Celebrate and care for Mother Nature by attending one of these 12 Earth Day events and learning more about sustainable living.
Slated for Wednesday, April 22, Earth Day serves as an opportunity for communities to come together to raise awareness about the importance of the environment and engage in sustainability efforts. The day traces its roots back to 1970 when a national “teach-in” was held to galvanize widespread support for protecting the environment.
This year, Earth Day is being celebrated in all corners of the commonwealth. Here are 12 events, ranging from festivals to clean-up efforts, that are worth attending.
Northern Virginia
Earth Day Loudoun
Date: Saturday, April 25
Location: 42071 Nature Overlook Dr., Aldie, VA 20105
From 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Hanson Park will serve as the backdrop for Earth Day Loudoun, a free, family-friendly festival.
Participants will get to meet local scientists, farmers, and activists who engage in environmental preservation efforts. There will also be games, music, live ambassador animals, educational performances, and food.
The event is hosted by Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Community Services.
Langston Boulevard Earth Day Every Day Festival
Date: Sunday, April 26
Location: 4500 Cherry Hill Rd., Arlington, VA 22207
This year marks the fifth annual Langston Boulevard Earth Day Every Day Festival. The family-friendly event promises to have something for everyone, including live music, art vendors, and local food, like Arrowine and Cheese and Snowflakes and Company. The event runs from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
The musical lineup features Rainbow Rock Band, Mariachi Estrellas, Munit Mesfin, and The Longtimers.
Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia will be on-site to answer questions attendees might have about spring planting.
Earth Day Festival on the Rappahannock
Date: Saturday, April 18
Location: 2201 Caroline St., Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Residents of the Fredericksburg area gather to appreciate the outdoors, support environmental conservation, and learn how to protect the planet during the Earth Day Festival on the Rappahannock.
The family-friendly event features educational activities, musical performances, live animals, and food trucks. The festival runs from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Earth Day Fairfax
Date: Saturday, April 25
Location: 1400 Lake Fairfax Dr., Reston, VA 20190
Earth Day Fairfax bills itself as being the largest Earth Day celebration in Fairfax County. This will be the first year the event has been held at Lake Fairfax Park.
The day will include entertainment, activities, food vendors, touch-a-truck, and prizes.
The celebration runs from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Parking is $10 per vehicle.
Hampton Roads
Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Earth Week 2026
Dates: Saturday, April 18 & Saturday, April 25
Location: Virginia Beach
The Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Earth Week 2026 is a week-long celebration meant to raise awareness about environmental issues. The two major events take place on April 18 and 25.
The Earth Week Clean Up at Williams Farm Park from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, will bring together community members to remove trash from the park and surrounding areas to ensure the local ecosystem’s health. Registration is encouraged.
Mount Trashmore will host the annual Recycle Zone on Saturday, April 25, where residents can safely dispose of unwanted items to help keep the community clean. From 9 a.m.-1 p.m., items like electronics, car batteries, paints, and pesticides can be disposed of.
Old Dominion University Earth Day 2026
Date: Saturday, April 25
Location: 4600 Elkhorn Ave., Norfolk, VA 23508
The Old Dominion University Earth Day 2026 event will focus on the theme “Planet vs. Plastics,” emphasizing the need to reduce plastic pollution to protect the planet.
Participants will get to experience interactive activities, view planetarium shows, hear from local experts, and play in the Kids Zone, where the 55-foot inflatable whale, Humphrey, can be found.
The event, which is open to the public, runs from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Oceanography/Physics Building.
Central Virginia
Pocahontas State Park Earth Week Projects
Date: Wednesday, April 22
Location: 10301 State Park Rd., Chesterfield, VA 23832
Pocahontas State Park is holding a range of Earth Week Projects happening on Earth Day from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Park staff will work with volunteers on projects to improve the park’s natural resources. Such projects will include trail work, litter clean-up, habitat improvement, and planting.
Those of all skill levels are welcome to participate. Volunteers are encouraged to wear closed-toe shoes.
Earth Day Celebration at Trimbrook Library
Date: Saturday, April 18
Location: 18891 Leesville Rd., Lynchburg, VA 24501
Trimbrook Library is hosting a free outdoor Earth Day Celebration from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
The event will feature activities, music, an Enchanted Trail, yard games, a food truck, tie-dye crafts, and planet-friendly vendors.
Science Museum of Virginia Earth Day
Date: Saturday, April 18
Location: 2500 West Broad St., Richmond, 23220
The Science Museum of Virginia is hosting an Earth Day event at the Dewey Gottwald Center from 12-5 p.m. The family-friendly event promises plenty of activities designed to explore sustainability, natural resources, and environmental science. The programming, which is being offered in conjunction with over 30 community partners, will touch on such topics as watersheds, forestry, native plants, conservation efforts, recycling, bike infrastructure, floodplains, and birds.
Make sure you go on a guided tour of “The Green” exhibit with one of the museum’s staff horticulturalists. The Dome will be used for Earth Day-related screenings throughout the day, including “Into America’s Wild” at 10:30 a.m., a live astronomy show at 12 p.m., “Wings Over Water” at 1:30 p.m., and “Birth of Planet Earth” at 3 p.m.
Admission costs $10.
Shenandoah Valley
Renew Rocktown Earth Day 2026
Date: Friday, April 24
Location: 76 W Gay St., Harrisonburg, VA 22802
Renew Rocktown Earth Day 2026 brings together more than 100 local environmental champions dedicated to improving the Shenandoah Valley’s ecosystem.
This marks the second year the Earth Day luncheon has been held at the Loft. The day will include a networking coffee hour, luncheon and presentation of the Cathy Strickler Award, and a community panel focused on strengthening the local ecosystem. The award is given to those who have demonstrated a commitment to environmental sustainability and social equity in the community.
The event is free but requires registration in advance.
Southwest Virginia
Wilderness Road State Park Earth Day
Date: Saturday, April 25
Location: 8051 Wilderness Rd., Ewing, VA 24248
Wilderness Road State Park is celebrating Earth Day from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. by inviting the public to create a personalized microenvironment. Sand landscapes will be created into tiny worlds that can be placed in the palm of one’s hand. The idea is that the microenvironments serve as a reminder of the need to care for the planet.
The event is free.
Roanoke Earth Day Celebration 2026
Date: Saturday, April 18
Location: 2014 Memorial Ave. SW, Roanoke, VA 24015
Clean Valley Council decided to hold the Roanoke Earth Day Celebration 2026 following last year’s success. The 2026 celebration will focus on the “Choose the Planet Over Plastic” theme, which is meant to highlight how everyday choices can help reduce plastic waste that harms the environment.
Running from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in Grandin Village, the free celebration is meant to unite the community around the plant through education, connection, and local action. The celebration will include live music, family-friendly activities, interactive exhibits, and local vendors.
Sustainability tips
If you’re unable to attend an event, consider doing your part by living sustainably.
Minimize waste
Help reduce pollution by minimizing the amount of waste you produce. UNICEF encourages reducing non-biodegradable waste, such as plastic bags, water bottles, and straws. Instead, go for reusable alternatives.
Reduce atmospheric emissions
Reduce your carbon emissions by carpooling or taking public transportation when possible. If you’re in the Roanoke Valley, ride on a Valley Metro bus. Shopping locally instead of ordering items that need to be shipped can also help reduce emissions.
Conserve energy and water usage
Help conserve energy and water usage by turning off lights when you exit a room and taking shorter showers. These small actions can add up over time.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
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