NOVA This Week (08/27): Washington Nationals Library Takeover

Don't Miss This Week

The Washington Nationals Library Takeover turns a DC library branch into a pop-up ballpark on Thursday, with the team's own energy, food, and activities for families who'd rather skip the parking hassle at Nats Park.

Closing out the run, the DC State Fair 2026 lands September 6 — the District's annual showcase of local food, art, and agriculture, and about as close as the city gets to a county fair.

Thursday, August 27

For families: Kids can practice road smarts before the school year kicks in at the Back-to-School Bicycle Safety Rodeo, or get hands-on with technology at 3D Printing Basics for Kids in Fairfax County.

Culture and books: Union Market hosts the feminist art provocateurs the Guerrilla Girls in Conversation with Dorothy Kosinski, while Loudoun's adult book club takes a different tack with a vineyard-set Book Tasting.

Adult social hour: Woodridge Library mixes it up with Adult Gaming & Karaoke, and Fairfax County runs its All Levels French Conversation Group for anyone brushing up before a trip — or just for fun.

Friday, August 28

For something genuinely unusual, the Embassy Row Spy Tour with an ex-CIA Officer walks the diplomatic corridor with someone who actually knows where the bodies (metaphorically) are buried, and Fairfax County offers a gentler kind of cultural deep-dive with Learn Chinese Mahjong!

Shelters across Loudoun are waiving adoption fees for Clear the Shelters, a good day to bring home a pet without the usual sticker shock.

Tech folks have DevFest DC 2026 – Build Edition to look forward to, a full day of developer talks and building.

Teens and community: Loudoun's After Hours Teen Center gets crafty with a Sharpie Tie-Dye Bag session, and downtown keeps its long-running Final Friday! tradition going for anyone wanting a low-key evening out.

Saturday, August 29

For young readers: The Friends of the Martha Washington Library One-Day Kid's Book Sale is a chance to stock up cheap while supporting the branch, and Gujarati Storytime brings bilingual programming to families in Fairfax County.

Games and mischief: Fairfax County's Murder at the Faerie Ball: A Library Murder Mystery turns the stacks into a whodunit, Loudoun keeps the dice rolling with D&D for Adults, and DC Public Library wraps up its DC Summer Puzzle Challenge.

Over at Glencarlyn, meet the artist behind the current show at the Artist Talk and Reception: Laura Helene Sebastian.

Sunday, August 30

Unconventional afternoons: Alexandria's Alexandria Oddball Cinema screens something delightfully off the beaten path, and Georgetown Library's Sunday book club tackles the original gothic classic with its Frankenstein discussion.

Beginners and dancers alike can swing into the week at Gottaswing: Swing Dance for Beginners and Intermediate at Hill Center.

The "Day Dream" Rooftop Terrace Pop Up Shop pairs shopping with live music for a late-summer rooftop hang.

And if you've never gotten certified, DC Public Library's CPR / AED Classes are a practical way to spend an hour.

Monday, August 31

Odd hobbies welcome: Alexandria's Bad Art Night! celebrates deliberately terrible art, and Loudoun's Houseplant Clipping Swap lets plant people trade cuttings and know-how.

Civic literacy: Marking International Overdose Awareness Day, Arlington runs a Drop-in Overdose Prevention Training, and Encore Learning tackles a different kind of public-health problem with Dealing with Misinformation.

For kids and teens: Loudoun's D&D Club for Teens: Intermediate continues its campaign, while Arlington's Tales Together at Central keeps the youngest readers covered.

Tuesday, September 1

Author talks: Loudoun hosts A Hiker's History of the Appalachian Trail, a firsthand account from someone who's walked it, plus Meet the Author: David O. Stewart for readers who like their history well-researched.

Family storytime, bilingually: Arlington offers Cuentos para niños / Stories for Children at Columbia Pike and an evening option with Pajama Storytime at Cherrydale.

Learn something: Loudoun pairs Conversational American Sign Language with a look at local talent in Artist-in-Residence: Brett Wilson.

Wednesday, September 2

Makerspace mania: Loudoun's libraries turn into workshops this week, with ESOL: Makerspace for English Learners, Homeschool Enrichment: Makerspace, and Create Your Own Embroidery Design all running as hands-on sessions.

Bring your tomato problems to Arlington's Master Gardeners Plant Clinic for free expert advice.

For young readers: Loudoun's Novel Expressions Art Contest turns favorite books into art with prizes on the line, and Alexandria's Paws to Read lets kids practice reading aloud to a patient, non-judgmental dog.

Thursday, September 3

For families: Arlington's Make Talking Artwork is a creative session for kids, alongside Alexandria's bilingual Cuentos para niños / Stories for Children at Shirlington and the toddler-friendly Stories and Songs.

Adult night out: Crystal City's Alamo Drafthouse hosts 90's Movies and TV Trivia, Analog Dinner Nights pairs a meal with Spanish practice, and Alexandria offers a workout for two left feet with Line Dancing 101.

Friday, September 4

The KanKouran 43rd Annual Conference and Concert brings decades of West African dance tradition to DC for a full conference and concert.

Del Ray's Celebrating Hispanic Heritage: Voices Through Visuals opens an art exhibit reception ahead of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Family and teens: Arlington offers Intergenerational Storytime for mixed-age families, and teens get their own hangout with Brick and Chill: Teen LEGO® Hangout.

Saturday, September 5

The Crowned Society: A Natural Hair Block Party celebrates natural hair identity with a community-wide gathering.

Games all day: Alexandria's Grand Gaming Melee gathers the region's tabletop crowd, while Arlington's Chess Club at Courthouse Library offers a quieter strategy fix.

Learn something: Arlington's Basic Self-Defense Class with EvolveAll teaches practical skills, and Hill Center's Immersive Saturday Spanish for Kids (Ages 4–14) gets younger learners started.

For a holiday-weekend send-off, there's the Labor Day Weekend Rooftop Party.

Sunday, September 6

Alexandria closes the week with two quiet, offbeat options: Oddball Cinema for unconventional film fans, and the Writers Group at Beatley for anyone working on their own pages.

All Week

• American University anthropologists give short, casual talks at the Summer Pocket Talks.
• Fairfax County hosts Bilingual Spanish Storytime for young families.
• Hill Center runs Chinese/Hong Kong Mahjong 101 for anyone wanting to learn the tiles.
• DC Public Library gets messy with Crafternoon: Slime-A-Palooza.
• Loudoun keeps moving with Fitness On The Plaza – ZUMBA.
• Car buffs can catch Loudoun's Ford, GM, and Rolls-Royce: Automotive History Talk.
• Mystery fans get a new Agatha Christie riff with Alexandria's High Altitudes and High Stakes: A Miss Marple Mystery.
• Fairfax County fiber crafters meet for Knits and Knots at Herndon Library.
• Alexandria offers another round of Line Dancing 101 for beginners.
• Loudoun wine country hosts a Local Harvest Wine Dinner.