Families have more than a dozen practical options across Northern Virginia from Monday, August 17, through Sunday, August 23. The strongest picks include The Wiggles in Tysons, a free block party in Alexandria, sensory-friendly programs in Reston and Woodbridge, two outdoor movies and the final week of the One Loudoun Summer Carnival.
This is DC Spot’s weekly guide to things to do with kids in Northern Virginia. It is built for parents searching for current, kid-friendly things to do in Northern Virginia this week, not a recycled year-round list. Every listing below includes the date, location, current price and the family details organizers actually published. If an organizer did not post stroller, sensory, parking or rain information, this guide says so instead of guessing.
Planning without kids? See the broader guide to things to do in Northern Virginia this week.
Alex Hussein’s top family picks of the week
The Wiggles in Tysons
Tuesday’s biggest indoor family event has 3 and 6 p.m. shows at Capital One Hall. Every guest, including infants, needs a ticket.
One Loudoun Summer Carnival
Rides, games and carnival food run through Sunday, giving families several evenings and two weekend days to choose from.
ALX South Block Party
Saturday’s free, all-ages event includes touch-a-truck, crafts, face painting, games and live entertainment.
Family-friendly Northern Virginia events at a glance
Monday, August 17: Farm activities and a free kids concert
Museum Family Monday: Farm Day in Bristow
Children ages 4 and older can churn butter, crank ice cream and try historic games at Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre. The one-hour program begins at 10 a.m., costs $5 per person and requires a participating adult.
The organizer does not publish the program’s exact indoor-outdoor mix, stroller details or rain policy. Call ahead if accessibility or weather will affect your decision.
Monday, August 17 from 10–11 a.m.
Where: Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, 12229 Bristow Road, Bristow
Cost: $5 per person
Age fit: Ages 4+; participating adult required
Check the official program details
Rocknoceros plays a free concert at One Loudoun
Rocknoceros brings its kid-focused songs to One Loudoun Plaza from 11 a.m. to noon. Admission is free, and the concert is outdoors.
One Loudoun has not posted a specific rain plan, stroller note or event-parking instructions. Check its event page Monday morning if the forecast looks questionable.
Monday, August 17 from 11 a.m.–noon
Where: One Loudoun Plaza, 20626 Easthampton Plaza, Ashburn
Cost: Free
Format: Outdoors
See the official concert listing
Tuesday, August 18: A sensory-friendly water-park hour and The Wiggles
The Water Mine sensory-friendly hour in Reston
The Water Mine opens one hour early, from 10 to 11 a.m., for a lower-sensory experience. Fairfax County says the session uses reduced sounds, limited capacity, quieter water features and trained staff. Regular admission applies.
The water park then operates from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Advance tickets are recommended. Day-of tickets are sold in person only and capacity is not guaranteed. Weather or capacity can pause operations, so call 703-246-5929 when conditions are uncertain.
Tuesday, August 18 from 10–11 a.m.
Where: The Water Mine, 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, Reston
Weekday admission: County residents $17.25 over 48 inches or $14.25 under 48 inches; non-county visitors $20; ages 2 and younger free
Review tickets, restrictions and live conditions
The Wiggles: Tree of Wisdom Spectacular in Tysons
The Wiggles perform at 3 and 6 p.m. inside Capital One Hall. Doors open one hour before each show, and the production has no intermission. Every guest needs a ticket, regardless of age.
Accessible seating and assisted-listening devices are available. Parking passes are separate, and the walk from the Visitor and Associate Garage is outdoors and uncovered. The venue does not publish a stroller-check policy on the event page.
Tuesday, August 18 at 3 and 6 p.m.
Where: Capital One Hall, 7750 Capital One Tower Road, Tysons
Cost: Current face-value tickets and fees appear at checkout
Important: Every guest needs a ticket
Check official tickets and venue policies
Friday, August 21: A sensory hike, free music and Lilo & Stitch
Sensory Hike at Leesylvania State Park
This ranger-led half-mile hike and craft is designed for ages 5–17. The Potomac Trail uses compacted gravel and is explicitly listed as stroller-friendly. Registration is required, and the program costs $2.
