The Merriweather District at Color Burst Park officially kicked off its Movie Nights in the Park series on September 18, 2026! Presented in partnership with Howard Hughes and VVS Events, the evening brought community members together for an interactive, family-friendly night under the stars. Highlights from the Evening Featured Screening: The series launched with a showing of Super Mario Galaxy (2026). Trivia & Games: Fans put their Mushroom Kingdom knowledge to the test with

The King Street Station Farmers Market is back in full swing at the plaza! Presented by the King Street Station Owners Association and CARR, the market offers nearby employees, commuters, and neighbors a mid-week local break. The market runs every Wednesday afternoon from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM (through October 28, 2026) at 1800 Diagonal Road right on the Plaza surrounding the fountain. Whether you are stopping by after work or taking a quick break from your desk, here is a previ

A successful farmers market is about more than fresh produce and local goods. It creates a reason for people to return, discover something new, support local businesses, and connect with their community. This season, Merriweather Row Farmers Market transformed Thursdays at Merriweather Row into a recurring community gathering, bringing fresh food, local makers, live music, and neighborhood energy to the heart of Columbia, Maryland. Presented by Howard Hughes and produced by V

What happens when you combine hands-on learning, community partnerships, creative activities, and a little summer fun? You get Good Kidizens. Presented by Howard Hughes and produced by VVS Events + Marketing, the Good Kidizens series brought families together at Color Burst Park in the Merriweather District for six themed Saturday mornings throughout the summer. Designed for children ages 2 to 8, the series created opportunities for kids to learn, explore, create, and connect

Thursday evenings come alive at Color Burst Park with AMPED in the Park, a summer concert series celebrating music, art, and community in partnership with the Merriweather Arts & Culture Center. Presented by Howard Hughes and produced by VVS Events + Marketing, this recurring evening event pairs live performances with hands-on activities, food and drink, and a genuinely festive atmosphere. What to Expect on the Turf Held from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM on select Thursdays from June t

The Back to School Supply Hunt at Festival at Riva drew an estimated 244 attendees on August 21, 2026, pairing complimentary backpacks with an interactive supply scavenger hunt across 10 participating merchants. The event also featured a Popsicle Social, Community Book Swap, and Lunchbox Decoration Station, driving foot traffic to center retailers while supporting local families ahead of the new school year. Back-to-school season is equal parts exciting and exhausting for fam

Events & Marketing partnered with Fair Lakes League and Peterson to launch Movie Nights, a free, family-friendly outdoor movie series in Fairfax, VA. The June 13 kickoff featured a 32-foot inflatable screen, fresh popcorn, candy concessions, pre-movie games, and a screening of Zootopia 2—setting the stage for two more community screenings this summer. Community activations don't need to be complicated to leave a lasting impression. Sometimes all it takes is a big screen, a ba

VVS Events & Marketing partnered with Olney Village Center and First Washington Realty to host National Night Out, a free community celebration honoring local first responders. Guests enjoyed giant yard games, inflatable games, a custom keychain station, a spin-to-win prize wheel, and live music from a DJ. National Night Out is a nationwide tradition built around one simple idea: strengthen the bond between neighbors and the first responders who protect them. At Olney Village

PlayPalooza returned to Springfield Plaza on August 29, 2026, bringing bounce houses, foam parties, a rock climbing wall, face painting, a Touch-A-Truck experience, and a Children's Business Fair to the community. Presented by Rappaport, the free festival gave families a full afternoon of hands-on entertainment while giving local vendors, sponsors, and young entrepreneurs a chance to shine. Springfield Plaza turned into a playground for families of all ages this past weekend,

What does a truly great community event look like? It looks like hundreds of families showing up ready to play. It sounds like kids screaming down a 40-foot obstacle course. It feels like foam, laughter, face paint, and a whole lot of love—all in one afternoon. That's exactly what went down at PlayPalooza Potomac Festival, and we're still riding the high. Brought to you by Rappaport and produced by the VVS Events & Marketing team, PlayPalooza returned to the parking lot of Po

The parking lot near the pond at Festival at Bel Air looked nothing like a parking lot on June 20, 2026. Rock climbing walls, a gaming truck, carnival games, face painters, and a surprise visit from Bluey transformed the space into something closer to a neighborhood celebration than a shopping center event. That was PlayPalooza—and it delivered on every front. From the energy in the air to the smiles on kids' faces, this inaugural event set a new benchmark for what community-

PlayPalooza Central Park was a highly successful community festival held at Fred Nats Stadium on May 30, 2026, in partnership with Rappaport. VVS Events & Marketing executed this turnkey activation to drive foot traffic for Central Park retailers, utilizing family-friendly attractions, a Children’s Business Fair, and a strategic gift-with-purchase program to generate measurable ROI. When marketing decision-makers at commercial real estate companies look for ways to boost tena

The 2026 Books in Bloom festival at Merriweather District successfully engaged thousands of attendees through immersive literature activations, seamlessly managed by VVS Events & Marketing. By integrating local authors, tenant partnerships, and interactive creator labs, this turnkey event solution significantly boosted property foot traffic and strengthened community ties. Creating a memorable community experience requires more than just booking a venue and setting up a few t

Halloween isn't just about the candy—it's about the community coming together. Last October 25, 2025, the Festival at Bel Air shopping center transformed into the ultimate spooky destination for local families. We wanted to create an environment where the community could connect, merchants could engage with new customers, and kids could have a safe, high-energy place to celebrate. With perfect weather setting the scene at 69 degrees, the event brought in over 600 enthusiastic

The fire pits have cooled and the holiday season has officially wrapped. But the warmth from the "Dashes of Delight" events at Fairfax Corner is still lingering. We recently concluded a spectacular two-day activation series on December 6th and 13th. Despite the crisp winter chill, the community showed up in full force to celebrate the season. From nostalgic s'mores roasting to high-energy retail incentives, this event series was a masterclass in how to blend community engagem

There is something undeniably special about the start of the holiday season. It’s that specific feeling in the air—a mix of crisp weather, anticipation, and the shared energy of a community coming together. On November 21, 2025, we had the privilege of capturing that exact magic at the Merriweather District Holiday Tree Lighting in Columbia, MD. The goal wasn’t just to light a tree; it was to ignite the holiday spirit for the entire community. And the results spoke for themse

Get ready to kick off the holiday season with a festive experience like no other! VVS Events & Marketing, in partnership with Peterson, is thrilled to bring back the fan-favorite Shop, Spin, Win event at RIO Lakefront. Mark your calendars for three Saturdays of holiday fun: November 29, December 6, and December 13, from 12 PM to 3 PM . If you're looking for the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit, you've found it. Join us at the Fire Lounge near Uncle Julio's for an a

What happens when you mix a chilly October night, thousands of costumes, and a whole lot of community spirit? You get the Merriweather Monster Mash! On Friday, October 24th, we helped our partners at Howard Hughes transform Color Burst Park into a high-energy Halloween destination that drew an incredible crowd of over 5,000 people in just two hours. The energy was electric. From the moment guests arrived, they were greeted with music, laughter, and the unmistakable buzz of a

The best community events create lasting memories, and the recent Trick-or-Treat at Bull Run Plaza did just that. VVS Events had the pleasure of partnering with Rappaport to bring a festive, family-friendly Halloween celebration to life, transforming the shopping center into a hub of spooktacular fun. The result? A seamlessly executed event that delighted families, drove significant foot traffic, and showcased the vibrant community spirit of Bull Run Plaza. On a perfect autum

Armory Square is ready to welcome you home. On Saturday, November 22, 2025, from 12:00–2:00 PM, MCB Real Estate and the VVS Events team are celebrating the delivery of this completed center to the community with a premium, turnkey grand opening experience designed for all ages. Think: a check-in that feels like a concierge, activities curated to spark joy, and meaningful moments that bring neighbors, merchants, and local leaders together in one festive afternoon. Nestled at 4