Best spring events in Northern Virginia
Spring is such a beautiful time of the year and there are so many beautiful spring blooms and events to look forward to in the Northern Virginia area.
From the beautiful cherry blossoms, and the Virginia bluebells, to pick your own tulips and strawberry events, there’s so much going on in the spring in Northern Virginia.
In our guide to the best spring events in Northern Virginia, I share the best places to enjoy the spring blooms, and some of the best spring events in the area as well.
READ MORE: Best Spring events in Washington DC
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Best Spring events in Northern Virginia
Festival of Spring at Burnside Farms
One of the best spring events in Northern Virginia is a visit to Burnside Farms during their annual Festival of Spring, pick your own tulip event.
This annual spring event showcases more than eight acres of spring flowers to choose from, and usually blooms around early to mid-April, and typically lasts for 3 weeks.
You can pick your own tulip which costs $1 per stem (with the bulb is an extra $1). Make sure to purchase your tickets ahead of time for two dollars off admission.
READ MORE: Guide to visiting Burnside Farms in Virginia
I highly suggest you visit during the weekdays as well to avoid the crowds. There are also fun play areas for the kiddos, including bouncy houses, a playground, and a small petting zoo.
It’s fun for the whole family, and a little piece of Holland less than an hour’s drive from DC.
- When: TBA-Usually in April (check back soon for updates)
- Hours: 9am- 4pm daily
- Tickets: ONLY SOLD ONLINE AND TIMED-ENTRY (TICKETS NOT SOLD AT GATES)
- Weekday $19 adults (includes 5 stems) / $10.50 kids ages 3-12
- Weekends $21 adults (includes 5 stems)
- FREE kids under 3
- Location: 11008 Kettle Run Rd. Nokesville, VA 20181
Meadowlark Botanical Garden
Enjoy the pretty spring blooms at Meadowlark Botanical Garden in the spring. There are 95 acres of ornamental display gardens, plant collections, and miles of walking trails, including cherry blossom trees and other spring blooms to admire.
- Hours: Jan-Mar 10am-4pm
- April-Oct. 10am-7pm
- Tickets: $6 adults 18-54/ $3 ages 6-17 & seniors 55 and up/ under 6 is FREE
- Location: 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court Vienna VA 22182
See the Virginia Bluebells in bloom
Another must-see during the spring in the Northern Virginia area is the Virginia Bluebells. In the spring these bluebells cover the forest floor and look so magical.
The best time to enjoy these beautiful bluebells is sometime in mid-April when they are in full bloom, but this varies depending on the weather.
READ NEXT: Kid-friendly hiking trails and parks in the DC area
- There are many places in the area to enjoy these bluebells, but one of the prettiest spots is along the Bluebell Trail at Bull Run Regional Park.
- The one-and-a-half-mile trail is perfect to do with the little ones and loops around with bluebells covering the forest floor. It’s a stunning sight and is a must-see during the spring.
- Parking and portable toilets are located at the Atlantis Water Park, and the trail is located just across, with signs pointing the way.
- Location: Bull Run Regional Park 7700 Bull Run Dr. Centreville, VA 20121.
Other spots to enjoy these Virginia bluebells:
- Manassas Battlefield Park see the bluebells along the Stone Bridge at Manassas Battlefield Park, and other areas as well.
- Riverbend Park close to Great Falls usually hosts the Bluebell at the Bend Festival where you can enjoy bluebell walks, face painting, live animals, moon bounce, and music.
- Merrimac Farms Bluebell Festival nearly one-mile trail along Cedar Run to admire the bluebells with nature tours and other activities.
Leesburg Flower and Garden Show
Another spring event in Northern Virginia is the Leesburg Flower and Garden Show which goes from April 20-21, 2024. This spring event will be held on the streets of Historic downtown Leesburg.
This is a popular event in Loudoun County that features 150 vendors which include landscapers, gardening suppliers, plant sellers, outdoor living furniture, and more. There will also be music, entertainment, activities for the kids, a beer & wine garden, and food!
- Hours: April 15 from 10am–6pm and Sunday, April 16 from 10am–5pm
- Tickets: FREE event
- Location: Historic Downtown Leesburg 60 Ida Lee Drive, NW | Leesburg, VA 20176
READ NEXT: Best Easter Events in the DC area
Strawberry Jubilee Fest
A fun spring event in Northern Virginia to look forward to is the Strawberry Jubilee Fest at Great Country Farms. Celebrate all things strawberries with live music, farm contests, wagon rides, food, and fun games for the whole family.
New for the season is the Lil’ Sprout Float Parade for kids ages three months to four years. Decorate your own stroller, wagon, or cart and compete for Best Strawberry Theme, Most Creative, and Best Use of Strawberries.
You can also look forward to cider donuts, strawberry lemonade, ice cream, and strawberry rhubarb pie! You can also purchase fresh strawberries at the Farm Market.
- When: May 18, 19, 25, 26, June 1 & 2
- Tickets: Check back soon, tickets go on sale March!
