April Events in Northern Virginia and Festivals Near DC

Updated on March 23, 2024 by Julie McCool

2024 April events in Northern Virginia normally include a bevy of spring festivals, art fests, car shows, spring blooms, volunteer opportunities, and fun for every age and interest. Whether you're volunteering at your favorite park, communing with nature, or enjoying cakes, flowers, art, antique cars, horses, music, art, and more you'll find an April event below.

Almost all of the annual April events in Northern Virginia have returned in 2024. And there are new April events to celebrate this year.

Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links. We will make a small commission from these links if you order something, at no additional cost to you.


Annual April Events in Northern Virginia 2024

Looking for fun things to do this weekend in Northern VA? Our list of Northern Virginia events includes things to do in Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Prince William County, Alexandria, Arlington, and other area towns. Festivals and events are listed in order of start date, with multi-day events generally listed first.

Follow the event site links for registration details, cancelations, and other updates.

Cherry Blossom Events, DC MD VA, Mar 20 – Apr 14

Where to See Cherry Blossoms in DC, Maryland, and Virginia is our complete guide to the best cherry tree blossom locations, tracking sites, and more.

The 2024 Washington DC Cherry Blossom Festival includes a fun mix of in-person events in DC and around Northern Virginia. Residents can once again join the Petal Porch Parade and decorate their porch for everyone to see. Check the Petal Porch map to find decorations near you.

Signature DC festival April events include the Kite Festival on March 30, the Petalpalooza fireworks show on April 6, and the Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on April 13. Returning in 2024, the Springfield Town Center will host a Blossom Festival on April 8 with family-friendly entertainment and activities.

And 2 to 3 weeks past the Tidal Basin peak, check out these 5 Places Near DC for Beautiful Late-Blooming Cherry Trees.

Pink Virginia Cherry Blossoms at Meadowlark Botanical Garden in Vienna VA
Virginia Cherry Blossoms at Meadowlark Botanical Garden

Easter Egg Hunts, Multiple Locations

Most of the 2024 Easter egg hunts were in March, but Sky Meadows State Park and downtown Herndon are hosting egg hunts in early April. Follow the link for our complete guide to egg hunts throughout the Northern Virginia region.

Art Blooms at Mosaic, Mosaic District, Apr 6 – 7

Celebrate spring and the cherry blossoms with a two-day festival at Mosaic District. Enjoy family-friendly entertainment, craft and farmer's markets, kid's activities, games, and more. Free; 11:00 – 6:00.

Virginia Bluebell Season

Just as the Yoshino cherry blossoms fade, Northern Virginia locals are treated to an explosion of Virginia bluebells at area parks and trails. These spring ephemerals usually emerge near streams in early to mid-April and they don't last long. See bluebells in bloom with our guides:

Virginia bluebells in pink and blue colors are among the most beautiful spring wildflowers in Northern Virginia
Virginia Bluebells at Riverbend Park

Bluebells at the Bend, Riverbend Park, Great Falls, Apr 6

The Bluebells at the Bend Festival returns in 2024! Celebrate Virginia bluebells at one of the most popular spring festivals in Northern Virginia. Enjoy family-friendly activities, live music, food trucks, and more. The event begins at 10:00 and tickets are $10/$12 advance/at the door.

Founder's Day, Lake Anne, Reston, Apr 6

Lake Anne Plaza and Robert E. Simon statue Reston VA
Lake Anne Plaza and Robert E. Simon statue Reston VA

Celebrate the anniversary of Reston's founding with a fun day of music and activities at beautiful Lake Anne in Reston. This annual festival honors the town's founder, Robert E. Simon. Free; 11:00 – 4:00.

Get Healthy Expo, Vienna, Apr 6

The Vienna Business Association hosts the 2nd annual Get Healthy Expo at the Community Center. More than 50 health, wellness, and fitness vendors will be there with special talks, information, and fun activities for kids. Free, 10:00 – 2:00.

Potomac Watershed Cleanup, Multiple Locations, Apr 6+

Join local parks and towns and The Nature Conservancy to clean up our Potomac watershed and stop trash from reaching the Chesapeake Bay. Help remove debris from local waterways at Dyke Marsh (4/6), Turkey Run (5/11), and other areas. Find a cleanup event here.

American Battlefield Trust Park Day, Multiple Locations, Apr 6

Join in preservation efforts to help maintain Civil and Revolutionary War battlefields and historic sites. For example, volunteers at Balls Bluff will help with trail maintenance, cleanup, and more. Follow the link to find Virginia and DC region events.

Bluebells at Merrimac Farm, Nokesville, Apr 7

Bluebells at Merrimac Farm Nokesville
Bluebells at Merrimac Farm Nokesville

The Bluebell Festival at Merrimac Farm in Nokesville showcases a spectacular display of Virginia Bluebells on an easy one-mile walk through the floodplain. Nature tours, wildlife exhibits, and a food truck add to the fun. Free but donations are welcome, 10:00 – 3:00.

Spring Classic 10K, One Loudoun, Apr 7

Celebrate peace, love, and running at this fun spring 10K race. All pre-registered runners receive a race shirt, bib, medal, and digital finisher certificate. Plus, there is a photo contest with special awards. Follow the link to register.

