Visiting McLean Community Center: Hours, Classes, Rentals & Directions
McLean Community Center (MCC) is a Fairfax County community arts, recreation and cultural facility at 1234 Ingleside Avenue, McLean, VA 22101. It offers classes for children and adults, arts programs, live performances, camps, community events, senior activities and rooms for approved rentals.
The center is also home to the 383-seat Alden Theatre and McLean Project for the Arts galleries and studio. The Old Firehouse Center, a separate MCC-operated teen facility, is at 1440 Chain Bridge Road.
McLean, VA 22101
Main information desk; TTY 711
Weekend and holiday schedules vary
Robert Ames Alden Theatre
Information reviewed October 26, 2026. Program availability, prices, individual event hours and closures can change. This is an independent visitor guide.
McLean Community Center Hours
The official center lists the following regular operating schedule:
| Day | Operating Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 8:00 AM–11:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 8:00 AM–11:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:00 AM–11:00 PM |
| Thursday | 8:00 AM–11:00 PM |
| Friday | 8:00 AM–12:00 midnight |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM–12:00 midnight |
| Sunday | 12:00 noon–6:00 PM |
Holiday Closures
The center lists closures for New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, George Washington’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Election Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and the following Friday, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and McLean Day on the third Saturday of May.
New Year’s Eve has a posted early closing time of 5 PM. Some holidays, special events, weather conditions and public-building announcements may affect the schedule.
Check the official closure list before visiting on a holiday or for an activity that cannot be rescheduled.
What Can You Do at McLean Community Center?
Seasonal camps, art classes, dance, enrichment, creative workshops, educational activities and family events. Age requirements and registration dates vary.
Arts, educational classes, lectures, special-interest activities, workshops, community events and other rotating programs.
Seniors in Action offers activities for independent adults age 50 and older, including social, recreational and enrichment opportunities.
McLean Project for the Arts operates galleries and studio programming. Gallery admission is free, although classes and special events may require fees.
The Alden Theatre presents live music, comedy, dance, family entertainment, films, lectures and specialty shows.
Rooms, studios and halls can be reserved for approved meetings, workshops, receptions and other events.
Visitors seeking swimming or fitness recreation in Fairfax County may also find the Reston Community Center facilities and aquatics guide helpful when comparing public facilities and program locations.
How to Register for Classes and Programs
Registration is available online, by mail and in person. Online enrollment opens at 9 AM on the announced registration start date.
Open the official MCC website and select the current Program Guide or browse classes and events. Search for the activity name, age group or preferred date.
Check participant ages, prerequisites, class length, start date, supplies, location, cancellation terms and resident or nonresident price.
Click the Register option or the activity number on the MCC website. This leads to the official activity registration system.
Follow the registration portal’s prompts for household and participant information. Keep parent or guardian details available when registering a child.
Choose the activity and participant, confirm eligibility, verify the applicable price and review any listed forms or waivers.
Use the payment options provided by the registration system. Save the transaction confirmation and check the class location before attending.
Register by Mail or in Person
For mail registration, use the registration form provided in the current program guide and send it with the permitted payment information to:
Registrar, McLean Community Center
1234 Ingleside Avenue
McLean, VA 22101
For in-person registration, visit during the center’s published registration service hours. Call 703-744-9365 for registration-related questions.
McLean Community Center Tax District: Do You Qualify for Resident Fees?
MCC is supported by a special real estate tax district known as Dranesville Small District 1A. This helps fund community center operations and can affect program pricing and priority.
The official program guide describes these approximate boundaries:
| North | Potomac River |
|---|---|
| East | Arlington County line |
| West | Difficult Run |
| South | Route 66, Route 7 or Dulles Access Road, whichever lies farthest north in the relevant section |
Living in McLean by postal address does not by itself prove eligibility for every discounted program. A home or business address can fall inside or outside the tax district depending on its location.
Practical check: before paying, contact the registrar at 703-744-9365 and provide the full street address to verify your fee category.
Seniors in Action: Programs for Adults 50+
The Seniors in Action program is designed for independent adults age 50 and older. Membership is free, although individual activities may have additional fees.
For Fall 2026, the officially published program period runs from September 8 through December 11, subject to the listed skip dates and individual activity calendars.
- Social and recreational activities
- Group enrichment opportunities
- Community connection and friendship
- Rotating classes and activity sessions
- Registration-based seasonal programming
Program telephone: 703-744-9359.
