People capture the fireworks display on cell phones and cameras during Alexandria's birthday celebration July 9, 2016. Photo by Margaret Corum/Gazette Packet
Virginia — Friday/June 30
Independence Fireworks. 6-9:45 p.m. at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon
Memorial Highway. Fireworks with Mansion Tour: $34 for adults; $24 for youth; No Mansion Tour: $30 for adults; $20 for youth. Call 703-780-2000 or visit www.mountvernon.org for more.
Saturday/July 1
Fireworks at Lake Fairfax Park. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. at Lake Fairfax Park, 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, Reston. The Water Mine Park, boat rentals, live music, food, puppet show, camping and fireworks. $10 per car. The rain date is Sunday, July 2. Call 703-471-5414 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/lakefairfax/ for more.
Workhouse Arts Center Festivities. 5-9:30 p.m. at The Workhouse, 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton. $20. Golf course lecture, hole-in-one challenge, fireworks. Visit www.workhousearts.org for more.
Independence Fireworks. 6-9:45 p.m. at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway. Fireworks with Mansion Tour: $34 for adults; $24 for youth; No Mansion Tour: $30 for adults; $20 for youth. Call 703-780-2000 or visit www.mountvernon.org for more.
Monday/July 3
History Day Tours. Tours at 11 a.m. through 3 p.m. at Sully Historic Site, 3650 Historic Sully Way, Chantilly. Test your knowledge of U.S. history at Sully Historic Site with political trivia, games and fun facts. $7 for adults, $6 for students, and $5 for seniors and children. Call 703-437-1794 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov for more.
Tuesday/July 4
Firecracker 5K. 8-10 a.m. Reston Town Center, Reston Town Center, 11900 Market St. Live music and American flags while rooting for the runners in the “Battle of the Branches” competition. Call 703-912-4062 or visit www.restontowncenter.com for more.
Autism Speaks 5K. 8 a.m. at Potomac Library, 10101 Glenolden Drive, Potomac, Md. Fundraiser for autism. Registration, packet pick up at 6:30 a.m. Call 202-955-3111 or email
AutismSpeaks5K@AutismSpeaks.org for more.
Great Falls Hometown Celebration. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at at Great Falls Village Centre, 776 Walker Road, Great Falls. Great Falls 5K Walk/Run starts at 8 a.m. and then view the floats, antique cars, horses and the bike brigade in the 4th of July Parade at 10 a.m. After the parade, food, music, field games and festivities on the Village Centre Green. At 6 p.m., the gates open at Turner Farm Park featuring music, games, contests and food trucks until the Fireworks Show gets underway just after dusk. Visit www.celebrategreatfalls.org.
Mount Vernon Independence Day. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway. Troop inspection, wreath laying, citizen naturalization, music, fireworks and cake. Call 703-780-2000 or visit www.mountvernon.org for more.
Fairfax Independence Day Parade. 10 a.m. On Main Street in downtown Fairfax. Visit www.fairfaxva.gov/about-us/special-events/independence-day-celebration.
City of Fairfax Evening Show. 5:30 p.m. at Fairfax High School, 3501 Rebel Run. Children's activities (inflatables, face painting, and balloon artists), Oon-stage entertainment with a fireworks display that follows. The rain date for the fireworks only is July 5. Items that may puncture the synthetic turf, smoking, alcohol and animals (except service animals) are not permitted on the football field. Visit www.fairfaxva.gov or call 703-385-7855 for more.
Fairfax Station Holiday Crafts Day. 1-4 p.m. at the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum, 11200 Fairfax Station Road in Fairfax Station. Crafts will highlight the holiday and the railroads. Museum members and ages 4 and under, free; ages 5-15, $2; ages 16 and older, $4. Visit www.fairfax-station.org, or call 703-425-9225 for more.
Great Falls Fireworks. 6 p.m. at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 10550 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. As part of the Village of Great Falls Independence Day celebration, Christ the King Lutheran Church invites members, friends, and members of the community to gather on the church’s front lawn to enjoy the fireworks from this premium vantage point. Visit www.gflutheran.org or call 703-759-6068.
