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
Image courtesy Mount Vernon
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 |
Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour |
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Clifton Day Festival |
DMV Chocolate & Coffee Festival |
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Fall for the Book Festival |
Burke Nursery Pumpkin Playground |
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City of Fairfax Fall Festival |
Tour de Mount Vernon |
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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 you can 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: Game Over, walking through abandoned, historic buildings and into the dark woods with terrifying characters and sights at the Workhouse Arts Center. 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. Or, take the little ones to pluck pumpkins and sip apple cider at our local pumpkin patches. There's no shortage of spooky 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
Courtesy Town of Vienna
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 |
Fort Belvoir Oktoberfest |
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Farm Harvest Days |
Arcadia Fall Funtacular October 15 Woodlawn Estate |
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Fall Harvest Festival |
Oktoberfest Beer, Wine, Chocolate, |
Fall Foliage Touring
Image courtesy John Cozen, taken at Burke Lake Park
October is usually 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 Burke Lake Park on October 21. Limited spaces are available!
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.
Plus, don't miss the Fall Harvest Festivals planned for several area Farmers Markets, which will include pumpkin painting, free samples, live music, a trivia wheel, and prizes, plus apple cider, family-friendly games, and more.
- Oak Marr Farmers Market - October 11
- Mason District Park Farmers Market - October 12
- McLean Farmers Market - October 13
- Lorton Farmers Market - October 16
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!
See Cirque du Soleil: ECHO
Through October 22
Image courtesy Cirque du Soleil
Witness the soaring and marvelous enchantment that a Cirque du Soleil production promises. Cirque du Soleil: ECHO is now playing through October 22 under the iconic Big Top in Lerner Town Square at Tysons II. The show follows an inquisitive young woman named FUTURE as she wanders into a fantasy world that explores our sacred bond with animals and nature. Packed with vibrant characters, inspiring music, astounding lights and projections, and never-before-seen acrobatic feats, Cirque du Soleil: ECHO invites audiences on a journey through a universe of color, wonder, and infinite possibilities.
Click here for a complete guide to tickets, parking, show details and more.
Visit Gunston Hall's New Garden
After many years of research and preparation, George Mason's Gunston Hall has officially opened their restored 18th-century Riverside Garden! Join Gunston Hall staff and volunteers as they celebrate the grand reopening on October 7. This open-house style, family event promises a day filled with exploration and learning amid the vibrant greenery. Attendees can immerse themselves in the world of plant life, guided by knowledgeable experts, and take part in activities like seed saving, creative crafts, and flower arranging.
Tickets are available both online and at the door
Pricing: $10 for adults and $8 for children
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.