Membership does not automatically reserve a place in every activity. Confirm specific dates, registration needs, costs and accessibility arrangements before attending.
Alden Theatre: Tickets, Events and Seating
The Robert Ames Alden Theatre is located inside McLean Community Center at 1234 Ingleside Avenue. It has 383 seats and hosts professional performances, educational events, comedy, music, dance and family entertainment.
383 seats. Event-specific seating and accessibility arrangements should be confirmed before ticket purchase.
703-790-9223. Individual performances follow their published start times rather than the general building schedule.
Before Attending a Performance
- Find the event title and performance date on the official MCC website.
- Check ticket prices, age guidance and available seating.
- Ask about wheelchair-accessible seats, hearing accommodations or other needs.
- Book tickets through the official event listing or box office.
- Save the ticket confirmation and arrive early for parking and entry.
If comparing performing arts and rental venues around Fairfax County, our Sherwood Community Center Fairfax visitor guide covers another local arts-oriented facility with event and rehearsal spaces.
McLean Project for the Arts: Galleries and Classes
McLean Project for the Arts (MPA) operates the Emerson and Atrium Galleries and the Susan B. DuVal Art Studio at McLean Community Center.
The official MPA visitor information lists gallery and office hours at the MCC location as:
| Monday–Friday | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Saturday | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Gallery admission | Free |
Exhibitions, artist talks and classes can have separate schedules. Some require registration or payment.
MPA also operates the Berlage Arts & Education Center at 6910 Fleetwood Road, a separate site. Check the address carefully when attending an exhibition or class.
MPA telephone: 703-790-1953.
Old Firehouse Center: Teen Programs and Separate Address
The Old Firehouse Center (OFC) is an MCC-operated facility intended primarily for teen programs, recreation and personal development. It is not inside the main Ingleside Avenue building.
McLean, VA 22101
Old Firehouse Center
Monday–Friday
Unless a separately scheduled event applies
The OFC provides teen-centered activities and may also be used for approved private events. Listed rental amenities include a dance floor, game tables and kitchenette.
The operator identifies nearby parking and the McLean Metro station as the closest rail station, although public transit still requires onward travel.
McLean Community Center Room Rentals
MCC rents rooms for meetings, workshops, training sessions, receptions and other approved gatherings. The operator lists the ability to arrange theatre-style seating for up to 250 people in appropriate rooms.
Rental spaces include the Community Hall and its subdivisions, studios, meeting rooms, rehearsal areas and a commercial kitchen. The Alden Theatre and Old Firehouse Center have separate rental arrangements.
Published Room Rental Rate Reference
Category 3 generally covers qualifying local private organizations, individuals and businesses; Category 4 covers non-local renters. The table shows the official PDF’s published hourly rates for these categories.
| Room | Category 3 | Category 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Full Community Hall | $90/hour | $180/hour |
| Community Hall A, B or C | $30/hour | $60/hour |
| Community Hall AB or BC | $60/hour | $120/hour |
| DuVal Studio | $25/hour | $50/hour |
| Maffitt Room | $25/hour | $50/hour |
| McLean Room | $25/hour | $50/hour |
| Rehearsal Hall | $25/hour | $50/hour |
| Stedman Room | $25/hour | $50/hour |
| Swinson Room | $10/hour | $20/hour |
| Commercial Kitchen | $10/hour | $20/hour |
The published schedule lists a three-hour minimum for these MCC rooms. Qualifying government and local open-community organizations use different booking categories and nominal published rates.
Published Rental Cost Examples
Three hours in the McLean Room at the published Category 3 rate of $25/hour.
Reference room cost: $75, excluding any additional charges.
Three hours in the full Community Hall at the published Category 4 rate of $180/hour.
Reference room cost: $540, before any extra charges.
Alden Theatre Rental Reference
The posted fee schedule gives the Alden Theatre a four-hour minimum, 383-seat capacity and different rates for eligible renter categories. For the published local-private category, the rate is $275/hour. Specialized community performing-arts organizations may qualify for a separate category.
Lighting, sound, staffing, rehearsals, equipment and production requirements should be discussed directly with the theater rental coordinator. Do not assume the basic hourly fee includes every production cost.
For a comparison with another Maryland community venue offering cultural programs and reservable space, see the Roger Carter Community Center visitor and rental guide. Its operator, amenities and policies differ from MCC.
How to Book a Room or Event Space
Decide whether you need a meeting room, large hall, art studio, rehearsal space, theater or Old Firehouse event room.
