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America’s 250th birthday will bring months of concerts, ceremonies, historical programs and Independence Day festivities to communities across Fairfax County.

Residents can celebrate without traveling into Washington, D.C., with events planned in Fairfax, Falls Church, Vienna, Herndon, Clifton, Reston, McLean, Oakton, Mason Neck, Fort Belvoir and Mount Vernon. Additional events may be announced throughout the summer.

Ongoing attractions

Wolf Trap National Park, at 1551 Trap Road in Vienna, is presenting an America250 summer series at the Filene Center. Performers include the United States Marine Band, the Beach Boys and Harry Connick Jr. Ticket prices vary.

The Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center, at 10209 Main Street in Fairfax, is hosting “Give Me Liberty: America & the Forging of a Nation” through June 8. The free exhibition examines the years leading to the American Revolution in Virginia and the events of 1774 through 1776.

Visitors can also sample commemorative Fairfax County wines and beer, along with Mount Vernon whiskey. Prices vary.

At the National Museum of the U.S. Army, located at 1775 Liberty Drive in Fort Belvoir, America250 programming includes exhibitions, Revolutionary War events and the second annual Army Birthday 6.14K race on June 6. Museum admission, exhibitions and public programs are free, though the race requires a registration fee.

Mount Vernon has opened “George Washington: A Revolutionary Life” in its fully transformed education center.

June events

George Mason’s Gunston Hall, at 10709 Gunston Road in Mason Neck, will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Virginia Declaration of Rights on June 12 and 13.

The June 12 program will welcome 50 new American citizens and include activities and tours of the historic house. Events on June 13 will feature birthday cake, an itinerant band performance and a wreath-laying ceremony. Admission is complimentary from opening until 1 p.m. June 12 for the naturalization ceremony and throughout June 13.

Historic Vienna will hold a Colonial Faire and Ice Cream Social for Flag Day from noon to 4 p.m. June 14 at the Freeman Store & Museum, 131 Church Street NE.

The program will include colonial demonstrations, children’s military drills, games, crafts, farm animals, lacemaking, wood carving, gardening, quill writing and invisible-ink activities. George and Martha Washington are scheduled to arrive at 1 p.m., followed by a parade to the Town of Vienna Stage and a Flag Day history presentation. An ice cream social will begin at 3 p.m.

Mount Vernon will host “Freedom Before Emancipation: Family Day for Juneteenth” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 19. The program will explore how enslaved people at Mount Vernon exercised agency and the legacies they created. Activities include live music, presentations by the League of the Descendants of the Enslaved at Mount Vernon, storytime and an archaeological field school.

Fairfax City’s Juneteenth celebration will follow from 6 to 9 p.m. June 19 at the Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center, 3740 Blenheim Boulevard. The event commemorating the end of slavery in the United States will offer children’s activities, vendors, an opening ceremony and live entertainment.

Children ages 7 to 13 can explore Virginia and Fairfax-area cartography during “250 Years of Maps,” scheduled for 10 to 11 a.m. June 23 at Historic Blenheim, 3610 Blenheim Boulevard. Participants will learn how maps have changed, practice using a compass and create maps of their own. The program is free, but advance registration and adult accompaniment are required.

Award-winning rapper Colby Jeffers will perform a free concert at 7 p.m. June 26 at Unity of Fairfax, 2854 Hunter Mill Road in Oakton. The program will focus on contemporary hip-hop and the theme of building a better world. Xolani Tsela and Katherine Key will open the show. Free pizza and refreshments will be served, and attendees are asked to RSVP by emailing news01.vfm@gmail.com with their name, organization if applicable, and party size.

Lake Fairfax Park, at 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive in Reston, will host Fairfax County’s Independence Day celebration from noon to 10 p.m. June 27. This year’s finale will replace traditional fireworks with a patriotic drone light show. Food trucks, family activities and live music are also planned. Advance parking passes cost $20 per vehicle, rising to $25 at the gate. Admission is free for pedestrians and bicyclists.

McLean’s Community Independence Day Fireworks Celebration will run from 5 to 10 p.m. June 27 at Langley High School, 6520 Georgetown Pike. Organized by the McLean Community Center, the free event will include music, food, fireworks, giveaways and the VA250 Mobile Museum Experience. Parking is also free.

Earlier that day, Historic Blenheim will present “Corsets and Contraband” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free living-history program will examine the work of three African American women during the Civil War: Lucy Ann Walker, known as the Clothesline Spy; Mary Bowser, a dispatcher inside the Confederate White House; and Mary Louvestre, the Ironclad Informant. They will be portrayed by Yvette Blake, Denise Benedetto and Debora Brown, respectively.

Fairfax City will begin its Independence Day season with a Hometown Celebration from 2 to 4 p.m. June 28 at the Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center. The event will feature children’s crafts, food vendors and music from the City of Fairfax Band.

July celebrations

Reston Station will host a star-spangled Summerbration at 1800 Reston Row Plaza on July 2. Activities begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by a live performance of the national anthem at 7:20 p.m. and “Bruce in the USA: A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen” at 7:30 p.m.

The family-friendly celebration will include a DJ, splash pad, games, food, a sip-and-stroll area, live music, fireworks, a photo booth and ice cream. More Summerbration events are planned in the months ahead.

Vienna’s Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks will run from 6 to 10 p.m. July 2 at Yeonas Park, 1319 Ross Drive SW. The town’s annual fireworks display will begin after dark. Admission is free, though visitors should check parking and street-closure information before attending.

Fairfax City will stage its 60th annual Independence Day celebration from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. July 4. The free program begins with a downtown parade, followed by Future Firefighters Day at Fire Station No. 3 on University Boulevard. Evening activities at Fairfax High School, 3501 Lion Run, begin at 6:30 p.m. and will include fireworks.

Herndon’s July Fourth celebration begins at 6:30 p.m. at Bready Park, 814 Ferndale Avenue. The free event will offer family games, children’s crafts and music, with food available for purchase. Road closures are expected.

Clifton will hold its Fourth of July parade and picnic from 4 to 7 p.m. at Harris Park, 12641 Chapel Road. The free community gathering will continue after the parade with a picnic, games and activities in the town park.

Mount Vernon’s “An American Celebration” will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 4. The day will feature fireworks over the Potomac, historical demonstrations, family activities and a naturalization ceremony. Admission is $28 for adults and visitors older than 12, $14 for children ages 6 to 11, and free for younger children.

Earlier commemoration

The Fairfax Choral Society Symphonic Chorus and City of Fairfax Band opened the local anniversary season May 30 with “America’s 250th Birthday: Let Freedom Ring.” The free outdoor concert at the Veterans Amphitheater featured patriotic and American-themed music.