April was a revival of all the seasons, so here’s hoping May sticks to spring because there’s a lot going on and much of it is in the great outdoors. Memorial Day fun is on the way, as are plenty of live performances, spring markets, Bike to Work Day, America 250 celebrations and celebrating mom. Whatever you do, don’t forget Mother’s Day.
Portfolio in Motion at Marymount University
The premiere fashion event for students in the Fashion Design and Fashion Merchandising programs returns to the school’s Rose Benté Lee Center on May 1, 5 p.m. It features student models strutting the runway in original looks. This year’s theme is “Punk in Motion,” celebrating the rebellious spirit and creative edge of punk. Additionally, the event will honor alumnus Jeffery Wilkins as Distinguished Creative Leader. A 2012 graduate of Marymount, he is currently vice president of visual for the Americas at Gucci. Tickets begin at $10. 2807 N. Glebe Road, Arlington (Ballston)
NoSo Live! Friday Summer Concert Series
Northside Social in Arlington brings back its summer concert series on Fridays starting May 1, 6-9 p.m. Enjoy happy hour specials while grooving to performers such as Magneloveband, Dominque Bianco and Duck Chuck Goose. 3211 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Arlington Civitan Open Air Market
One person’s trash is another’s treasure, and you can find yours when Arlington’s favorite flea market returns May 2, 7 a.m.-1 p.m., for the 40th year. Find it at the Washington-Liberty High School I-66 Parking Garage on the first Saturday of the month through November, with vendors hawking used (and some new) goods. Arlington Civitan rents market spaces to vendors for a modest fee and donates 100% of the funds to local charities, with a particular focus on those that support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 4001 15th St., N., Arlington
Revolutionary War Weekend at George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Go back in time to the war that changed it all as Mount Vernon’s 12-acre field fills with Continentals, Redcoats and Hessians conducting military drills using 18th-century tactics. On May 2-3, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., learn from the leaders, including Washington and civilians who traveled with the army. Tickets are $35; $33 for kids 6-11. 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon
Rosslyn Spring Market
Visit the NOW Pop-Up Park for a pop-up market May 2, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Find local vendors and lots of spring flowers to browse and enjoy. 1401 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Rosslyn)
Oyster Fest at Caboose Commons
Get them chargrilled or fresh on ice May 2, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., and enjoy live music while you munch. No pre-orders necessary: just walk up to the tent on the patio and cure your cravings. Ask for a pint of the Boxcar Ale, too. It just won a Gold Medal at the 2026 World Beer Cup. 2918 Eskridge Road, Fairfax (Mosaic District)
5th Annual Beer, Bourbon, & BBQ Festival
The unofficial kickoff is coming and with it comes grill season. Satisfy your cravings May 2, noon-6 p.m., with pulled pork, ribs, brisket and chicken from barbecue vendors, including Rocklands Real Barbeque. Stop at the Tasting Theater for educational seminars by master distillers, brewmasters and pitmasters and the Shrine of Swine for hog pork tasting. Wash it all down with the All-You-Care-to-Taste sampling of beer and bourbon. Tickets start at $25. Prince William County Fairgrounds, 10624 Dumfries Road, Manassas
McLean Project for the Arts 2026 Spring Solo Exhibitions
Attend the opening reception May 2, 2-4 p.m., to get a look at three exhibits that will run through June 13. They are Dream a Better World, a series of paintings by Sabine Carlson depicting humans and water birds interacting; Ancestral Iconography, fantasy spaces based on American folklore by Zsudayka Nzinga; and Heirlooms: Garden Beauty, a combo of heirloom fabrics and paper representing the work of Black mothers by Darlene Taylor. Learn more about each show at a Tea & Talk with Artistic Director Nancy Sausser on May 13, 11 a.m., and an Artist Talk , 11 a.m. 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean
Running of the Chihuahuas
Watch as 150 or more of the tiny dogs vie in groups of eight for prizes on a 60-foot racetrack May 2, 2-5 p.m. The fastest pups will move on to the winners’ bracket until one is crowned the champion. Only Chihuahuas may race, but all dogs may watch. There’s even an all-breed costume contest. Don’t have a dog? Check out the Adoptable Dog Parade by Rural Dog Rescue between the races. Register a dog to race here. The Wharf’s District Pier, 101 District Square S.W., Washington, D.C.
