AUGUST
National Night Out. On Aug. 7, law enforcement visits neighborhoods throughout Fairfax County to promote crime enforcement and safety. Call 703-385-7964.
SEPTEMBER
Burke Centre Annual Fall Festival, which attracts 12,000 to 13,000 people from all over Northern Virginia, includes food vendors, games and amusement rides for children, a wine festival, and pony rides. Local police and fire departments attend. Girl and boy scout troops are highlighted. Admission is free and a free shuttle bus service is provided. This year’s festival takes place Saturday Sept. 8 and 9, beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. on Sunday on the Burke Centre Conservancy grounds. Call 703-978-2928.
Fifth Annual Fall for the Book Festival. Sept. 23-28. The City of Fairfax and George Mason University celebrate books through author appearances and book-related events and discussions. 703-993-3986; www.fallforthebook.org.
Slugfest. Sept. 30 at Hidden Pond Nature Center, 8511 Greeley Blvd. Springfield. Anti-slug "protester" Captain Salty often tries — but always fails — to quench this annual celebration for lovers of all things sluglike. Slugfest, a popular tradition at Hidden Pond, is in September and features events such as a slime toss, face painting, slug races, a slug play and, of course, the slimy creatures themselves. 703-451-9588.
Fall Festival and Pumpkin Playground. At Burke Nursery and Garden Center, 9401 Burke Road, Burke. This annual event runs from Sept. 29 through Oct. 31 with daily hours of 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The cost of admission on weekdays is $7 per person and on the weekends is $10 per person. Admission gets you a carvable pumpkin and a hayride. There are daily activities at the festival, including a collection of themed rides and slides (like Ghost Tunnel Slide and the Wizard of Oz Slide), a monster truck, and other attractions. On the weekend, there are pony rides and a moon bounce. Refreshments are also on sale. Call 703-323-1188 or visit www.pumpkinplayground.com for more.
Heather Hill Gardens Fall Festival. At 8111 Ox Road, Fairfax Station. This annual festival features a pumpkin patch, pumpkin fort, a petting zoo, pony rides and other autumn mainstays. The festival typically runs from late morning to about 5:30 p.m. Admission for last year's festival was $3. Call 703-690-6060 for more information.
OCTOBER
Fall for Fairfax. Includes entertainment, health, fitness and educational activities. The event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 29, from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., on the 8-acre ellipse behind the Fairfax County Government Center. For more information, call 703-324-3247.
31st Fall Festival. Saturday, Oct. 13, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., City of Fairfax. Crafts, food, music and entertainment. In the event of rain, the event will be rescheduled for Sunday, Oct. 9. 703-385-7858, www.fairfaxva.gov.
Halloween Events at Lake Accotink Park. Children's events include the miniature golf game, "goblin golf," as well carousel rides and story Dog events include a bone hunt, costume contest, and talent show. All events will take place on Oct. 27 at Lake Accotink Park in Springfield. Call 703-569-3464.
Tour de Lee. Oct. 28 at Beulah Park adjacent to Lane Elementary School in Springfield. Each October, Supervisor Dana Kauffman (D-Lee) sponsors the Tour De Lee bicycle event. More of an opportunity to tour the trails and streets of the Lee District than an actual race, the event includes a 1.5-mile fun ride for families and longer, 15-mile and 30-mile, rides for serious bicyclists. For more, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/lee/CalendarofEvents/Tour_de_Lee.htm.
Goblin Gallop 5K Race & 1K Fun Run. Held at the Fairfax Corner Shopping Center, off of West Ox Road and Monument Drive. For more, visit www.goblingallop.org.
VolunteerFest. Held each October, this event is a county wide outreach program which encourages residents to spend the day giving back. For programs, dates and general volunteering opportunities, visit www.volunteerfairfax.org.
NOVEMBER
21st Annual Holiday Craft Show. Arts and crafts vendors and food on Saturday, Nov. 17, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 18, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at Fairfax High School. 703-385-7858.
Children’s Health Festival & Bike Race. Lots of activities to promote health for children in Fairfax County, held at Wakefield Park, Annandale. Oct. 13. Visit www.tfkmetrodc.org
Santa’s Arrival. Every November, Santa arrives for the season at Fair Oaks Mall to hear the wishes of children. For more, visit www.shopfairoaksmall.com.
DECEMBER
Festival of Lights and Carols. Dec. 1-2. Activities in the City of Fairfax include visits and photos with Santa at his winter wonderland, caroling, roasting of s'mores by the Yule log, hot mulled cider, illumination of the downtown Historic District and lighting of the city tree. All activities will be in the Kitty Pozer Garden located behind Old Town Hall, 3999 University Drive, in downtown Fairfax. Free. For more information, call 703-385-7858.
