Northern Virginia’s biggest event this week is the 50th Arlington County Fair, but it is not the only reason to make plans. From Monday, August 10, through Sunday, August 16, the calendar also includes the One Loudoun Carnival, Alexandria Restaurant Week, an Old Town shopping weekend and five nights of music at Wolf Trap.
This is DC Spot’s rolling guide to things to do in Northern Virginia this week. The URL stays the same while the dates, events and practical details are refreshed every Monday. Looking across the river too? See our new guide to things to do in Washington, DC this week.
Alex Hussein’s top picks of the week
Three Northern Virginia plans I would put at the top of the list. Select any pick to jump straight to its full details.
Arlington County Fair
Wednesday–Sunday, August 12–16Hours vary by dayThomas Jefferson Community Center, ArlingtonFree admission; rides and games cost extraJump to fair details PICK 02One Loudoun Carnival
Wednesday–Sunday, August 12–16 this weekWeekdays 5–11 p.m.; Saturday 1–11 p.m.; Sunday 3–11 p.m.44578 Atwater Drive, AshburnFree admission; rides cost extraJump to carnival details PICK 03Alexandria Sidewalk Sale
Friday–Sunday, August 14–16Shop hours varyParticipating businesses across AlexandriaFree to browseJump to sale detailsThings to do in Northern Virginia this week at a glance
Tuesday and Wednesday: Three ’90s hitmakers share Wolf Trap
Blues Traveler, Gin Blossoms and Spin Doctors bring their triple bill to the Filene Center on Tuesday and Wednesday. Both shows begin at 7 p.m., with gates opening at 5:30 p.m. Gin Blossoms close Tuesday’s concert, while Blues Traveler closes Wednesday’s.
Blues Traveler, Gin Blossoms and Spin Doctors
When: Tuesday and Wednesday, August 11–12 at 7 p.m.
Where: Filene Center, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna
Cost: Tickets vary; official listing showed limited availability
Check tickets through Wolf Trap
Wednesday through Sunday: The Arlington County Fair turns 50
The Arlington County Fair returns August 12–16 at Thomas Jefferson Community Center. Admission is free, with carnival rides, midway games, fair food, local performances, indoor vendors and family programming spread across five days.
Outdoor hours begin at 5 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. The indoor fair opens Friday. There is no public parking at the fairgrounds, so plan around the official shuttle, biking, rideshare or nearby transit rather than circling the neighborhood.
Arlington County Fair
When: Wednesday–Sunday, August 12–16
Where: Thomas Jefferson Community Center, 3501 2nd Street S, Arlington
Cost: Free admission; rides, games, food and parking alternatives cost extra
See the official daily schedule
For ride prices, sensory hours and transportation details, use DC Spot’s full Arlington County Fair 2026 guide.
The One Loudoun Carnival opens Wednesday
One Loudoun’s summer carnival begins Wednesday, August 12, at 5 p.m. and continues through August 23. Admission is free. Rides require separate tickets, available at the carnival or through the organizer’s advance ticket page.
One Loudoun Carnival
When: August 12–23; Monday–Friday 5–11 p.m., Saturday 1–11 p.m. and Sunday 3–11 p.m.
Where: One Loudoun Uptown, 44578 Atwater Drive, Ashburn
Cost: Free admission; ride tickets cost extra
See the official carnival details and ride-ticket link
Friday, August 14: Markets, music and Beethoven
Moonlight Market and the Justin Trawick Duo at One Loudoun
Friday offers two reasons to stay at One Loudoun. The Moonlight Market runs from 5 to 9 p.m., while the Justin Trawick Duo performs from 6 to 9 p.m. The overlap makes it easy to browse local vendors before settling in for live music.
Both listings are free to attend. Food, drinks and market purchases are separate.
Beethoven’s Ninth at Wolf Trap
The National Symphony Orchestra and Washington Chorus perform Beethoven’s Ninth at the Filene Center at 8 p.m. Friday. Gates open at 6:30 p.m., and a pre-performance talk begins at 7 p.m.
Beethoven’s Ninth
When: Friday, August 14 at 8 p.m.
Where: Filene Center, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna
Cost: Tickets vary
Check official tickets and venue rules
Weekend: Old Town deals and two more Wolf Trap nights
Alexandria Sidewalk Sale
Dozens of independent boutiques participate in Alexandria’s annual Sidewalk Sale from Friday through Sunday. The event stretches across Old Town and other Alexandria shopping districts, with discounted clothing, home goods, gifts and accessories displayed outside participating stores.