The Doo Wop Project at Alden Theatre
Trace the history of doo wop with this group May 2, 7 p.m. During the 90-minute show, they will perform their versions of classic tunes by the Crests and Flamingos, for example, before adding a doo wop twist to modern hits. Tickets start at $30. 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean
SPARK!
Arlington is launching a new outdoor market May 3, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. It will continue on the first Sunday of every month through November with art and food vendors, plus poetry, music and art-making programs. At the first one, stop for a sip from Rossana Coffee, browse the stacks of the Wandering Shelf mobile bookstore, admire art by David Amoroso and Kate Rosendale, and get a personalized poem from The Poet is IN booth. Artist Roxana Alger Geffen will be the interactive artist at the first SPARK! bringing her popular Arlington Art Truck project “Patch or Swap: A Textile Rescue Lab” to the market. 2700 S. Nelson St., Arlington (Shirlington)
MoCA on the Move: Celebrating Spring Family Fun Series
The Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington family-friendly spring classes are back at Met Park on Sundays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., through June 14. In addition to live music and lawn games, local artists will be there to guide budding Picassos of all ages. On May 3, Zhenya Parish will share her techniques for expressive painting. Andrew Barco will demo flower pounding on fabric May 24. 1330 S. Fair St., Arlington (National Landing)
Artists’ Garage Sale
Falls Church Arts members will sell their unneeded tools and materials to anyone who could use them. Find paint, paper, colored pencils, paintbrushes and lots more May 3, 3-5 p.m. Falls Church Community Center, 223 Little Falls St., Falls Church
Holi at Mosaic
Celebrate the Hindu Festival of Colors at Mosaic District. On May 3, 5-8 p.m., guests will receive a satchel of colored powder and a T-shirt, while supplies last. Then, throw the powder, a symbol of the arrival of spring, the triumph of good over evil, and the fostering of love, unity, and forgiveness. Stick around to dance to music by a live DJ. 2905 District Ave., Fairfax (Mosaic District)
Storytime on the Plaza at George Mason University
Designed to encourage a love of reading, this all-ages event May 6 and 13, 10:30-11:15 a.m. includes a read-aloud by a storyteller and time to explore the plaza. Free. 3351 Fairfax Drive, Arlington (Virginia Square)
Live Jazz at Fonts Books & Gifts
The independent bookstore has partnered with Veronneau, a 16-year-old jazz band made up of McLean locals. Check them out May 6, 6 p.m. The suggestion donation is $20 at the door. Bonus: Come back May 12, 7 p.m., for a chat with John DeMers, whose new book, Virginia Ham: The History of Salt and Smoke comes out that day. 6262 Old Dominion Drive, McLean
Jazz @ Met
The free outdoor concert series returns to Met Park on May 7, 5-7 p.m., and continues every other Thursday through June 18. The JoGo Project will kick things off, followed by Joe Brotherton on May 21, the Eric Boyd Trio on June 4 and José Luiz Martins on June 18. Bring your own blanket and pick up a bite from Taqueria Xochi or a cone from Toby’s Homemade Ice Cream to enjoy with the show. New this year is an onsite arts activity, curated by resident artists from MoCA’s Innovation Studio, during each performance. 1330 S. Fair St., Arlington (National Landing)
Music By the Metro
The Clarendon Alliance’s concert series returns to Clarendon Metro Park on May 7, 14, 21 and 28 at 6 p.m. Bring a blanket or chair and jam out to tunes by local musicians. Free. 3100 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Mom’s Day Out
Celebrate all the moms and mother figures with a day full of activities just for her. On May 9, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., families can make custom bouquets, decorate frames, write Mother’s Day cards and take photos at a Mommy & Me digital photo booth. A live musician and bubble artist will provide entertainment and creative inspo. 8350 Broad St., Tysons (The Boro)
