Fairfax Events Calendar: Festivals, Car Shows and Old Town Traditions by Month
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Dates Still Ahead in 2026 and the Annual Rhythm of Fairfax City Events
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Quick Answer: What Is Coming Up in Fairfax City?
Last updated October 11, 2026
Coming up:
- Friday, October 23: the last Rock the Block of the season at Old Town Square, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
- Saturdays through October 31: the Fairfax Farmers’ Market, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 10500 Page Ave.
- November 21 and 22: the 40th annual Holiday Craft Show at Fairfax High School.
- Saturday, December 5: Festival of Lights and Carols at Old Town Square, with the tree lighting at 5:30 p.m.
Most of these are free, run by City of Fairfax Parks and Recreation, and repeat every year. Dates for 2027 are to be announced; confirm on the City’s Special Events page before you go.
Part of Nikki’s Living in Fairfax guide.
Your Fairfax realtor: Nikki Lagouros is the #1 selling realtor in Northern Virginia by units sold since 2020, based on RealTrends rankings and her team’s transaction records. See Rankings & Data or contact Nikki to check a specific address.
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The best way to navigate Fairfax’s real estate market is with a knowledgeable realtor who listens, advocates, and works tirelessly for your goals. Nikki Lagouros offers a blend of proven expertise, honest guidance, and commitment to helping clients feel supported throughout every step.
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Fairfax Events by Month
| When | Tradition | 2026 dates and status |
|---|---|---|
| February | Chocolate Lovers Festival, downtown Fairfax | 34th year, Feb. 6 to 8 (past). 2027: dates TBA |
| May | Antique Car Show outside City Hall | May 16, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (past). 2027: dates TBA |
| May to October, 4th Fridays | Rock the Block at Old Town Square (10415 North St): live music, beer garden, food vendors; bring a chair or blanket | 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.; final 2026 night Oct. 23 |
| May to October, Saturdays | Fairfax Farmers’ Market, 10500 Page Ave | May 9 to Oct. 31, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. |
| June to September, 2nd Fridays | Movies Under the Moon, free outdoor movies at a different City park each month | 2026 season ended |
| Late June to July 4 | Independence Day Celebrations: a Hometown Celebration at the Sherwood Center, a parade the City bills as Virginia’s largest Independence Day parade, and an evening show with fireworks at Fairfax High School | 60th year (past). The parade was canceled for extreme heat; the evening show and fireworks went on |
| Labor Day | Labor Day Car Show on University Drive, produced with the Clifton Lions Club; proceeds go to charity | 27th year, Sept. 7, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (past) |
| October | Fall Festival, downtown Fairfax: 400+ art, craft and food vendors, stages and beer gardens | 50th year, Oct. 10 (past), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| November | Holiday Craft Show at Fairfax High School, with free photos with Santa on Sunday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | 40th year, Nov. 21 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Nov. 22 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) |
| December | Festival of Lights and Carols at Old Town Square: music, s’mores, cider and the tree lighting. The same morning, the City offers free Tours Through Christmas Past at the Ratcliffe-Allison-Pozer House, 10 to 11:30 a.m. | Dec. 5, noon to 6 p.m.; tree lighting 5:30 p.m. |
The Fairfax Farmers’ Market: Your Saturday Routine
- Where: 10500 Page Avenue, a block from Old Town.
- When: Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; May 9 to October 31 in 2026.
- Size and history: about 45 vendors; established more than 25 years ago by the Downtown Fairfax Coalition.
- Parking: plenty of free parking.
- Pets and seating: leashed pets welcome; picnic tables on site.
- Tip: lines form at the most popular stands and some items sell out early, so arrive near opening.
A Saturday plan: market at 9, coffee in Old Town by 10:30, a lap past the Ratcliffe-Allison-Pozer House and Old Town Hall, then lunch at a long-running local spot. Ideas in the Fairfax local insider section.
Parking, Shuttles and Security Notes
- Fall Festival: free shuttles from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from George Mason University’s Rappahannock Parking Deck (4400 University Dr) and Fairfax High School (3501 Lion Run). Free parking at the Old Town Plaza garage (3925 Chain Bridge Rd), City Hall (10455 Armstrong St), the City of Fairfax Regional Library (10360 North St) and Lot B (10550 Page Ave). A free valet takes bikes, scooters and strollers. Pets are discouraged except service animals.
- July 4 evening show (2026 setup): shuttles ran from GMU’s Rappahannock deck and Woodson High School (9525 Main St), with only limited accessible parking at Fairfax High School. Every bag and cooler was inspected; weapons, smoking, tents, alcohol and pets (except service animals) were not allowed, and bottles had to be sealed or empty. Lion Run closed to through traffic from 4 p.m.
- Holiday Craft Show: at Fairfax High School, with a concession stand for lunch.
- Rock the Block and Festival of Lights: at Old Town Square; nearby City lots and the Old Town Plaza garage are the usual choices.
Fairfax Events FAQ
When is the 2026 Fairfax Fall Festival?
The 50th annual Fall Festival was Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Fairfax. Admission was free, and free shuttles ran from George Mason University’s Rappahannock Parking Deck and Fairfax High School.
When is the Fairfax farmers market?
The Fairfax Farmers’ Market at 10500 Page Avenue runs Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The 2026 season runs May 9 through October 31.
Was the Fairfax July 4th parade canceled in 2026?
Yes. The City canceled the 2026 Independence Day Parade because of extreme heat. The evening show and fireworks at Fairfax High School went ahead, with fireworks at about 9:30 p.m.
When is the Fairfax Holiday Craft Show?
The 40th annual Holiday Craft Show is November 21 and 22, 2026, at Fairfax High School, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
When is the Fairfax tree lighting?
The Festival of Lights and Carols is Saturday, December 5, 2026, at Old Town Square, from noon to 6 p.m., with the tree lighting at 5:30 p.m.
When is the Fairfax Chocolate Lovers Festival?
The Chocolate Lovers Festival is held in downtown Fairfax in early February. The 34th annual festival was February 6 to 8, 2026; 2027 dates had not been announced as of October 2026.
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Sources
Sources (last updated October 10, 2026): City of Fairfax Special Events; Chocolate Lovers Festival; Antique Car Show; Rock the Block; Movies Under the Moon; 60th Independence Day Celebrations; 27th Labor Day Car Show; 50th Fall Festival; 40th Holiday Craft Show; Festival of Lights and Carols; History and Heritage tours; Fairfax Farmers’ Market. Photo: Old Town Hall by ajay_suresh, CC BY 2.0.
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