Park Authority

CONTACT INFORMATION: Open during regular business hours 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday
703-324-8700 TTY 711
12055 Government Center Pkwy.
Fairfax, Virginia 22035
Jai Cole
Executive Director

Seasonal Events in the Parks

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Celebrate the Season with the Fairfax County Park Authority!

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.

Holiday Joy in Fairfax County Parks

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.

See all Sneak Peak Holiday Programs

See full event guide


Join the Winter Wonderland at Burke Lake Park!

Join the Winter Wonderland at Burke Lake Park!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 


Holiday On the Farm

holiday on the farm

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 Holidays at Colvin Run Mill

Experience the Holidays at Colvin Run MillExperience 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. 

  • Holiday Lantern Tour, December 6-7, Choose between 5:30 or 6:30 p.m., $12 
  • Children's Holiday Shopping at Historic Colvin Run, December 7-8, Choose times between 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., $7 
  • Santa at the Mill, Choose times between 3-5:30 p.m. on Dec. 14 or 2-4:30 p.m. on Dec. 15, $10 
  • Sensory-Friendly Santa at the Mill, Choose times between 12:30-2:15 p.m. on Dec. 14 or 11:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m. on Dec. 15, $40 per group, up to five in a group 

Explore Natural Winter Wonders with Fairfax County Parks

Explore Natural Winter Wonders with Fairfax County Parks 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.  


Craft Your Holiday Fun with Fairfax County Parks!

Craft Your Holiday Fun with Fairfax County Parks! 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! 

  • DIY Holiday Ornaments, Sunday, December 8, 2-3 p.m., Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, $9  
  • Family Wreath Making, Sunday, December 15, 1-3 p.m. or 3:30-5:30 p.m., Hidden Pond Nature Center, $25  
  • Gifts to Go Workshop (5-10 yrs.), Saturday, December 14, 9 a.m.-Noon or 1-4 p.m., Audrey Moore Rec Center, $41 
  • Make Your Own Pinecone Birdfeeders!, Sunday, December 8, 11 a.m.-Noon, Riverbend Park,  $10  
  • Naturally Crafted, Sunday, December 8, 1-2:30 p.m., Riverbend Park, $12  
  • Santa's Critters & Craft, Saturday, December 7, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. or 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Hidden Pond Nature Center, $10  
  • Watercolor Workshop - Snowy Tree Cards, Saturday, December 7, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Green Spring Gardens Park, $107

Scouting Skills & Badges for Every Scout!

Scouting Skills & Badges for Every Scout! 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! 


Holiday Magic-Hop Aboard with Caroling and Engineering! 

holiday magic-hop aboard with caroling and engineeringLooking 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. 

  • Caroling Wagon Ride & Campfire, Saturday, December 14, 2-3 p.m. or 3:30-4:30 p.m., Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, $9 
  • Holiday Engineering Challenge, Sunday, December 8, 2-3 p.m., Hidden Oaks Nature Center, $10  

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

Register Online

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

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