City of Fairfax Band Annual Holiday Concert. Saturday, Dec. 16, 7 p.m., at Fairfax High School. Performed with the Fairfax Choral Society. Free tickets required. 703-757-0220, www.fairfaxband.org.
Old Town Hall Children’s Performance Series. Dec. 10, 10:30 a.m. at 3999 University Drive, Fairfax City. 703-352-ARTS.
Santa’s Hayride. Dec. 15 at Lake Accotink Park, Springfield. All ages. Enjoy holiday music and fun on a horse-drawn carriage. Reservations required. 703-569-0285.
JANUARY
Open House. Lee District Supervisor Dana Kauffman’s (D) open house will be in January, at 6121 Franconia Road, Springfield, in the Helen Wilson Community Room.
February
16th Annual Chocolate Lovers Festival. Feb. 2-3, in downtown Fairfax. Join the City of Fairfax in celebrating everything chocolate. 703-591-2450, www.chocolatefestival.net.
March
Lee District Town Meeting.
Supervisors Dana Kauffman (D-Lee) conducts a community meeting in March at Lane Elementary School. Taste of Lee District will follow the meeting from 12-1 p.m. The meeting includes display tables by many different organizations, a speaker and brief comments from federal, state and local officials.
APRIL
23nd Annual Spotlight on the Arts Festival. Runs April 20-May 7 at locations, including, the City of Fairfax, George Mason University, Fairfax Commission on the Arts, and the Northern Virginia Community College celebrate local performing arts with concerts, recitals and demonstrations around the city. For information on the Festival, call 703-352-ARTS or visit www.fairfaxspotlight.org. For information on the Commission, Old Town Hall Performance Series, or other events in the city year round, visit www.fairfaxarts.org.
May
10th Annual Ride of the Patriots at Patriot Harley-Davidson. Takes place on Memorial Day Weekend at 9739 Fairfax Blvd., Fairfax. On Memorial Day weekend, over 3,000 motorcyclists line up on Fairfax Boulevard in Fairfax before heading to the Pentagon to join the annual Rolling Thunder ride into Washington, D.C. Sponsored by Patriot Harley-Davidson and the Fairfax Harley Owners Group (H.O.G), the ride honors the those who died defending the United States. 703-352-5400.
Clifton Community Woman's Club Homes Tour
This annual homes tour takes place the third Thursday in May from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The club selects five houses in the area for touring and then sells tickets for the event, which also includes a silent auction and a boutique of handcrafted items. The proceeds go to charity and also fund four scholarships for students headed to GMU and NOVA. Call Diane Smith at 703-830-3418.
JUNE
Springfield Days Festival. Various activities around the Springfield area include the Miss Springfield pageant, a parade, and other family-friendly events. Call 703-866-3500.
JULY
Fourth of July Celebration. Each year, the City of Fairfax celebrates Independence Day with a parade through Old Town, a Fireman's Old Fashioned Fireman's Day, and an evening show featuring music and fireworks at Fairfax High School Stadium. 703-385-7858
SUMMER
Braddock Nights concert series. Concerts will take place every Friday in June, July and August, 7:30 p.m., at Royal Lake Park and Lake Accotink Park. Free. Call the parks and recreation department at 703-324-8566. The rain cancellation phone number is 703-324-SHOW. Cancellations will be posted after 6 p.m.
Lee District Nights concert series. The concerts take place on Wednesday nights at 7:30 p.m., at Lee District Amphitheater, 6601 Telegraph Road, Franconia, and on Friday nights, at 7:30 p.m., at the Kingstowne Town Center. Free. Concerts will feature a variety of music from bluegrass and country to jazz and swing. Call 703-971-6262.
Fairfax Concerts. The City of Fairfax Band and other musical ensembles present a Thursday night concert series, June-July, 8 p.m., at Veterans Amphitheater on the grounds of City Hall. 703-757-0220, www.fairfaxband.org.
SUMMER/FALL
Burke Farmers Market. This market will take place every Saturday, May 5 through Oct. 27, from 8 a.m.-12 p.m., at the VRE parking lot, 5671 Roberts Parkway. Free. No dogs. Call 703-941-7987.
Fairfax Farmers Market. This market will take place every Tuesday, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., May 1 through Oct. 30, at Van Dyck Park on Old Lee Highway, Fairfax. Free. Call 703-941-7987.
Kingstowne Farmers Market. This market takes place every Friday, May 11 to Oct. 26, 4-7 p.m., at Kingstowne Center off Manchester Lakes, near Panera Bread. Free. No dogs. Call 703-941-7987.
Clifton Farmer's Market. Sundays from 7 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Chapel Road next to the post office in the Town of Clifton.
Downtown Community Coalition Farmer's Market at 10500 Main St., Fairfax Saturdays from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. For information, call 703-430-6164.