Ages 0 to 10, always
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Fairfax fall festivals and seasonal events with kids
Fairfax has several large annual events, but they are not all the same kind of family day. The Fairfax Fall Festival fills downtown streets, Vienna closes Maple Avenue for its Halloween parade, and some annual dates are still waiting for their next update.
Quick answer
The next confirmed large Fairfax family events are the Fairfax Fall Festival on October 10, 2026, and the Vienna Halloween Parade on October 28, 2026. The fall festival runs from 10 AM to 5 PM, while the free parade runs from 7 to 9 PM. Check parking, extra costs, road closures, crowd size, and the official event page before promising the outing.
- My Gym Fitness Storytime, Oakton, VA. Oakton Library is hosting two fun 30 minute interactive parent and me classes for our library families. Join us each month at 10:10 or 10:40 for... Free Official source
- Little Sprout Yoga, Fairfax, VA. A yoga class for babies! Bring a mat or towel and join the fun with stories, songs, and yoga. Program facilitated by Feels Like OM Family Yoga . Co... Free Official source
- Preschool Storytime, Reston, VA. Enjoy books, songs, rhymes and movement activities while building language and pre-literacy skills. Ages 3-5 with adult. Registration required. Free Official source
- My Gym Fitness Storytime, Oakton, VA. Oakton Library is hosting two fun 30 minute interactive parent and me classes for our library families. Join us on the 1st Friday of each month... Free Official source
- Story Time Yoga, Fairfax, VA. Stories, Songs, and Yoga! Join the fun with stories, songs, and yoga. In person! Bring a mat or beach towel. Program facilitated by Feels Like OM F... Free Official source
- Spooky Slime, Alexandria, VA. Are you brave enough to whip up these scary slimes? Make a witch's brew, vampire's bloodbath, or creepy-crawly concoction. Customize the color of y... Free Official source
- Black Cat Scavenger Hunt, Reston, VA. Black cats are pawing around Reston Regional Library! Spot 10 kitties in the Children's Section during the month of October for a prize. Ages 0-13,... Free Official source
- Sensory Storytime, Burke, VA. Join us for movement, songs, stories, and sensory activities that support early literacy skills in a slower-paced, small-group setting before the l... Free Official source
- Halloween Parade!, Centreville, VA. Come enjoy Halloween-themed stories and activities. Costumes are encouraged and there will be a costume parade following the program. Age 0-5 with... Free Official source
- Saturday Family Storytime, Oakton, VA. Join us for a Not-Too-Scary Halloween themed storytime! Interactive stories, songs and action rhymes. For ages 0-5 with a parent. No registratio... Free Official source
- Saturday Morning Storytime - Halloween!, Fairfax, VA. A "spooky" storytime for all ages! Read, sing, learn and have fun at the library. Costumes encouraged but not required. After our story time, kids... Free Official source
- Saturday Stories for Halloween, Springfield, VA. Join us in the children's area for a Halloween storytime designed for families with children ages birth to five. Costumes encouraged! No registrati... Free Official source
- Artist Playground: Halloween Edition, Herndon, VA. Do you enjoy crafting? Do you want to explore new ideas and play with materials? Join us at the Artist Playground for a themed craft and coloring p... Free Official source
- Paws to Read with Lucy, Falls Church, VA. Read aloud to Lucy, a trained therapy dog. Bring your own book or choose a book from the library. Walk-ins welcome. Free Official source
- S.H.A.R.E. Thinking Studio, McLean, VA. S.H.A.R.E. stands for Speak, Hear, Analyze, Read, and Evolve. This is a place where students speak up, hear others, analyze stories, read texts, an... Free Official source
- Children's Display Case, Burke, VA. Display your favorite collection in one of our children's display cases! Whether its something you've collected--rocks, trading cards, figurines, r... Free Official source
- National Zoo Scavenger Hunt, Reston, VA. From pandas and elephants, to cheetahs and foxes—pictures of animals from the National Zoo are hidden at Reston Regional Library! Locate 10 m... Free Official source
- Kids Holiday Craft: Moana, Great Falls, VA. Celebrate a day off school with a colorful craft. Create your own floating origami Moana boat! Stop by any time on Monday, November 2 to make an or... Free Official source