Solar Eclipse at the Udvar-Hazy Center, Centreville, Apr 8

Gather at the Smithsonian Air and Space Udvar-Hazy Center to watch the solar eclipse. The museum will provide safe solar telescopes and projection viewers. Free admission, $15 parking; 2:00 – 4:00 pm.

You can also join solar eclipse viewing events at several Virginia State Parks including Sky Meadows, Mason Neck, and Leesylvania.

Festival of Spring, Burnside Farms, Nokesville, April TBA

Holland comes to Virginia when Northern Virginia's Burnside Farms hosts one of the largest pick-your-own flower events in North America. Guests can stroll through nearly eight acres of spring flowers, including masses of tulips, and pick their own blossoms.

The festival usually begins during the first week of April when nearly one million spring flowers begin to bloom. The blooms should last 15-30 days depending on spring weather. Tickets are limited and must be purchased online.

Spring Garden Market, River Farm, Alexandria, Apr 12 – 13

Explore the beautiful gardens at River Farm and shop for plants, garden tools, books, and more during the Spring Garden Market. This signature fundraiser also includes family-friendly activities, food vendors, artists, and experts. $20 parking per car; $5 walk-in; 9:00 – 3:00.

Tulip Day at Hope Flower Farm and Winery, Waterford, Apr 13 – 14

Celebrate a bounty of spring tulips plus live music and kid-friendly activities at Hope Flower Farm in historic Waterford. Free admission; 11:00 – 6:00.

Bluebell Weekend at Bull Run Regional Park, Apr 12 – 13

Camp at Bull Run Regional Park on April 12 then enjoy a day among the Virginia Bluebells on April 13. Special activities, crafts, guided hikes, and more add to the fun. Bull Run is one of several great campgrounds in Northern Virginia and is home to a beautiful bluebell trail.

Astronomy for Everyone, Sky Meadows, Apr 13

Celebrate Dark Sky Week at Sky Meadows State Park, one of 4 Virginia State Parks to earn the Dark Sky certification. The event includes a Junior Rangers program, a presentation by NASA JPL Ambassadors, and telescopes for star-gazing. Parking fees apply, 8:00 – 11:00 pm.

Spring Into the Garden, Apr 19 – 21

Steps lead to Hobbit Town stone warren at the National Botanic Garden in Virginia
National Botanic Garden in Virginia

The 3rd annual Spring Into the Garden festival returns to the National Botanic Garden to kick off Virginia Garden Week. Explore unique plant collections, a lake dotted with a maze of islands, and some of the most unusual structures in Virginia. Where else can you climb the steps of Hobbit Town to see inside a collection of “hobbit homes” (with round wooden doors, of course)?

Open daily noon – 5:00, admission is $25. New in 2024, climb “the mountain,” the highest point between the Chesapeake and the Blue Ridge Mountains for an additional $10 fee.

Culpeperlooza, Culpeper, Apr 19 – 21

The beautiful town of Culpeper hosts a 3-day celebration featuring live music, wine, food trucks, special performances, and more family fun. Follow link for schedule details. Advance tickets start at $5/$10 youth 13-20/adults (12 and under free) with weekend passes available.

Historic Garden Week, Apr 20 – 27

The 91st annual Historic Garden Week features self-guided tours of gorgeous garden installations at private homes and public properties. For example, the 2024 Old Town Alexandria tour (Apr 20, $55) includes entry to several private homes and gardens plus public properties in Old Town.

Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival, Leesburg, Apr 20 – 21

Historic Leesburg will be in full bloom as lush landscapes and gorgeous gardens fill the streets. Explore over 150 vendors displaying landscape designs, plants, and flowers, plus enjoy food, music, children’s activities, and more. Be sure to visit the beautiful gardens at historic Dodona Manor too. Free; Saturday 10:00 – 6:00; Sunday 10:00 – 5:00.

National Park Week, Multiple Locations, Apr 20 – 28

Fun in Fairfax VA shares fun things to do and places to go in and from Northern Virginia
Great Falls Park waterfalls

The National Park Services partners with the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America's national parks, to present National Park Week. This week-long event celebrates our national heritage and parklands. This is also a great time to volunteer at a park.

Earth Day Festival, Centreville, Apr 20

Fairfax County's Earth Day Festival returns to Sully Historic Site. Celebrate a healthy planet with games, activities, live music, craft beer, food, and more. Admission is $10 per vehicle and advance registration is not required. 10:00 – 4:00.

Loudoun Hunt Point to Point Races, Leesburg, Apr 21

Loudoun Hunt Point to Point Races, April events, photo credit Middleburg Photo
Loudoun Hunt Point to Point Races by Middleburg Photo

The 56th annual Loudoun Point to Point Races at Morven Park features some of the most challenging timber and hurdle courses in Virginia. General admission tickets are $35/$40 advance/at the gate. Doors open at 10:30 am and races begin at noon. Follow the link for tickets and event schedules.

Free Entrance Day, All National Parks, Apr 22

National Park Week kicks off with a fee-free entrance day at all parks. Many National Parks also host special programs to celebrate these wonderful American treasures.

