Things to do in Northern Virginia this week, October 19–25, 2026, include Air & Scare at Udvar-Hazy, the Tysons Corner Center Fall Festival, Lost Boy Cider’s Fall Fest and the Del Ray Halloween Parade.
Arlington Restaurant Week ends Monday, and the Tysons Galleria carnival runs through Sunday. The calendar also separates daytime farm outings from haunted attractions and adult nights. A short travel section covers two Winchester festivals and two larger Washington DC events.
Alex’s top picks
The five plans at the top of the list
Start with these if you only have room for one or two outings this week.
01
Air & Scare at Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
Udvar-Hazy combines aviation and space science with Halloween activities.
02
Tysons Corner Center Fall Festival
Scott Kurt Band, a retailer market, face painting and family games fill the plaza at Tysons Corner Center.
03
Lost Boy Cider Fall Fest
Lost Boy Cider combines a makers market, live music, food and a petting zoo at its Alexandria cidery.
04
30th Annual Del Ray Halloween Parade
Children, pets and decorated strollers parade along Mount Vernon Avenue.
05
NVA Thai Street Food & Culture Festival
Thai street food, traditional music, dance and cultural demonstrations take over the Manassas Museum Lawn.
This week at a glance
Weekday and ongoing options
Fairfax County LEGO Exhibit
October 19–25; during mall hours
Look for the NOVA-LUG miniature Fairfax County landmarks on Level 1 near Wasabi and Oakley. This is a display to view inside Tysons Corner Center, a different mall from the carnival at Tysons Galleria.
Pumpkin Picking & Corn Maze at Great Country Farms
October 19–25, daily 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; last picking wagon 4 p.m.
Take a wagon to the pumpkin field, walk the corn maze and use the farm play areas. Pumpkins are sold separately, so leave room in the budget after admission.
Temple Hall Farm Pumpkin Patch & Flower Fields
October 19–25, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; last tickets 4 p.m.
Paid admission includes one pumpkin and flowers, along with farm activities. Buy tickets on site; NOVA Parks does not offer online sales for this attraction.
Yankey Farms Pumpkin Patch 2026
October 19–24, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sunday, October 25, noon–6 p.m.
Pick pumpkins grown on the Bristow farm or add the corn maze, hayride and cow train. Pumpkin-picking access and the activity wristband are separate purchases; activity admissions stop at 5 p.m.
Splash & Seek Scavenger Hunt
Monday, October 19; final day, pickup during Community Center hours
Pick up the city’s scavenger-hunt sheet at the Community Center, then follow the water-drop clues through Falls Church parks. Monday is the final day.
Burke Nursery Fall Farm Market & Pumpkin Patch 2026
October 19–24, 9 a.m.–7 p.m.; Sunday, October 25, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Shop the nursery’s pumpkins, gourds and fall farm-market goods. Weekend pony rides depend on weather; check activity charges before visiting.
Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill Pumpkin Patch 2026
October 19–23, noon–6 p.m.; October 24–25, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Browse the church’s pumpkin fundraiser, with gourds, homemade soup and baked goods also for sale. The patch runs daily through October 31.
Pumpkin Village Fall Fest
October 19 and 21–22, 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m.; October 23–25, 9:30 a.m.–6 p.m. Closed Tuesday.
Leesburg Animal Park’s fall area adds slides, wagon rides and play spaces to an animal-park visit. Weekend admission must be bought online in advance; animal feed and pony rides cost extra.
Cox Farms Fall Festival
Monday, October 19 and Thursday–Sunday, October 22–25, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; last entry 5 p.m.
Use a daytime Fall Festival ticket for Cox Farms’ slides, hayrides and play areas. The daytime admission includes a patch pumpkin. Tuesday and Wednesday are closed; Fields of Fear needs its own ticket.
Tysons Galleria Carnival
October 19–23, 6–11 p.m.; October 24–25, 3–11 p.m.
The carnival finishes its Tysons Galleria run Sunday. Choose ride tickets or a wristband and check each rider’s height restrictions before buying.
Monday, October 19
Arlington Restaurant Week
Monday, October 19; final day, restaurant hours vary
Arlington Restaurant Week ends Monday. Choose a restaurant and inspect its specific menu or offer before making a reservation; the campaign has no single meal price.
Wednesday, October 21
King Street Station Farmers Market
Wednesday, October 21, 3–7 p.m.
Stop at the office plaza beside King Street’s transit hub for produce, baked goods and prepared food. The organizer lists this Wednesday separately in its season calendar.
Thursday, October 22
Factory of Fear: Outbreak
Thursday, October 22, 7–9 p.m.; Friday–Saturday, October 23–24, 7–10:45 p.m.; timed entry
ARTfactory’s four-floor haunted attraction uses live actors and an Outbreak storyline. The route is stairs only, making this a poor fit for anyone who cannot use stairs. Not recommended under 14; under 16 needs an adult.
Friday, October 23
Adult Corn Maze Night at Great Country Farms
Friday–Saturday, October 23–24, 6–9 p.m.
Bring a flashlight for an adults-only corn-maze evening at Great Country Farms. The organizer includes a cider or wine pour, live music and firepits in this separate nighttime event.