Friday, August 21 from 10–11 a.m.
Where: Meet at the visitor center, 2001 Daniel K. Ludwig Drive, Woodbridge
Cost: $2; no standard parking or admission fee
Age fit: Ages 5–17
Register through Virginia State Parks
Chillin’ on Church in Vienna
So Fetch performs from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. during Vienna’s free street event. The town also lists food trucks and family activities. Food costs extra, and beer or wine tickets are $7 for adults with ID.
Accessible parking is available at the Town Green/W&OD lot, with additional accessible spaces. The event is outdoors; check the town’s page or social accounts on Friday if weather may interfere.
Friday, August 21 from 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Where: Vienna Town Green and Historic Church Street, 144 Maple Avenue E., Vienna
Cost: Free admission; food and drinks extra
See the town’s event details
Sunset Cinema: Lilo & Stitch in Falls Church
The PG-rated movie begins at 7:45 p.m. at Cherry Hill Park, with food vendors expected around 6:45 p.m. Bring a blanket, picnic and bug spray. Free legal street parking, public garages and the Falls Church Community Center are listed as parking options.
Use August 21 when planning. A stale city detail page still displays August 28, but the current city calendar lists this screening for Friday, August 21. Same-day cancellations are posted online, and postponed films move to the following Friday.
Friday, August 21 at 7:45 p.m.
Where: Cherry Hill Park, 312 Park Avenue, Falls Church
Cost: Free; food extra
Weather line: 703-248-5027
Check the current city schedule
Saturday, August 22: Birds, bugs, a block party and Cars
Rippon Lodge Bug and Bird Day
Families can join bug-and-bird activities and an expert-led outdoor bird walk from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission is $5 per person, with children younger than 6 free. Bring binoculars or a camera if you have them.
Rippon Lodge lists on-site parking and wheelchair access, plus 360-degree tour tablets. The outdoor walk’s exact terrain and stroller suitability are not posted. Call 703-499-9812 if weather is questionable.
Saturday, August 22 from 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Where: Rippon Lodge Historic Site, 15520 Blackburn Road, Woodbridge
Cost: $5 per person; children under 6 free
See the county event page
ALX South Block Party
United Community’s free, all-ages block party includes live entertainment, family games, face painting, KidCreate Studio crafts, touch-a-truck and health and fitness activities. Registration is encouraged and tied to an iPad drawing, but the organizer does not say it is required for entry.
Parking is free, though capacity and overflow instructions are not posted. The event is outdoors, and the organizer has not published a rain plan, so check before leaving.
Saturday, August 22 from 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Where: Bryant High School parking lot, 2709 Popkins Lane, Alexandria
Cost: Free admission; vendor food and raffle prices not posted
Check the organizer’s latest details
Starlight Cinema: Cars in Chantilly
Gates open at 6:30 p.m., and the G-rated movie begins at dark at Sully Historic Site. Families can bring lawn chairs or blankets; current secondary guidance also says visitors may watch from their cars.
The organizer does not publish event-specific stroller or accessibility details. Call 571-202-7469 one hour before the event for a weather update.
Saturday, August 22; gates at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Sully Historic Site, 3650 Historic Sully Way, Chantilly
Cost: Free
Rating: G
View the Park Authority listing
All week through Sunday: One Loudoun Carnival, plus an older-kids movie
One Loudoun Summer Carnival
The carnival is open Monday through Friday from 5 to 11 p.m., Saturday from 1 to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 3 to 11 p.m. Closing times are subject to change. Height restrictions apply, and the operator does not recommend wristbands for children under 36 inches.
Current after-opening prices are $29 for a weekday wristband, $32 for an any-day wristband, $100 for four wristbands or $55 for 50 online ride tickets, plus an e-ticket convenience fee. On-site tickets cost $1.75 each, 30 for $40 or 50 for $60; rides use three to five tickets. Weather already caused one closure, so check the operator’s live status before driving.
The operator’s pages show conflicting street addresses. Use One Loudoun Uptown and follow the current map linked by the carnival instead of relying on a copied street number.
