Fifty years of fall fun! The City of Fairfax’s annual Fall Festival celebrates 5 decades of fun on October 10, 2026, filling the heart of historic downtown Fairfax with the sights, sounds, and flavors of the season!

What began as a small artisan market has grown into one of Northern Virginia’s biggest seasonal celebrations—while still holding onto that hometown feel. Here’s what you and your crew can look forward to:

• Art, Craft & Food Vendors
  Browse more than 400 vendors selling handmade wares, local goods, and festival eats.
• Three Stages of Entertainment
  Catch live bands, dance performances, and magic shows all day long across the Main Stage, Old Town Square Stage, and Children’s Stage.
• Children’s Rides
  Little ones can circle the carousel, zip down the fire truck slide, and try the 3-in-1 kiddie combo, while bigger kids take a spin on the Fantastic Flyer, Retro Radical Run, and Human Whirl. Rides are ticketed individually, or grab an all-you-can-ride wristband and let the fun roll all day.
• Sparky’s Harvest Bash
  At this free fire safety event at Fire Station #3, kids can check out the city’s fire truck, meet Fairfax’s volunteer firefighters, and grab a selfie with Sparky!
• Free Museum Open Houses
  History lovers can step inside the City of Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center and the Legato School Museum.
• Beer & Wine Gardens
  Grown-ups can raise a glass to 50 years at three beer gardens (plus, wine!) by the Main Stage, Old Town Square, and Food Court #1. Each pours domestic and craft beers alongside wines from local wineries Morais Vineyards and Winery, Old Farm Winery at Hartland, and Cave Ridge Vineyard.

Admission is free, while some activities, such as children’s rides, are fee-based. The festival is held rain or shine. Skip the parking hunt and hop on a free, ADA-accessible shuttle from the GMU Rappahannock Parking Deck or Fairfax High School.

Want festival updates? Text “FALLFEST” to 888-777.