We've rounded up special 2023 Father's Day weekend events in Northern Virginia, plus places to go and things to do in the Washington DC region for fun with Dad all year long. We have suggestions that are active or relaxed, kid-friendly or adult-focused, and even activities perfect for hard-to-please teens.
Most of the popular annual Father's Day weekend events return in 2023. In addition to these fun events, we have lots of suggestions for more ways to celebrate your favorite Dad.
Below are things to do and see in the DC region that are perfect for fun with Dad throughout the year. After all, why limit Dad to just one day of celebration? Annual Father's Day events in Northern Virginia are listed next, in order of date and destination.
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.
Fun Northern Virginia Hikes with Dad
Combine a little history, a shady hike, and a relaxing glass of wine with a trip to Charming Clifton, Virginia. Start with a hike on the Bull Run – Occoquan Trail, then relax with a glass of wine at Paradise Springs Winery.
There are several great restaurants in the center of Clifton VA, from casual to fancy. If you want to keep it casual, we love burgers and BLTs on the patio at the Main Street Pub.
For a little more challenge, the 3-mile Great Falls Loop Hike follows trails along Difficult Run and the Potomac River in a less-visited section of Great Falls Park. After your hike, head to The Old Brogue in the center of Great Falls for tasty fish and chips, salads, and Irish favorites.
History buffs open to a longer distance will enjoy the First Manassas Loop Trail, a 5.5-mile hike through sites of the Battle of First Manassas. Follow your hike with a visit to the historic Winery at Bull Run.
Or pack a picnic lunch and take Dad on a short hike to a gorgeous Virginia view. If the day is hot, we recommend the shady Great Falls hike over the open fields at Manassas Battlefield.
If Dad prefers a bike to a hike, explore the paved and dirt trails in our Northern Virginia biking guide. Or find your next outing in our complete list of Northern Virginia Hike and Bike Trails.
Relaxed Parks and Boardwalks
For a relaxing stroll, head over to the beautiful wetlands boardwalk at Huntley Meadows Park. It's less than a mile from the Visitor Center to the observation tower along an ADA-compliant woodland path and boardwalk over a unique marsh.
Further south, the Neabsco Creek Boardwalk is perfect for a stroll as long as it isn't too hot out. Both boardwalks are also stroller-friendly and great for kids.
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens is another good destination if you have young ones in your Father's Day group. Kids love to watch the big turtles and koi in the pond at Meadowlark. The paths are stroller-friendly, and there are special places for kids to explore. Seating areas throughout the gardens offer lovely spots to sit and relax with Dad.
Scenic Drives with Fun Stops
Explore with Dad on one of these beautiful scenic drives in Northern Virginia:
- A scenic drive on the historic Snickersville Turnpike in Loudoun County includes general stores, historic sites, and winery stops along the way.
- Closer to Washington DC, take a scenic drive on Georgetown Pike and the George Washington Memorial Parkway.
- Or take a relaxing drive to small towns and parks on the Virginia Byways in Fairfax County.
- Get off the pavement on the Beautiful Loudoun County Unpaved Roads Near Leesburg Virginia
- Explore more countryside, wineries, and small towns on a Beautiful Hunt Country Scenic Drive in Northern Virginia
Beer Focused Outings with Dad
Virginia is home to a thriving craft beer scene, and Virginia beer trails are a perfect way to sample local brews with beer-loving Dads. For example, the LoCo Ale Trail has a large and growing collection of great breweries spread throughout Loudoun County.
You'll find delicious brews with amazing views at Dirt Farm Brewing in Bluemont Virginia. You can easily combine a Dirt Farm visit with a hike on the Appalachian Trail at Bear's Den Overlook.
If Dad prefers to bike, head to Caboose Brewing Company in Vienna. They offer a wonderful line-up of delicious craft beers and food in a sleek, relaxed space right next to the W&OD bike trail. There are so many Northern Virginia craft breweries popping up, why not plan a regular outing with Dad?
READ MORE: 5 Virginia Hike and Beer Day Trips Near Washington DC
If Dad prefers wine, you can sip with a view at these Northern Virginia wineries with sensational views.
Show Dad Some LOVE
Capture the perfect Father's Day family photo at one of the creative and fun LOVE Works in Virginia. Make it a day trip and head to one of the themed LOVE sculptures that honor fishing, wine, nature, and other activities. Or visit one of the newer LOVEworks in Northern Virginia on the Town Green (aka the squircle) in Lovettsville.
Fun with Dad at Lakefront Parks in Northern Virginia
Lakefront parks are perfect for Father's Day fun. Burke Lake Park offers excellent boating and some of the best fishing in Northern VA. Anglers can fish from on the water or shore, or set up on the park's accessible fishing pier and platforms.
