland Renaissance Festival has provided a unique outdoor entertainment experience to patrons from all over the world.  Enter the gates of Revel Grove and leave the hectic pace of the twenty-first century behind. Slow down. Take in a leisurely stroll on the beautiful wooded paths. Relax in one of the pubs. Shop for handcrafted gifts.  Kids can play in the free children’s area – complete with a pirate ship. Feel the magic.

Montgomery County Fair
Montgomery Cty Agricultural Ctr
August 9 to 17, 2013
http://www.mcagfair.com/
Oh get set for a full schedule at the fair.  Are you ready for carnival Rides, 4-H Parade, 4-H King and Queen Coronation, 4-H Horse Show, Pig, Duck and Goat Races, BINGO, Monster Truck Show, Demolition Derby, Tractor Pulls and more?  Plus lots of food and music for all!

Prince William County Fair
Prince William Cty Fairgrounds, VA
August 9 to 17, 2013
http://www.pwcfair.com
After 61 years, the Prince William County Fair is still going strong.  Find the following attractions: Deggeller Attractions Midway, livestock exhibits, dairy milking, petting farm, home arts exhibits, craft demonstrations, children's barn and more!

---

Ongoing Summer Fun

Little Tots Concerts @
Virginia Gateway and Fairfax Corner
LINK
Fun outdoor concerts and performances on select Wednesday mornings and evenings throughout May, June, July, and August.

Movies on the Potomac @
National Harbor
LINK
Enjoy free outdoor movies every Sunday night after dusk. Check out the full schedule online.

Stories on Strawberry Lane
Mosaic District
LINK
Professional storytellers bring props and fun to entertain little ones each Tuesday at 10 a.m.  Moved indoors if raining.

Summer Fun at the Harris Pavilion
Manassas, VA
http://www.harrispavilion.com/
 Outdoor movie nights, ice cream socials and free concerts dot the summer event calendar at this fun venue in Old Town Manassas.

Arts in the Park
LINK
Every Saturday morning at 10, enjoy free, family friendly entertainment at Burke Lake Park, EC Lawrence Park, Lake Fairfax, and Mason District Park.  Weekday performances are held Wednesday mornings at Frying Pan Park Farm.  Popular performers include the Great Zucchini, Rocknoceros, the grandsons jr., Blue Sky Puppet Theatre and many more.

---

Don't forget to check out the Kid Trips Blog for more family fun.  Throughout the season we will be updating the blog with more guides and current happenings. Also LIKE on Facebook for the latest updates.

Be sure to buy the Kid Trips Northern Virginia book to find museums, waterparks, bowling, arts & crafts, indoor playgrounds, parks, boating, camping, and much, much more.  This book is the most comprehensive local guide to the area and will keep your family busy and happy this summer.   On sale on Amazon today!

---

Image Credit:
Guest of a Guest
userserve
Tumblr
Arbourrealty