Falls Church Arts Plein Air Festival Wraps Up with Competition, Quick Draw Content, and Awards

The 2026 Falls Church Arts “Scenes in the City” Plein Air Festival will take place on Saturday, October 3 from 9 am-12 pm with a lively morning of outdoor painting, judging, announcement of the awards, and art sales.

The festival will take place on the grounds of Falls Church City Hall, 300 Park Avenue. Visitors can watch artists paint en plein air—French for “in the open air”—as they work quickly on location to capture changing light, atmosphere, and the character of Falls Church.

Before the October 3 finale, artists have had four weeks to capture picturesque and historic scenes throughout Falls Church, including the W&OD Trail, local parks, Cherry Hill Farmhouse, Clare and Don’s Beach Shack, and the Falls Church Farmers Market.

More than forty artists will compete for cash prizes. Noted juror Glen Kessler will judge the paintings and announce the winners at noon. The 2025 festival awarded more than $5,000 in prizes, and generous sponsors have mad