updated for 2025
October is one of the most fun-filled months in Fairfax County, filled to the brim with special events, month-long celebrations, spooky Halloween activities, and absolutely stunning fall foliage drive tours and viewpoints. We don’t blame you if your calendar fills up quicker than a seven-year-old can fill his trick-or-treat bag! 🍬 🎃
Northern Virginia has a ton of fun to offer. Here’s a guide to some of the best events, festivals, and activities happening in Fairfax County this October.
Fairs, Festivals & Events
October is the prime season for family-friendly fall festivals and fairs in Fairfax County. Here are a few beloved events you won't want to miss. Be sure to check out our festival calendar, as more events are always being added to the list!
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Cox Farms Festival |
Capital One Center's Celebration of the Arts |
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Fall for the Book Festival |
Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour |
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City of Fairfax Fall Festival |
ROCKtoberfest |
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Taste of NOVA |
Clifton Day Festival Oct. 13 Town of Clifton |
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Centreville Day |
Fall Fest at Reston Farm Garden Market |
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
The National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers Official 2022 Hispanic Heritage Month Poster
Celebrated from September 15 through October 15 since its expansion in 1988, Hispanic Heritage Month honors the historic and cultural achievements of Hispanic Americans and celebrates their contributions that have influenced the diversity of our society. Check out this Hispanic Heritage Month guide to Fairfax County for a few ways to experience and celebrate Hispanic culture and heritage here in Fairfax County and throughout the region.
Halloween Town
Photo courtesy of Cox Farms
Whether you are a fearless Halloween warrior or prefer to leave the frights to someone else, you can bet there is a Halloween activity that will get you in the spirit in Fairfax County. Brave scares at Haunt: Apokalypse – Kingdom of Shadows, walking through abandoned, historic buildings and into the dark woods with terrifying characters and sights at the Workhouse Arts Center, formerly a prison. Or endure more than half a mile through the woods where you'll encounter chainsaws, spiders, and the occult at Cox Farms' Fields of Fear. The Winery at Bull Run is proving flights and frights make a great combination for Halloween. Follow your guides as they will lead you to the slightly haunted battlefield of Bull Run and listen to spooky past stories as you sip several award-winning Virginia wines. You can always take the little ones to pluck pumpkins and sip apple cider at our local pumpkin patches. There's no shortage of spooktacular festivities! Find all the Halloween fun you can muster right here. Plus, enjoy the best spooky home haunts from local residents who go all out.
Oktoberfests and Harvest Days
Autumn is known for harvest time, and many of our wineries and breweries are hard at work collecting the fruits of their labor. In addition to the natural-grown harvests, you can also find good old-fashioned fun at these special Oktoberfest celebrations and Family Harvest Days. Find even more here.
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Vienna Oktoberfest |
ParktoberFest |
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Harvest & Chili Fest |
Oktoberfest Beer Olympics October 4 Shipgarten |
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Fall Harvest Days |
Fall Harvest Festival October 18-19 George Washington's Mount Vernon |
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Bull Run Fall Wine Festival |
The Swiss Bakery Oktoberfest |
Fall Foliage Touring
October is typically when the colors start to peak, and Virginia is known for some breathtaking scenic splendor. Here are several places where you can enjoy nature’s showcase from the ground and a few nearby scenic drives you can take to enjoy from the comfort of your vehicle.
Want to take in the foliage from a more active vantage point? Check out these 5 parks that are great for fall foliage bike rides!
For those with littles, don’t miss the Autumn Leaves Hike and Crafts at Riverbend Park on October 25. Limited spaces are available! You can also hit the trails with hiking adventures created just for kiddos! Head to Storybook Trail at Hidden Oaks Nature Center or Ellanor C. Lawrence Park so the whole family can witness this year's foliage.
Get Fresh Fall Treats and Produce
What could be better than fresh fall farmers' market fare? (Say that three times fast!) Stock up on local fruits, meats, cheeses, and spices to make the ultimate fall recipes. Buying local produce supports sustainable agriculture in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and provides you with the freshest foods you can buy. Find a complete list of all farmers markets in the area here.
Peruse Our Pumpkin Patches
Image courtesy Reston Farm Markets/Facebook
You can't let October pass by without posing with the plumpest pumpkins in the patch! Don't forget to schedule your trip to a local farm or pumpkin patch to collect your haul. Here is an updated list of where to find pumpkins in Fairfax County this year. We'd love to see your stash - tag us in those pumpkin poses at @VisitFairfax!
October Events Overload
LAST CHANCE: Cirque du Soleil presents LUZIA
Photo credit to Matt Beard/Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil's stunning spectacle LUZIA is only in Tysons under the Big Top through October 18, so it's your last chance to witness these incredible feats before it heads to its next city. This imaginative show offers a glimpse into an imaginary Mexico—a sumptuous world between dreams and reality. In a series of grand visual surprises and breathtaking acrobatic performances, LUZIA takes audiences on a surrealistic journey through a vibrant world filled with wonders, playfulness and striking artistry. Get more information here and find tickets here.
Disney on Ice: Jump In!
Mickey Mouse and his pals are lacing up their ice skates and showing off their triple axel at EagleBank Arena from October 9 - 13. Disney fans unite and come to watch Simba roar, join Moana to save the island and sing along with Elsa in the newest production of this family classic. Get your tickets here!
Fall Capital Art and Craft Festival
Enter the world of handcrafted treasures, featuring everything from pottery creations to meticulously curated jewelry. With over 200 artists showcasing their masterpieces and passion throughout the weekend, there's something for everyone to adore at the Fall Capital Art and Craft Festival at the Dulles Expo Center on October 10-12.
Did we miss something that you absolutely love to do each October in Fairfax County? Tell us in the comments below and share your favorite fall fun with us on social using #FXVA and @VisitFairfax.
