Free in Manassas: the 5,100-acre battlefield park, the Manassas Museum, the depot's railroad gallery, Civil War forts, summer concerts and free festivals.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. Sources: the National Park Service, the City of Manassas Manassas Museum, parks and community center pages, and Historic Manassas Inc. Free means the organizer says free.

Some of the best things in Manassas cost nothing. The battlefield where the first and second Battles of Manassas were fought is a free national park with more than 40 miles of trails. The city’s museum is free, the train depot has a free railroad heritage gallery, and downtown hosts free festivals most months. Questions about city programs: Parks, Culture and Recreation, 703-368-1873.

What this means for you

  • Free every day: the battlefield (dawn to dusk) and the city parks.
  • Free six days a week: the Manassas Museum, closed Mondays outside summer.
  • Free this fall: Haunted Happenings Oct. 24, Fall-O-Ween Oct. 31, Santa Lights Dec. 4.

History, free

  • Manassas National Battlefield Park: nearly 5,100 acres, more than 40 miles of trails and the Henry Hill Visitor Center (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). No entrance fee, according to the Park Service. Phone 703-361-1339.
  • Manassas Museum, 9101 Prince William St.: free; open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, and Mondays in summer and on federal holidays. Free gallery talks and the monthly Innovation Cafe science talks.
  • Historic Manassas Visitor Center and the James and Marion Payne Railroad Heritage Gallery, in the 1914 depot, 9431 West St.: open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Mayfield Fort, 8401 Quarry Road, and Cannon Branch Fort, 10611 Gateway Blvd.: Civil War earthworks with walking paths.
  • Jennie Dean Memorial and Manassas Industrial School site, 9601 Wellington Road: interpretive signs, a walking trail and the Jennie Dean statue.
  • Annaburg, 9201 Maple St.: free summer open houses in 2026.

Parks and play

  • Lucky’s Dog Park, 9501 Dean Park Lane: separate areas for big and small dogs.
  • Manassas Skatepark, 9516 Dean Park Lane.
  • Playgrounds at Winterset, Byrd, Oakenshaw, Stonewall, Kinsley Mill, Cavalry Run, Baldwin and Walter Delisle parks. See our kids’ activities guide.
  • Liberia House and Grounds, 8601 Portner Ave.: nature trails and a bee apiary.

Free classes and drop-ins

At the City of Manassas Community Center, 8750 Sudley Road, the city lists no-sign-up programs including:

  • Toddler Drop-In, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
  • Higher Level Basketball, ages 8 to 13, Tuesday and Thursday, 5 to 8 p.m.
  • Gentle Yoga, Tuesday, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.; Zumba, Monday and Thursday, 5:15 to 6 p.m.
  • Senior Seated Stretching and Balance, Agility and Stretch Yoga for ages 55 and older.
  • Run Club, Thursdays at 7 p.m. on the Marsteller Park track, 8780 Sudley Road.

Free music and festivals

  • Harris Pavilion summer concerts, 9201 Center St.: Acoustic Tuesdays and other free shows, May to September.
  • Historic Manassas Farmers Market: free to browse, Thursdays and Saturdays.
  • Downtown festivals: HMI’s Railway Festival in June is free to attend (train rides cost extra), as are Haunted Happenings, Santa Lights Manassas and the Christmas parade.

Coming up (2026)

Date Free event Where
Sat. Oct. 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Haunted Happenings Historic Downtown
Sat. Oct. 31, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fall-O-Ween Manassas Museum lawn
Sat. Nov. 7, 6 to 8 p.m. Opening reception, “3rd Culture: Unseen Threads” ARTfactory, 9419 Battle St.
Sat. Nov. 14, noon to 5 p.m. Meet the Artist: Print, Create and Connect ARTfactory
Fri. Dec. 4, from 5:30 p.m. Santa Lights Manassas Train depot and museum lawn
Sat. Dec. 5, 10 a.m. Greater Manassas Christmas Parade Downtown

More: Halloween events, Christmas parade and tree lighting and things to do this month.

Free at the library

The Manassas City Library, 10104 Dumfries Road, runs free story times, clubs and seasonal events listed in the city’s monthly City Connection.

Related: walking and biking trails, dog-friendly Manassas and parks and trails.

Frequently asked questions

Is Manassas National Battlefield Park free?

Yes. There is no entrance fee. The grounds are open dawn to dusk and the Henry Hill Visitor Center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Is the Manassas Museum free?

Yes. Admission to the Manassas Museum, 9101 Prince William St., is free. It is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

What free events are coming up in Manassas?

Haunted Happenings downtown on Oct. 24, Fall-O-Ween on Oct. 31, an ARTfactory exhibit opening on Nov. 7, Santa Lights Manassas on Dec. 4 and the Christmas parade on Dec. 5, 2026.