Arlington HistoryFest 250
The Arlington VA250 Committee will celebrate the country’s birthday with Revolutionary War re-enactments, musical performances, hands-on demos, crafts and storytelling at Kenmore Middle School on May 9, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. 200 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington
Mother’s Day Tea at Cherry Hill Farmhouse
Show Mom some love May 10, 2-4 p.m., with a traditional tea, featuring sandwiches, sweets, scones and, of course, a bottomless cup of tea. A costumed historian will discuss mothers’ role in mid-19th-century Virginia. $48. 312 Park Ave., Falls Church
Pippin at Signature Theatre
Pippin, the heir of King Charlemagne, enters into feats of war, passion and murder in his quest for purpose. The famous play will include iconic songs such as Corner of the Sky and Morning Glow. Performance times vary May 12-July 26. Tickets begin at $47. 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
Little Women: The Musical at The Creative Cauldron
Louisa May Alcott’s Civil War-era story of Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March comes to life on the stage as the sisters navigate adolescence and ways to achieve their goals. Tickets are $40 or $50; $25 for students. See website for times May 14-June 7. 127 W. Broad St., Falls Church
Bike to Work Day
BikeArlington is hosting three pit stops on Bike to Work Day (May 15). From 7-9 a.m., put your kickstand down in Ballston’s Welburn Square, Columbia Pike at Penrose Square or Rosslyn Gateway Park to get a free T-shirt. National Landing’s Water Park is another pit stop, where Call Your Mother will hand out free coffee and bites. Welburn Square, 909 N. Taylor St., Arlington (Ballston); Penrose Square, 2503 Columbia Pike, Arlington; Rosslyn Gateway Park, 1300 Langston Blvd., Arlington (Rosslyn); and Water Park, 1601 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)Â
McLean Day
A community festival since 1915, the party will take place May 15, 3-9 p.m., and May 16, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., at Lewinsville Park, with carnival rides, live performances and all-ages fun. Admission is free, but ride tickets will be available for purchase. 1659 Chain Bridge Road, McLean
28th Lucketts Spring Market
See if you get lucky making something old new again at this uber popular vintage market. Spanning the Clarke County Fairgrounds from May 15-17, it’s worth the drive to Berryville to browse items from more than 200 vendors. Vendors include Ekster Antiques, Naked Goat Soap and JBS Mercantile. An extension of the beloved 19th-century Lucketts store in Leesburg, this event has varying start and end times throughout the weekend, so check the website. Tickets start at $23 for anyone older than 12. 890 W. Main St., Berryville, Virginia
Taste of Tysons
On May 16, spend an hour—noon-1 p.m.—sampling the best dishes from more than 40 restaurants. Pick up a passport and collect stamps for a chance to win gift cards to places including Barrel & Bushel and Eddie V’s. From 1-2 p.m., chefs will hold live demos on PenFed Plaza, and then Risky Shenanigans will take the stage 2-3 p.m. Tickets are $30 and cover one adult beverage and the food. 1961 Chain Bridge Road, Tysons (Tysons Corner Center)
Arlington Palooza
A free, family-friendly festival, Arlington Palooza on May 16, 1-6 p.m., will have live music, local vendors, hands-on activities and food trucks. Chat with author Melissa Avstreih, author of Goodnight Menopause and now Seashells of Delmarva, get some bling from District Bangle and Jewelry, and chow down on food from Colony Grill. Lubber Run Community Center and Park, 300 N. Park Drive, Arlington
Lyon Park Spring Fair
The Arlington neighborhood has hosted this fair on the third Saturday in May since 1924. This year that’s May 16, and from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., the whole family can enjoy vintage games, pony rides, a toddler zone, and bake and plant sales organized by the Lyon Park Woman’s Club. 414 N. Fillmore St., Arlington (Lyon Park)
