Events & Things to Do this September in Fairfax County

updated for 2026

The most colorful season of the year kicks off this September in Northern Virginia! With changing leaves and autumn breeze comes beer-forward Oktoberfests, scenic adventures, spooky activities, fabulous festivals, exciting performances, and more. 

Here’s your go-to guide for enjoying September in Fairfax County.

Start Your Fall Festival To-Do List

Apple cider donuts, hayrides, fresh kettle corn, pumpkins bigger than your head, and local markets full of goodies. All things Fall are on the way! Festival season officially kicks off this month, and you won't want to miss the fun. Be sure to mark these special events, and bookmark our fall festivity guide for the full rundown of things to do.
 

Colonial Market & Fair September 19-20 George Washington’s Mount Vernon	Falls Church Festival September 19 Falls Church Community Center
Cox Farms Fall Festival September 19 - Nov. 8 Cox Farms	Reston Multicultural Festival September 19 Reston Town Square Park
Bull Run Wine Festival Fall 2026 September 26-27  The Winery at the Bull Run	Mosaic Fall Festival September 26 Mosaic District
OysterFEST & Seafood Extravaganza September 26 Settle Down Easy Brewing	Fall Fun Fest September 26 - October 31 Reston Farm Garden Market

Ramp It Up with Oktoberfest Revelries

"Willkommen zum Oktoberfest!" That's German for "Welcome to Oktoberfest!" To celebrate, there are plenty of special craft beer events happening here in Fairfax County to get your hops on. Check out our ever-growing list of Oktoberfests in Fairfax County. More events are on the way, but in the meantime, you'll find a few early announcements below. Be sure to bookmark our event calendar to stay updated on more Oktoberfests around Fairfax County!
 

Oktoberfest September 20 & October 18 The Swiss Bakery	Oktoberfest German Kickoff September 19 Shipgarten
Great Falls Oktoberfest October 2 Great Falls Grange	Oktoberfest Party September 26 G34.3 Brewing Co.
Oktoberfest Renaissance Festival October 17 Shipgarten	Vienna Oktoberfest October 3 Town of Vienna

SIP, SIT, and SHOP at Vintage Reston by Lake Anne Brew House 
Saturdays, 10a-2p and Sundays, 2-6p

Now open at Lake Anne Brew House: Vintage Reston, a temporary pop-up created by Melissa Romano, featuring a curated collection of mid-century modern furniture, decor, and art, alongside zero-proof beverages. With her admirable creativity, Melissa transformed Lake Anne Brew House's future taproom expansion space into a living showroom inspired by Reston's mid-century roots, bringing a new way to shop by experiencing it and deciding if you would like to keep enjoying it in your home. Plan your visit, and make it a day trip to wander around the neighborhood. 

 

Participate in the National Day of Remembrance
25th Anniversary of 9/11

In observance of the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Fairfax County encourages the community to pay homage to those who were killed and injured on September 11, 2001, and pay tribute to the many first responders who bravely rose to service during that time.

• Visit the National Museum of the United States Army's newest special exhibit: "Steel and Stone: Engineering the Response to 9/11." This new exhibit tells the story of how the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers played a vital role in the nation's response and recovery following the terrorist attacks. Plus, from August 28 - September 11, guests will also have the chance to see the massive U.S. flag that was unfurled over the damaged side of the Pentagon the day after the terrorist attacks. A symbol of unity, resilience and resolve, the flag is now folded and still bears soot stains from where it rubbed against the building. Plan your visit. 
  • Also, join the National Museum of the United States Army September 11-13 from 9am-5pm, for a series of public programs honoring the anniversary, inlcuding activities for children, personalized Soldier Stories, and an honor walk. Discover more ways to honor here.
  • On September 30, attend the virtual presentation from retired Army historian Stephen Lofgren on "Modern Missions - Then Came the Fire: Personal Accounts from the Pentagon." See info and more dates on upcoming presentations here.
     
• Join the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center on September 10 from 8-9pm for 9/11: 25 Years Later: a panel that will bring together first responders and aviation personnel from across Washington, DC, to tell the story of 9/11. This program will be presented in person at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly and will be streamed live on YouTube. Free, Registration Required.
   
• Attend the Sept. 11 Remembrance Ceremony at the Great Falls Freedom Memorial.
   
• Attend the annual flag unfurling ceremony at the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial in nearby Arlington.

Keep tabs on our calendar for more events as they are added.

 

Workhouse Arts Center's New Season Pass

The Workhouse Arts Center's Performing Arts Division just launched its new Season Pass, giving premium access to the whole season, while saving up to $50 along the way. This one-time purchase allows you to reserve one ticket for each of the upcoming productions this season, which include Bat Boy, Camelot, Clue, and Ruthless. You pick the dates, and you select your seats! Learn more here. 

One-of-a-Kind Special Events

Several other events and activities in Fairfax County offer you a chance to celebrate summer one last time this year. Here are our picks.
 

Circus Vazquez 
through September 13

Circus Vazquez, which has presented quality family entertainment for more than 50 years, is under the Big Top at Lerner Town Square through September 13 with an all-new tour. Tickets are on sale now.

 

George Washington Patriot Run
September 13

Image courtesy Mount Vernon

Race along the George Washington Memorial Parkway and finish with the Mansion in view at the George Washington Patriot Run 5k/10-mile race. The racecourse includes both lanes of a 5-mile stretch of the George Washington Parkway from the GW Parkway Circle to W. Boulevard Drive. Participants will receive a finisher medal and t-shirt.

For more Mount Vernon fun in September, don't miss the Colonial Market and Fair on September 19-20.

 

Bull Run Wine Festival Fall 2026
September 26 -27

Celebrate Autumn with the Bull Run Wine Festival Fall 2026 at The Winery at Bull Run's historic vineyard. With your ticket, enjoy complimentary wine tastings from premier vineyards across the state of Virginia and the featured brewery, while you meet and greet the knowledgeable people behind the pours. Savor delicious food, listen to live music, shop from local artisans, and purchase your favorite bottles directly from the wineries.

 

Get in the Spirit for Virginia Spirits Month

Image courtesy George Washington's Mount Vernon

Did you know Virginia is the birthplace of American spirits? The first batch of whiskey was distilled right here in 1620. In fact, George Washington was the largest distiller of whiskey during his time, producing more than 11,000 gallons in 1798 alone. September has been designated Virginia Spirits Month, a time to celebrate our legacy by sipping handcrafted spirits from local makers. To commemorate the month, be sure to visit George Washington’s Distillery & Gristmill at Mount Vernon and check out their calendar for weekly whiskey tastings!

For even more Distillery fun, the Open Road Distilling Company brings its passion for music and the spirit of the open road to Reston Town Center. The site handcrafts several different types of spirits and offers daily tastings, a full restaurant, and a second speakeasy-style dining and cocktail experience. Check out Heirloom here.

What are your plans for Fall? Let us know in the comments below or share with us on social using @VisitFairfax or #FXVA!