Hey gang, Matt here!

Happy 4th of July! Let’s talk cookouts for a minute — cheeseburgers or hot dogs? Macaroni salad or pasta salad? Apple pie or s’mores? All of the above? Yes.

Wherever you’re heading Out & About this July 4th weekend — from cookouts to campfires to fireworks and parades — tag us on Instagram and we’ll re-share as many photos as we can!

It’s another jam-packed weekend, and we have once again included our Fireworks Guide to help you find a show near you.

Let’s get to it. ⬇️

In this week’s newsletter:

• Where to find July 4th fireworks and parades

• ‘80s Patriotic Festival in Fairfax, ice cream social in Falls Church

• Rick Springfield at Wolf Trap, Taylor Swift tribute band in Reston

• Family Game Night, fishing, and fireflies

• Nationals host Red Sox in weekend series, including Friday morning game

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Cheers,
Matt

A message from us

Things To Do

From fireworks to parades, we outline the July 4th weekend fun around the area! 🎇

• Fireworks Shows Around Fairfax County This Weekend

  • Enjoy shows in Fairfax, Mount Vernon, Herndon, and Great Falls this weekend as we ring in Independence Day and all of the fun that comes with the July 4th holiday! Check out our 2025 Fireworks Guide in the link above for more details on these shows, plus where you can enjoy fireworks next week in Alexandria.

    • MORE: Can’t make it to a show? Check out the guide to see where you can watch on TV.

• Firecracker 5K For The Troops at Reston Town Center

  • A patriotic 5K in Reston is set for Friday, July 4 at 8:00a.m. at Reston Town Center. Registration is required and costs $35-$45.

    • 11900 Market St., Reston

• An American Celebration at Mount Vernon

  • Enjoy a day of patriotic events at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, complete daytime fireworks, a revolution-era fife and drums, and more on Friday, July 4 at 10:00a.m. Actor and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will also lead a naturalization ceremony in the morning. (See the Fireworks Guide above for evening fireworks information.)

    • 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon

• City of Fairfax Independence Day Parade

  • Marching bands, floats, fire engines, and more will pass through the City of Fairfax on Friday, July 4, for what is billed as one of the largest parades in the commonwealth of Virginia. The parade runs rain of shine from 10:00a.m.-12:00p.m. Check out the link above for a parade map and lineup.

• July 4th Fun & Games in Great Falls

  • A full day of family-friendly festivities before the fireworks show at night in Great Falls on July 4, starting at 6:00p.m. At Turner Farm, enjoy a cornhole tournament, food trucks, games for kids, and more. A $20 donation per family is encouraged.

    • 925 Springvale Rd., Great Falls

• First Saturday Book Sale in Alexandria

  • The First Saturday Book Sale at Sherwood Regional Library in Alexandria kicks off Saturday, July 5 and runs from 10:00a.m.-12:00p.m. Shop gently used media and books for all ages.

    • 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria

• Find A Farmers Markets Near You!

  • If you’re looking for fresh produce, local meats and eggs, artisan vendors, and more, check out our 2025 Farmers Market Guide! We have details for nearly 20 markets across Fairfax County, from Great Falls to Lorton, Chantilly to Falls Church, and much more.

Food & Drink

Ice cream, hot dogs, and cold drinks! 🌭🍦🍻

• Totally 80s Patriotic Festival

  • Commonwealth Brewing Co.’s Fairfax brewpub is hosting an 80s-themed Independence Day celebration all weekend long, from July 3-6. Enjoy a “red, white, and brewed weekend” with live music, food and drink specials, and more.

    • 10426 Main St., Fairfax

• Independence Day Ice Cream Social in Falls Church

  • Enjoy summer and sweet treats in Falls Church on Saturday, July 5 for the city’s Independence Day Ice Cream Social. Hand-crank your own ice cream, make a tie-dye shirt, enjoy yard games, and learn the history of the Cherry Hill Farmhouse. The free event runs 10:00a.m.-1:00p.m.

    • 312 Park Ave., Falls Church

• Hot Dog Eating Contest at Capital One Park

  • Baseball and hot dogs, an American tradition. The crew at Capital One Park teams up with Starr Hill Tysons for $1 hot dogs and tasty brews during the games on July 4. Watch the second annual hot dog eating contest after the first game.

    • 1600 Scotts Crossing Rd., Tysons

• Bingo Night at Paradise Springs Winery

  • Enjoy a classic bingo night at Paradise Springs Winery on Thursday, July 3 starting at 6:00p.m. Enjoy wine, food trucks, and more. Prizes will be awarded throughout the evening. Tickets: $10. Ages 21+.

    • 13219 Yates Ford Rd., Clifton

• Patriotic Movie Marathon at G34.3 Brewing Co.

  • Beat the heat with a cold beer and an patriotic movie marathon at Lorton’s G34.3 Brewing Co. on Sunday, July 6. The films run 12:00p.m.-9:00p.m.

    • 8532 Terminal Rd., Lorton

• American Craft Beer and Bourbon Festival

  • Shipgarten in McLean is hosting its American Craft Beer and Bourbon Festival on Saturday, July 5. Sample 40+ beers and ciders, enjoy games and events, and more. Admission is free. (Sample responsibly.)