Fields of Fear at Cox Farms
Friday–Saturday, October 23–24, 7:30–11 p.m.; last entry 10 p.m.
Cox Farms’ nighttime haunt includes the Dark Side Hayride, Cornightmare and The Forest. Not recommended for children under 12; guests under 14 need an adult. Attraction appointments are assigned at check-in.
Halloween on the Farm at Frying Pan Farm Park 2026
Friday, October 23: 6 or 7 p.m.; Saturday, October 24: 6:30 p.m. had availability October 19
Wear costumes for farm-animal visits, trick-or-treating, crafts and games. Book a one-hour session for every attendee ages 2+, including adults. Friday’s 5 p.m. and Saturday’s 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. sessions were sold out when checked October 19.
Halloween House & Trick-or-Treat Trail at Walker Nature Center 2026
Friday–Saturday, October 23–24; one-hour timed evening sessions
Walker Nature Center’s non-scary trail and decorated Halloween House are recommended for ages 3+. Every child needs a registered adult. Several early sessions are waitlisted; later sessions were available October 19. Bring a flashlight and use Glade Pool parking.
Haunt: Dark Encounters
Friday–Sunday, October 23–25; timed evening entry
Walk the outdoor Haunt: Dark Encounters trail on the Workhouse campus. The organizer recommends ages 13 and older. Arrive at least 15 minutes before the entry time printed on your ticket.
NOVA Nite Market
Friday–Saturday, October 23–24, 6–11 p.m.
DTL Sports Center hosts a Halloween-themed night market with collectibles, crafts, apparel and food. These are the October 23–24 dates; the separate Halloween weekend run comes the following week.
Trunk or Treat at Hilton McLean Tysons Corner
Friday, October 23, 6–10 p.m.; indoor movies at 6 and 8 p.m.
Bring a treat bag to Hilton McLean’s trunk-or-treat evening. Games and indoor movies give families something to do between decorated cars; food and drinks are sold separately.
Saturday, October 24
Fall Harvest Family Days at Mount Vernon 2026
Saturday–Sunday, October 24–25, 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Watch wheat treading and historic cooking and soap-making demonstrations at Mount Vernon’s farm. The activities are part of a paid estate visit; check the individual demonstration schedule before heading down to the farm.
Fall Fun Fest at Reston Farm
Saturday–Sunday, October 24–25, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Reston Farm’s Fest area has animal encounters, train rides, slides and bounces. Every accompanying adult needs a ticket, and adults cannot enter that area without a child. Shopping at the garden market is separate.
Lost Boy Cider Fall Fest
Saturday, October 24, noon–6 p.m.
Lost Boy Cider combines a makers market, live music, food and a petting zoo at its Alexandria cidery. The organizer welcomes families and dogs and says the event runs rain or shine. The pumpkin giveaway is limited.
Tysons Corner Center Fall Festival
Saturday, October 24, noon–4 p.m.
Scott Kurt Band, a retailer market, face painting and family games fill the plaza at Tysons Corner Center. Pair it with the indoor LEGO display if you want two stops at the same mall.
Air & Scare at Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
Saturday, October 24, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Udvar-Hazy combines aviation and space science with Halloween activities. Indoor activities need no event ticket; the outdoor portion requires a free timed pass. Costumes are welcome within museum rules.
Movie in the Park: Coco
Saturday, October 24; park/concessions 6 p.m., movie 7 p.m.
Bring a chair or blanket for Coco at River Mill Park. Arriving at 6 p.m. gives time for concessions before the PG-rated film starts an hour later.
Old Town Trick-or-Treat
Saturday, October 24, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Start at Pippin Toy Co. for the storefront trick-or-treat map, then visit participating Old Town businesses and historic attractions. The map will be more useful than assuming every shop participates.
Clifton Haunted Trail
Saturday, October 24, 7–10 p.m.
Clifton’s one-night outdoor haunted trail runs at Eight Acre Park. Advance buyers redeem their confirmation at the Trail Will Call booth on Chapel Street. Online sales close October 22 at noon if tickets remain; limited door sales are not guaranteed.
Breaux Vineyards Harvest Festival
Saturday–Sunday, October 24–25, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Breaux celebrates the grape harvest with vendors and live music on its vineyard grounds. Admission is free; reserve budget for any wine, food or shopping you choose.
Falls Church Halloween Carnival
Saturday, October 24; choose one session: 1–3 p.m. or 3:30–5:30 p.m.
Falls Church’s outdoor Halloween Carnival has games, inflatables, crafts and a sensory station at Cherry Hill Park. The city asks each family to choose just one session so more children can participate.
Sunday, October 25
NVA Thai Street Food & Culture Festival
Sunday, October 25, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Thai street food, traditional music, dance and cultural demonstrations take over the Manassas Museum Lawn. Food and merchandise purchases are separate from festival entry.
Arabian Nights 2026: A Grand Celebration of Arab Culture!
Sunday, October 25, 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
Arabian Mosaic brings live Arabic music, traditional dance, food and vendors to Lake Anne Plaza. Its revised October 9 flyer confirms Sunday, October 25, replacing the earlier October 11 listing.