- Babies & Books, Burke, VA. Songs, rhymes, stories and activities for baby and you. Birth-18 months with adult. Limit 15 babies with parent on a first come, first serve bas... Free Official source
- Baby Steps, Burke, VA. Are you looking for ways to help your new baby learn, grow, and socialize? Then come join us for early literacy activities, sing alongs, and rhymes... Free Official source
- 3D Basics for Kids, Oakton, VA. Have you ever wanted to learn to make objects using a 3D printer? In this class we are going to learn to use TinkerCAD to create 3D objects to prin... Free Official source
- Bubble Dance Party, Herndon, VA. Get ready to move, groove, and pop into fun at the library. Join us for a high energy dance party filled with music, movement, and bubbles! Free Official source
- Kids Crafternoon, Fairfax, VA. Get creative and craft whatever your imagination inspires using our craft supplies. For ages 3-12. Free Official source
- Cliffhanger Book Club, Alexandria, VA. This read-aloud event invites book club attendees to cast their vote for one of two books presented. The winner will be read aloud to the club, who... Free Official source
Quick seasonal planner
| Event | Next confirmed date | Parent cost note |
|---|---|---|
| Fairfax Fall Festival | October 10, 2026, 10 AM to 5 PM | Admission is free. Some children's rides and activities cost extra. |
| Vienna Halloween Parade | October 28, 2026, 7 to 9 PM | The parade and costumed children's group are free. Plan for road closures and crowds. |
| Asian Festival on Main | May 16, 2027, 11 AM to 6 PM | Admission is free. Food and purchases cost extra. |
| Chocolate Lovers Festival | 2027 details are not posted yet | Wait for the official schedule before planning. |
| Independence Day Celebration | 2027 details are not posted yet | Wait for the official parade and evening show update. |
The Fairfax Fall Festival fills downtown
The official Fairfax Fall Festival page lists Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 10 AM to 5 PM in downtown Fairfax. Admission is free, but some children's rides and activities cost extra. The event is rain or shine and has more than 400 vendors, children's activities, and multiple stages. The city lists free parking and a free bike, scooter, and stroller valet.
The Vienna Halloween Parade closes Maple Avenue
The Vienna Halloween Parade family guide covers the Wednesday, October 28, 2026 parade from 7 to 9 PM. The route follows Maple Avenue from Branch Road to Center Street. Watching is free, costumed children may march without advance registration, and the full Maple Avenue closure begins at 6:30 PM. Confirm any last minute change on the official Town of Vienna page.
Asian Festival on Main already has a 2027 date
The official Asian Festival on Main site lists Sunday, May 16, 2027, from 11 AM to 6 PM in Old Town Fairfax. Admission is free. The festival includes food, cultural performances, hands on activities, games, and a mini horse petting zoo. This is a street festival, so use the official parking page and bring a simple exit plan for children who tire in crowds.
Two annual dates are still pending
The Chocolate Lovers Festival site says the 2026 event has passed and asks families to wait for 2027 updates. The City of Fairfax Independence Day page also says to stay tuned for 2027 details. We will add those dates after the organizers publish them instead of copying last year's schedule.
Choose by cost and crowd tolerance
The fall festival works for families comfortable walking busy downtown streets with vendors and children's activities. The Vienna parade is a shorter evening plan, but Maple Avenue closes and the route can feel crowded. Free admission does not mean a free day, so set a food and activity budget before leaving. Keep the indoor activity guide ready if weather or crowds make the original plan stop working.
Parent questions
When is the Fairfax Fall Festival in 2026?
The Fairfax Fall Festival is Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 10 AM to 5 PM in downtown Fairfax.
Is the Fairfax Fall Festival free?
Admission is free, but some children's rides and activities cost extra.
When is the Vienna Halloween Parade in 2026?
The Vienna Halloween Parade is Wednesday, October 28, 2026, from 7 to 9 PM on Maple Avenue.
Can children join the Vienna Halloween Parade?
Yes. Costumed children may join without advance registration and should meet at 6 PM at United Bank, 374 Maple Avenue East.
Are the 2027 Chocolate Lovers and Independence Day dates available?
No. Both official pages say to wait for 2027 updates, so Playdate NoVA will not post a date until the organizers confirm it.