Annual Events & Performance Series

March

Chocolate Lovers Festival

The Chocolate Lovers Festival features two days of chocolate celebration. Among the events planned are the Taste of Chocolate, where vendors sell their wares to purchase; the Chocolate Challenge, an arts extravaganza where the medium is chocolate; historic re-enactments and historic building open houses; children’s activities; a craft show and bake sale; a pancake breakfast and more. More

April

Spotlight on the Arts

Spotlight on the Arts 
Held each April, Spotlight on the Arts features three weeks of music, dance, theater, art and choral concerts. Sponsored by the city in cooperation with George Mason University, Northern Virginia Community College and City of Fairfax Schools, Spotlight on the Arts events take place at venues throughout the city, university and college locations. More

May

Antique Car Show

See an antique Model T Ford assembled in less than 15 minutes and driven away! The Antique Car Show features a City of Fairfax Fire Department life safety training trailer for the kids, live music – Bluegrass Band Festival, breakfast available on-site, lunch and snacks on-site plus numerous cafes, sandwich shops & restaurants within easy walking distance, lots of trophies, the first 150 registrations guaranteed a dash plaque. More

May

Farmers Markets

Farmers markets in the City of Fairfax run May through October. Saturdays from 8:00am – 1:00pm, behind the Old Courthouse just off of Main Street. Sundays from 10:00am – 2:00pm at George Mason Square, at the intersection of North Street and Old Lee Highway. Tuesdays – 8:00am–1:00pm at Van Dyck Park. More

May

Fairfax Civil War Day

Fairfax Civil War Day at the Historic Blenheim Estate features an array of activities highlighting the American Civil War. The event includes period music, living history encampments and demonstrations, children’s activities, tours of the Blenheim house and grounds, as well as talks in the Interpretive Center. This event is part of the city’s Spotlight on the Arts festival. More

June

Movies Under the Moon

Four nights of outdoor movie enjoyment! Come watch popular movies on the big screen at Van Dyck Park. Live music before the film starts. Food is available for purchase. All proceeds benefit the INOVA Fairfax Hospital for Children. Visit www.moviesunderthemoon.org for schedule and details. More

June

Trails Day

In conjunction with National Trails Day, a celebration of the City’s trails and open spaces. Starting at Van Dyck Park, take a circular family walk through the trails, returning via Daniels Run Trail. Information on many aspects of city parks. For information, call 702.385.7858. www.fairfaxtrailsday.org More

June

City of Fairfax Band Summer Sunset Concert Series

Enjoy the sounds of summer, June through July, as brought to you by the City of Fairfax Band and ensembles. Performances by the City Band Ensembles are held in Old Town Plaza. For details see www.fairfaxband.org More

July

City of Fairfax Band:  Summer Series at Veteran’s Amphitheater, City Hall

Enjoy the sounds of summer through July, as brought to you by the City of Fairfax Band and ensembles. Performances are held in city parks and the Veterans Amphitheater at City Hall – so bring a rug or lawn chair and enjoy and sit back and relax to the sound of music in the park.  For details see www.fairfaxband.org More

July

Independence Day Celebration Parade and Evening Show

City of Fairfax’s Independence Day Celebration Parade and Evening Show offers the largest hometown parade and celebration in the entire metropolitan region. Co-sponsored by the City of Fairfax and the Independence Day Celebration Committee (IDCC), the day’s events begin at 10 a.m. with a colorful parade through the historic streets of Old Town Fairfax. More

September

Fall for the Book Festival

The Fall for the Book Festival celebrates literature, learning and all types of books and storytelling — from literary fiction to mystery and thrillers to folk tales, from poetry and plays to children’s books, and across a diverse range of nonfiction: history, memoir, politics and more. More

September

Children’s Performance Series at Old Town Hall

This free performance series is presented by the City of Fairfax Commission on the Arts and is held on the first and third Mondays of the month, September through July. See Cultural Calendar at www.fairfaxarts.org More

September

Fairfax Irish Folk Festival

This free day-long festival held The Sherwood Center celebrates Irish and Celtic, song, dance and music. Performers, both international, national and from around the region present the best of their events, dance, song, traditional and modern music—and encourage audience participation. For information, call 703.352.ARTS. More

October

Friday Morning Music Club

Held on the third Thursday of the month, October through May. The Friday Morning Music Club is a community of music lovers and musicians, dedicated to promoting classical music in the Washington area. FMMC’s public concerts provide performing members with a host of outlets for their talents as well as delighting audiences in Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia. More

October

Fall Festival

Annually, the City of Fairfax Parks & Recreation Department sponsors a Fall Festival held in historic downtown Fairfax on the second Saturday in October. This popular event begins at 10 a.m. and includes arts and crafts, ethnic foods, children’s corner, rides and musical entertainment. There are more than 500 arts, crafts and food vendors participating in the festival. More

November

Holiday Craft Show

The third Saturday and Sunday of November are reserved for the Holiday Craft Show. The craft show is held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at Fairfax High School, 3501 Rebel Run. This popular Holiday Craft Show fills the bustling halls with nearly 300 crafters for two days. More

December

A Celtic Christmas at The Sherwood
A traditional celebration of the season A family friendly program of traditional Celtic Christmas tunes, songs, stories, dances and verse. Síor-Óg will perform traditional Celtic Christmas tunes. The Síor-Óg singers will sing classic Celtic Christmas songs in Gaeilge and in English. A storyteller will hold the audience in thrall as she tells tales of the doings of the fairies in Celtic folklore. More

December

Festival of Lights and Carols

The first Saturday in December, the Parks & Recreation Department holds its annual Festival of Lights & Carols. Activities will include Lunch with Santa (tickets need to be purchased from the Parks & Recreation office, limited number available), illumination of the street trees on Main Street in the downtown Historic District and lighting of the City tree. More

October

Bonita Lestina Performance Series

The Bonita Lestina Performance Series is presented by the City of Fairfax Commission on the Arts. These free performances are held on the second and fourth Fridays of the month, October through April. Performances are posted on the Cultural Calendar at www.fairfaxarts.org More

The Friday Morning Music Club at Old Town Hall

Friday Morning Music Club

Held on the third Thursday of the month Old Town Hall, October through May[excluding December]   The Friday Morning Music Club is a community of music lovers and musicians, dedicated to promoting classical music in the Washington area. FMMC’s public concerts provide performing members with a host of outlets for their talents as well as delighting audiences in Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia. More