Alert:
Seasonal Events in the Parks
We’ve rounded up our seasonal fun into a handy list of holiday happenings in the parks. Check out our holiday highlights list below or bookmark this page.
Get a sneak peek of holiday magic, courtesy of the Fairfax County Park Authority! From events to meet Santa and enjoy other holiday traditions, to outdoor adventures to fuel your family’s festive vibes. Jingle all the way to the parks to celebrate the season together.
All aboard for a train ride on the Holiday Express. Take a spin on the Carolers Carousel, play Gingerbread Man Golf or warm yourself by the fire and make s'mores as you usher in your holidays. Families will enjoy a visit with Santa, hot chocolate and candy canes.
Weekends: Dec. 7-8, Dec. 14-15, Dec. 21-22, 11 a.m.- 5 p.m., $15 in advance, $20 at the door
Celebrate the holidays at Frying Pan Farm Park with an evening of wagon rides, indoor activities, food, animal interactions, campfires and visits with Santa
December 6-7, December 13-14 or December 20-21, 4:30-7:30 p.m., Frying Pan Farm Park, $15 in advance, $20 at the door.
Experience the holiday spirit at historic Colvin Run Mill's seasonal programs. Delight in the magic of yesteryears with joyful activities that capture the essence of the holidays.
This winter, discover the beauty of nature with Fairfax County Parks! From animal pajama parties and owl adventures to full moon hikes and dinosaurs. Whether you’re feeding critters or stargazing, these programs offer exciting experiences for all ages.
Get in the holiday spirit with festive, hand-on workshops across Fairfax County Parks! From DIY ornaments and wreath-making to creating pinecone birdfeeders and crafting snowy tree cards, there’s something for everyone!
Calling all scouts! Fairfax County Parks offers a variety of exciting programs to build skills and earn badges. Join us for hand-on learning and badge-earning adventures!
Looking for creative holiday fun? Enjoy caroling wagon rides at Ellanor C. Larence Park or test your skills in the Holiday Engineering Challenge at Hidden Oaks Nature Center.
Activity Name | Date | Time | Location | Price | Register |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Garden Sprouts Fall - Nature Playgroup | Monday, November 4 | 10:30 a.m.-Noon | Green Spring Gardens Park | $12 | Register Online |
Fall Nature Appreciation & Celebration | Saturday, November 9 | 1-2:30 p.m. | Hidden Pond Nature Center | $10 | Register Online |
The War of 1812 and the Homefront | Sunday, November 10 | Noon-3 p.m. | Colvin Run Mill | $10 | Register Online |
Astronomy Festival | Saturday, November 16 | 5-7:30 p.m. | Turner Farm Park Observatory | $10 | Register Online |
Turkey Cup | Thursday, November 21 | 9:30 a.m. | Greendale Golf Course | $130 per team | |
Make Room for Turkeys | Saturday, November 23 | 2-3 p.m. | Ellanor C. Lawrence Park | $8 | Register Online |
CGS-Babysitter | Saturday, November 23 | 9 a.m.-Noon | Cub Run Rec Center | $23 | Register Online |
Oceanography Merit Badge | Wednesday, November 27 | Noon-4 p.m. | Cub Run Rec Center | $48 | Register Online |
Geology Merit Badge | Friday, November 29 | Noon-4 p.m. | Cub Run Rec Center | $48 | Register Online |
Make Room for Turkeys | Saturday, November 30 | 2-3 p.m. | Ellanor C. Lawrence Park | $8 | Register Online |
Winter Bird Walk | Sunday, December 1 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. | Lake Accotink Park | $8 | Register Online |
Little Acorns-Winter | Mondays, Dec 2, 9, 16 | Choose between 9:45 a.m. or 11 a.m. | Hidden Oaks Nature Center | $10 | Register Online |
Corn Grinding & Clay Pottery | Wednesday, December 4 | 1-3 p.m. | Huntley Meadows Park | $12 | Register Online |
Snake and Turtle Feeding | Thursday, December 5 | 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. | Hidden Oaks Nature Center | $7 | Register Online |
DGS-Space Science Explorer | Friday, December 6 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Riverbend Park | $7 | Register Online |
Winter Wonderland | Weekends, December 7-8, 14-15, 21-22 | 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Burke Lake Park | $15 | Register Online |
Holiday on the Farm | Friday-Saturday, December 6-7, 13-14 or 20-21 | Choose times between: 3:45 p.m.-7:15 p.m. | Frying Pan Park | $10 | Register Online |
Children's Holiday Shopping at Historic Colvin Run | Saturday, December 7 | Choose between: 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | Colvin Run Mill | $7 | Register Online |
Communication Merit Badge | Saturday, December 7 | 1-5 p.m. | Hidden Oaks Nature Center | $48 | Register Online |
Dinosaurs Galore (3-7 yrs.) | Saturday, December 7 | 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Cub Run Rec Center | $9 | Register Online |
