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The Maryland Renaissance Festival is always a favorite with families. Photo by Jnell Blanco Suchy. All rights reserved
The Maryland Renaissance Festival is always a favorite with families. Photo by Jnell Blanco Suchy. All rights reserved
7/27/25 - By Stephanie Shipman

Summer is not over yet! August in DC is full of some of our area's most anticipated events, as well as other family-friendly activities to close out the season.

August is county fair season across the DC region! Whether it's the Fairfax County 4-H Fair and Carnival, the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair, the Prince William County Fair, or one of the others, kids can enjoy classic rides, games, funnel cake, and more.

The One Loudoun Carnival is also this month, as is the DC Water Lantern Festival at National Harbor. And the popular Maryland Renaissance Festival kicks off in late August.

We have so many more great events listed below for your family in August, but don't forget to check our family activity calendar every day, as we're always adding more events.

More Things To Do in DC This August With Kids:

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Cheer on your favorite boat at the Lake Anne Cardboard Boat Regatta. Photo by Charlotte Geary, courtesy of the Reston Museum
Cheer on your favorite boat at the Lake Anne Cardboard Boat Regatta. Photo by Charlotte Geary, courtesy of the Reston Museum

Top Things To Do in DC with Kids this August

Fairfax County 4-H Fair and Carnival

Herndon, VA - Thursday - Sunday, July 31 - August 3-
Free
This annual festival includes carnival rides and games, 4-H exhibits and shows, food, farm animals, live  entertainment, tractor demos, and lots more family fun. READ MORE

Howard County Fair

West Friendship, MD - Daily, August 2-9
At the annual Howard County Fair, families can enjoy rides, agricultural exhibits, a dog show, a parade, food, live music, and more. READ MORE

Shark Bites & Brews at the Wharf

Washington, DC - Saturday, August 2
Free
Head to Transit Pier for “fin-tastic” activities for all ages! Take a ride on Bruce, the mechanical shark. Play outdoor games like “Pin the Fin on the Shark” and corn hole, or test your aim at the dunk tank. Compete in a shark-themed doughnut-eating contest. Pick up a free shark hat courtesy of Pacifico. And jam to live music on the floating stage, featuring rock and pop covers from the 7 Deadlies Band. READ MORE

Starlight Cinema at Sully Historic Site

Centreville, VA - Saturdays, through August 23
Free
Families can enjoy free drive-in movies and a children's show every Saturday night in August as part of Fairfax County's Summer Entertainment Series. READ MORE

Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

National Parks - Monday, August 4
Free
It's National Public Lands Day, and that means your admission is FREE! On select days throughout the year, all national parks are open to the public with no admission fee. READ MORE

Wolf Trap Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods

Vienna, VA - Daily (except Mondays), through August 9
Spend summer mornings dancing, singing, and playing with the whole family at Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods at Wolf Trap! Each June through August, this magical outdoor venue springs to life with interactive concerts, live performances, puppet shows, and more for kids and families to enjoy. READ MORE

One Loudoun Carnival at Uptown

Ashburn, VA - Daily, August 6-17
Families can enjoy all of their favorite rides, carnival food, games, entertainment, and more at the One Loudoun Carnival. READ MORE

Sesame Street the Musical at the Kennedy Center

Washington, DC - Thursdays - Sundays, through August 31
Elmo, Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby, and your favorite Sesame Street friends are bringing the TV show’s iconic songs and stories to the stage! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enjoy the Muppets from Sesame Street in an intimate, joyous theatrical setting at the Kennedy Center. READ MORE

Live from the Lawn at Strathmore

Bethesda, MD - Wednesdays, through August 20
Free
Live from the Lawn is a free outdoor concert series presented by Strathmore on Wednesday evenings this summer. Don't forget to pack a picnic! READ MORE

Montgomery County Agricultural Fair

Gaithersburg, MD - Daily, August 8-16
This annual fair offers 62 acres of fun for families, including over 5,000 animals, carnival rides and games, live entertainment, food, arts and crafts, and more.  READ MORE

Prince William County Fair

Manassas, VA - Daily, August 8-16
The Prince William County Fair features livestock and arts exhibits, tractor pulls, a rodeo, demolition derbies, live music and shows, food, carnival rides and games, and more. READ MORE

DC Water Lantern Festival at National Harbor

National Harbor, MD - Saturday & Sunday, August 9 & 10
Families will be dazzled as they witness the beauty of thousands of lanterns floating on the water in National Harbor. The event also includes food trucks, music, and giveaways.  READ MORE

Lake Anne Cardboard Boat Regatta

Reston, VA - Saturday, August 9
Free
A fun and unique event, the Lake Anne Cardboard Boat Regatta has quickly become a community favorite growing in size each year. The Regatta brings together residents, businesses, and visitors from across the Greater Washington, DC metro area. In this festive environment, Lake Anne Plaza swells with thousands of spectators who cheer on their favorite boats. READ MORE

