Autumn is finally here, and that means it’s time for colorful leaves, cooler temperatures, cozy sweaters and the Fairfax Fall Festival. This year’s event, the 50th annual, is Saturday, Oct. 10, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., in downtown Fairfax City.
The fun includes three stages of live entertainment. food, crafts, beer gardens, children’s rides and activities, fire-station fun, magic shows and even a Taylor Swift cover band. Admission is free, and the festival goes on, rain or shine. (Pets are discouraged, except for service animals).
“As Fairfax City rolls out the welcome mat for our 50th annual Fall Festival, it’s a great time to reflect on why this event continues to draw such huge crowds from around the region,” said Fairfax Mayor Catherine Read. “Many things may have changed in the last half century, but the desire to attend a free family event, the second Saturday of October, has remained steady.”
“The food, art, crafts, music and entertainment provide something for people of every age – and, for many, it’s the kickoff of their holiday shopping,” continued Read. “We love hosting this event every year.”
More than 400 crafts booths and displays will line both sides of University Drive, Main Street and Sager Avenue. There, people may choose from a huge assortment of items from local and regional artisans, including handmade jewelry, pottery, paintings, woodwork, textiles and seasonal creations.
And at Fire Station 3 at 4081 University Drive, the Fairfax Volunteer Fire Department will host its popular Sparky’s Harvest Bash. Children can take photos with Sparky the Fire Dog, and firefighters and emergency crews will welcome visitors to the station for tours of its fire trucks and ambulances. People may also explore the educational trailer to learn home fire safety and evacuation skills.
Gourmet food stands and food trucks offering a wide variety of festival favorites, global street foods, dishes from local restaurants, and sweet indulgences will be located throughout the festival. Feast on everything from Thai iced tea to tempura shrimp, fried rice, tacos, nachos, chicken, hamburgers, chocolates, cookies, ice cream and brownies.
Three beer gardens will be at the main stage, 4103 Chain Bridge Road; Old Town Square, 10415 North St.; and food court one, corner of University Drive and Sager Avenue. A trio of wineries will also be featured. Morais Vineyards and Winery will be near the Main Stage; Old Farm Winery at Hartland, in Old Town Square; and Cave Ridge Vineyard, in food court number one.
There’ll be three stages of live, musical entertainment with performers for all ages to enjoy and plenty of space to dance. The acts include Cruel Summer, a full-scale tribute to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, and Herr Metal, performing 1980s-style arena rock. (See Entertainment Schedule for details and addresses).
The Children’s Stage in the Truist Bank parking lot at 4020 University Drive will feature live music, dancing and magicians. Children’s rides, moonbounces and slides will be there, too. (Rides are weather-dependent).
A free Fall for the Book event, “Meet an Author Day,” will feature five authors for young readers. It’ll be held in Paradise Games & Gifts, 10385 Main St. Details are at fallforthebook.org/october10.
For history buffs, the Legato School Museum on Chain Bridge Road, adjacent to the festival, will hold an open house and tour from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., showing what student life was like there from 1870-1928.
The Ratcliffe-Allison-Pozer House, 10386 Main St., will hold tours from noon-2 p.m. This charming brick home is the City’s oldest residence in what was the original, six-block Town of Providence. It was built in three phases – in 1807, 1824 and 1927, and visitors will learn about the lives of some of its many occupants.
The Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center, at 10209 Main St., will feature local history from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., plus the exhibit “Indigenous Perspectives,” highlighting the voices and experiences of Virginia’s tribal communities. Built in 1873, this museum is housed in the former Fairfax Elementary School – the first, two-story brick school in Fairfax County.
In addition, the Fairfax Saturday Farmers Market will be open for business that day, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., at 10500 Page Ave. Parking is onsite; look for the colorful tents.
For parking, shuttle bus and further festival information, go to https://www.fairfaxva.gov/Events-directory/Parks-and-Recreation/Special-Events/Fall-Festival.