    • 7581 Colshire Dr., McLean

Go Out & About Together

Music, Arts, & Entertainment

Taylor, tribute bands, and timeless classics. 🎶

• Rick Springfield Headlines Wolf Trap

  • The music legend known for the hit “Jessie’s Girl” brings his “I Want My 80s” tour to Wolf Trap’s Filene Center on Sunday, July 6. Openers include John Waite, Wang Chung, and Paul Young. Tickets start at $49.50. Showtime: 7:30p.m.

    • 1551 Trap Rd., Vienna

• Fab Fridays Celebration: Taylor Swift Tribute Band

  • The Reston Community Center and Reston Station’s latest Fab Fridays concert hosts a Taylor Swift Tribute Band on Friday, July 4 starting at 7:00p.m. Admission to this show is free.

    • 1901 Reston Metro Plaza, Reston

• U.S. Army Band Performs in Annandale

  • The 257th U.S. Army Band Performs at the Mason District Park Amphitheater on Sunday, July 6 from 7:30p.m.-8:30p.m. Enjoy the sounds of classical, jazz, and rock music. Admission is free.

    • 6621 Columbia Pike, Annandale

• Tiny Music Fest on Main

  • The monthly Old Town Fairfax concert series returns on Sunday, July 6, with the sound of blues by Bobby Thompson of the Bobby Thompson Trio taking the stage. The show runs from 12:00p.m.-5:00p.m. The show is free, and pizza and beer will be available for purchase.

    • 10409 Main St., Fairfax

• Johnny Cash Tribute Band in McLean

  • “Johnny Folsom 4” takes the stage in McLean Central Park on Thursday, July 3 at 7:00p.m. Admission to this tribute show to The Man in Black is free.

    • 1468 Dolley Madison Blvd., McLean
      

Families & Kids

Fishing, fireflies, and more fun! ⬇️

• Family Game Night at Tysons Corner Center

  • Enjoy everything from cornhole to ping-pong, plus tasty food and a DJ spinning the sounds of summer for Family Game Night at Tysons Corner Center. The event runs Thursday, July 3 from 4:00-7:00p.m.

    • 1961 Chain Bridge Rd., Tysons

• July 4th Celebration in Herndon

  • Before the fireworks on July 4, enjoy family-friendly games, crafts, face painting, and more in Herndon’s Bready Park. Activities begin at 6:30p.m. with fireworks starting around 9:30p.m. Admission is free.

    • 814 Ferndale Ave., Herndon

• Family Fishing at Burke Lake Park

  • Join a naturalist and learn the basics of fishing and enjoy a night on the lake for this family night out. Ages 5+, but participants ages 16+ must have a valid Virginia fishing license. The event runs Saturday, July 5 at 5:30p.m. in Burke Lake Park. Cost: $12.

    • 7315 Ox Rd., Fairfax Station

• Catch Fireflies in Chantilly

  • A family-friendly event in Ellanor C. Lawrence Park on Saturday, July 5 at 8:30p.m. where the kiddos can catch fireflies. Bring a plastic jar to catch and then release. Cost: $8.

    • 5040 Walney Rd., Chantilly

Sports & Recreation

Each weekend, we run down the schedule as our local pro and college sports teams take the field (or court, ice, etc.) if you’re interested in hitting the big game.

News & Notes

• 🏀 The Washington Mystics are on the road at Minnesota on Thursday.

Home Games

• ⚾️ MLB: Detroit Tigers at Washington Nationals

  • Thursday, July 3 at 6:45p.m., Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.

• ⚽️ USL: Orange County SC at Loudoun United FC

  • Thursday, July 3 at 7:00p.m., Segra Field, Leesburg

• ⚾️ MLB: Boston Red Sox at Washington Nationals

  • Friday, July 4 at 11:05a.m., Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.

• ⚾️ MLB: Boston Red Sox at Washington Nationals

  • Saturday, July 5 at 4:05p.m., Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.

• ⚽️ MLS: Atlanta at D.C. United

  • Saturday, July 5 at 7:30p.m., Audi Field, Washington, D.C.

• ⚾️ MLB: Boston Red Sox at Washington Nationals

  • Sunday, July 6 at 1:35p.m., Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.

Fairfax County Fun Fact of the Week

Did you know: The Fairfax County Park Authority manages over 22,000 acres of land and 334 miles of trails.

Before We Go, Some Good News!

Have you met Elden the Bear?! He officially started as the newest employee of Herndon Parks & Recreation on July 1.

Okay, so “Elden” is more of a cartoon mascot than an actual employee. He is based on the real-life black bear discovered roaming the Town of Herndon last month. Elden will be leading some fun, interactive adventures for kids and families across Herndon this summer, including “Where’s Elden?”, “Elden Says,” and Elden’s Coloring Pages. You can download the coloring pages here.

See you Out & About, Elden! 👋

We Want to Hear from You!

Want to get your neighbors Out & About?

If you have an event you would like to feature in the newsletter, or if you’re a business looking to advertise with us, send us an email! —> [email protected].

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Thanks for reading! See you next week.

Matt Knoedler
Publisher, Out & About Fairfax