Superhero Training with Superman (at Fairfax Old Town Square)

Fairfax, VA - Saturday, August 9
Free
Meet The Hulk and get ready to learn what it takes to be a Superhero. Photo ops are welcome. Meet on the grassy area of Old Town Square in historic Fairfax City. READ MORE

Set Sail for School at Port Discovery

Baltimore, MD - Saturday, August 9
A new school year sparks a mixture of big feelings in children. As the school-jitter-storm gathers, consider Port Discovery to be an anchor. This annual event brings the Baltimore community together for activities, giveaways, and more. READ MORE

TASTE Leesburg

Leesburg, VA - Saturday, August 9
Visitors can enjoy tastes of the best food from local restaurants, food trucks, and farm markets around Leesburg. There will also be live music and entertainment and beer and wine for adults. READ MORE

Arlington County Fair

Arlington, VA - Daily, August 13-17
The Arlington County Fair is back this year with competitive exhibits, midway rides and games, entertainment, vendors, and more. READ MORE

Playpalooza DMV in Springfield

Springfield, VA - Saturday, August 16
Free
Check out Playpalooza DMV, a FREE pop up party! Saturday, August 16 from 11-4, there will be bounce houses, face painting, touch-a-truck zone, an inflatable obstacle course, a rock climbing wall, toddler zone, character appearances and more! This event is free, but you must register for free tickets here. READ MORE

Kidz Korner Miss Mollie Bubble Party at Fairfax Old Town Square

Fairfax, VA - Saturday, August 16
Free
Miss Mollie's super-duper bubbles are back at Old Town Square! You'll be amazed at all the items you have at home that can turn into homemade bubble wands! READ MORE

Big Dig Potato Harvest at Great Country Farms

Bluemont, VA - Saturday & Sunday, August 16 & 17
Grab your shovel and dig in at Great Country Farms' Annual Potato Harvest. Start your morning off with a pancake breakfast and fresh fruit from the orchards, then walk down to the potato field to dig for potato treasures. READ MORE

Leesburg Festival of Crafts & Kites (at Ida Lee Park)

Leesburg, VA - Saturday, August 16
Free
Head to Ida Lee Park for a celebration of colorful kites, creativity, and fun. Fly your own kite or watch the incredible displays, explore handmade crafts from local artisans, enjoy live entertainment, and indulge in delicious food and beverages. Kids can jump in moon bounces, get creative in the coloring tent, and enjoy games, activities, and face painting. READ MORE

Summers Farm Sunflower Festival

Frederick, MD - Saturdays & Sundays, August 23 - September 7
Take beautiful, Insta-worthy family pictures in the acres of sunflower fields at the Summers Farm Sunflower Festival. There are also dozens of activities at the farm for kids, including corn hole, jumping pillows, farmer golf, farm animals, and more. READ MORE

PyroJam 2025 (in Leonard, MD)

Leonard, MD - Saturday, August 23
PyroJam is a day-into-night multi-sensory outdoor festival experience. With a full lineup of food trucks, hours of live musical entertainment, and a 27,000+-square-foot area dedicated to family-friendly activities, all culminating in an unforgettable international fireworks competition, PyroJam is truly a one-of-a-kind event. READ MORE

Around The World Cultural Food Festival (at Oronoco Bay Park)

Alexandria, VA - Saturday, August 23
Free
The Around the World Cultural Food Festival features national dishes and beverages from around the world available for purchase along with cultural presentations. READ MORE

Opera in the Outfield at Nationals Park

Washington, DC - Saturday, August 23
Free
Ever wondered what the opera is like? Join Washington National Opera at Nationals Park for a free broadcast of Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, we well as Mo Willems' and Carlos Simon's family friendly Lopera! A Bite-Sized Opera. Gates open at 4:30pm for family-friendly fun, with Slopera! A Bite-Sized Opera airing at 5:30pm. The screening of Porgy and Bess starts at 6:30pm. READ MORE

Maryland Renaissance Festival

Annapolis, MD - Saturdays & Sundays, August 23 - October 19
This massive annual Renaissance Festival includes live entertainment, food, arts and crafts, and more. Visitors are encouraged to wear family-friendly costumes to get into the spirit. READ MORE

Greenbelt Labor Day Festival (at Historic Roosevelt Center)

Greenbelt, MD - Friday - Monday, August 29 - September 1
Free
The Greenbelt Labor Day Festival includes carnival rides and games, a craft fair, live performances, food trucks, children's activities, and more.  READ MORE

Virginia Scottish Games & Festival

The Plains, VA - Saturday & Sunday, August 30 & 31
The Virginia Scottish Games kick off Labor Day weekend with competitions, musical performances, dancing, and more from the Highlands. Watch athletes toss logs, learn about dogs of Scotland, or listen to the beautiful sounds of bagpipes. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Wolf Trap Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Thomas Jefferson Community Center
Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum
Historic Roosevelt Center