Last summer I made it my mission to hit up as many festivals, fairs and carnivals as possible. My goal was five and I’m pretty sure I surpassed that number by the end of the last post-summer/pre-fall fair we attended in early September.
At the time it was very important for me to accomplish my goal because I wanted to make it a summer to remember for my kids. I was in deep with my depression and a silly project like festivals, fairs and carnivals seemed trivial enough to keep my mind occupied on something other than deep, dark gloom.
Looking back at the pictures from last summer, all I can do is smile! It was a really hard time for me but somehow I was able to experience some of the most exquisite memories of my motherhood journey. It truly was the silver lining of what could have easily been a horrible season in my life. Don’t get me wrong, with my depression in tow it was difficult to slap a smile on my face, but I was able to smile in just seeing my little one’s have the time of their lives!
This summer we’re doing it again! I’ve already warned my husband that our goal is six but think we may be able to attend seven if we include the last post-summer/pre-fall fair in September (which is actually one of my favorites!). So without further adieu, here are my Top 8 Kid-Friendly Fairs, Festivals & Carnivals in the Northern Virginia area! If you’re local, leave a comment with one you love and recommend!
Dulles Town Center Carnival (May 24-June 3, 2018)
Where: Dulles Town Center
Hours: Weekdays open from 5pm-11pm // Weekends open from 1pm-11am
Viva Vienna (May 26-28,2018)
Where: 124 Church St NE, Vienna, VA 22180
Hours: Saturday, May 26 open from 10am-10pm // Sunday, May 27 open from 10am-10pm // Monday, May 28 open from 10am-6pm
Herndon Festival (May 31-June 3, 2018)
Where: Historic Downtown Herndon
Hours: Thursday, May 31 open from 6pm-10pm // Friday, June 1 open from 5pm-11pm // Saturday, June 2 open from 10am-11pm // Sunday, June 3 open from 10am-6pm
Vintage Virginia (June 2-3, 2018)
Where: Bull Run Regional Park
Hours: Saturday, June 2 open from 12pm-8pm // Sunday, June 3 open from 11am-5pm
Celebrate Fairfax Fair (June 8-10, 2018)
Where: Fairfax Government Center
Hours: Friday, June 8 open from 6pm-12am // Saturday, June 9 open from 10am-12am // Sunday, June 10 open from 11am-7pm
Taste of Reston: Northern VA Food, Beer and Wine Festival (June 15-16, 2018)
Where: Reston Town Center
Hours: Friday, June 15 open from 3pm-11pm // Saturday, June 16 open from 12pm-11pm
Loudoun County Fair (July 23-28, 2018)
Where: Loudoun 4H Fairgrounds
Hours: 9am-11pm daily
Burke Centre Festival (September 8-9, 2018)
Where: Burke Centre Conservancy
Hours: Saturday, September 8 open from 9:30am-5pm // Sunday, September 9 open from 11am-5pm
