Outdoor Movies, Viva Vienna, Fireworks: Vienna's Summer Event Season

VIENNA, VA — When the weather is warm, there's no better place in Vienna to visit than the Town Green, where many of the town's outdoor summer events are hosted. The summer event season will kick off with Big Screen on the Green on Friday.

Big Screen on the Green will start earlier this year due to the Viva! Vienna! festival over Memorial Day weekend. On Friday, May 17, the town will host a special screening of "Back to the Future" under the stars on the Town Green.

Big Screen on the Green will is free to attend and includes visits with the Vienna Police and Vienna Volunteer Fire Departments, free activities for kids, food trucks, and complimentary water and popcorn while supplies last. Activities begin at 6:30 p.m., and the movie starts at 8:30 p.m. In the case of inclement weather, the movie will be moved indoors to the Vienna Community Center (120 Cherry St. S). Weather decisions will be made by 5 p.m. on Friday on the town's website and social media pages.

Other dates for Big Screen on the Green will be Sept. 13 at 6:30 p.m. on the Town Green and Dec. 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the Vienna Community Center.

The weekend after Big Screen on the Green, streets in downtown Vienna will close for the annual Viva! Vienna! festival Saturday, May 25 through Monday, May 27. This Memorial Day weekend event includes rides, food, entertainment and more. The Rotary Club of Vienna has hosted the event for more than 40 years and uses proceeds to benefit dozens of local organizations.

The town's other big summer event is Vienna's Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks on Tuesday, July 2 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Yeonas Park, 1319 Ross Drive, SW. Residents can enjoy live music, children's entertainment and food trucks before fireworks starting at 9:30 p.m.

Another returning favorite is the Summer on the Green concerts held on the Town Green. Concerts are planned select Fridays starting at 6:30 p.m. Musicians representing a variety of genres typically participate. Some of these concerts coincide with Chillin' on Church, a block party on the third Fridays in June, July, August and September.

Here is the Summer on the Green concerts schedule:

• June 7: US Navy Band “The Commadores” - Jazz
• June 12: Vienna Moms Inc. Presents Rocknoceros – Kids music
• June 14: Sarah Swanner Band – Country and folk
• June 21: Chillin' on Church
• June 28: US Army Band “Swamp Romp”- Blues
• July 19: Chillin' on Church
• July 26: The Ashcats- Rock
• July 28: Vienna Community Band and The Fairfax Jubil-Aires – Concert band and acapella
• Aug. 2: Fat Chance - Rock
• Aug. 9: Steve Leads + Off the grid band - Rock
• Aug. 16: Chillin' on Church
• Aug. 23: Sweet Yonder– Country and Bluegrass
• Sept. 20: Chillin' on Church

For younger audiences, Kids on the Green will return Tuesdays in June, July and August at 10 a.m. on the Freeman Store patio. The children's programs feature storytellers, musicians, magicians and more.

Here is the schedule for Kids on the Green:

• June 4: Mr. Jon and Friends – Kids Music
• June 11: The Grandsons Jr. - Kids Music
• June 18: Groovy Nate- Kids music
• June 25: Mark H Rooney – Taiko: Japanese Drumming
• July 9: Kofi Dennis - African Dance, Drums and Storytelling
• July 16: Adventures in Fun – Live Reptile Show
• July 23: Tony M. Music- Kids Music
• July 30: Mr. Lilo - Kids Music
• Aug. 6: Drew Blew Shoes - Magic
• Aug. 13: Prakriti Dance – Indian Dance and Storytelling
• Aug. 20: Marsha and the Positrons – Kids Music
• Aug. 27: Beech Tree Puppets

Residents can expect special events for Liberty Amendments Month, which the town will observe for a fourth year. Liberty Amendments Month, which celebrates Constitutional amendments extending rights to new groups of people, will be held from June 15 to July 15. The town will announce a schedule of events at a later time.

Be sure to check the Vienna Patch calendar for other events and sign up for a Patch account to post your own calendar events.