Record the purpose, preferred date, backup date, number of guests and required start, setup, event and cleanup times.
Ask whether you qualify as a local private renter, government entity, qualifying community organization or non-local renter. Different categories can have different rates.
Call the facility rental contact at 703-744-9362 or use the official rental page. Confirm which rooms meet your attendance and accessibility requirements.
Ask about the current room rate, minimum hours, deposit, staff, insurance, kitchen access, AV equipment, cancellation policy and any additional charges.
Follow MCC’s approved application, agreement and payment instructions. Do not treat an inquiry or tentative availability as a confirmed reservation.
Keep the event date, approved room, arrival time, rental end time, payment record and contact information for the event.
Parking, Metro and Getting to McLean Community Center
The main MCC building is located at 1234 Ingleside Avenue, McLean, Virginia 22101, in a neighborhood setting near Dolley Madison Library.
Free parking is available in the center’s upper and lower parking areas. The operator identifies Dolley Madison Library as an overflow parking option.
The nearest Metrorail station is McLean on the Silver Line. The station is not directly inside the community center, so plan a connecting journey.
Check current WMATA routes and schedules near Ingleside Avenue and Old Dominion Drive. Bus route assignments can change.
Contact MCC about accessible parking, entrance arrangements, event seating or activity accommodations before your trip.
Visitor Checklist: Avoid an Unnecessary Trip
- Confirm the location: main MCC or Old Firehouse Center.
- Check the exact class, event or gallery schedule.
- Verify holiday and weather-related closures.
- Ask whether enrollment, advance tickets or identification are required.
- Confirm tax-district eligibility before choosing resident pricing.
- For children, check age requirements and parental consent rules.
- For rentals, confirm the full cost and cancellation conditions.
- Ask about accessibility arrangements before the activity.
- Allow extra time for parking before an Alden performance.
- Save the official reservation, ticket or registration confirmation.
For general guidance on comparing public recreation access, classes, membership rules and visitor requirements, read our community recreation center planning guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is McLean Community Center in Virginia?
McLean Community Center is located at 1234 Ingleside Avenue, McLean, VA 22101, in Fairfax County. The main telephone number is 703-790-0123.
2. What are McLean Community Center’s opening hours?
The center is open Monday through Thursday 8 AM–11 PM, Friday 8 AM–midnight, Saturday 9 AM–midnight and Sunday noon–6 PM. Holiday and activity-specific hours can differ.
3. Is McLean Community Center free to enter?
There is no universal admission fee listed for simply visiting the building. Many classes, performances and rentals require separate payment, while McLean Project for the Arts galleries offer free admission.
4. Does McLean Community Center have a swimming pool?
The official MCC facility listing does not advertise a public swimming pool. Its main offerings emphasize arts, performing arts, classes, community programs and event rooms.
5. How do I register for MCC classes?
Use the official MCC website to locate an activity and select its registration link. Registration is also available through published mail and in-person procedures. Call 703-744-9365 for registration help.
6. Can I rent a room at McLean Community Center?
Yes. MCC rents meeting rooms, studios, halls and other approved event spaces. Rental eligibility, minimum booking duration, fees, deposits and equipment requirements depend on the room and renter category.
7. How much does it cost to rent MCC’s Community Hall?
The officially linked rate sheet, effective May 2023, lists $90/hour for Category 3 local private renters and $180/hour for Category 4 non-local renters, with a three-hour minimum. Confirm current pricing directly with MCC before booking.
8. What is the Alden Theatre seating capacity?
The Robert Ames Alden Theatre inside MCC has 383 seats. It hosts music, comedy, dance, lectures, family entertainment and other performances.
9. Is parking free at McLean Community Center?
Yes. The official visitor page lists free parking in the upper and lower lots, with overflow parking available at Dolley Madison Library.
10. Is Old Firehouse Center part of McLean Community Center?
Yes. Old Firehouse Center is an MCC-operated facility at 1440 Chain Bridge Road, McLean, VA 22101. It has separate hours and focuses primarily on teen recreation and development activities.
Official MCC Information and Contact Links
McLean Community Center Official Website
Visitor Hours, Parking and Addresses
Activity Registration Instructions
Official Published Rental Fee Schedule
McLean Project for the Arts Visitor Information
Last reviewed: October 26, 2026. This independent guide is not operated by Fairfax County or McLean Community Center. Contact the official operator for current fees, bookings, registration, programs, accessibility and event availability.