Summer may be on the downswing, but looking at Fairfax County's event calendar, you wouldn't know that. Before school is back in session and the warm weather turns crisp, check out why August is a prime time to visit and explore Fairfax County.
1. Holidays and Month-Long Celebrations
August is a popular month for celebrating different passions, from local foods to craft beer to your golf swing. Here are a few interests you might want to embrace this month.
DC Restaurant Week
August 18 - August 24
Image courtesy Founding Farmers
Attention, foodies! Summer Restaurant Week returns to the metropolitan area this month! Twice a year, the DMV area highlights some of the region's top restaurants, and many fabulous Fairfax County dining spots join in on the celebration to offer brunches, lunches, and dinners at a special rate. DC Restaurant Week returns from Monday, August 18 to Sunday, August 24 and includes both in-house dining and to-go meals with a variety of family-style offerings as well as cocktail and wine pairings. Eat your heart out and support hundreds of restaurants throughout the DMV. Get the list of participating restaurants here. (List will be updated as more restaurants are added.)
National Farmers Market Week
August 3 - August 9
National Farmers Market Week runs from Sunday, August 3, through Saturday, August 9, 2025. What could be a better way to celebrate than to stock up on fresh fruit, meats, cheeses, and baked goods? Buying local produce supports sustainable agriculture in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and provides you with the freshest foods you can buy. Find a complete list of all Fairfax County farmers' markets in the area here and visit one or more of them for special cooking demonstrations, children's activities, and live music during this celebratory week.
National Golf Month
It's a tee-riffic time to book your spot on the green because August is National Golf Month! Fairfax County offers some of the best golfing in Northern Virginia, by "par!" Check out Fairfax County-operated courses and reserve your tee time here. For a complete list of area golf courses, check out this list. For fun for the whole family, be sure to check out our mini-golf courses as well.
Virginia Craft Beer Month
Virginia Craft Beer Month is upon us, and our Fairfax County Breweries are the "pitcher" perfect place to get your fix! Visit some of the most innovative and dedicated brewmasters to find your new favorite beer. Explore award-winning breweries in the area, such as Caboose Commons and Caboose Tavern, which recently medaled gold at the 2024 U.S. Beer Championships for its Boxcar Brown Ale in the American Brown Ale category. Additionally, at last year's Virginia Craft Beer Cup, Lake Anne Brew House received second place for their Stand-Up Paddle Porter and Bunnyman Brewing took second place for its Conejitos Furiosos Spicy Mexican Lager. Dominating in the fruit category, Bike Lane Brewing took the #1 spot for their Kiki’s Carrito sour ale. Venture through all the locally brewed and locally poured beer Fairfax County has to offer!
Hot tip: Bunnyman Brewing Co. opened its second location last year at the Workhouse Arts Center AND just merged with Mustang Sally Brewing Co. to take over the Chantilly location as its third spot in the County. Stop by one of their taprooms to celebrate Craft Beer Month!
Women's Equality Day
Image courtesy Mina Habibi/Workhouse Arts Center
This August marks the 105th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, which secured women's constitutional right to vote. August 26 may be commemorated as Women's Equality Day, but this entire month brings a variety of ways to remember and celebrate the suffragists who fought for change.
Visit the Lorton Prison Museum & Lucy Burns Gallery:
In 2018, the Workhouse Arts Center completed a renovation of a 10,000-square-foot barracks building on campus, in what was formerly the Lorton Correctional Facility, which operated from 1910-2001. This building now hosts the Lorton Prison Museum & Lucy Burns Gallery, which tells the story of the suffragists who were imprisoned here in 1917 for picketing the White House for women’s right to vote. Watch this video to learn more about this fascinating story.
Visit the Turning Point Suffragist Memorial:
It took 72 years to pass and ratify the 19th Amendment and more than 100 years to fully honor the millions who fought for women to have a voice in their government. The Turning Point Suffragist Memorial is a national landmark that pays tribute to ALL women who fought during America's women's suffrage movement. Snap a photo in front of the original White House gates that the women protested in front of in 1917, learn their stories at 19 educational stations, stroll through the reflection garden, and spend some time at this integral site for women's history in #FXVA.
Get Inspired with Little-Known Local Stories:
Fairfax County is home to a multitude of sites and stories that celebrate the contributions of women to the United States. Explore the many sites in our region that tell their stories, and in doing so, gain a new appreciation for what they achieved.
2. Waterfront Dining
Photo courtesy Red's Table
Food always tastes better when it comes with a spectacular view. Luckily, our region's waterfronts are bustling with scenic dining destinations for every palette. From the flowing waters of the Potomac River to the tranquil edge of Lake Anne, check out our Guide to Waterfront Dining in Fairfax County!
3. Special Events This August
There are so many unique events happening this month that it was tough to narrow down. Here is a sampling of some not-to-miss August fun. Check our full event calendar for even more great ideas.
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Fairfax County 4-H Fair and Carnival |
Back to the Future in Concert August 2, 2025 Wolf Trap |
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Stargazing |
Wright at Twilight |
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Purple Heart Commemoration |
Lake Anne Cardboard Boat Regatta |
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Fairfax Comic Con 2025 |
Labor Day Grill-Out + American Craft Beer Festival |
4. 4H Fair and Carnival
One of summer’s most beloved traditions is back! Head to Frying Pan Farm Park July 31-August 3 for the annual 4-H Fair & Carnival, an end-of-summer celebration filled with rides, games, food trucks, and classic fair fun. Hosted by the Fairfax County Park Authority in partnership with The Friends of Frying Pan Farm Park, Fairfax County 4-H, and more. This family-friendly event brings the charm of the countryside to the heart of Fairfax County.
Hot Tip: Stay tuned for updates on wristband discounts, Big Truck Night, and a full list of delicious food vendors.
5. Summer's Last Hurrah
Before the weather starts to cool off, squeeze out all the summer fun that you can! Get the thrill-seekers of the bunch excited for splishing, splashing, turning, and twisting at our local waterparks. Strike up some friendly competition at our mini golf courses - with a variety of themes, lengths, and difficulties for everyone. Even get out on the water with kayaks, paddleboards, and canoes at our local parks. Or, head to where the wild things are at NOVA Wild. For music lovers, enjoy summer melodies at the outdoor Filene Center at Wolf Trap before the season ends.
6. Free Admission at Great Falls National Park
August 4
Perhaps one of the most unexpected attractions in Fairfax County is Great Falls Park, packed with trails, historic ruins, scenic overlooks, and a majestic waterfall you don’t even have to hike to see. While admission to the park is usually $20 per vehicle, there's an opportunity to enjoy the natural wonder for free this month on August 4 in celebration of the anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act, passed in 2020.
This landmark conservation legislation will use revenues from energy development to provide up to $1.9 billion a year for five years to provide needed maintenance for critical facilities and infrastructure in our national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and more. Celebrate this monumental achievement for our national parks by experiencing the beauty of the Potomac River.
What are you most looking forward to during these dog days of summer? Tell us in the comments below or join the conversation on social media using #FXVA and @VisitFairfax.