Free entrance on a Saturday will likely lead to very crowded parks, especially at places like Great Falls Park and Shenandoah National Park. Arrive early to avoid long entry lines and enjoy your day in the park.

Earth Day, Multiple Locations, Apr 22

Celebrate Earth Day 2024 at local family-friendly parks. Some parks host special events or you can create your own Earth Day activity. For example, Virginia State Parks like Mason Neck, Leesylvania, and Sky Meadows host special earth and family-friendly activities.

Or plan your own spring hike or visit a Northern Virginia nature trail and bring a bag so you can pick up trash as you explore.

Apple Blossom Festival, Winchester, Apr 26 – May 5

Winchester is full of spring fun at the 97th annual Apple Blossom Festival. 2024 festival events include golf and tennis tournaments, a family festival, and more. Tickets are required and space is limited so follow the link for details. Extend your fun with an overnight getaway to Winchester VA.

ValeArts Spring Show, Oakton, Apr 26 – 28

A neighborhood event for more than 20 years, head to the Historic Vale School House to view and shop beautiful artworks. Free, 10:00 – 6:00.

Historic Plant Sale, Mount Vernon, Apr 26 – 27

Purchase the same historic plants grown at George Washington's Mount Vernon for your own garden. The sale is in the overflow parking lot, so you don't have to pay admission or enter the property. But we highly recommend it! Spring is a wonderful time to see Mount Vernon's garden in bloom. Free; noon – 3:00.

Mount Vernon garden and greenhouse at George Washington's Virginia home
Mount Vernon garden and greenhouse at George Washington's Virginia home

Arlington Festival of the Arts, Clarendon, Apr 27 – 28

The Arlington Festival of the Arts returns to Clarendon for its 90th year. Shop for US-made art in a variety of mediums including glass, mixed media, paintings, jewelry, and pottery. Free admission; 10:00 – 5:00 daily.

Taste of Vienna, Vienna, Apr 27

The annual Taste of  Vienna returns in 2024. Sample delicious dishes from Vienna area restaurants and enjoy free entertainment and kid-friendly activities. Admission is free and tastings and drinks are available for purchase, benefiting the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department. 11:00 – 8:00.

Purcellville Music and Arts Festival, Purcellville, Apr 27

The annual Purcellville festival features multiple outdoor stages with local entertainment, food, wines, beers, and local farm products. Several artisans and food vendors will be onsite. In addition, local organizations will provide fun activities and demonstrations for all ages. Plan your visit: 8 Great Things to Do in Purcellville Virginia. Free; noon – 7:00.

Fairfax HisTree Day at Historic Blenheim, Fairfax, Apr 27

Historic Blenheim Estate hosts a fun day of living history spanning the 19th century. In 2024, the event will also celebrate Earth Day. Enjoy live music, living history reenactors, a petting zoo, tours of the Historic Blenheim House, and more. Free, 10:00 – 4:00.

Community Yard Sale, Reston, Apr 27

Shop for treasures from more than 80 community members at the annual Reston Yard Sale. Rain date Apr 30. Free admission; 8:30 – 1:00

Gnarly Culpeper Blocky Party, Culpeper Apr 27

Sample some of the best craft beer in the Northern Virginia area at the 10th annual Gnarly Culpeper Block Party and Beer Fest. Downtown Culpeper, one of our favorite small towns, celebrates with live music, kids activities, local shops and food, and of course, lots of great beer. Admission is $15/$20 advance/at the gate (more for tasting tickets), noon – 5:00.

Britain on the Green, Gunston Hall, Apr 28

Gunston Hall britain-on-the-green
Photo courtesy Gunston Hall

The annual Britain on the Green car show returns to Gunston Hall in 2024. Enjoy the driving season with a picnic, a day of British automobiles, and a complimentary tour of the historic house and grounds. Admission is $10/5 adults/5-18, 9:30 – 3:00.

Walk on the Hill, Vienna, Apr 28

Since 1974, residents of Vienna’s Windover Heights Historic District have opened their yards and gardens in a welcome to spring for the public to enjoy. The annual Walk on the Hill features an afternoon of flowers, gardens, and live entertainment. Free; 2:00 – 5:00.

Upcoming May Events

Plan another month of spring fun with our guide to May Events and Festivals in Northern Virginia. For example, George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate hosts one of the largest Revolutionary War encampments of the year when the 12-acre field is transformed into a battleground for the family-friendly Revolutionary War Weekend.

More Northern Virginia Spring Activities

We love to celebrate spring in Northern Virginia. April is a beautiful month for wildflower hikes, garden visits, picnics, and other outdoor activities. Plan a whole month of fun with our guides to spring events and activities.

April is also a great time for a weekend getaway close to home. Our getaway guides are full of fantastic places to stay and play in Northern VA.

Plan a local getaway! Find beautiful and unique places to stay in and near Northern Virginia with our guides:

Follow us on FacebookPinterestInstagram, Threads, and Twitter for more fun travel in and from Northern Virginia.

Virginia travel and events. April events in Northern Virginia for every age.
April Events in Northern Virginia