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Fairfax County’s free Summer Entertainment Series will return June 24 with more than 100 concerts, movies and cultural events, even as a $136,000 budget cut reduces the number of scheduled shows.

The 2026 season will offer 124 events, down from 189 last year. Sully District’s Starlight Cinema screenings will also no longer include performances before the movies, Fairfax County Park Authority spokesperson Andy Grabel said.

Despite the reductions, the program will operate 10 series across 20 locations—up from 14 venues last year—and bring its children’s programming to every magisterial district.

“The Summer Entertainment Series is one of the most popular and beloved summer traditions in Fairfax County,” Grabel said. He added that residents and visitors will still have numerous free entertainment options beginning June 24.

The season follows a strong 2025 turnout, when more than 35,100 people attended. The park authority does not expect participation to fall significantly this year.

New locations and cultural celebrations

Four locations are joining the children-focused Arts in the Parks series:

  • Spring Hill Rec Center, 1239 Spring Hill Road in McLean
  • Lorton Community Center, 9520 Richmond Highway
  • Strawberry Park at the Mosaic District, 2911 District Avenue in Merrifield
  • Springfield Overlook garage, 7039 Old Keene Mill Road, for Kid’s Concerts on the Green

Arts in the Parks will also present Cultural Heritage Nights at Ossian Hall Park, 7900 Heritage Drive in Annandale. The events will celebrate Korean, Peruvian, Bolivian, Bulgarian, Taiwanese and West African cultures.

Across the full summer program, audiences can expect rock, R&B, bluegrass, pop, classical, blues, country and folk music. Other offerings include children’s songs, magic and comedy, along with cultural music and dance representing places including the Caribbean, Africa, India, Russia and China.

The 2026 schedule

Arts in the Parks begins Wednesday, June 24, and continues at several locations:

  • Wednesdays from June 24 through Aug. 5 at 10 a.m. at Frying Pan Farm Park’s visitor center pavilion, 2739 West Ox Road in Herndon
  • Saturdays from June 27 through Aug. 8 at 10 a.m. at Burke Lake Park, Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, Spring Hill Rec Center, Lorton Community Center, Springfield Overlook and Wakefield Park
  • Sundays from June 28 through Aug. 9 at 10 a.m. at Strawberry Park in the Mosaic District
  • Saturdays from June 27 through Aug. 8 at 7:30 p.m. for Cultural Heritage Nights at Ossian Hall Park

Braddock Nights will run Fridays at 7:30 p.m., first at Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Road in Springfield, from June 26 through July 17. The series then moves to Royal Lake Park, 5344 Gainsborough Drive in Kings Park West, from July 24 through Aug. 21.

Evenings on the Ellipse will take place Thursdays from July 2 through Aug. 13 at 5:30 p.m. outside the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway. The U.S. 257th Army Band will open the series.

Franconia Nights will be held Wednesdays from July 1 through Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Leonadus K. Plenty Amphitheater at Franconia Rec Center, 6601 Telegraph Road.

Hunter Mill Melodies is scheduled for Thursdays from July 9 through Aug. 13 at 7 p.m. at Kidwell Farm inside Frying Pan Farm Park, 2709 West Ox Road.

Mount Vernon Nights will begin at the Workhouse Arts Center, 9601 Ox Road in Lorton, on Saturdays from July 11 through Aug. 1 at 7:30 p.m. It will continue Fridays from Aug. 7 through Aug. 28 at 7:30 p.m. at Grist Mill Park, 4710 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway.

Music at Arrowbrook Centre Park will run Saturdays from July 11 through Aug. 29 at 7:30 p.m. at 2351 Field Point Road in Herndon.

Providence Presents will bring Thursday performances to Nottoway Park, 9601 Courthouse Road in Vienna, from July 2 through Aug. 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Spotlight by Starlight will be staged Fridays from June 26 through Aug. 21 at 7:30 p.m. at Mason District Park, 6621 Columbia Pike in Annandale.

Springfield Nights will take place Wednesdays from June 24 through Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. at Burke Lake Park, 7315 Ox Road in Fairfax Station.

Starlight Cinema will offer drive-in screenings Saturdays from Aug. 1 through Aug. 22 at 6:30 p.m. at Sully Historic Site, 3650 Historic Sully Way in Chantilly. This year’s movies are “Tangled,” “Zootopia 2,” “Finding Nemo” and “Cars.”

The weekly events will pause for the Fourth of July weekend from July 3 through July 5. Additional free outdoor performances are planned throughout the summer in McLean, Reston, Vienna, Fairfax City and Herndon.