Fairfax City Celebrates 50 Years of Fall Festival Fun
Published on September 23, 2026
As fall settles in, anticipation builds across Fairfax for a golden community milestone: the 50th annual City of Fairfax Fall Festival. The event will fill the streets of Old Town Fairfax with artisanal crafts, live music, international food, family games, and fun from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10. Admission is free, although some activities, such as children’s rides, require a fee.
“There have been significant changes in our region over the last half century,” observed Fairfax City Mayor Catherine Read, “but this festival is a call to community that includes area residents, visitors, and our George Mason University neighbors. This free event has something for everyone, and all are welcome here.”
Arts, Eats, and Sweets
Rain or shine, hundreds of local and regional artisans will line the festival route with handmade woodwork, jewelry, pottery, paintings, seasonal creations, and more. Gourmet food stands and food trucks offering festival favorites, global street foods, dishes from local restaurants, and sweet indulgences will be located throughout the event. Bring a refillable water bottle and stop by the free water stations or support local nonprofits at the beer gardens.
Dancing, Magic, and a Taylor Swift Cover Band
Explore stages featuring musical and magic performers for all ages, with plenty of space to dance. Entertainment includes Cruel Summer, a full-scale tribute to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, and Herr Metal, performing 1980s-style arena rock.
Making Fire Safety Fun
Meet some of the heroes who keep Fairfax safe at Sparky’s Harvest Bash at Fire Station 3. City firefighters and emergency crews will open the station for tours of fire trucks and emergency vehicles that serve the community every day. Visitors can also explore the educational trailer, which teaches vital home fire safety and evacuation skills.
Fall for the Book
At the festival, enjoy a free Fall for the Book event, “Meet an Author Day,” featuring five authors for young readers in Paradise Games & Gifts (10385 Main St.). Details are available at fallforthebook.org/october10.
Dive Into Fairfax History
Get a taste of local history at the Fall Festival. The Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center, which is a short walk from the festival, features local history and the exhibit “Indigenous Perspectives,” which highlights the voices and experiences of Virginia’s tribal communities. Additionally, Legato School Museum on Chain Bridge Road, adjacent to the festival, will hold an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., giving visitors a chance to tour the historic building and learn what student life was like there from 1870 to 1928.
Free Shuttle and Bike Valet
Enjoy free accessible shuttles from Fairfax High School and George Mason University’s Rappahannock Parking Deck, where parking is also free. If you bike or scooter to the event, park your ride with the free valet service in the parking lot just east of Old Town Square. Roll up unannounced or reserve your valet spot. (Scooters and bikes are not permitted within the festival. Service dogs are welcome, and pets are strongly discouraged.)
Plan your visit by checking the event website, fairfaxva.gov/fallfestival, for a complete list of vendors, entertainment, activities, and the event map. To receive informational and emergency messaging during the event, text “FALLFEST” to 888-777.
Special thanks to our sponsors, including Fair City Mall (Elite Sponsor).
Whether you are a first-time visitor or a long-time fan, we hope your day is filled with fun, friends, and family, and that you make memories to last another half-century.