Editor’s Note: This post will be updated as information is collected. Most recent update: March 11 at 4 p.m.
Due to the recent rise of COVID-19 (coronavirus) cases in the DMV, we are informing readers about event cancellations across the region. If you are looking for national updates, local school coverage and more, please visit our dedicated coronavirus coverage here.
This page will be frequently updated as information is collected. If there is an upcoming event set to be postponed, rescheduled or canceled that has not appeared on this list, please reach out to us at editorial@northernvirginiamag.com.
Arlington
Closed: Arlington Parks & Recreation
As of Friday, March 13, all public events by Arlington Parks & Recreation are canceled. This includes childcare, senior centers and more.
Canceled: Quarterfest 2020
The annual Ballston celebration of live music, restaurant food samples and daytime drinks has been canceled for 2020. According to the event’s website “As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic becomes a growing concern, the health and well-being of our community is the top priority of the Ballston BID and Ballston Gives. It is for this most important reason that we have made the difficult decision to cancel Quarterfet this year.” The original event was planned for Saturday, May 16.
Postponed: Virginia Harp Center Festival
As much as the calming melodies and harmonies are what is needed right now, the Virginia Harp Center Festival has decided to postpone the gathering of international musicians to a later date, due to the coronavirus. “Please know that we are diligently working on arranging new dates and figuring out a revised refund policy,” read the statement from the event’s website. The event was originally scheduled for March 20-22 at the Hilton Arlington.
Canceled: Four Courts Four Miler
“In alignment with government officials, as well as our desire to create a safe environment for our runners, volunteers, staff, city services, and community, we are cancelling the 2020 St. Pats Run Fest and moving participants to the 2021 event. This includes all events (Saturday’s Four Courts Four Miler and Sunday’s 10K + 5K),” read the March 12 announcement. The event was scheduled for March 14-15.
Canceled: Rosslyn BID Arts & Beats Series
“Out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to cancel the Rosslyn Arts & Beats series this March and April. We are hoping to run these events later this year and will be evaluating future events on a case-by-case basis. You can find the latest updates on events and more on Rosslyn BID’s website and social media,” per the organization’s website.
Canceled: Life in Arlington in the 1920s
“Due to circumstances beyond our control, [Arlington Historical Society] has canceled this event. We plan to reschedule it later this year,” read the press announcement. The event was scheduled for Thursday, March 12 at 7 p.m. at the Reinsch Library Auditorium at Marymount University.
Canceled: NoVA TEEN Book Festival
“Our priority, as a festival, has been to create a transformative, positive and safe environment for all of our participants. With the recent spread of COVID-19 to the Northern Virginia, Maryland and DC Metro areas, we are unable to ensure that all of our authors, volunteers, exhibitors, staff and attendees will be safe at the festival this weekend … Canceling the festival is going to have a significant impact on all of our amazing authors. Conventions and festivals are a crucial part of an author’s chance to meet new readers and build new fans for their incredible stories … please buy their books! One More Page Books welcomes your orders, and the NoVa TEEN book festival ordering pages will stay up to help you to discover new authors and explore their fantastic books. One More Page will be giving away free ARCs and swag with NoVa TEEN orders as long as supplies last!” read the announcement. This event was scheduled for Saturday, March 14.
Canceled: The League of American Bicyclists 2020 National Bike Summit
“We have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 National Bike Summit. We are grateful to everyone who dedicated time and efforts into planning an amazing event. We hope to be able to capture that energy and continue forward. For those who had registered, please look for an email with further instructions …. We are investigating the best, most effective way to take our Summit content online, including our Lobby Day. Please continue to be engaged with the League’s email communications in the coming days to learn more,” read a recent press release. This event was scheduled to be held March 15 to 17.
Alexandria
Canceled: The Little Theatre of Alexandria
The spring showing of Moonlight and Magnolias has been canceled by the local theater through March 21. Attendees with tickets can offer to donate the ticket value for a tax-deductible donation, or transfer them to an upcoming showing of Blue Stockings, opening April 25th. Also, all adult and youth classes, as well as educational workshops, have been canceled for the time being.
Closed: George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Just as cherry blossom season is ready to burst across the region, Mount Vernon is yet another location closing its doors until March 31. “Given the local, national and worldwide efforts to mitigate the spread and impact of the coronavirus, the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association will close George Washington’s Mount Vernon to visitors beginning March 14 through March 31,” read a statement released on Friday, March 13.
