60th Independence Day Celebrations

Kick off the holiday with kids’ crafts, community spirit and a live performance by the Fairfax City Band! Children's activities will begin at 2pm, and the band's performance will begin at 3pm. 

The City of Fairfax Band will celebrate America's 250th anniversary with A Patriot's Dream. Through music and narration, this concert traces the nation's journey form the Revolutionary War to the Space Age, highlighting pivotal moments in American history and culture. Featuring music inspired by westward expansion, ragtime, jazz, the Big Band Era, the civil Rights Movement, and more, A Patriot's Dream offers a musical look at the people, events, and traditions that have shaped the American story. 

Feature Food Vendors: 

- Colonial Kettle Corn 

- Rita's Italian Ice of Fairfax 

- Don't Be Bitter Lemonade

Additional parking is located at the following address: 

• Willard Health - 10310 Layton Hall Dr, Fairfax, VA 22030
  Please refer to the map to see the path that connects the Willard Health parking lot to the Sherwood building. 

Willard Health Overflow Parking Map(PDF, 3MB)

• Van Dyck Park - 3720 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax 
• Christian Science Church - 3725 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax

Virginia’s largest Independence Day parade features a patriotic flyover, a special 250th anniversary helium balloon, floats, marching units, and community groups winding through downtown. 

Parade Map(PDF, 409KB)

Watch the Parade LIVE!

2026 Commentator Book(PDF, 584KB)

Parade Line Up

DIVISION I

Quantico Marine Band
City of Fairfax Public Safety Honor Guard
City of Fairfax Fire Department & Fairfax Volunteer Fire Department
Mayor and Council Float
      Mayor Catherine S. Read
      Anthony T. Amos
      Billy M. Bates
      Rachel M. McQuillen
      Stacey D. Hardy-Chandler
      Stacy R. Hall
      Thomas D. Peterson
      Sneakers the Fairfox, Fairfax City Parks & Recreation Mascot
Fairfax High School Marching Band
Elected Officials Float
      School Board Member Kristina M. Cecere
      School Board Member Lauren Bartelme
      School Board Member Sarah M. Kelsey
      School Board Student Representative Kevin Murray
     Commissioner of the Revenue, William Page Johnson II
     Treasurer, Tom T. Scibilia, Sr.
The American Legion Post 177
      Scouting America Troop 1887
      Scouting America Troop 1888
     Cub Scouts Pack 656
City of Fairfax Band Association
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8469, Blue and Gray
VA250 Balloon - Carried by Shelter House, Inc. 

DIVISION II

Chopticon High School Marching Band 
Senator Mark R. Warner
Congressman James R. Walkinshaw
State Senator Saddam Alan Salim
Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources, David L. Bulova
Delegate Gretchen M. Bulova
Green Machine Historical Ensembles 
George Mason Athletics
George Mason University Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, Walk & Talk Club
Choy Wun Lion Dance Troupe
Young at Heart Senior Center
Scouting America Cub Scout Pack 1865
The House of Azerbaijan EV
George Washington Chapter (GWC) Model A Ford Club
Superheroes - Heroes for Hire 
     Captain America
     Black Panther
     Spider Man
     Ghost Spider
City of Fairfax Regional Library Precision Book Cart Drill Team
Walking Flag 
Kena Shriners
Patriotic Hot Air Balloon - Carried by Woofie’s of Fairfax

DIVISION III

Fort Calhoun High School Marching Band
Fairfax County Sheriff's Office Honor Guard
Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey A. Kincaid
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Pat Herrity
Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney, Steve T. Descano
Clerk of the Fairfax Circuit Court, Christopher J. Falcon
Fairfax Police Youth Club
McLean Volunteer Fire Department
Falun Dafa of Washington D.C.
Nova Labs Kinetic Sculpture Team
Parade Crew of Nova Labs, Inc.
Children of the Light Dancers
Woman's Club of Fairfax, GFWC
Just Clowning Around of Northern Virginia
Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department
Stars Performing Arts
Princesses - Once Upon a Time Parties D.C. 
      Moana
      Ariel
      Tiana
      Glinda
      Peter Pan 
      Wendy
      Tinker Bell
      Jessie
Rotary Club of Fairfax 
Centreville Moose Lodge #2168 in Fairfax
Fairfax Harley Owners Group
Air O'Dynamic Art Balloon Structures

DIVISION IV

St. Leo the Great Catholic Church
Father Walter F. Malloy Assembly #1894
28th Massachusetts (Irish Brigade)
 Independence Day Celebration Committee Float - Honoring our Community Veterans
      Lady Liberty     
      Uncle Sam, Grand Marshal
Racial Unity Group and Partners
Girl Scout Service Unit 52-7
Virginia Ballet Company and School
NOVA Parks
Fairfax County Mothers of Multiples
Fairfax Jubil-Aires
Patriotic Dinos
Fairfax Composite Squadron Civil Air Patrol
Burke/Fairfax Moms Demand Action
Ghostbusters, Virginia
Mr. Potato Head Balloon

DIVISION V

Fairfax County Police Honor Guard
Chancellor High School Lightning Regiment Marching Band
Washington D.C. Chapter 82nd Airborne Division Associations
Capital Viper Owners Association
Romp N’Roll
The Montessori School of Oakton-in Fairfax
Cub Scout Pack 41
Virginia Qipao Association
The Mandalorians
Kaizen MMA Fairfax
Jerry Atkins Mustangs
Leonardtown High School Marching Raiders
LambMowers.com
Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue
Fairfax Little League
Patriotic Sphere Balloons

