Celebrate Chocolate, History, Community Feb. 6-8 in Fairfax City
Published on January 16, 2026
The 34th annual Chocolate Lovers Festival returns to Old Town Fairfax with a new activity and one event location change
Chocolate lovers, unite! The annual Chocolate Lovers Festival returns Feb. 6-8 with your favorite events — plus one temporary change and a new activity. Visit fairfaxva.gov/chocolatelovers for complete event information.
The Taste of Chocolate, a flagship event that offers chocolate to purchase and taste, has temporarily moved to Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center, 3740 Blenheim Blvd. The rest of the events are in their regularly scheduled locations.
A new event this year, The Sweet Mile, provides an organized one-mile run (and a commemorative beanie for participants). Pre-registration is required and available at Chocolate Lovers Festival: Sweet Mile webpage.
There are plenty of events for people of all ages to celebrate chocolate. Whether you are a hardcore chocoholic or lean toward a particular chocolate treat or two, this festival is for you!
The event kicks off with a free concert by Darden Purcell & Mason Jazz Vocals (and sweet treats from Lina's Bakery) at 8 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Sherwood Community Center, followed by two more days of chocolate joy and decadence. Among the events are The Taste of Chocolate, to buy (and eat) chocolate; Liquid Chocolate, to drink chocolate; Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center, for historic programs and information; and City of Fairfax Regional Library, for activities and performances.
Currency at the festival is "pogs," used to purchase items at the Taste of Chocolate event and the merchandise table.
The festival also has a heart. The Chocolate Lovers Festival Committee donates a portion of the proceeds from the festival to local nonprofits through its annual festival program.
Plan ahead: the Chocolate Express, a dedicated shuttle service for the festival, circulates between all of the event locations on a regular schedule during the event. Public parking is available in and around Old Town Fairfax. Parking may be limited at some event locations, so consider using the Chocolate Express to attend the various programs and activities.
Info: fairfaxva.gov/chocolatelovers