Through Sunday, August 23
Where: One Loudoun Uptown, Ashburn; use the operator’s live map
Cost: Free entry; rides and games extra
Check hours, weather status and the current map
School of Rock outdoor movie in Ashburn
This PG-13 screening is the week’s better fit for older kids and teens. Loudoun Station lists the event from 6:30 to 9 p.m., with blow-up instruments and an air-jam activity. The exact movie start time is not separately posted.
Bring lawn chairs. Up to three hours of free parking is available in the Metro garage at 772 Marquis Square. No event-specific rain, captioning, stroller or sensory information is posted.
Sunday, August 23 from 6:30–9 p.m.
Where: Loudoun Station District Park, 43751 Central Station Drive, Ashburn
Cost: Free
Rating: PG-13
Review the official Summerbration schedule
Free things to do with kids in Northern Virginia this week
Rocknoceros
Monday’s kids concert at One Loudoun is free.
Chillin’ on Church
Friday admission is free; budget separately for food and drinks.
Two outdoor movies
Lilo & Stitch on Friday and Cars on Saturday are free.
ALX South Block Party
Saturday’s games, crafts and family activities have free admission.
Best indoor family event this week
The Wiggles at Capital One Hall is the clearest fully indoor pick. It is also ticketed and may sell out. Most other events in this guide are outdoors or have an outdoor component, so check the forecast and organizer status before leaving home.
DC Spot parent planning tips
Feature image: AI-generated editorial illustration by DC Spot. It represents a Northern Virginia family event and is not a photograph of one specific event in this guide.
Frequently asked questions about things to do with kids in Northern Virginia this week
What are the best things to do with kids in Northern Virginia this week?
Top family picks for August 17–23 include The Wiggles in Tysons, the One Loudoun Summer Carnival, the free ALX South Block Party, two outdoor movies, Farm Day and sensory-friendly programs in Reston and Woodbridge.
What free family events are happening in Northern Virginia this week?
Free options include Rocknoceros at One Loudoun, Chillin’ on Church in Vienna, Lilo & Stitch in Falls Church, Cars in Chantilly, the ALX South Block Party and School of Rock at Loudoun Station.
Are there sensory-friendly events in Northern Virginia this week?
Yes. The Water Mine has a sensory-friendly hour Tuesday from 10 to 11 a.m., Leesylvania State Park hosts a Sensory Hike Friday for ages 5–17, and the ALX South Block Party lists a sensory touch-a-truck component Saturday.
What is the best indoor activity for kids in Northern Virginia this week?
The Wiggles at Capital One Hall is the clearest fully indoor event in this guide, with shows Tuesday at 3 and 6 p.m. Every guest needs a ticket.
What family events are happening Monday in Northern Virginia?
Museum Family Monday: Farm Day runs from 10 to 11 a.m. in Bristow, and Rocknoceros performs a free children’s concert from 11 a.m. to noon at One Loudoun in Ashburn.
What family events are happening Friday in Northern Virginia?
Friday options include a Sensory Hike at Leesylvania State Park, Chillin’ on Church in Vienna and a free Lilo & Stitch screening at Cherry Hill Park in Falls Church.
What family events are happening Saturday in Northern Virginia?
Saturday includes Rippon Lodge Bug and Bird Day, the free ALX South Block Party, a free Cars screening in Chantilly and the One Loudoun Summer Carnival.
Is the One Loudoun Carnival free?
Entry is free, but rides and games cost extra. Current online and on-site pricing varies by wristband or ticket package, and convenience fees may apply online.
Are these Northern Virginia family events stroller-friendly?
Leesylvania State Park explicitly lists the compacted-gravel Potomac Trail as stroller-friendly. Several other organizers do not publish stroller details, so contact the venue when stroller access will determine your plans.
How often is this family events guide updated?
DC Spot plans to refresh this guide every week while keeping the same URL. Event details are rechecked against current organizer and venue sources before each update.
Feature image: AI-generated editorial illustration by DC Spot. It represents a Northern Virginia family event and is not a photograph of one specific event in this guide.
Last updated August 16, 2026. Dates, hours, prices, age limits and access notes were checked against current organizer, venue and government sources. Ticket inventory, outdoor schedules and weather policies can change, so follow the official link for your event before leaving home.