Arlington Independence Day. 5-10 p.m. at the Long Bridge Park, 475 Long Bridge Drive, Arlington. Family-friendly activities including live music, food vendors, games, and a view of the Washington, D.C., fireworks display. Games and activities will include face painting, balloon art, moon bounces (weather permitting), cornhole, bocce, and more. No on-site parking at the event. Free event shuttles will run continuously from 4:30-10:30 p.m. between Long Bridge Park and the Pentagon City and Crystal City Metro stations. Free. Visit parks.arlingtonva.us/july-4th/ for more.
Vienna July 4 Festival and Fireworks. 6:30 p.m. at at Yeonas Park, 1319 Ross Drive SW, Vienna. Food available from the Vienna Little League snack bar, those who register can get their taste of America in the form of two eating contests: Children ages 5-10 can sign up onsite to participate in a pie-eating contest. Adults can give their chomping skills a try in Vienna’s second annual hot dog-eating contest. Visit www.viennava.gov or call 703-255-6360.
Herndon Independence Day Celebration. 6:30-10 p.m. in Bready Park at the Herndon Community Center, 814 Ferndale Ave. Games, patriotic arts and craft activities, live music, family games, bingo, food, balloon artists and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Visit herndon-va.gov for more.
McLean Independence Day. 6:30 p.m. at Churchill Road Elementary School, 7100 Churchill Road, McLean. Musical entertainment by a local disc jockey, as well as food trucks selling a variety of entrees and snacks. Off-site parking and shuttles available. Admission is free. In case of inclement weather, the fireworks show will be presented at 8 p.m. on the rain date, Wednesday, July 5. Call 703-790-0123, or visit http://mcleancenter.org/calendar/icalrepeat.detail/2017/07/04/6733/96/independence-day-celebration for more.
Herndon Independence Day Celebration. 6:30-9:30 p.m. in Bready Park at the Herndon Community Center, 814 Ferndale Ave. Family-fun event featuring games, patriotic arts and craft activities, live music, family games, bingo, food, balloon artists and more. Visit herndon-va.gov/recreation/special-events/4th-of-july.
Falls Church Celebration. 7-10 p.m. at George Mason High School, 7124 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. Live music. Visit www.fallschurchva.gov/ for more.
Montgomery County Sparkles. 7:30 p.m., Albert Einstein High School, 11135 Newport Mill Road, Kensington. Montgomery County celebrates Independence Day with live music featuring Gringo Jingo. Fireworks are at 9:15 p.m. Shuttle bus at Westfield Wheaton North Building. Handicap parking only available at Einstein High School. Food vendors on site. Raindate is July 5 for fireworks only. Call 240-777-0311 for more.
Free Sober Rides. Tuesday, July 4, 7 p.m. through Wednesday, July 5, 2 a.m. Area residents, 21 and older, may download Lyft to their phones, then enter the code SOBERJULY4 in the app's “Promo” section to receive a no cost (up to $15) safe ride home. The SoberRide code is valid for the first 1,500 Lyft users who enter the code. Visit www.soberride.com.
Thursday/July 6
Patriotic Music. 1-2 p.m. at Holiday Park Senior Center, 3950 Ferrara Drive, Wheaton. $2 or free for residents. Visit www.holidaypark.us/ for more.
Summer Under the Stars Concert. 8 p.m. Veterans Amphitheater (adjacent to City Hall), 10455 Armstrong Street, Fairfax. Main Street Community Band. Visit www.fairfaxva.gov or call 703-385-7855 for more.
Saturday/July 8
USA/Alexandria Birthday Celebration. 5-10 p.m. at Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison St. Event to celebrate the 241st birthday of the USA and the 268th birthday of the City of Alexandria, featuring entertainment, cannon salute during the 1812 Overture, food and beverage sales, and fireworks at 9:30. Call 703-746-5592 or visit www.visitalexandriava.com/alx-bday/.
Riverfront Fundraiser. 7:30-10:30 p.m. Del. Mark Levine’s house, at 805 Rivergate Place, Alexandria. Refreshments include "impeachment punch," "Orange Russians," wine and beer, soft drinks, and food. And great views of the fireworks which begin at 9:30 p.m. Come early to get a good lawn seat or come later after the festivities next door at Oronoco Park.