Fairfax City Named Best Small Town Arts Scene
Published on February 25, 2026
The votes are in. Fairfax City, Virginia has been recognized as one of the 10 best small town art scenes in the country. The city of 25,000 residents placed fourth in USA Today 10BEST's 2026 Reader's Choice Award for Best Small Town Arts Scene.
Nominations were carefully curated by a panel of subject matter experts and USA Today 10BEST editors before being voted on by the public. ArtsFairfax, which represents more than 200 arts organizations in the Fairfax region, promoted the city for the award.
The top 10 winners for Best Small Town Arts Scene:
- Vermillion, South Dakota
- Abingdon, Virginia
- Lucas, Kansas
- Fairfax, Virginia
- Saugatuck, Michigan
- Orange Beach, Alabama
- Joshua Tree, California
- Saratoga Springs, New York
- Stowe, Vermont
- Reedsburg, Wisconsin
Located 20 miles west of Washington, D.C., in the heart of Northern Virginia, the city is known throughout the mid-Atlantic region for its vibrant festivals, free concerts, and diverse arts culture. The city's fleet of CUE buses are wrapped in colorful Art Deco designs that serve as rolling murals.
"Our late mayor, John Mason, the founder of Spotlight on the Arts in 1985 and a former chair of ArtsFairfax, would have been so pleased that Fairfax City's investment in the arts is being recognized. This honor is a decades-long culmination of a focused effort to build strong relationships with our local partners in the arts, including George Mason University." — Fairfax Mayor Catherine Read
Evidence of the city's patronage of the arts is everywhere. A major restoration project is underway at Old Town Hall, the iconic 126-year-old Colonial Revival building anchoring the historic district. The windows, which are being restored by a specialist in Ohio, have been temporarily replaced with large, colorful paintings by Murals at Mason artist Girasol O'Neill.
"Our city is home to artists and artisans whose work is nurtured and appreciated here. Beautiful murals are blooming on exterior walls throughout the city, and we feature local works of art inside City Hall and at the Sherwood Center." — Mayor Read
A nature-themed mural adorns the exterior of the Draper Drive Park restroom building, and a new mural will be installed at Thaiss Memorial Park when the renovation project is completed. Three mini art vending machines featuring local artists' work are available at the Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center, the Sherwood Center, and various city businesses. The quarter-operated machines are fun and playful. Look for the new LOVE sign in Old Town Square!
Visitors to Fairfax City are encouraged to discover stunning murals and public art on a self-guided walking tour. A map available on the Fairfax City Economic Development website will lead visitors to the city's many Instagram-worthy locations.
Recognizing Fairfax City's Creative Network
The City of Fairfax Commission on the Arts/Fairfax Foundation for the Arts supports the creative community through programs such as ARTScreen film showings, Bonita Lestina Old Town Hall Performance Series concerts, art walks on Main Street, the annual Language Arts 123 writing competition, and election sticker design competitions. The commission awarded 14 grants to artists and cultural organizations in 2026.
Other local entities that contribute to Fairfax City's unique small town art scene include:
- City of Fairfax Band
- City of Fairfax Theatre Company
- Fairfax Art League
- Fall for the Book
- The Fairfax Ballet
- The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra
- Fairfax High School FX Players
- George Mason University
- Better Said Than Done
- Virginia Opera
- C4 Performing Arts
- Acting for Young People
- Next Reflex Dance Collective
- Music to Free/Bronze Unlimited
A Creative Pipeline
Fairfax High School's Academy for Communications and Arts is an incubator for developing young, creative talent. Students from about 20 local high schools join together to collaborate, create, and learn from experienced industry professionals. These exciting young creatives add fresh ideas and perspectives to the city's art scene.
Coming Soon
Fairfax Spotlight on the Arts, one of Virginia's foremost art festivals, has served the Fairfax community for more than 40 years. This year's festival, Illumination 250: Shining a Light on Creativity, Discovery and Community, will bring together local artists, students, performers, makers, technologists, and the public at more than 50 events throughout the city from April 24–May 3. The festival includes an art contest sponsored by Capital One Hall.