Eat, Sip & Salsa at Westpost
Lean into Latin culture May 16, 4-7 p.m., at an event packed with free music and salsa lessons. Salsa with Silvia will teach you all you need to know starting at 5 p.m., and Westpost restaurants will offer bites and drinks as part of the area’s Sip & Stroll program. 1201 S. Joyce St., Arlington (Westpost)
Salon Arlington
Get to know musician Lisa Culp-Neikirk, painters Joyce McCarten and Ginya Truitt Nakata, and potter Viki Walchak at the next informal forum for artists. Open to anyone 21 and older, the event takes place at Village Sweet bakery on May 16, 6:30-9:30 p.m. 5872 Washington Blvd., Arlington (Westover)
Festival of Speed and Style
The self-described premier automotive showcase on the East Coast, the festival returns to Old Town Alexandria on May 17, 10 a.m.-3:15 p.m. After an opening ceremony, enjoy live music as you ogle 100-plus rare and exotic vehicles from around the world. Stick around to find out which ones judges deemed the best at an awards ceremony at 12:45 p.m. 200-500 blocks of King Street, Alexandria, and surrounding areas in Old Town
Arlington Public Library Community Read: All the President’s Men
Jeremy Mayer, a professor at George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government, will lead a community reading and discussion of the book by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward, the reporters who famously broke the Watergate story. The library has unlimited eAudiobook copies of this work available ahead of the event, which will be May 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Central Library. 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington (Virginia Square)
Sting 3.0 at the Filene Center at Wolf Trap
Sting, the Grammy-winning Englishman and former frontman of The Police, will bring his smooth pop-rock sounds to this Vienna venue. Tickets begin at $65.50 for the shows on May 21-23, 8 p.m. 1551 Trap Road, Vienna
Misil Stereo Tributo A Soda Stereo & Gustavo Cerati
Tribute band Zip Code pays homage to Soda Stereo, among the most influential Spanish rock bands of the 1980s and ’90s, and its lead singer, Gustavo Cerati of Argentina. Plan to sing and dance along with Spanish-language rock classics. Tickets for the May 22, 8:30 p.m., show are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. 220 N. Washington St., Falls Church
Ahmed Ahmed at Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse
The Egyptian-American actor with a name so nice, he uses it twice will be at the Arlington Drafthouse on May 29 and 30, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. both nights. He has appeared in many blockbuster and cult hits, including Swingers, Iron Man and You Don’t Mess With the Zohan, plus popular TV shows, such as Roseanne. 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington
Dare to Dream Jr. at Encore Stage & Studio
This Disney musical follows trainees headed to their first day at the Walt Disney Imagineering Studio. It’s got songs from The Princess and the Frog, Coco, Encanto and Frozen II and is best for children 4 and older. Check the website for times on May 29-June 7. Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre, 125 S. Old Glebe Road, Arlington (Arlington Heights Historic District)
The Music Man at Capital One Hall
The town librarian is no match for a smooth-talking salesman. As he scams River City residents into buying instruments and uniforms for a fake boys’ band, she steals his heart. Showtimes May 29-31 and ticket prices vary. 7750 Capital One Tower Road, Tysons
Armed Forces Cycling Classic
The two-day sporting event runs May 30-31 and starts with a closed-course Challenge Ride, which includes the Pride Ride. That 12.5-mile race, open to cyclists of all experience levels, happens May 30, 7 a.m., starting and finishing at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., and weaving through Arlington. Both days will see the Pro/Am races featuring top national teams, including the Clarendon Cup. Kids 9 and younger can participate in free Kids Bike Races. See website for details and locations.