🗓 May in the Area: Festivals, Food & Fun
Dear neighbors,
May in Northern Virginia has a feeling all its own. The humidity hasn’t arrived yet, the trees are full, and suddenly everyone is outside again — neighbors on front porches, kids on bikes, the smell of something good coming off a grill two doors down. The ice cream shops reopen. The parks fill up. Someone down the street is already pressure washing their driveway. It’s the best month to be here.
Woodbridge has a way of surprising you in May. Drive down Route 1 on a Saturday morning and you’ll pass a farmers’ market, a little league game, and a church festival all within two miles. Blink and you’ll miss the Eagle Festival at Mason Neck — a state park most people drive past for years before they ever stop. That’s the thing about this community. There’s always more going on than you’d expect.
We went looking for the events worth getting off the couch for — the free mornings with kids, the festivals worth the drive, the hidden gems that have been quietly happening in our backyard for years. This is what we found.
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📍 In Woodbridge
🚒 Touch-A-Truck | Veterans Memorial Park | Saturday, May 2 | 10 a.m.–1 p.m. | Free
The kids will talk about this one for weeks. Get up close with fire trucks, police cars, and construction vehicles — horns included. One of the best free family mornings in the county.
🏹 Family Archery at Lake Ridge Park | 12350 Cotton Mill Drive, Woodbridge | Saturday, May 2 | 10 a.m.–noon | Free
A fun, family-friendly morning at Lake Ridge Park. No experience needed — just show up and give it a shot.
🎨 Woodbridge/Stonebridge Art Show & Spring Craft Fair | Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center | Saturday, May 2 | 11 a.m.–4 p.m. | Free
Local artists, crafters, and makers right in the heart of Woodbridge. A perfect Saturday morning stop before the summer heat kicks in.
🎶 A Celebration of Freedom Concert | A.J. Ferlazzo Building | May 2–3 | 3:30 p.m. | Free
A free outdoor concert to kick off May the right way. Bring a lawn chair and your neighbors.
🎵 New Dominion Choraliers Spring Show | First United Presbyterian Church of Dale City | Free
Broadway. Disney. A community choir that’s been doing this for 28 years. This is the kind of local gem that deserves a packed house. Saturday May 3 at 7:30 p.m., Sunday May 4 at 3:30 p.m.
🦅 Eagle Festival | Mason Neck State Park | Saturday, May 9 | 10 a.m. | Free
Mason Neck is one of Northern Virginia’s best kept secrets — a state park right in our backyard home to one of the largest bald eagle populations on the East Coast. The annual Eagle Festival is a perfect spring morning for families and nature lovers alike.
🎸 Fridays at 5: Highway Legends Band | 1 County Complex Ct., Woodbridge | Friday, May 15 | 5–9 p.m.
Live music at the county complex to kick off your weekend. Bring a chair and stay a while.
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📍 In Occoquan
🎨 ArtWalk | Occoquan | Saturday, May 9 | 11 a.m.–6 p.m. | Free
Five of Occoquan’s galleries open their doors for one afternoon — art demos, studio tours, games, prizes, and refreshments. A perfect excuse to wander Mill Street.
🌿 Trivia Night in the Park | River Mill Park, Occoquan | Thursday, May 15 | 6:30–8:30 p.m. | Free
Six rounds of trivia in the park with a $100 grand prize on the line. Bring a team.
🍷 Neon 90s Ladies Night | Madigan’s Waterfront | Tuesday, May 6 | 6–10 p.m.
90s music, glow party, raffles and prizes at Madigan’s on the river. A fun one.
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📍 Around Prince William County
🎪 All Saints Parish Festival | Manassas | Fri. May 2, 5–9 p.m. & Sat. May 3, 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
Rides, games, baked goods, and the kind of community energy that makes spring in PWC feel like home. Cash for funnel cake is strongly recommended.
🍖 Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival | Prince William County Fairgrounds, Manassas | Saturday, May 3 | Noon–6 p.m.
Exactly what it sounds like — and that’s a very good thing. Live music, local vendors, and enough smoked meat to justify skipping the gym. Tickets required.
🌮 Cinco de Mayo | Tuesday, May 5 | All day
Prince William County is one of the most diverse counties in Virginia — and on May 5 the local restaurants deliver. Hit Tejanos Cantina, Zandra’s Taqueria, or Tacos Moya for specials, or make a day of it starting in Occoquan and ending with live music and margaritas somewhere along the way.
🎬 FREE Drive-in Movie: Zootopia 2 | Ben Lomond Park, Manassas | Thursday, May 8 | 8:45–10 p.m. | Free
A free outdoor movie night at Ben Lomond Park. Bring a blanket, load up the car, and enjoy Zootopia 2 under the stars.
🏡 Ben Lomond Day | Ben Lomond Historic Site, Manassas | Saturday, May 16 | 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
A celebration at one of Prince William County’s most historic sites. Great for families and history lovers alike.
🎭 Raisin the Musical | George Mason University, Manassas | May 16–24 | 2 p.m.
Based on Lorraine Hansberry’s beloved play, this production brings a classic American story to a stage right in our own backyard. Tickets required.
🏕️ The Great Manassas Campout | Liberia House Historic Site, Manassas | May 2–3
Camping on historic grounds in the heart of Manassas. A truly unique way to spend a May weekend with the family.
🎠 Spring Carnival | Prince William County Fairgrounds, Manassas | May 22–31
Ten days. Rides, games, fair food, and the full fairgrounds experience. Weekdays from 5 p.m., weekends from 2 p.m. Go more than once — you’ll want to.
🐴 Meet a Horse Day | Equine Connection Center, Nokesville | Monday, May 25 | 10:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Farm tours and up-close time with horses at the Equine Connection Center in Nokesville. A wonderful Memorial Day Monday activity for families.
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📍 Worth the Drive
🍔 The Big Flavor Foodie Festival | Tanger Boulevard, National Harbor | Friday, May 15 | 1 p.m. | Free
National Harbor is just a short drive from Woodbridge and in May it’s worth every mile. This free foodie festival brings together food trucks, vendors, and waterfront vibes. Bring your appetite and save room for a walk along the water afterward.
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📰 On Our Radar
📚 Calico Books — Occoquan’s newest bookshop just opened on Mill Street. A full post is coming soon.
🐉 Sleepy Dragon Books — A brand new fantasy-themed indie bookstore just opened in Old Town Manassas at 9101 Center Street, right next to Honey & Ivy. Perfect for readers of all ages.
🍷 Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant is coming to Woodbridge — a highly anticipated new wine and dining experience. Watch the Gazette for details.
🌽 A new farmers market is opening in Gainesville this May — fresh produce, local flavors, and a great weekend morning reason to head up Route 29. More soon.
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This week’s riddle:
I am always in front of you but can never be seen. What am I?
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Coming up in the Gazette:
🍦 The Best Ice Cream in Prince William County
🐴 Criswood Farm — a beloved equestrian center makes way for Hoadly Square
📸 Follow us on Instagram: @WoodbridgeGazette
Every Monday. Free. Just for neighbors.
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