Northern Virginia offers some of the best spots to enjoy fall foliage, stunning hiking trails, and all the seasonal festivities you could wish for. But let’s not forget fall’s finest creation: the pumpkins! It’s the season for pumpkin spice and everything in between. Fairfax County fully embraces the pumpkin phenomenon with delicious fall treats, exciting events, and arts and crafts activities perfect for families, date nights, or even a solo outing.
Here’s your ultimate guide to all things pumpkin in Northern Virginia.
Get Artistic (🎃 + 🎨)
Find your inner Picasso and dip into the pumpkin palette to create gourd-geous creations. Muse Paintbar at Mosaic offers step-by-step painting classes, open to all skill levels. Instructors are there to help artists every step of the way. This season, it's a pumpkin palooza as you tap into your artistic side, creating unique designs like a pastel-inspired pumpkin or a scary pumpkin king. Still, the final creation is up to your imagination. Remember to "think outside the pumpkin!"
Meanwhile, have you ever wondered how pumpkins became the iconic symbol of fall? Green Spring Gardens is hosting a special pumpkin painting class, where you learn about the history of how this famous gourd grew from seed to its now legendary fall status. At the end of the experience, guests can select their own pumpkin to decorate and take home as fall decor.
Add to Cart (🎃+ 🛒)
Get in the fall mood with autumnal scents. Local Fairfax makers are brewing up something special for autumn and paying tribute to the beloved, orange-colored squash. Smell of Love Candles' fall collection includes a bunch of pumpkin-scented delights, all packaged in a beautiful candle jar. Would highly recommend snagging the Pumpk up the Jam, with notes of pecan, cinnamon, and pumpkin. Or try the two-in-one scented candle, Smoked Pumpkin Apple. You can also bring fall into your space with Nourish Natural Products' Pumpkin Spice Room Spray featuring hints of sweet orange, clove, and cinnamon essential oils to make you feel like you're wrapped in a warm blanket.
Don't forget to deck out your space with even more pumpkin-themed décor, because you can never have too many pumpkins. The Nest Egg in Fairfax Corner and Virginia Mercantile in Clifton have the cutest fall collection to spruce up your home. Lather up with Hidden Gems Farm's Pumpkin Spice Goat Milk Soap or indulge in the Autumn Rejuvenate Package at Calvert Rejuvenations, which includes a detoxifying signature massage using Pumpkin Cardamom Oil.
Get Sipping (🎃 + 🍺)
Courtesy @caboosetavern
With so many tasty and unique coffee shops, it's no surprise that pumpkin-flavored coffees are on this list. Weird Brothers kicks off their spectacular autumn lineup with drinks like The Great Pumpkin Nitro, Pumpkin Pie Chai, and other pumpkin specialty beverages. At 29th Parallel Coffee, Cervantes Coffee, Simply Social Coffee’s two locations, and Caboose Tavern & Commons, find a variation of classic pumpkin spice lattes - it's up to you to decide which one takes first place.
The brewers are also busy this season with their fall concoctions. Aslin Beer Co. has introduced its seasonal How Now Brown Cow: Pumpkin Spice milk stout, while Ono Brewing’s popular Jack-O Pumpkin Ale offers a pumpkin pie experience in a glass, brewed with caramel, red malts, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and pumpkin for that lovely orange hue.
Gourds Gone Gourmet (🎃 + 🍴)
Courtesy Bobby's Bagel' Cafes Facebook
Fall for pumpkin spice at Urbano Mexican Fare with its limited-time Pumpkin Spice Margaritas and Pumpkin Spice Churros or you can always head to Ted's Bulletin to experience a fall symphony on your plate with their Pumpkin Cheesecake AND Pumpkin Milkshake. Line up at Bobby’s Bagels Café for handcrafted pumpkin-shaped and pumpkin-spiced bagels. Pair your morning Pumpkin Spice Latte with one of the Cafe's Pumpkin-Shaped Muffins. For those chilly days, the Curry Pumpkin Soup from Herndon's 100 Bowls of Soup is the perfect remedy.
Patch Perfect Pics (🎃+ 📸)
Courtesy @veronica_j
Snag a pumpkin and a photo simultaneously at these picturesque pumpkin patches in Northern Virginia. Each patch offers its unique take on this fall tradition, featuring fun attractions like a pumpkin moon bounce, a pumpkin fort, and even a house made entirely of pumpkins. These scenic spots provide the perfect setting for your autumn photoshoots.
Even More Special Events (🎃+ 🥳)
Carve out some fun with these special events happening all over the county.
🎃 Make a splash at Herndon's Pumpkin Plunge, where you can swim to a floating pumpkin patch and pick your perfect pumpkin to decorate.
🎃 Kids are invited to a Pumpkin Party on the Hill to create their own pumpkin play dough, make pumpkin ice cream, and enjoy a pumpkin-themed storytime.
🎃 Light up the night at Nalls Produce during Pumpkin IllumiNIGHT, where you can carve pumpkins and leave them behind to be part of a glowing jack-o-lantern.
🎃 Pumpkin giveaways are happening at Annandale's Fall Festival AND over at Nalls' Great Pumpkin Giveaway to win a GIANT Pumpkin (approx. 100 lb.). Sign up by October 24 for a chance to win!
🎃 Customize your pumpkins at Halloween on the Green in Vienna and Northside Social's Fall Festival.
What are your favorite pumpkin traditions in Fairfax County? What did we miss? Let us know in the comments below or connect with us on social media using #FXVA and @Visit Fairfax.