Alexandria Restaurant Week begins Friday
Alexandria Restaurant Week starts Friday, August 14, and continues through August 23. Participating restaurants across Old Town, Del Ray, Arlandria-Chirilagua and the West End offer limited-time prix-fixe dinner menus, making it easy to pair the Sidewalk Sale with an early dinner.
Alexandria Sidewalk Sale
When: Friday–Sunday, August 14–16
Where: Participating businesses throughout Alexandria
Cost: Free to browse
See the official event details
Alexandria Restaurant Week
When: Friday, August 14, through Sunday, August 23
Where: Participating restaurants throughout Alexandria
Cost: Prix-fixe prices vary by restaurant
Browse participating restaurants and menus
Gershwin, Bernstein & American Mosaic
Wolf Trap’s Saturday program pairs the National Symphony Orchestra with an American music program featuring works associated with Gershwin and Bernstein. The concert begins at 8 p.m.; gates open at 6:30 p.m.
Check Saturday tickets through Wolf Trap.
Yacht Rock Revue closes the weekend
Yacht Rock Revue takes over the Filene Center at 8 p.m. Sunday, August 16. If you want a lighter finish to the week after Friday’s Beethoven and Saturday’s orchestral program, this is the obvious contrast. Check Wolf Trap’s current ticket inventory and venue details before heading out.
The Big Dig & Big Rigs at Great Country Farms
Great Country Farms hosts its Big Dig potato harvest both Saturday and Sunday, with a Big Rigs touch-a-truck component on Saturday. Families can dig potatoes, ride out to the field and see trucks and equipment up close.
The Big Dig & Big Rigs
When: Saturday–Sunday, August 15–16, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Big Rigs runs Saturday, 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Where: Great Country Farms, Bluemont
Cost: Online base admission is $10 per child and $12 per adult, plus a $1 ticketing fee per ticket; admission at the gate is $14 for ages 3 and older. Children 2 and younger enter free. Harvested potatoes cost extra by weight.
Confirm tickets and the daily schedule
Free things to do in Northern Virginia this week
Arlington County Fair
Admission is free, though rides, games, food and some transportation options cost extra.
Moonlight Market
Friday’s market and live music at One Loudoun are free to attend.
Alexandria Sidewalk Sale
Browsing the participating shops is free; what you spend is up to you.
DC Spot planning tips for this week
Frequently asked questions about things to do in Northern Virginia this week
What are the best things to do in Northern Virginia this week?
Top picks for August 10–16 include the Arlington County Fair, One Loudoun Carnival, Alexandria Restaurant Week, the Alexandria Sidewalk Sale, Moonlight Market and five nights of music at Wolf Trap.
What is happening in Northern Virginia this weekend?
Weekend options include the Arlington County Fair, Alexandria Restaurant Week, the Alexandria Sidewalk Sale, The Big Dig and Big Rigs, Gershwin and Bernstein at Wolf Trap on Saturday and Yacht Rock Revue on Sunday.
What free events are happening in Northern Virginia this week?
Free options include admission to the Arlington County Fair, the Moonlight Market with live music and the Alexandria Sidewalk Sale.
When is the Arlington County Fair 2026?
The Arlington County Fair runs Wednesday, August 12, through Sunday, August 16, 2026, at Thomas Jefferson Community Center in Arlington.
When does the One Loudoun Carnival open?
The One Loudoun Carnival opens Wednesday, August 12, at 5 p.m. and continues through August 23, 2026.
What is happening at Wolf Trap this week?
Wolf Trap hosts Blues Traveler, Gin Blossoms and Spin Doctors on Tuesday and Wednesday, Beethoven’s Ninth on Friday, Gershwin, Bernstein and American Mosaic on Saturday, and Yacht Rock Revue on Sunday.
When is Alexandria Restaurant Week?
Alexandria Restaurant Week runs from Friday, August 14, through Sunday, August 23, 2026, at participating restaurants across Alexandria.
How often is this Northern Virginia guide updated?
DC Spot refreshes this stable URL every Monday with a new date range, current events and verified organizer links.
AI-generated editorial image representing a Northern Virginia summer events week.
Updated August 10, 2026. Dates, times, prices and locations were checked against current organizer and venue pages. Outdoor events, ticket inventory and schedules can change, so confirm details before leaving home.
