AUGUST
National Night Out. On Aug. 5, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., law enforcement visits neighborhoods throughout Fairfax County to promote crime enforcement and safety. There will be a function at the Government Center at 12 p.m. Call 703-385-7964. Contact local police district station.
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. The 2008 festival takes place Saturday, Sept. 13 and Sunday, Sept. 14, beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. on Sunday on the Burke Centre Conservancy grounds. Call 703-978-2928.
Lee District Neighborhood Resource Fair. Saturday Sept. 20. 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Franconia Governmental Center, 6121 Franconia Road, Alexandria.
Annual Fall for the Book Festival. Sept. 21-26. 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.
Old Town Hall Children's Performance Series. First and third Monday starting Sept. 16, 2008 through July 1, 2009, 10:30 a.m.-11: 30 a.m. at 3999 University Drive, Fairfax City. 703-352-ARTS.
OCTOBER
Clifton Day Festival. This annual, non-profit event that raises money for local charities takes place Sunday, Oct. 12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., with a raindate of Sunday, Oct. 19. The festival includes crafts, antiques, a flea market, entertainment, live music and food. To learn more, visit www.cliftonday.com.
Fall Festival and Pumpkin Playground at Burke Nursery and Garden Center, 9401 Burke Road, Burke. This annual event runs from Oct. 2 through Nov. 2 with daily hours of 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The cost of admission on weekdays is $8 per person and on the weekends is $11 per person. With admission, visitors receive a carvable pumpkin and a hayride. Daily activities are offered 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, pony rides and a moon bounce are available. 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 from Oct.4 to Oct. 31. This annual festival features a pumpkin patch, pumpkin fort, a petting zoo, pony rides (call for time and fees) and other autumn mainstays. The festival runs Monday-Friday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission is $4.50. Call 703-690-6060 for more information.
Fall for Fairfax Kidsfest. Includes entertainment, health, fitness and educational activities. The event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 9 a.m.-6 p.m., on the 8-acre ellipse behind the Fairfax County Government Center. For more information, call 703-324-3247.
32nd Fall Festival. Saturday, Oct. 11, 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. 12. 703-385-7858, www.fairfaxva.gov.
Halloween Events at Lake Accotink Park. Children's events include the miniature golf game, "goblin golf," as well as carousel rides and stories. Dog events include a bone hunt, costume contest, and talent show. All events will take place on Oct. 25 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 Jeff McKay (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. Oct. 26 at the Fairfax Corner Shopping Center, off of West Ox Road and Monument Drive. For more, visit www.goblingallop.org.
VolunteerFest. Each October, this event is a county wide outreach program that encourages residents to spend the day giving back. For programs, dates and general volunteering opportunities, visit www.volunteerfairfax.org.
NOVEMBER
Holiday Craft Show. Arts and crafts vendors and food on Saturday, Nov. 15, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 16, 10 a.m.-3:00 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, at Wakefield Park, Annandale. Oct. 11. The Kid’s Fun Run for half a mile or a mile is at 11 a.m. and the Under 8 Children’s Bike Race is at 2 p.m. Visit www.tfkmetrodc.org.
DECEMBER
Festival of Lights and Carols. Dec. 6-7. 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. 22, 7 p.m., at Fairfax High School. Performed with the Fairfax Choral Society. Free tickets required. 703-757-0220, www.fairfaxband.org.
Santa's Hayride. Dec. 20 at Lake Accotink Park, Springfield. 3:30 p.m.-8:30p.m. All ages. Enjoy holiday music and fun on a horse-drawn haywagon. Reservations required. 703-569-0285.
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.
February
Annual Chocolate Lovers Festival. Feb. 7-8, in downtown Fairfax. Join the City of Fairfax in celebrating everything chocolate. 703-591-2450, www.chocolatefestival.net.
APRIL
23nd Annual Spotlight on the Arts Festival. Runs April 18-May 6 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
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.
Northern Virginia Kidsfest. Each May, the Clifton Betterment Association sponsors this child-oriented festival of activities, games, food and music at Clifton Town Park. To learn more, visit www.novakidfest.com.
June
Springfield Days Festival. Community-wide festival that takes place the weekend after Memorial Day with fun-filled events for the entire family, including the Cardboard Boat Regatta at Lake Accotink Park. Visit www.springfielddays.com or 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. The Town of Clifton and the Lorton community also celebrate the holiday with their own patriotic parades.
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. June 3 through Aug. 26. Concerts will take place every Wednesday at Lee District Amphitheater, 6601 Telegraph Road, Franconia. 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 3 through Oct. 25, 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.-12:30 p.m., May 6 through Oct. 28, at Van Dyck Park on Old Lee Highway, Fairfax. Free. Call 703-941-7987.
Kingstowne Farmers Market. This market takes place every Friday, May 16 to Oct. 24, 4-7 p.m., at Kingstowne Center off Manchester Lakes, near Panera Bread. Free. No dogs. Call 703-941-7987.
Community Farmers Market. Saturdays in the City of Fairfax, 8 a.m.-1p.m. First Saturday in May through Oct. 25. Call Brenda Snyder at 703-430-6164.