August might mark the tail end of summer, but Fairfax County and the broader Northern Virginia region are not slowing down. Between month long celebrations like Virginia Craft Beer Month and National Farmers Market Week, DC Restaurant Week's return, free national park admission, and a full lineup of county fairs and cultural festivals stretching from Manassas to Alexandria, there is a lot packed into the final weeks before the school year starts. This guide rounds up the best things to do this August across Fairfax County and Northern Virginia, from family friendly fairs to waterfront dinners and free outdoor days. If you are exploring the area and thinking about making Northern Virginia home, start with a free home valuation, or connect with Team DDA to talk through what neighborhood might fit your lifestyle best.

Quick Facts on August 2026 Events in Fairfax County and Northern Virginia

• DC Restaurant Week runs Monday, August 24 through Sunday, August 30, 2026, with participating restaurants across Fairfax County and the wider DMV offering special priced menus
• National Farmers Market Week runs August 2 through August 8, 2026
• Great Falls Park offers free admission on August 25, 2026 in celebration of the National Park Service's 110th birthday, a rare break from the normal $20 per vehicle entrance fee
• The Fairfax County Carnival & Fair runs through August 2, 2026 at Frying Pan Farm Park, with Big Truck Night on July 31 from 5 to 7 p.m.
• The Prince William County Fair runs through August 8, 2026 in Manassas, featuring a rodeo, monster trucks, a tractor pull, and a demolition derby
• Women's Equality Day falls on August 26, 2026, marking the 106th anniversary of the 19th Amendment's passage
• August is National Golf Month and Virginia Craft Beer Month, giving golfers and beer lovers plenty of reason to get out and explore
• Regional festivals this month include the Winchester Greek Festival, the Leesburg Festival of Crafts & Kites, KidsFest at Reston Town Center, and the Around the World Cultural Food Festival in Alexandria

Month Long Celebrations Worth Building a Trip Around

August doubles as a celebration month for several local passions, and a few are worth planning entire outings around.

Virginia Craft Beer Month puts Fairfax County's growing brewery scene front and center. Local breweries have been earning national recognition, including a gold medal win at the 2026 World Beer Cup for a Boxcar Brown Ale from a Vienna area brewery, along with a first place finish for an IPA at the 2025 Virginia Craft Beer Cup. Several Fairfax County breweries also collaborated this year on a limited edition Hazy IPA tied to the county's ongoing Fairfax 250 celebration, brewed with hops sourced from around the world to reflect the county's diversity.

National Farmers Market Week, running August 2 through August 8, is a great excuse to stock up on local produce, meats, cheeses, and baked goods while supporting sustainable agriculture across the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Fairfax County has farmers markets spread across nearly every major community.

National Golf Month gives golfers a reason to book tee times at Fairfax County operated courses, while families can find plenty of mini golf options with a range of themes and difficulty levels throughout the county.

DC Restaurant Week Returns August 24 to 30

Foodies should mark their calendars for the summer edition of DC Restaurant Week, running from Monday, August 24 through Sunday, August 30, 2026. Twice a year, the DMV region's top restaurants offer special priced brunch, lunch, and dinner menus, and many Fairfax County dining spots participate alongside restaurants throughout DC, Maryland, and the rest of Northern Virginia. Expect a mix of in-house dining and to-go options, along with cocktail and wine pairings at many participating locations.

Free Admission at Great Falls Park

One of the more unexpected perks this month is free admission to Great Falls Park on August 25, 2026, part of the National Park Service's celebration of its 110th birthday. Normally $20 per vehicle, the park is packed with hiking trails, historic ruins, scenic overlooks, and dramatic waterfall views that do not even require a hike to reach. Anyone planning ahead should also note additional free entrance days coming later in the year, including Constitution Day on September 17, Theodore Roosevelt's birthday on October 27, and Veterans Day on November 11.

Fairfax County Carnival & Fair and County Fair Season

Fairfax County's own end of summer tradition, the Fairfax County Carnival & Fair, runs through August 2 at Frying Pan Farm Park, hosted by the Fairfax County Park Authority alongside the Friends of Frying Pan Farm Park and Fairfax County 4-H. Expect classic carnival rides, games, food trucks, and 4-H exhibits that bring a countryside feel to the middle of the county, along with a dedicated Big Truck Night on July 31 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Just outside the county, the Prince William County Fair continues through August 8 in Manassas, with a two day rodeo, a monster truck event, a color works display, a tractor pull, a demolition derby, and a petting zoo with camel and pony rides for younger visitors.

