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Springfield and the surrounding Franconia District are heading into a busy summer filled with free concerts, festivals, recreation and major community anniversaries.
A new children’s concert series is testing the potential of Springfield Overlook, a community space on the roof of the Springfield CBC Commuter Garage. The first Kids’ Concert on the Green was held June 14 with Munit & Z Love Bugs.
The next free performance runs from 10 to 10:45 a.m. on June 21 and features Rocknoceros. The Fairfax County band has released six children’s albums since 2005 and earned 10 Washington Area Music Awards.
The Kingstowne Farmers Market is also back, operating every Friday through Oct. 24 from 3 to 7 p.m. This year’s market includes new vendors offering produce, flowers, prepared foods and baked goods.
Springfield Town Center will host the third annual Pride Night Out from 5 to 7 p.m. on June 25. The family-friendly event will celebrate Pride Month while raising money for LGBTQ+ youth in Northern Virginia.
The town center will then welcome the free Foodees Food and Culture Festival from June 27 through June 29. The event is scheduled at varying times across the three days and will include more than 40 food trucks and vendors.
Family Skate Night returns to the Franconia Rec Center from 6 to 9 p.m. on June 21. The free Franconia Nights concert series begins July 2 at Franconia District Park, bringing jazz, ska, blues and cultural performances to the community.
The annual Springfield BridgeWalk will close out the season on Aug. 30 at the Amherst Avenue Veterans Bridge and American Legion Post 176. Established in 2009, the event celebrates Springfield’s ties to veterans, military families and nearby Fort Belvoir. Music, games, refreshments and vendors are planned.
Several local institutions are marking milestone anniversaries this year: Huntley Meadows Park turns 50, Historic Huntley turns 200 and the Fairfax County Park Authority turns 75. Huntley Meadows and Historic Huntley are open from dawn to dusk, with special activities including Birding for Beginners and evening Firefly Walks.
Government center expected to open this fall
The new Franconia Governmental Center and Kingstowne Regional Library is expected to open to the public this fall near Manchester Boulevard and Beulah Street.
The complex will bring several services together, including the Franconia Police Station, Kingstowne Regional Library, Franconia supervisor’s office, Franconia Museum, an Active Adult Center and a new childcare center.
New county budget and meal tax approaching
Fairfax County’s fiscal 2026 budget takes effect July 1. It eliminates a proposed 1.5-cent real estate tax-rate increase and instead lowers the current rate by one-quarter cent, from $1.125 per $100 of assessed value.
The spending plan maintains services and programs including the Middle School After School Program.
The Board of Supervisors also adopted a 4% food and beverage tax that takes effect Jan. 1, 2026. County estimates indicate that its 267,000 daily visitors will generate 34% of the revenue. Of the anticipated proceeds, 87.5% was used to reduce the real estate tax rate.