Postponed: Del Ray Artisans
Browsing through a quiet art exhibit might just be what you need right now, and Del Ray Artisans is keeping its doors open amidst the COVID-19 local adjustments of gathering spaces. Hours are Friday and Saturday, noon to 9 p.m., and Thursday and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. The 19th Amendment members and students’ exhibit (originally scheduled for April) has been postponed until November 2020, and The Tell Me a Story exhibit has been extended to April 26, 2020.
Fauquier
The 95th Virginia Gold Cup
Originally scheduled for May 2, 2020, the 95th running of the Virginia Gold Cup races has been postponed to June 20. All pre-purchased tickets for the original date will be honored in June.
Manassas
Greater Manassas St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The annual celebration of live music, entertainment and lots of green, has been canceled as of Friday, March 13. “This move was made of caution for the health and safety of those who would attend and the participants. With a state of emergency declared in Virginia, concerns about the coronavirus outbreak are foremost in our mind. Have a Happy St. Patrick’s Day,” read the announcement on the website.
Manassas Ballet Theatre
The upcoming performances of “Les Sylphides and More” have been canceled by the company, who is hoping to bring the performance to local audiences in the future. “Due to the governor of Virginia recommending that all large gatherings be suspended to limit community transmission of COVID-19, Manassas Ballet Theatre’s performance of ‘Les Sylphides and More’ is postponed. We are saddened to bring you this news, but the health and safety of everyone is our top priority,” read the statement, released Thursday, March 12.
Other counties have yet to report event cancellations. Our coverage area includes Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Fauquier County, Fredericksburg, Loudoun County, Manassas and Manassas Park, Prince William County, Rappahannock County and Stafford County. Please check back for continuing updates throughout the region.
The Show Must (Not) Go On
Local concert and entertainment venues have announced coronavirus precautions. Venues have been reached out to for comment or updates, and will be posted here as received.
Washington Nationals
The World Series Champions will have to wait to make their season debut for 2020, as the MLB has decided to cancel the remainder of spring training and delay the start of the season.
In a statement released on March 12, the organization wrote “Following a call with the 30 clubs, and after consultation with the Major League Baseball Players Association, Commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr. today announced that MLB has decided to suspend Spring Training games and to delay the start of the 2020 regular season by at least two weeks due to the national emergency created by the coronavirus pandemic. This action is being taken in the interests of the safety and well-being of our players, clubs and our millions of loyal fans.” The first game of the season was set for March 26, with the Washington Nationals facing off against the New York Mets.
Monumental Sports & Entertainment
Updated: The NBA (National Basketball Association) has canceled the remainder of the season until further notice, and the NHL has followed suit as of March 12. The parent company of the Washington Wizards, Washington Capitals and Washington Mystics had originally issued a statement on Wednesday, March 11, that the company would not be canceling or postponing any upcoming scheduled games.
“As a franchise of the league, the Washington Wizards will not be playing games until the NBA determines next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic,” the company said in a statement, released on March 12.
To echo, the NHL released a statement on Thursday that read “Following last night’s news that an NBA player has tested positive for coronavirus—and given that our leagues share so many facilities and locker rooms and it now seems likely that some member of the NHL community would test positive at some point—it is no longer appropriate to try to continue to play games at this time.”
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
As of Friday, March 13, all Kennedy Center performances have been canceled through March 31. “The Kennedy Center’s highest priority is the health and well-being of all our patrons, artists, volunteers, and staff,” the recent statement read. The organization plans to reassess upcoming performances beyond March 31 on a case-by-case basis.
George Mason University’s Center for the Arts and Hylton Performing Arts Center
As of Friday, March 13, all events held at both locations are canceled through May 1. This includes the Mason Dance Company Fête, GAMEmason, the Hylton Center 10th Anniversary Gala and the Center for the Arts 30th Anniversary Open House. “Additional updates regarding future events will be announced as needed. Some performances and events may be rescheduled at a later date, if possible,” read the statement.