Women's Equality Day and Local Suffrage History

August 26, 2026 marks Women's Equality Day, commemorating the 106th anniversary of the 19th Amendment's passage. Fairfax County holds a meaningful piece of that history. The Lorton Prison Museum and Lucy Burns Gallery, housed in a renovated barracks building at the Workhouse Arts Center, tells the story of the suffragists imprisoned there in 1917 for picketing the White House. Nearby, the Turning Point Suffragist Memorial features the original White House gates the women protested in front of, along with 19 educational stations and a reflection garden, making it one of the more meaningful stops in the region for anyone interested in women's history.

Festivals Across the Broader Northern Virginia Region

Beyond Fairfax County, Northern Virginia's August calendar is packed with regional festivals worth the short drive.

• Taste of Leesburg, August 8, brings together local farmers markets, food trucks, and restaurants along with live entertainment and local artisans on West Market Street
• Hogfest, August 15 in Manassas, is a new barbecue and music festival featuring local bands and live improvisational painting inspired by the performances
• Winchester Greek Festival, August 22 and 23, offers traditional Greek food, music, and dancing at Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church
• Leesburg Festival of Crafts & Kites, August 22 at Ida Lee Park, combines handmade craft vendors with a sky full of colorful kites in a pet friendly, family focused setting
• KidsFest, August 29 at Reston Town Center, is built specifically around live music, interactive games, and entertainment for kids
• Around the World Cultural Food Festival, August 29 in Alexandria, celebrates its tenth anniversary at Oronoco Bay Park with international dishes, artisans, and folk performances from around the globe

Waterfront Dining and Squeezing Out Summer's Last Days

Before the weather turns, Fairfax County's waterfront dining scene is worth exploring, from spots along the Potomac River to the calmer shoreline of Lake Anne in Reston. Between local waterparks, a variety of mini golf courses, kayak and paddleboard rentals at local parks, and outdoor concerts at Wolf Trap's Filene Center before the summer season wraps up, there is no shortage of ways to make the most of the season's final weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions About August in Fairfax County and Northern Virginia

When is DC Restaurant Week in August 2026? DC Restaurant Week runs Monday, August 24 through Sunday, August 30, 2026, with participating restaurants across Fairfax County and the wider DMV region.

Is Great Falls Park free in August 2026? Yes, Great Falls Park offers free admission on August 25, 2026, as part of the National Park Service's 110th birthday celebration, waiving the normal $20 per vehicle fee.

What family friendly events are happening in Fairfax County this August? The Fairfax County Carnival & Fair runs through August 2 at Frying Pan Farm Park, and nearby regional options include the Prince William County Fair through August 8 and KidsFest at Reston Town Center on August 29.

What festivals are happening in Northern Virginia in August 2026? Regional festivals include Taste of Leesburg on August 8, Hogfest in Manassas on August 15, the Winchester Greek Festival on August 22 and 23, the Leesburg Festival of Crafts & Kites on August 22, and the Around the World Cultural Food Festival in Alexandria on August 29.

What is Women's Equality Day and how does Fairfax County recognize it? Women's Equality Day falls on August 26 and marks the anniversary of the 19th Amendment's passage. Fairfax County recognizes it through sites like the Lorton Prison Museum and Lucy Burns Gallery and the Turning Point Suffragist Memorial, both tied to the local history of the women's suffrage movement.

The Bottom Line on August in Fairfax County and Northern Virginia

Whether you are chasing county fair nostalgia, planning a food centered weekend around DC Restaurant Week, taking advantage of free national park admission, or road tripping to a regional festival, Fairfax County and the surrounding Northern Virginia region offer a genuinely full calendar right up until summer winds down. Events like these are also a good reminder of just how much day to day lifestyle and community activity shapes a neighborhood's appeal. If you are considering a move to the area and want to know what your current home is worth or explore neighborhoods near these local favorites, get a free home valuation or reach out to Team DDA to start the conversation.

Debbie Dogrul Associates, known as Team DDA, is the number one eXp Realty team in Virginia and one of Northern Virginia's most trusted real estate teams. With more than 35 full-time Realtors, over 540 homes sold annually, nearly $400 million in 2025 sales volume, and 2,030+ five-star reviews, Team DDA brings deep local expertise to Fairfax County, Arlington, Alexandria, Loudoun County, Prince William County, and communities across Northern Virginia including Burke, Vienna, Reston, McLean, Tysons, Herndon, and Springfield. From pricing strategy and professional marketing for sellers to offer negotiation and closing support for buyers, our full-service approach is built to help clients move with confidence in a competitive market. Beyond real estate, Team DDA gives back through the DDA Love Foundation, contributing more than $100,000 in 2025 to local families, students, and nonprofits across the region.

Ready to make your next move? Get a free home valuation or connect with Team DDA to work with one of Northern Virginia's top real estate teams.