- Location: 34345 Snickersville Turnpike, Bluemont, VA 20135
Pick your own Strawberry Events
The best thing to look forward to in the spring in Northern Virginia is the pick-your-own strawberry events. There are a few to look forward to in the area, here are a few, including some close by in Maryland:
- Yankey Farms: 14039 Owls Nest Rd, Nokesville, VA 20181
- Wegmeyer Farm: Oatlands Historic Mansions, Leesburg VA
- Hollins Farm: 1584 Snowden Rd, Delaplane, VA 20144
- Butlers Orchard: 22222 Davis Mill Road Germantown, MD 20876
The Lucketts Spring Market
The Lucketts Spring Market is a 3-day event with over 200 vendors showcasing painted furniture, vintage garden gems, architectural salvage, antiques, and more! There will also be live music, beer gardens, food trucks, and fun workshops!
- When: May 17, 18 & 19
- Tickets: $15 General admission – $45 Early buyer for all 3 days
- Location: Clarke County Fairgrounds 890 W Main St, Berryville, VA 22611
Art in Bloom at the Mosaic
Celebrate spring at the Mosaic with a two-day festival on April 6-7, 2024 from 11am-6pm, featuring an outdoor market selling handmade and vintage items, fresh produce, and more.
You can also look forward to some fun activities for the whole family including face painting, hair braiding, and more. There will also be a beer garden, live music, and entertainment as well.
Hike Great Falls Park
One of the best things to do in the spring in Northern Virginia is a hike out in nature. It’s so amazing to see all the fauna and flora as they awake from their winter slumber.
There are a few National parks to visit in Virginia, but one of our favorite NP is Great Falls Park.
You have two choices when visiting this park, one on the Virginia side and one in Maryland.
The park has many opportunities to explore history and nature, all in a beautiful 800-acre park, plus when you visit in the spring, the forest floor will be covered with amazing Virginia bluebells and it’s absolutely beautiful!
- Hours: 7am-sunset
- Tickets: $20 per vehicle / $15 Motorcycles / $10 on foot
- Location: 9200 Old Dominion Dr. Mclean, VA 22102
READ MORE: Hiking Great Falls National Park in Virginia with kids
Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival
Another spring event in Northern Virginia to look forward to is the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival.
This Fun Family Festival will be held in Winchester Virginia with over 40 events including band competitions, dances, parades, carnival, dinners, luncheons, a wine festival, a 10K Race, the Coronation of Queen Shenandoah, and parades. The ten-day Festival is an event the whole family can enjoy.
- Hours: April 26-May 5, 2024
- Location: Winchester Virginia
READ NEXT: Guide to Shenandoah National Park with kids
Visit Old Town Alexandria
Old Town Alexandria is also a great place to visit in the spring in Northern Virginia. Take a stroll around the historic district and admire all the beautiful spring blooms, especially if you want to skip the cherry blossoms crowds in DC.
During the spring some of the streets of Old Town Alexandria are lined with cherry blossom trees and they’re just so beautiful. You can also expect to find blooming wisterias, tulips, and azaleas throughout the city as well.
If you take a stroll along the waterfront, there are also many flowering trees to admire, plus it’s a fun little walk with many parks along the way.
You can also visit the beautiful gardens at the Carlyle House historical park near Market Square, and take in all the beautiful spring blooms. It’s such a serene spot in the city, plus you can take a tour of the house as well.
READ MORE: Top things to do in Old Town Alexandria.
- Historic Homes and Gardens Tour: One event to look forward to in the spring in Old Town Alexandria, is the annual Old Town Alexandria Historic Homes and Gardens Tour.
This event starts on April 20, 2024 from 10am-4pm. You can tour some of Old Town Alexandria’s finest private homes and gardens, admission costs $55 ($3.55 fee). Purchase tickets here
- TBA-Cherry Blossom Jubilee: Celebrate the cherry blossoms in Old Town Alexandria with the Cherry Blossom Jubilee. This event is held in April from 2-3pm and features some cherry blossom-themed events with a live performance and artworks on display at the Torpedo Factory Art Center.
- Cherry Blossom Cruise: Cruise on the Potomac admiring the cherry blossoms while you admire and learn more about the monuments, memorials, and bridges. Cruises depart from the Old Town Alexandria waterfront, and you can choose from many different cruise options.
Visit Mount Vernon in the Spring
Another fun place to visit during the spring in Northern Virginia is George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate.
Located just a short drive away from Washington DC, Mount Vernon is a fun day trip from DC in the spring. Here are some spring events in Northern Virginia to look forward to at Mount Vernon:
- Spring Wine Festival and Sunset tour: Sample wines from some of Virginia’s finest wineries, while enjoying food and live music.
- Dates: May 17, 18 & 19, 2024 from 6-9pm.
Tickets: Friday-Member $50; Non-Member $60 - Saturday- Member $54; Non-Member $64
- Sunday-Member $44; Non-Member $54
- TBA-Historic Plant and Garden Sale
- Dates: April 27 from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. must be reserved online.
READ MORE: Guide to visiting George Washington’s Estate at Mount Vernon
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