Join us for a free, all-day community festival
Update: LibraryFest will proceed rain, shine or smog! Some events may be moved indoors following a morning evaluation, and the schedule below will be updated.
Saturday, July 18, from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Arlington Public Library hosts an all-ages celebration at Central Library to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Experience multiple back-to-back musical and spoken word performances, a large LEGO sculpture of the U.S. Constitution, DIY arts and crafts activities, singing storytimes about America, genealogy and digitization workshops, and cultural and historical demonstrations.
Enjoy food trucks or a picnic
Bring your own picnic to enjoy at tables near the library and Quincy Park, or visit multiple food trucks from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Children receive free popcorn while supplies last.
Travel by bike, bus or Metro
Limited garage parking is available, but the surface parking lot will be closed during LibraryFest. With our ART bus stop, Metro nearby and bike parking onsite, transit or biking is strongly recommended. Free overflow parking is available at Washington-Liberty High School.
Explore supporting programs
Celebrate early by making a 3D printed star with The Shop makerspace, exploring our related Arlington 250 programs or submitting a favorite library memory!
LibraryFest is generously funded by the Friends of the Arlington Public Library which supports all library programs, including Arlington 250 and Summer Reading.
LibraryFest Schedule
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Brass Quintet from “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band
America’s oldest professional musical organization kicks off LibraryFest with a brass performance.
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YoYo Workshop with the DMV Throwers
Learn yoyo basics, tricks and care from experienced practitioners. Loaner yoyos available for all skill levels.
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Our Community Pavilion
Connect with local efforts and groups working to build a bright future for Arlington.
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Ancestry for Beginners: Research Your Genealogy
Learn to build your family tree using Ancestry.com, DNA tools and free genealogy resources.
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Calligraphy Workshop
Learn basic calligraphy techniques and write a letter to a future Arlingtonian.
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Make A Wish for America
Write your wishes for America’s future on a paper flame to help “light” a birthday cake poster!
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Singing Storytimes about America with Emily
Enjoy a singing storytime with song-based picture books about America.
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Crafts and Tasks from the Past
Try crafts and tasks that children undertook during colonial times with The Woman’s Club of Arlington.
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The Art of Paper, Writing & Publishing
Explore calligraphy, bookbinding, ink making, paper marbling and letterpress printing through live demonstrations.
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Singing Storytimes about America with Emily
Enjoy a singing storytime with song-based picture books about America.
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Print Your Own 250 Poster
Print a custom-designed commemorative America 250 poster to take home (while supplies last).
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Words Matter: A Spoken Word Stage
Hear local poets, performers and leaders share works reflecting on America’s past, present and future.
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Level Up Your Civic Engagement With a New Tool
Learn how to get involved in your community with the Leadership Center of Arlington.
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Turn, Turn, Turn with the Capital Area Woodturners
Watch artisans transform wood into handcrafted creations and receive a free spinning top while supplies last.
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Rainbow Rock Band
Sing, dance and rock along to an interactive, family-friendly mix of folk, pop and rockabilly music.
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Digital Preservation of Family Photos
Learn best practices for scanning, organizing and preserving family photos for future generations.
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Traditional Tunes of the Dulcimer
Enjoy Appalachian folk music with all-ages singalongs and performances mixed with free dulcimer lessons for ages 12+.
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Singing Storytimes about America with Emily
Enjoy a singing storytime with song-based picture books about America.
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The Sunshine Gang
Sing, dance and jam out with a repertoire of classic rock tunes.
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Add a Square to the Library’s Semiquincentennial Community Quilt
Make your own quilt square for a digital collage using fabric markers, glue and scraps.
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Fort Washington Victorian Dance Society
Watch Victorian-era dances come to life and learn a few steps yourself—no experience required.
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Tricorn Craft & Being a Spy in George Washington’s Army
Make a tricorn hat and participate in a hands-on spy activity with a local historian.
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The History of Arlington’s Black Community
Learn about Arlington House, Freedman’s Village and historic Black neighborhoods.
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Author Talk: “Virginia in the American Revolution”
Explore Virginia’s pivotal role in the American Revolution with historian and author Charles A. Mills.
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Homemade Hornbooks & Quill Pens
Create a colonial-era hornbook and practice writing with a quill while exploring early American learning tools.
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Washington Revels Heritage Voices
Experience traditional music, hymns and Civil Rights-era favorites that tell the American story.
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Whiskey Before Breakfast
Enjoy Celtic and bluegrass tunes from a WAMMIE Award-winning instrumental band.
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All-Female Native American Dance Blend
Experience powerful Native American song and dance traditions celebrating culture, storytelling and healing.
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The Capitol Hillbillies
Close out LibraryFest with a lively mix of blues, bluegrass, jazz, gospel and other American roots music.
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