Free things to do in Ashburn: county parks and the W&OD, Potomac riverside trails, library story times, park movie nights, free concerts and holiday lights.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. Sources: Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Community Services parks, events and activity guides, NOVA Parks, the Loudoun County Public Library and Downtown One Loudoun.

You can fill a lot of weekends in Ashburn without spending money. The county parks charge no admission, the W&OD Trail runs through town, the libraries hold free programs nearly every day, and the parks department and One Loudoun put on free concerts, movie nights and holiday lights through the year.

Who to call

  • Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Community Services: 703-777-0343
  • Ashburn Library: 703-737-8100
  • NOVA Parks, W&OD Trail: 703-729-0596

Outdoors, every day

  • The W&OD Trail. 45 paved miles from Shirlington to Purcellville, open 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. NOVA Parks’ free 40-car lot is at Ashburn Road; see our trails guide.
  • The Potomac riverside. Bles Park, 44830 Bles Park Drive, and Bazil Newman Riverfront Park in Lansdowne carry a section of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, with free parking.
  • County parks. Ashburn has more than a dozen county parks, from Ashburn Park’s creek trails to the Heron Overlook wetlands loop, all free with free parking; see parks and trails.
  • Claude Moore Park, 46150 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling. A 357-acre park with hillside woodland trails, the Discovery Grove natural play space and the Vestal’s Gap Visitor Center; the park also has the 1779 Lanesville Ordinary and Post Office, listed on the National Register. Open daily, 7 a.m. to sunset.
  • Hal and Berni Hanson Regional Park, 22831 Hanson Park Drive, Aldie. A 257-acre park that the county says is completely free to visit: two playgrounds, two dog parks, trails, a skatepark, courts, disc golf and a nature center with ambassador animals.
  • Dog parks. Off-leash areas at Potomac Green and Evermoore parks in Ashburn; see dog-friendly Ashburn.
  • Splash pads. One Loudoun’s plaza splash pad is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily from early spring to early fall, and Hanson Regional Park’s runs May to September.

Library programs

The Loudoun County Public Library runs free programs every week at the Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, and the Brambleton, Cascades and Gum Spring branches: story times for babies through preschoolers most mornings, teen programs, craft nights and seasonal parties such as the Ashburn Library’s annual gingerbread contest. See kids’ activities for the story time schedule.

Free events through the year

Season Free event
Fall Loudoun County’s Movie Nights in the Park, with free popcorn and candy; next: Toy Story 5, 7:15 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, at Hanson Regional Park
Summer One Loudoun’s free Kids Concert Series (11 a.m. Mondays), Summer Strings (Fridays) and Summer Concert Series (Saturdays), open to all ages; the county’s free Lemonade Stand LIVE children’s concerts in Ashburn parks
October Library Halloween parties at the Ashburn, Brambleton, Cascades and Sterling branches; see Halloween events
December Starry Nights and Winter Lights at Claude Moore and Hanson parks, nightly from Dec. 5 to Jan. 3; One Loudoun’s Holiday Tree Lighting, free and open to the public
February Valentine’s Day Heart Hunt at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve
Spring break The Piece of the Puzzle hunt at Claude Moore Park

Markets and browsing

EatLoco’s Ashbrook Market (Saturdays) and Brambleton Market (Sundays), both 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. year-round, cost nothing to browse; see farmers markets. One Loudoun’s plaza and stores are open to walk around from early morning.

What this means for you

Check our things to do this month page each week for the free events on the calendar, and keep a blanket in the car from spring to fall for movie nights and concerts. Related: kids’ activities, walking and biking trails and One Loudoun.

Frequently asked questions

What can I do for free in Ashburn this weekend?

Walk or ride the W&OD Trail, hike the Potomac riverside trails at Bles Park or Bazil Newman Riverfront Park, take small children to a library story time or a county park playground, or browse the Ashbrook and Brambleton farmers markets. Our things to do this month page lists the week’s free events.

Are Loudoun County parks free?

Yes. County parks in and around Ashburn charge no admission and have free parking; most are open dawn to dusk. Hanson Regional Park in Aldie says it is completely free to visit, including its nature center and dog parks.

Are there free outdoor movies near Ashburn?

Yes. Loudoun County’s Movie Nights in the Park are free, with free popcorn, candy and water while supplies last; bring blankets or lawn chairs. The fall 2026 showing at Hanson Regional Park is 7:15 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24.

Are the Christmas lights in Loudoun County parks free?

Yes. The county’s Starry Nights and Winter Lights displays at Claude Moore Park and Hanson Regional Park are free, 5 to 8 p.m. nightly from Dec. 5, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027.