DIVISION VI

Great Mills High School Marching Hornets
Girl Scouts Troop 52202
1957 Chevy Bel Air (Pinnacle MMA + Fitness)
Morenada “Cocanis Virginia - USA”
City of Fairfax Republican Committee
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - National Capital Area Chapter
City of Fairfax Theatre Company
The Learning Experience
Fairfax City Independents
Salay Pasión Bolivia USA
Scouting America Cub Scout Pack 882
TPG Pediatrics (Alexandria, Chantilly, Fairfax and Lake Ridge)
Girl Scout Troop 54034
Springfield/South County Youth Club (SYC)
Kiwanis Club of Fairfax
Spirit of '76 Plane Balloon - Carried by the Kiwanis Club of Fairfax

DIVISION VII

The Devil's Brigade
Renewal Dermatology & Medspa, P.C., Fairfax
Cub Scout Pack 1346 - Fairview Elementary
School of Rock, Fairfax
Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department
C4 Performing Arts
The City of Fairfax Democratic Committee
Scouting America Troop 1345, Burke, VA 
Come Together Crew
Patriotic Cold Air Balloons
Fair Oaks Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department 
Mission BBQ
Eastern High School Blue & White Marching Machine
Red, White and Blue Star Balloons 

2026 Parade Winners

To be announced post parade!

Parade Food Vendors and Locations 

Food Vendors

Parade Food Vendor Location Map(PDF, 46KB)

Parade Shuttle Bus Information 

Shuttle Bus Hours: 

8:30 a.m. - 1:30p.m.

All shuttle buses are free and ADA accessible.

Pick Up and Drop Off Locations: 

• George Mason University Rappahannock Parking Deck - 4400 University Drive
• Woodson High School - 9525 Main Street
• Fairfax United Methodist Church - 10300 Stratford Avenue 

RAIN DATE (IF NEEDED) FOR FIREWORKS DISPLAY ONLY
July 5 at 9:30 p.m.
Fairfax High School
3501 Lion Run, Fairfax

Bring blankets and lawn chairs for a night of live music, food vendors, and a spectacular fireworks display capping off 250 years of American independence.

Evening Show Schedule

Evening Show Map

2026-Evening-Show-PUBLIC-Map.pdf(PDF, 2MB)

Bag Checks

All bags and coolers will be subject to inspection. Bag checks and event entry will begin at 7:30 p.m. Bag checks will close at 9:30 p.m. and there will be no entry into the venue. Bag checks will be for exiting the venue only after 9:30 p.m. 

Please read BEFORE boarding the shuttle buses: All bags/coolers will be inspected at Fairfax High School. No weapons, smoking, tents, alcohol, or pets (except service animals) are permitted at Fairfax High School. All bottles must be fully sealed or completely empty at bag checks for inspection. Empty your water bottle before security. Fill it up after screening and stay hydrated! 

Evening Show Food Vendors and Locations: 

Food Vendors

Evening Show Food Vendor Map(PDF, 2MB)

Shuttle Bus Schedule

All shuttle buses are free and ADA accessible. Shuttles will run continuously between Woodson High School, George Mason University’s Rappahannock Parking Garage, and Fairfax High School. Attendees are highly encouraged to park at one of either Woodson High School or the Rappahannock Parking Garage, as there is only limited accessible parking available at Fairfax High School.

Woodson High School — 9525 Main St., Fairfax

• Overflow parking is available at the City Gates Church (9401 Little River Tpke, Fairfax), located next to Woodson High School. All attendees who park in this area will need to go to the Shuttle Bus Stop located at the front of Woodson High School. 

George Mason University Rappahannock Parking Garage — 4395 University Dr., Fairfax

Fairfax High School (Accessible Parking Only) — 3501 Lion Run, Fairfax

BEFORE BOARDING SHUTTLE BUSES: All bags/coolers will be inspected at Fairfax High School. No weapons, smoking, tents, alcohol, or pets (except service animals) are permitted at Fairfax High School. All bottles must be fully sealed or completely empty at bag checks for inspection. Empty your water bottle before security. Fill it up after screening and stay hydrated!

Road Closures

• Lion Run will be closed to through traffic from 4 p.m. until 11:30 p.m.
• No through traffic will be permitted on Blenheim Blvd. from 9:15 p.m. until approximately 11 p.m.
• All traffic will be directed south in Blenheim Blvd. after 9:30 p.m. Both lanes will be open for traffic flow. 

Commemorative Independence Day T-Shirt Sales

Don’t miss out on your opportunity to purchase a commemorative 250th T-shirt for the July 4 celebrations!

The Independence Day Celebration Committee (IDCC) will be selling T-shirts with the 2026 logo/theme, “VA 250.” T-shirts will be available in tie-dye and light blue colors, while supplies last. Trucker hats and visors will also be available for purchase, while supplies lasts.

Pre-Order Form 

For additional questions regarding the T-shirts, please email FFXIDCC@gmail.com.

The Independence Day Celebration Committee (IDCC) shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Fairfax City Parks and Recreation Department in accordance with the bylaws of the committee. The IDCC shall also work with the Parks and Recreation Department Staff (City Staff) to coordinate the activities of the Independence Day Celebrations in Fairfax City.

General Meeting of the Board

Third Thursday of the month in the City Hall Annex, Room 111B (Work Session Room) at 7 p.m.
City Hall — 10455 Armstrong St., Fairfax

Call 703-385-7949 or email FFXIDCC@gmail.com for more information.

Dates and Meeting Topics

Officers

Members