9:30 Club, The Anthem, Merriweather Post Pavilion, Lincoln Theatre, 9:30 presents at U Street Music Hall
Updated: On Wednesday, March 11, parent company I.M.P. Concerts released a statement retracting their original plan of remaining open for upcoming scheduled performances. “After tonight, to be cautious, we are postponing all I.M.P. events scheduled at the 9:30 Club, Lincoln Theatre and The Anthem, as well as shows 9:30 Club Presents at U Street Music Hall, regardless of the size of the gathering. Shows will begin again April 1.” Patrons can hold on to their tickets for the rescheduled event, or if they are unable to attend on a new date, they may request tickets to another show of similar value or get a refund.
Union Stage, Jammin Java and Miracle Theatre
According to a statement on Wednesday, March 11, the Union Stage Team plans to continue hosting shows on a case-by-case basis. Most shows are scheduled to go on as planned, but fans should stay tuned for potential postponements via email, social media and venue websites. “If you feel that you should not attend an event due to illness, please email us directly at luke@unionstage.com and we will facilitate an exchange for a future show.”
Signature Theatre
All performances and events at Signature Theatre will be canceled until March 30, including the sold-out performance of Easy Women Smoking Loose Cigarettes. According to the announcement, “We are working on a way to allow you to experience this sold out show in an innovative way. We are recording and editing a high-quality video of the production and working closely with our unions to be able to deliver this stellar production to patrons whose performances are cancelled. We expect to have more details soon.” You can read our interview with the playwright, Dani Stoller, here.
Wolf Trap
Updated: Effective Thursday, March 19, Wolf Trap will postpone all performances through May 3, 2020. After an announcement last week, Wolf Trap had canceled all events through March 31. This includes performances for Aoife O’Donovan, John Lloyd Young’s Broadway!, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and others. All tickets will be honored for rescheduled performances. “s part of the arts community, our natural instinct is to celebrate the arts by bringing people together. With the extraordinary events of the recent past, it has become clear that this time our role is a little different,” the organization said in its public statement.
Washington, DC
On Wednesday, March 11, the District of Columbia’s Department of Health released a DC Health Advisory and recommended “that nonessential mass gatherings, including conferences and conventions, be postponed or canceled.” Mass gathering are defined as events where 1,000 or more people are congregating in a specific location. The recommendation is in effect until Tuesday, March 31.
Closed: Smithsonian
As of March 13, all Smithsonian institutions and the National Zoo will be closed indefinitely.
Postponed: National Cherry Blossom Festival Events
Based on the District of Columbia’s Department of Health recommendations, the festival is postponing and canceling some events through March 31. Click here to read full details.
Canceled: The Smithsonian announced on Thursday, March 12, that all public events through May 3 would be postponed or canceled. As of the announcement, the museums will remain open during their regularly scheduled hours.
Canceled: Events DC
Five attendees of the recent AIPAC have now contracted COVID-19, and Events DC has decided to cancel all events at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center from March 13 to 31.
“Last night, Events DC received additional information regarding the recent AIPAC conference that was held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Specifically, we learned that two more individuals that attended the conference from Ohio and Toronto respectively, have tested positive for COVID-19. Coupled with the cases from New York (two individuals) and Los Angeles (one individual), this brings the total reported number of AIPAC conference attendees that have tested positive for COVID-19 to five. Out of an abundance of caution to its staff, their families and customers, Events DC will suspend operations and services at the end of business on March 11 until March 31. Events DC will continue to prioritize the health and safety of its staff, customers, partners and all related stakeholders. While the Department of Health has characterized the risk for community spread from the AIPAC conference as low, Events DC will remain proactive and vigilant to address this issue,” said the Events DC team.
Postponed (TBA): 2020 St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Originally planned for Sunday, March 15, the parade committee announced the postponement of the 2020 parade, to a date that is yet to be determined. “This decision was not made lightly and was done out of caution to ensure the safety and health of the thousands of attendees from the Washington area that attend the parade every year.” Attendees and supporters can stay up to date through the organization’s Facebook page.
Canceled: Environmental Film Festival
Originally planned for March 12 to 22, the Environmental Film Festival has been canceled in its entirety for 2020. “We did not come to this decision lightly, but as the safety of our audience, local and out-of-town participants, volunteers, partners and staff is our highest priority, we have determined that this was the only viable course of action to take. We will be launching a ‘virtual’ festival next week, which will allow for select 2020 films to be viewed online. We will also host a smaller version of the festival in the fall, which will feature the 2020 award winners, among others. Other festival screenings will also be planned for later in the year. If you purchased tickets for any of our paid events, please seek a refund at your point-of-sale,” read a recent release.
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