Weekend events from August 23-25 in NoVA and DC

School may be back in session for many families in NoVA, but that doesn’t mean the summer fun is over. Enjoy the final days of the season with exciting weekend events like concerts, festivals, and museum exhibits from August 23-25.

Twilight Hike at Sky Meadows State Park

August 23, 6:30–8:00 PM

Enjoy the beautiful weather with a guided evening walk at Sky Meadows State Park, one of Virginia’s designated dark-sky parks. You’ll see the park’s forests, fields, and meadows as the sun sets. 11012 Edmonds Ln., Delaplane, vacant

2024 Around the World Cultural Food Festival

August 24, 11am-7pm

Stroll through this celebration of cultures and sample food from all corners of the globe. Enjoy cultural performances, a global marketplace and an extravaganza of ethnic gastronomy. Oronoco Bay Park: 100 Madison St., Alexandria, free

National Book Festival

August 24, 9am-8pm

Get ready for a day of author talks, book signings, and other fun events for bibliophiles. There will be events from over 90 authors, including James Patterson, David Baldacci, and Sandra Cisneros. Walter E. Washington Convention Center: 801 Allen Y. Lew Place NW, Washington, DC

Food Truck Fest at Segra Field

August 24, 7:15 PM

Head to Segra Field to watch Loudoun United FC play and enjoy delicious food from over 15 food trucks located at Segra Field. Grab bites from 2 Cousins Cookin, Neko Kitchen, The Cupcake Mafia and more, then wash it all down with a craft beer from the Blue Ridge Tap Truck. Segra Field: 42095 Loudoun United Dr., Leesburg, from $19

Voting by mail: from civil war to COVID-19

August 24–February 23, 2025

Learn about the history of voting by mail in this Smithsonian exhibit. Artifacts include a mailed tally sheet from 1864 and a 5-cent stamp. National Postal Museum: 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE, Washington, DC, free

New Work Festival

August 24–25

Support the arts with a weekend of performances at the Workhouse Arts Center. The center recently launched a call for new play and musical scripts and has selected six to present at this inaugural event. Artists will present a 20- to 90-minute segment of their work to the jury and audience, and the piece with the highest score will present the full work in a staged reading in 2025. Workhouse Arts Center: 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton, $10 for single show, $25 for all shows

Indigo Girls and Melissa Etheridge

August 24–25, 7:30 PM

Melissa Etheridge and Indigo Girls will be at Wolf Trap for two nights of memorable music, featuring hits like “Closer to Fine” and “Come to My Window.” The two acts will have equal time on stage and will take turns closing the show, with Etheridge closing on Saturday and Indigo Girls closing on Sunday. Wolf Trap: 1551 Trap Rd., Vienna, $55

Power Up Concert on Women’s Equality Day

August 25, 6:30 PM

Sunday is Women’s Equality Day — celebrate with this concert and conference focused on advancing female leadership. Featuring composer Marina Arsenijevic, indie pop band Betty, and a capella group Sweet Honey in the Rock. Kennedy Center: 2700 F St. NW, Washington, DC, $50–$150

Color Search 5K

August 25, 10:00 am

Get moving with a non-competitive 5K run in Franklin Park, where participants are showered with bright colors throughout the race. Participants will receive an event kit that includes sunglasses, a bandana, and even their own color kit for a pre-race toss. Franklin Park: 17501 Franklin Park Dr., Purcellville, $25, $15 for children under 13

Mama Mia!

Until September 1st

If you haven’t seen this vibrant show yet, now’s the time: the production closes on September 1. The show transports you to a Greek paradise with ABBA hits and the vibrant characters you know and love. Kennedy Center: 2700 F St. NW, Washington, DC, $49–$209

Main image courtesy of Around the World Cultural Food Festival

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