Pumpkin patches, hayrides, craft fairs, live music and Oktoberfest celebrations are about to take over communities across Northern Virginia as summer gives way to fall.
Communities across Northern Virginia are planning festivals throughout September and October. Some are longtime traditions — Fairfax City's Fall Festival celebrates its 50th year — while Fredericksburg is launching an entirely new autumn celebration.
Fall officially arrives Sept. 22, but Virginians don't have to wait that long to get started.
Here's a look at fall festivals, fairs and seasonal celebrations coming to Virginia in 2026.
Basset Hound Rescue Fall Festival — Sept. 12, Herndon: The fall festival at Frying Pan Farm Park runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and features games, raffles and pet-friendly activities while supporting basset hound rescue efforts.
Reston Multicultural Festival — Sept. 19, Reston: Reston's annual celebration of the community's cultures returns to Reston Town Center from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The festival, celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2026, showcases music, dance, art and traditions from around the world.
50th Annual Falls Church Festival & Taste of Falls Church — Sept. 19, Falls Church: The free festival runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Falls Church Community Center, with samples from local restaurants, live entertainment, children's activities, a beer garden and more than 90 crafters, businesses and community organizations.
Mount Vernon Colonial Market & Fair — Sept. 19-20, Mount Vernon: George Washington's Mount Vernon turns back the clock for a weekend featuring artisans in colonial attire who demonstrate 18th-century crafts and sell traditional wares. Entertainment includes music, magic and other period performances.
Cox Farms Fall Festival — Sept. 19-Nov. 8, Centreville: One of Northern Virginia's biggest fall traditions returns with more than 90 acres of slides, hayrides, rope swings, farm animals, cornfield adventures, apples, cider and other attractions. The opening weekend is Sept. 19-20, with the festival continuing on select days through Nov. 8.
Capital One Center Celebration of the Arts — Sept. 19-20, Tysons: Streets around Capital One Center will become a multi-block arts festival featuring interactive installations, workshops, live music and culinary experiences. The festival runs noon to 5 p.m. both days.
Clarendon Day — Sept. 26, Arlington: Arlington's large community street festival returns to the Clarendon Metro area from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., featuring live music, food and drinks, arts and crafts vendors and a kids' zone. Organizers expect the celebration to spread across Clarendon Metro Park and eight adjacent blocks.
Saint Ann Fall Festival — Sept. 26, Arlington: Saint Ann Catholic Church and School, 980 N. Frederick St., hosts a free festival beginning at 10 a.m. with rides, inflatables, live music, food, bingo, games, a beer garden and a 1.5-mile fun run.
Burke Centre Festival — Sept. 26, Burke: The Burke Centre Festival Grounds will host an arts-and-crafts show, amusement rides, midway games, food, live performances, police and fire displays and an evening wine and beer garden. Admission is free.
Occoquan Fall Arts & Crafts Show — Sept. 26-27, Occoquan: Historic Occoquan's streets become a pedestrian marketplace during the town's annual fall show. More than 200 artisans, makers and creators representing more than 20 categories participate, along with demonstrations and children's art activities.
Alexandria Old Town Art Festival — Sept. 26-27, Alexandria: The 24th annual event returns to John Carlyle Square Park for two days, one of several major fall events on Alexandria's 2026 special-events calendar.
Mosaic Fall Festival — Sept. 26-27, Fairfax: Mosaic District's autumn celebration features seasonal food, live entertainment, artisan vendors and family activities. The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Fall Fun Fest — Weekends Through Oct. 31, Reston: Reston Farm Garden Market's seasonal celebration offers pumpkins, plants, apple cider doughnuts and other fall activities on Saturdays and Sundays through Halloween.
Vienna Oktoberfest — Oct. 3, Vienna: Church Street becomes an Oktoberfest celebration from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with food, beer and wine, entertainment, craft vendors and children's games and activities. Admission is free.
Historic Downtown Manassas Fall Jubilee — Oct. 3, Manassas: Downtown Manassas hosts its annual Fall Jubilee, one of the major Northern Virginia autumn events highlighted by Virginia's statewide tourism office.
50th Annual Fairfax Fall Festival — Oct. 10, Fairfax City: More than 400 arts-and-crafts, informational and food vendors will fill historic downtown Fairfax from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Children's activities, multiple entertainment stages and beer gardens are also planned for the free, rain-or-shine festival.
Quacktoberfest — Oct. 17, Fredericksburg: Fredericksburg is launching a new fall tradition at Riverfront Park. The free festival runs from 2 to 6 p.m. with vendors, carnival rides, live music and seasonal activities. A rescheduled Rubber Ducky Derby begins at 3 p.m., followed later by a showing of "Hocus Pocus" at dusk.
Centreville Day — Oct. 17, Centreville: The 34th annual Centreville Day is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. at Historic Centreville Park, 5714 Mount Gilead Road.
Art & Craft Fair and Fall Festival — Oct. 24, Reston: United Christian Parish, 11508 North Shore Drive, plans a free festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring games, face painting, costumes, candy, crafts, food and a juried art and craft fair with more than 30 creators.
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