10 Can’t-Miss Events In Northern Virginia In May, Including A UFO Journey Through The Air And Space Museum

If you can’t find something fun to do around Northern Virginia this May, you’re not trying hard enough. But we know schedules are busy, so we’ve taken some of the work out of it with this list of can’t-miss events.

There’s plenty going on during Memorial Day Weekend, May 23-25 this year, but farmers markets and spring festivals are also starting, and local schools have a flurry of end-of-the-year activities. Around Northern Virginia this month you’ll find ballet performances, comedy shows, cultural fairs, artisan markets and much more.

See what’s coming up below!

May 8

Annandale: The first ever OLLI Ideas Festival for Adults 50+ kicks off on May 8. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at George Mason University (OLLI Mason) will host its inaugural Ideas Festival on May 8 and 9, inviting adults ages 50+ to explore opportunities for lifelong learning, connection and enrichment. The free, two-day event will feature more than 20 classes, demonstrations, and activities spanning art, music, history, health and more. Highlights include hands-on sessions covering watercolor painting, tai chi and chair yoga.

Learn more here.

Mother’s Day Weekend, May 9 and 10

Del Ray: Treat Mom to a special shopping spree with the artisans and crafters at Gustave Art & Craft Market, Saturday, May 9. Kids can make a custom Mothers' Day bouquet and everyone can savor delicious Parisian treats from Gustave Boulangerie. The Gustave Art & Craft Market will be held every second Saturday of the month through November 14.

Learn more here.

Manassas: Celebrate spring at the Old Town Manassas Art Show & Craft Spring Fair, set on the beautiful Manassas Museum Lawn, on May 9. On hand will be a wide selection of handmade art, crafts, jewelry, home décor, gifts and more from local artisans and small businesses. Find unique gifts and support local artists in the fresh air!

Learn more here.

McClean: Looking for a sophisticated alternative to the traditional brunch? 48 Blocks Fine Candy and Cafe Medrano invite you on May 9 to a morning dedicated to the art of the maker. Hosted in the boutique manufacturing facility of 48 Blocks Fine Candy, this is a rare opportunity to go beyond the tasting and into the architecture of the product. Artisanal coffee and confection makers will deconstruct the technical artistry of their work, from the precise science of small-batch confectionery to the nuanced ritual of the perfect pour-over. Enjoy a curated flight of 48 Blocks signature candies paired with select coffee pours.

Learn more here.

Chantilly: This Mother's Day Sunday, May 10, paranormal investigators and tour guides to the supernatural the Ghost Doctors are offering an extraterrestrial journey through the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center. This immersive and interactive UFO tour delves into the enigma of unidentified flying objects, from ancient visitations to modern-day baffling encounters. Guests will be led through a showcase of iconic air and spacecraft and learn the secrets and tales of UFO phenomena. Be prepared to get interactive, too, with demonstrations of UFO hunting technology and more. This tour challenges your perception of the unknown, inviting you to explore the outer limits of our world and beyond.

Learn more here.

May 15

Arlington: Get ready to laugh at the Courthaus Comedy Bunker 8 with headliner Rahmein Mostafavi. Mostafavi charms crowds with comic timing and charisma developed throug two decades of live performance. He addresses social and political topics with a combination of satirical and observational comedy, leaving audiences with a greater sense of purpose, sex appeal and the occasional leg cramp. Mostafavi is also the creator and host of the national smash hit Couples Therapy: A Comedy Show. Four other performers will also take the stage this evening starting at 7 p.m.

For more information, including other featured performers, click here.

Memorial Day weekend, May 23 and 24

May 23

Woodbridge: Join the DMV Boat Owners Association as they kick off their 2026 Golden Hour Concert Series! This month’s featured artist is The Tribe Band, bringing an unforgettable live performance as the sun sets over the marina. Enjoy an evening filled with music, dozens of food trucks and local small business vendors. Shop, eat and unwind by the water while taking in the golden hour atmosphere with friends, family and fellow boating enthusiasts.

Learn more here.

Reston: The Ravel Dance Company will perform the enchanting ballet Cinderella in the Leila Gordon Theater at the Reston Community Center Stage. This performance is suitable for all ages.

Learn more here.

May 28-31

Tysons Corner: Attention book (and bargain) lovers! The four-day Tysons Library Book & Media Sale kicks off May 28 at 10 a.m. and continues through May 31, ending with a major sale. There will be books and media for all ages and interests, with proceeds benefiting the Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library and related activities.

Learn more here.

May 29 and 30

Fairfax: May 30 is the Fil-Am Spring Fest, a vibrant Filipino-American cultural festival bringing together the community for a full day of food, performances, shopping and celebration. Enjoy Filipino food vendors, cultural dance and live performances, booths featuring local artisans and businesses and family activities. This event is free and open to the public. It also serves as a fundraiser to support poor Filipino communities and to help fund 30,000 fortified meals through the organizers’ hunger prevention program.

Learn more here.

Are you planning an event this spring or summer? Feature it so nearby readers see it all across Patch — including in roundups like this!