30th Annual Del Ray Halloween Parade
Sunday, October 25, 2 p.m.; contest check-in 1–1:30 p.m.
Children, pets and decorated strollers parade along Mount Vernon Avenue. Contest entrants check in at E. Howell Avenue before lining up; the parade itself begins at E. Bellefonte Avenue.
Worth the trip: beyond Northern Virginia
These outings are outside Northern Virginia. Allow time for the longer trip and check access before leaving.
Homestead Harvest Festival
Saturday, October 24, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
For a Winchester day trip, the Homestead festival advertises apple-butter demonstrations, live music, vendors and a pumpkin patch. Pony and bull rides are listed, but their inclusion in admission is not confirmed.
Pumpkin Festival at Marker-Miller Orchards 2026
Saturday, October 24, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Marker-Miller’s Pumpkin Festival brings pumpkin picking, bakery goods and food vendors to its Winchester orchard. The farm also lists wagon rides and a cow train; check individual activity charges.
Asia in a Bite: Washington DC
Saturday–Sunday, October 24–25, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; choose a free two-hour entry window
Asia in a Bite brings Asian street food and merchandise vendors to Tingey Plaza in Navy Yard. The all-ages weekend has free two-hour entry windows starting at 11 a.m., 1, 3 and 5 p.m. each day; reserve the day and time you want.
Night of the Living Zoo
Friday, October 23, 7–11 p.m.; last entry 10:30 p.m.
The National Zoo’s adults-only Halloween party has drinks, music and roaming entertainment. Great Cats and Reptile Discovery Center access runs 7–9 p.m., shorter than the party itself. Bring valid ID; this event is 21+.
Free picks this week
- Fairfax County LEGO Exhibit: Free viewing.
- Splash & Seek Scavenger Hunt: Free; no registration required.
- King Street Station Farmers Market: Free admission; shopping costs extra.
- NOVA Nite Market: Free admission and parking advertised; vendor purchases extra.
- Trunk or Treat at Hilton McLean Tysons Corner: Free admission for treaters; purchases extra.
- Lost Boy Cider Fall Fest: Free entry; food and cider extra. Limited free pumpkins require a separate reservation and are not guaranteed.
- Tysons Corner Center Fall Festival: Free and open to the public; shopping and food extra.
- Air & Scare at Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center: Free event admission; parking $15 per car. Indoor activities need no event ticket. Reserve a free timed outdoor pass before planning on the outdoor activities.
- Old Town Trick-or-Treat: Free to participate; purchases extra.
- Breaux Vineyards Harvest Festival: Free festival admission; tastings, food and purchases extra.
- Falls Church Halloween Carnival: Free; no registration required. Food purchases extra.
- NVA Thai Street Food & Culture Festival: Free admission and parking advertised; purchases extra.
- Asia in a Bite: Washington DC: Free entry advertised with RSVP; food and shopping extra.
Planning tips before you go
- Tysons Galleria’s carnival and Tysons Corner Center’s plaza festival are at different malls. The LEGO display is inside Tysons Corner Center.
- Cox Farms opens Monday and Thursday–Sunday this week. Pumpkin Village closes Tuesday. Use the exact operating dates when booking.
- Air & Scare’s indoor activities need no event ticket. Reserve a free timed pass for outdoor activities; parking is $15. Indoor costume masks and all real or costume weapons are prohibited.
- Use separate tickets for nighttime haunts. Factory of Fear uses stairs, and the adult maze evening is 21+ only.
More plans: Northern Virginia this week, Washington DC this week and Northern Virginia with kids.
Event details checked October 19, 2026. Prices, availability and outdoor plans can change; check the organizer’s latest notice before leaving.
Frequently asked questions
What are the top things to do in Northern Virginia this week?
For October 19–25, highlights include Air & Scare, Tysons Corner Center Fall Festival, Lost Boy Cider Fall Fest, Del Ray’s Halloween Parade and the NVA Thai Street Food and Culture Festival.
What is free in Northern Virginia this weekend?
Tysons Corner Center Fall Festival, Old Town Trick-or-Treat, Falls Church Halloween Carnival and Lost Boy Cider Fall Fest advertise free participation or entry. Food, shopping and optional purchases cost extra. Air & Scare is free with separate $15 parking and timed outdoor passes.
Is Arlington Restaurant Week still happening?
Monday, October 19 is its final day. Offers, meal prices and opening hours depend on the restaurant.
Which days is Cox Farms open this week?
The daytime festival opens Monday, October 19 and Thursday–Sunday, October 22–25, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., with last entry at 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday are closed.
Is Tysons Fall Festival at the same mall as the carnival?
No. The October 24 plaza festival is at Tysons Corner Center, 1961 Chain Bridge Road. The carnival runs through October 25 at Tysons Galleria; the operator lists arrival at 8025 Galleria Drive.
Updated October 19, 2026 for October 19–25. Check the organizer’s latest notice before leaving.
Featured image: AI-generated editorial illustration created for DC Spot.
Updated October 19, 2026 for October 19–25. Choose a day below, or filter for free, family, food and outdoor plans.
