Things to Do in Northern Virginia This Week: July 24–30, 2026

Northern Virginia’s calendar is packed from Friday, July 24, through Thursday, July 30. The strongest picks this week include the final two days of the Loudoun County Fair, a free street concert in Fairfax, Bob Dylan at Wolf Trap and the opening day of the Fairfax County Summer Carnival.

This is DC Spot’s rolling guide to things to do in Northern Virginia this week. The URL stays the same and the dates, events and practical details will be refreshed every week so it can become a reliable place to plan ahead.

Friday, July 24: Start with a free concert or the Loudoun County Fair

Rock the Block brings free live music to Old Town Fairfax

Rock the Block runs Friday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Old Town Square. Chris & Kendall open with an acoustic set, followed by the U.S. Army Downrange Band playing pop, rock, country and R&B.

Admission is free. July’s food lineup includes Red, Hot & Blue, Shuck Shack Corn Truck, Old Dominion Pizza, The Inside Scoop and Rita’s Italian Ice. Bring a chair or blanket. Alcohol must be purchased and consumed inside the beer garden, and the city discourages pets other than service animals.

The Loudoun County Fair finishes with rides and a demolition derby

The 90th Loudoun County Fair is open Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday’s carnival begins at 4 p.m. Saturday’s carnival opens at 11 a.m., and the Chaos in the Valley Demolition Derby starts at 8 p.m. in the outdoor arena.

Daily admission is listed at $16.50 for adults and $5.75 for children ages 6–12, with all ticket fees included. Parking is $5.50. Carnival rides, games, food and some special attractions cost extra.

Friday and Saturday: Bob Dylan returns to Wolf Trap

Bob Dylan plays the Filene Center at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, with gates opening at 5:30 p.m. Lucinda Williams and Jimmie Vaughan and the Tilt-A-Whirl Band are also on the bill.

Wolf Trap listed limited availability when this guide was updated. Parking is included with tickets, and a $5 round-trip shuttle runs from McLean Metro. Lawn-ticket holders can bring a picnic, including alcoholic drinks, within the venue’s published cooler and bag limits.

Last chance to see Pippin at Signature Theatre

Signature Theatre’s production of Pippin closes Sunday, July 26, after a run that began in May. The Stephen Schwartz musical is staged at the MAX Theatre in Arlington and runs about two hours and 15 minutes, including intermission.

Signature recommends the show for mature teens and older. It includes adult themes, sexual content, drug use, violence, discussion of suicide, loud effects, haze and live fire. Children younger than 6 are not admitted.

Sunday, July 26: A piano concert at the Lyceum

Pianist Maxim Pakhonov performs from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum. The program includes works by Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt and Villa-Lobos.

No ticket is required. The Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic Association suggests a $25 donation for its Summer Sundays Chamber Music Series.

Wednesday, July 29: Joe Bonamassa and Gov’t Mule at Wolf Trap

Joe Bonamassa and Gov’t Mule share the Filene Center bill Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m. This is the blues-rock pick of the week, with Bonamassa’s guitar-heavy solo catalog paired with Warren Haynes and Gov’t Mule.

Parking is included, and the McLean Metro shuttle is available for $5 round trip. Ticket inventory and seat prices can change throughout the day.

Thursday, July 30: Fairfax County Carnival and free jazz at Frying Pan

The Fairfax County Summer Carnival opens Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Frying Pan Farm Park. Expect carnival rides and games, fair food and farm animals. Unlimited ride wristbands are $25 when purchased before 10 a.m. Thursday, then $30 online or at the event. Individual ride credits are also sold on site.

Stay for Hunter Mill Melodies from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sharon Rae North performs jazz and R&B at Kidwell Farm. The concert is free; bring a lawn chair or blanket and call the county’s weather line at 571-202-SHOW one hour before start time if the forecast looks questionable.

Free things to do in Northern Virginia this week

For more local plans, browse the full DC Spot Things to Do archive and the latest Northern Virginia stories.

DC Spot planning tips for this week

Frequently asked questions about things to do in Northern Virginia this week

Feature image courtesy Dclemens1971 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.

Last updated July 24, 2026. Dates, times, prices and event status were checked against official organizer and venue pages plus current local coverage. Outdoor events, ticket inventory and schedules can change, so confirm details before leaving home.