Get Excited About These Summer Festivals

Catch blues, jazz, rock-reggae, rides, brews and more at these all-day outdoor parties.

Warm-weather weekends are meant to be spent outside, with a cold drink in hand and endless live music. Luckily, you don’t have to travel far to find such a scene; Arlington will welcome several block parties and festivals from through the summer. Put these on your calendar.

Tinner Hill Music Festival

June 11, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

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Sponsored by the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation, this annual bash puts locally and nationally known artists in the spotlight; this year, see New Orleans’ Grammy-winning Rebirth Brass Band, D.C. rock-reggae outfit Dale and the ZDubs, and several other artists. Like all good music festivals, this one includes food (we’re promised “succulent barbecue”), wares from local artisans and kids’ activities. // Cherry Hill Park, 312 Park Ave., Falls Church. $10-$50; free for children 11 and under who are accompanied by ticketed adult.

Harlem, N.Y.-bred Shemekia Copeland headlines the Columbia Pike Blues Festival in June. (Photo by Mike White)
Harlem, N.Y.-bred Shemekia Copeland headlines the Columbia Pike Blues Festival in June. (Photo by Mike White)

Columbia Pike Blues Festival

June 18, 1-8:30 p.m.

It’s the 25th year for this Arlington blues blowout, returning fully in-person after a two-year pandemic hiatus. Shemekia Copeland, the 2021 Blues Foundation B.B. King Entertainer of the Year, headlines the event, which will also feature a handful of local blues and soul artists. Grab bites from Arlington restaurants, pours from New District Brewing Co. and wines curated by Rincome Thai. Got little tikes with you? Check out the KidZone and Art Alley, where the Arlington Art Truck will provide some hands-on art-making. The weekend festivities also include pop-up concerts at local restaurants and a Juneteenth Walk on Sunday morning. // S. Walter Reed Drive from Columbia Pike to 9th St. S., Arlington. Price. Free.

Arlington Pride Festival

June 25, Noon-7 p.m.

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Arlington’s inaugural Pride Festival debuts in late June with entertainment, eats, education and plenty of kid fun. “The Arlington Pride Festival will inspire our community to collaborate in new ways, ensuring all LGBTQIA+ individuals and their families and friends feel empowered, and supported,” festival organizers wrote in a social media post. Further details are forthcoming. // Gateway Park, 1300 Langston Blvd., Arlington. Free.

Arlington County Fair

Aug. 17-21

The county fair returns with funnel cake, frozen treats, live performances, animals, rides, competitive exhibits and other favorite summertime attractions.  Thomas Jefferson Community Center, 3501 Second St. S., Arlington. Admission is free, but rides are ticketed.

This post will be updated.

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