Fall in Northern Virginia is not a quiet season. Between Fairfax County’s park programming, Herndon’s community events, and Centreville’s biggest seasonal tradition, the last week of September alone brings three very different, very worthwhile events to the calendar. Whether you already live here or you’re weighing a move to Reston, Vienna, Great Falls, Centreville, Springfield, or Herndon, this guide rounds up everything happening: a haunted 20-acre farm, a hands-on bug festival, and a free afternoon celebrating local wildlife.
I put this list together the way I plan neighborhood tours for my own clients: not just “what’s nearby,” but “what will your family actually be doing on a Saturday.” These three events are a good snapshot of that answer, and each one says something a little different about the community hosting it.
In late September 2026, Northern Virginia hosts three major family events: Fields of Fear at Cox Farms in Centreville (opens Sept. 25), Bug Fest at Lake Accotink Park in Springfield (Sept. 26), and NatureFest at Runnymede Park in Herndon.
Event One: Fields of Fear at Cox Farms (Centreville, VA)
Cox Farms is a Northern Virginia institution, and once the sun goes down, its 20 acres of fields and woods transform into Fields of Fear, one of the region’s most talked-about Halloween attractions.
Dates and Hours
- Opening night: Friday, September 25, 2026
- Regular schedule: Fridays and Saturdays, September 25 through November 7, 2026
- Bonus night: Sunday, October 11, 2026
- Hours: 7:30 pm to 11:00 pm, last entry at 10:00 pm
- Tickets: Online only, limited quantities per night, priced by date
What’s Included
Guests move between a haunted cornfield maze, a haunted hayride, and a half-mile forest walk, with a firelit gathering area in between for a break from the scares. This is generally geared toward older kids, teens, and adults rather than young children, since the experience relies on actors, fog, strobe lighting, and jump scares in tight, dark spaces.
Good to Know
Tickets sell out fastest on weekends close to Halloween, so buy early if you have a specific night in mind. Located at 15621 Braddock Road, Centreville, a short drive from Fairfax and Chantilly.
Event Two: Bug Fest at Lake Accotink Park (Springfield, VA)
If Fields of Fear is Northern Virginia’s biggest scare, Bug Fest is its most hands-on nature lesson. Hosted by Fairfax County Park Authority, this annual festival gets kids genuinely curious about the insects living in their own backyard.
Date and Details
- Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
- Time: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
- Location: Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield, VA 22150
- Price: $10 per person, ages 4 and older
- Note: Children must be accompanied by a registered adult
What’s Included
Guided insect safari hikes, live insect meet-and-greets, bug-themed crafts and storytelling, and a buggy maze with a spiderweb slackline course.
Parking Tip
Use the rear entrance at the McLaren-Sargent Shelter, 5660 Heming Avenue, Springfield, not the main Lake Accotink Park address. This trips up plenty of first-time visitors, so plug that exact address into your maps app.
Event Three: NatureFest at Runnymede Park (Herndon, VA)
Closing out the weekend is NatureFest, a free, drop-in nature festival that turns Runnymede Park into an afternoon of games, exhibits, and outdoor exploration.
Date and Details
- Date: Sunday, September 27, 2026
- Time: 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
- Location: Runnymede Park, 195 Herndon Parkway, Herndon, VA 20170
- Price: Free, no registration required
What’s Included
Educational exhibits on local plants, animals, and insects, plus interactive games including Bird Bingo, the Web of Life Game, and the Nature Olympics.
Parking Tip
General parking is at the Hunters Creek Clubhouse, 417 Queen’s Row, Herndon. Handicap parking only is available directly at the park.
How to Plan Your Weekend Around All Three
These three events land back-to-back-to-back, September 25 through 27, which makes for a genuinely full but very doable fall weekend if you’re local to Fairfax County.
- Friday night: Fields of Fear opening night in Centreville, best for teens and adults.
- Saturday morning: Bug Fest in Springfield, a great option if you have younger kids who sat out Friday’s scares.
- Sunday afternoon: NatureFest in Herndon, a free, low-key close to the weekend that works for every age.
If you’re not local yet, this is also a genuinely useful weekend to visit the area. Seeing how a region programs its parks and public spaces tells you more about day-to-day life there than a listing photo ever will.
Why This Matters If You’re House Hunting in Northern Virginia
When clients ask me what separates one Northern Virginia neighborhood from another, the answer is rarely just square footage or school ratings. It’s this: does the community actually show up for events like these? Centreville’s Fields of Fear, Springfield’s Bug Fest, and Herndon’s NatureFest are three very different events hosted by three very different communities, and all three point to the same thing: this is a region that invests in family programming, public parks, and seasonal tradition. That’s worth factoring into your search right alongside commute times and price per square foot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Northern Virginia events are happening the last weekend of September 2026?
Fields of Fear opens at Cox Farms in Centreville on September 25, Bug Fest runs at Lake Accotink Park in Springfield on September 26, and NatureFest runs at Runnymede Park in Herndon on September 27.
Is Fields of Fear appropriate for young kids?
No, it’s generally recommended for older kids, teens, and adults due to intense scares, strobe lighting, and jump scares in dark, enclosed spaces.
How much does Bug Fest cost?
Bug Fest admission is $10 per person, recommended for ages 4 and older.
Is NatureFest free?
Yes, NatureFest at Runnymede Park is a free, drop-in event with no ticket or registration required.
Where do I buy Fields of Fear tickets?
Tickets are sold online only in limited quantities per night, with pricing that varies by date.
Where should I park for Bug Fest?
Use the rear entrance at 5660 Heming Avenue, Springfield, not the main Lake Accotink Park address.
Where should I park for NatureFest?
General parking is at the Hunters Creek Clubhouse, 417 Queen’s Row, Herndon; handicap parking only is available at the park itself.
Can I do all three events in one weekend?
Yes, all three fall on consecutive days, September 25 through 27, 2026, making a full but manageable weekend for local families.
Which of these events is best for very young children?
Bug Fest and NatureFest are both built for young kids, while Fields of Fear is better suited to older kids, teens, and adults.
Do any of these events require advance registration?
Fields of Fear tickets are required in advance and sold online only. Bug Fest recommends advance registration. NatureFest requires no registration at all.
What should we wear to Bug Fest and NatureFest?
Comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, and water are recommended for both, since each event takes place largely outdoors.
Are these events good for people considering a move to the area?
Yes, visiting local events like these is one of the best ways to get a feel for a community’s day-to-day life before choosing a neighborhood.
Final Thoughts and Your Next Step
Three events, three towns, one very good weekend to be in Northern Virginia. Whether you’re already local or you’re still deciding between Centreville, Springfield, Herndon, Reston, Vienna, or Great Falls, this is exactly the kind of community calendar worth exploring before you sign a contract.
If you’d like a neighborhood tour built around the lifestyle you actually want, not just the listing sheet, browse current Northern Virginia listings or reach out to Elizabeth Ann Kline to get started. And if you’re planning your own version of this weekend, let me know in the comments which event you’re most excited about.
