Celebrate Fairfax 2019: Tickets, Performances, Parking

FAIRFAX, VA—Celebrate Fairfax, the county's ultimate summer fair, will arrive in town on June 7-9 at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. The festival has everything from rides, concerts, food, exhibits, fireworks and other entertainment.

Among the highlights are carnival rides, over 120 performances on seven stages with headliners Better Than Ezra and Smash Mouth.

Here are some things to know as you plan to attend:

Tickets

Tickets are required for entry and are available online and at the festival. Single-day or weekend general admission includes access to the headliner performances and other live music, free parking at festival lots, and complimentary shuttles to and from the parking lots.

Other options include carnival combo tickets with admission and rides, VIP tickets, and tickets with admission and special events (Sunday Brew, 5K race and esports arena).

Active and retired military can get up to two discounted adult admission tickets at the gate. Valid military ID is required.

Rides

Celebrate Fairfax has more than 40 rides divided into two sections: the KidWay MidWay for younger children and Carnival for thrill seekers. Individual ride tickets ($1.25 per ticket) will be available for purchase at ticket booths. If you plan on riding lots of rides, the $25 all-you-can-ride handstamps (on-site only) and Carnival Combo general admission tickets are available. Rides typically require two to six tickets per person.

Hours are:

• Friday: 6 p.m.-midnight, handstamps not available for purchase on-site Friday
• Saturday: 10 a.m.-midnight
• Sunday: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Concerts

Among hundreds of scheduled performances are two headlining acts.

Friday, June 7: Better Than Ezra: The trio of Kevin Griffin, Tom Drummond, and Travis McNabb are known for 90s hits like "Good" and "Desperately Wanting."

Saturday, June 8: Smash Mouth: This group forced in the 90s is made up of Steve Harwell, Paul DeLisle, Greg Camp, Mike “Hippy” Klooster and Randy Cooke with hits "All Star," "I’m a Believer" and "Then The Morning Comes." Since then they've been performing for U.S. troops overseas and are releasing a new album this summer.

See performance schedules for other stages in the links below.

• Mason Nation Stage
• Devils Backbone Live
• The Vintage
• The Garden
• F.H. Furr Family Stage
• Fairfax Corner Community Stage

Fireworks

The Leidos Fireworks show will be held at 9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

More Entertainment

Aside from rides, there will be games, over 300 retail, community exhibits and vendors, tastes from over 40 food vendors and more entertainment. Special tickets are required for Sunday Brew, 5K race and esports arena.

Activities include:

• Silent Disco
• Fairfax County Karaoke Championship
• Fairfax County DockDogs Competition
• Brad Matchett Comedy Hypnotist
• PSISTORM Cup VIII esports Arena
• AT&T Community Village
• Winchester Homes Front Yard
• Taste of Virginia Wine Bar
• Celebrate Fairfax 5k Race
• Transportation Station
• Robotics Pavilion
• INOVA Children’s Hospital Avenue
• Sunday Brew
• Celebrate Fairfax! Team Trivia
• Celebrate Fairfax! Donut Eating Contest

Parking and Shuttles

There is limited parking at the Government Center, 12011 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, and those lots fill up quickly. Parking under the Government Center is by permit only.

The best option is parking at Fair Lakes Circle or Fair Oaks Mall and taking the free shuttles to and from the festival. Shuttles run every five to 10 minutes.

The shuttle stops are located at:

• 11750 Fair Oaks, Fairfax: Two stops near ManTech and Fairfax Marriott
• 12450 Fair Lakes Circle, Fairfax: Across from the shopping center with Kohl’s and Whole Foods

For people with valid handicap permits, on-site parking is available at the Fairfax County Government Center. Regular-sized vehicles should enter at the John Marshall Bank Green Gate. Oversized vehicles enter through the Autobahn Indoor Speedway Yellow Gate. Attendees can ask for a golf cart for transport to the festival area.

You can find more information about Celebrate Fairfax at celebratefairfax.com.