Dinosaurs Galore (3-7 yrs.) | Saturday, December 7 | 10-11 a.m. | Cub Run Rec Center | $9 | Register Online |
Drawing & Investigating Owls (16-Adult) | Saturday, December 7 | 9-11:25 a.m. | Hidden Oaks Nature Center | $25 | Register Online |
Hot Cocoa Wetland Night Hike | Saturday, December 7 | 3:45-5:15 p.m. | Huntley Meadows Park | $10 | Register Online |
Riverbend Forest Preschool Open House | Saturday, December 7 | 4-5 p.m. | Riverbend Park | $- | Register Online |
Santa's Critters & Craft | Saturday, December 7 | 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Hidden Pond Nature Center | $10 | Register Online |
Santa's Critters & Craft | Saturday, December 7 | 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. | Hidden Pond Nature Center | $10 | Register Online |
To Build a Fire | Saturday, December 7 | Noon-1 p.m. | Riverbend Park | $10 | Register Online |
Watercolor Workshop - Snowy Tree Cards | Saturday, December 7 | 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Green Spring Gardens Park | $107 | Register Online |
DIY Holiday Ornaments | Sunday, December 8 | 2-3 p.m. | Ellanor C. Lawrence Park | $9 | Register Online |
Family Fun - Excellent Evergreens | Sunday, December 8 | 1-2 p.m. | Green Spring Gardens Park | $10 | Register Online |
Family Owl Outing | Sunday, December 8 | 4:30-6 p.m. | Huntley Meadows Park | $9 | Register Online |
First Aid Merit Badge | Sunday, December 8 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Hidden Oaks Nature Center | $60 | Register Online |
Holiday Engineering Challenge | Sunday, December 8 | 2-3 p.m. | Hidden Oaks Nature Center | $10 | Register Online |
Make Your Own Pinecone Birdfeeders! | Sunday, December 8 | 11 a.m.-Noon | Riverbend Park | $10 | Register Online |
Naturally Crafted | Sunday, December 8 | 1-2:30 p.m. | Riverbend Park | $12 | Register Online |
Winter Trees and Landscapes Sketch Hike | Sunday, December 8 | 10 a.m.-Noon | Huntley Meadows Park | $15 | Register Online |
Exploring the Moon (8-Adult) | Monday, December 9 | 7:30-8:30 p.m. | Turner Farm Park | $8 | Register Online |
Garden Sprouts Winter - Nature Playgroup | Monday, December 9 | 10:30 a.m.-Noon | Green Spring Gardens Park | $12 | Register Online |
Animal Feeding | Wednesday, December 11 | 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Hidden Pond Nature Center | $8 | Register Online |
Outdoor Science Lab at Huntley | Wednesday, December 11 | 1-2:30 p.m. | Huntley Meadows Park | $12 | Register Online |
Flying Squirrel Campfire | Friday, December 13 | 7-8 p.m. | Hidden Oaks Nature Center | $8 | Register Online |
Astronomy Festival | Saturday, December 14 | 5-7:30 p.m. | Turner Farm Park | $10 | Register Online |
Caroling Wagon Ride & Campfire | Saturday, December 14 | 2-3 p.m. | Ellanor C. Lawrence Park | $9 | Register Online |
Caroling Wagon Ride & Campfire | Saturday, December 14 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. | Ellanor C. Lawrence Park | $9 | Register Online |
Geminid Meteor Shower & Cocoa | Saturday, December 14 | 8-10 p.m. | Huntley Meadows Park | $12 | Register Online |
Gifts to Go Workshop (5-10 yrs) | Saturday, December 14 | 9 a.m.-Noon | Audrey Moore Rec Center | $41 | Register Online |
Gifts to Go Workshop (5-10 yrs) | Saturday, December 14 | 1-4 p.m. | Audrey Moore Rec Center | $41 | Register Online |
Santa at the Mill | Saturday-Sunday, December 14-15 | Choose Times Between 2-5:30 p.m. | Colvin Run Mill | $10 | Register Online |
Sensory-Friendly Santa at the Mill | Saturday-Sunday, December 14-15 | Choose Times Between 11:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | Colvin Run Mill | $40 | Register Online |
Tea Rex Tea Party | Saturday, December 14 | 2-3:30 p.m. | Hidden Oaks Nature Center | $15 | Register Online |
Family Wreath Making | Sunday, December 15 | 1-3 p.m. | Hidden Pond Nature Center | $25 | Register Online |
Family Wreath Making | Sunday, December 15 | 3:30-5:30 p.m. | Hidden Pond Nature Center | $25 | Register Online |
Animal Pajama Party | Sunday, December 15 | 6:30-7:15 p.m. | Hidden Oaks Nature Center | $10 | Register Online |
Full Moon Meditation | Sunday, December 15 | 5-6:30 p.m. | Riverbend Park | $12 | Register Online |
Full Moon Nature Hike & Campfire | Sunday, December 15 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Lake Accotink Park | $10 | Register Online |
Weight Training for Teens (12-15 yrs) | Monday, December 16 | 1-4:55 p.m. | Spring Hill Rec Center | $85 | Register Online |
Weight Training for Teens II (12-17 yrs) | Monday, December 16 | 5-5:55 p.m. | Spring Hill Rec Center | $85 | Register Online |
Additional holiday programs or events may be added. Learn how to get the most current updates: