Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts

Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts is a national park unit in Fairfax County, Virginia, that uniquely combines performing arts venues with parkland. The site was created in the 1960s after Catherine Filene Shouse donated land for cultural and public use and the principal outdoor stage opened in 1971.

Programming includes classical, pop, folk, and contemporary performances across indoor and outdoor venues, with a summer season anchored by the outdoor pavilion and lawn. The park hosts both large headline concerts and smaller community and educational events throughout the year.

The park sits near the town of Vienna in suburban Fairfax County, about 14 miles (roughly 22 kilometres) west of downtown Washington, D.C., and is accessible by road from the Capital Beltway and nearby Metro stations.

• Origins and status: The site is the National Park Service unit dedicated to the performing arts, created after philanthropist Catherine Filene Shouse donated land in the 1960s; the main outdoor venue opened in 1971.
• Ticketing tip: Popular summer performances sell out early; advance tickets are recommended for Filene Center events and major festivals.

What to See #

• Filene Center: An outdoor pavilion with a covered stage and fixed seating backed by a large lawn area that accommodates additional audience members for summer concerts and festivals.
• The Barns: An indoor complex of restored barns converted into performance venues that host chamber music, dance, and smaller concerts year-round.
• Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods: A shaded outdoor amphitheatre designed for family programming and daytime performances, commonly used for children's concerts and workshops during the summer season.