Boating at Burke Lake gives older teens an opportunity to hang out with the family while maintaining a little independence. Teens 16 and older can pilot their own boat rental, so you're together, but not too close.
There's also an 18-hole disc golf course if you're looking for a different sports challenge. If you have younger kids in your group, take a ride on Burke Lake Park's miniature train and play a round of mini-golf.
At Lake Fairfax Park you can enjoy a picnic, watch the action at the skate park, and hike or fish at the lake. They also have an excellent network of single and double-track bike trails.
At nearby Lake Anne, rent a kayak or pedalboat for a trip around the lake, then let the kids cool off in the waterfall sculpture. Or take an easy walk on the Lake Anne Trail. Several restaurants, the Lake Anne Brew House, and a wine bar are great stops for Father's Day fun.
Find more fun places to go boating in Northern Virginia, whether you plan to rent or bring your own.
2023 Father's Day Weekend Events in Northern Virginia
Special Father's Day weekend events are another great way to celebrate the weekend with Dad. Here are fun Father's Day festivals and special weekend events for 2023.
Portside in Old Town Festival, Alexandria, June 16 – 17
Start summer with a weekend of live music at the Portside Festival in Alexandria. Friday night features great music at the 45th annual Alexandria Jazz Festival. On Saturday, celebrate summer with music, local food and drink, and fun for the whole family. Free; Fri 6:00 – 9:00, Sat 1:00 – 9:00; rain or shine.
Juneteenth Celebrations, Multiple Locations, June 17
Celebrate Dad at Juneteenth events commemorating the end of slavery in the United States when the enslaved people in Galveston Texas finally learned that the Emancipation Proclamation had made them free 2 years earlier.
- Juneteenth Celebration at Ida Lee Park in Leesburg. Noon – 6:00; $5 admission.
- Juneteenth Celebration at Frying Pan Park. Sessions at 11:00, noon, and 1:00.
- Under the Same Roof tour at the Lee-Fendall House in Alexandria at 2:00; $10, purchase in advance.
Family Day and Outdoor Aviation Display, Air and Space Museum, Centreville, Jun 17
Innovations in Flight Family Day and Outdoor Aviation Display, one of the best Father's Day weekend events, returns to the Udvar-Hazy Center in 2023. More than 50 vintage, recreational, military, and home-built aircraft will be on display and pilots will be with their aircraft to answer questions. There will also be vintage cars on hand, paired with the planes of their decade, plus other interactive activities. Attendance is free; parking is $15. 10:00 – 3:00.
Columbia Pike Blues Festival, Arlington, June 17
“Arlington's best block party” celebrates 25 years with a day of fantastic blues, R&B, funk beer, food, and fun. A Kids Zone, Art Alley, and craft booths add to the festivities. Free; 1:00 – 8:30.
Manassas Arts + Music Festival, Manassas, June 18
The first annual Manassas Arts + Music Festival features local and headline recording artists plus a fashion show, comedy, dance, and more. Noon – 10:00
Sully Antique Car Show, Chantilly, June 18
The annual Sully Antique Car Show, the largest car show in Northern Virginia, returns in 2023! The event features foreign and American cars, trucks, and specialty vehicles through 1990. More than 200 antique and classic vehicles fill the grounds, accompanied by live entertainment, a food court, activities, and tours of the historic house and outbuildings. Admission is $12/$10/$8 for adults/seniors/children. 10:00 – 3:30
Find more June Events and Fantastic Festivals in Northern Virginia.
Indoor Options for Father's Day Fun in Northern Virginia
One of the Top 10 Must-Visit Northern Virginia Attractions Near DC, is an excellent indoor option for Father's Day. The Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly displays some of the most impressive items of the Smithsonian Air and Space collection.
See the Space Shuttle Discovery, a Concorde, a Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, and hundreds of other historic planes in two huge hangars. Aviation buffs can explore the displays and visit the tower to watch planes land and take off at neighboring Dulles Airport. Admission is free but parking is $15.
National Museum of the Marine Corps
The National Museum of the Marine Corps shares the heroism of the U.S. Marines through immersive and interactive displays. An ongoing expansion covers the Marines history from 1976 to the present. Admission and parking are free.
National Museum of the United States Army
The National Museum of the United States Army is one of the newest national museums in the DC area. This excellent museum celebrates and honors 245 years of Army history. Admission and parking are free but you must reserve timed-entry tickets in advance.
Whether you choose a Father's Day weekend event or plan your own outing with Dad, we wish you a very happy Father's Day.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram for more fun travel in and from Northern Virginia.
Pin it for later:
