The Fairfax Girl Team 
There’s never a shortage of fun things to do on the weekends here in Northern Virginia, and this month is no exception. There is something for everyone in October, from live music to art markets to thrifting events and more. Plus, all of the seasonal fun, like pumpkin patches and corn mazes. Oh, and it’s also Virginia Wine Month, if you needed an excuse to check out a new vineyard. Read on for some of the best events happening in Northern Virginia this October.
Editor’s note: we’re always adding new events to our totally free community events calendar! Add your events here.
Fall Pumpkin Harvest Festival, Great Country Farms | 18780 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont
Date: Through October 31st, 2026
Time: 9AM-5PM on weekdays; 9AM-6PM on weekends
Fall fun takes over Great Country Farms with pumpkins, a corn maze, cider doughnuts, farm attractions, and plenty of seasonal activities. Families can make a full day of exploring the farm while celebrating pumpkin season.
Cox Farms Fall Festival, Cox Farms | 15621 Braddock Road, Centreville
Date: Through November 8th, 2026
Time: 10AM-6PM in September + October; 10AM-5PM in November
No NOVA fall is complete without a trip to Cox Farms. The Cox Farms Fall Festival features hayrides, giant slides, farm animals, a corn maze, and other seasonal attractions. There’s plenty of parking, on-site food + drinks, and places to play and take a break.
82nd Annual Waterford Fair, Waterford Old School | 40222 Fairfax Street, Waterford
Date: October 2nd-4th, 2026
Time: 10AM-5PM
One of the area’s longstanding fall traditions, the Waterford Fair brings artisans, living history, juried art, historic homes, food, local drinks, and family entertainment to the historic village of Waterford. The three-day event offers plenty to explore for art, history, and architecture lovers.
2026 Fall Festival: Greektober Fest, Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church | 3149 Glen Carlyn Road, Falls Church
Date: October 2nd-4th, 2026
Time: Friday + Saturday 11AM-9PM; Sunday 12PM-8PM
Greek food, pastries, live music, and community festivities are all part of this annual fall celebration. Admission and parking are free, making it an easy weekend stop for anyone craving Greek specialties.
Moonlight Market, Downtown One Loudoun | 20365 Exchange Street, Ashburn
Date: October 2nd, 2026
Time: 5PM-9PM
Local makers, artists, bakers, and small businesses fill Downtown One Loudoun for an evening market. Dinner, drinks, and shopping can easily be combined into one Friday night outing.
Met Park Movie Nights 2026, Metropolitan Park | 13th Street South + South Eads Street, Arlington
Date: October 2nd, 2026
Time: 6PM
A free outdoor screening of Encanto is taking over Metropolitan Park’s Central Green. Blankets and chairs make this an easy family-friendly way to spend a Friday evening outdoors.
Great Falls Oktoberfest, Great Falls Grange | 9818 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls
Date: October 2nd, 2026
Time: 6PM-10PM
German food, beer, wine, pretzels, Bavarian music, and contests are on the lineup for this Great Falls celebration. The evening brings a traditional Oktoberfest-inspired experience to the historic Great Falls Grange.
Adult Corn Maze Night, Great Country Farms | 18780 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont
Date: October 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th, 16th, 17th, 23rd + 24th, 2026
Time: 6PM-9PM
This 21+ fall experience gives grown-ups a chance to take on the farm’s corn maze after hours. Live music, fire pits, and a complimentary cider or wine add to the adults-only autumn atmosphere.
Fall Flower Festival, Wollam Gardens | 5167 Jeffersonton Road, Jeffersonton
Date: October 3rd, 2026
Time: 1PM-5:30PM
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Fresh flowers, live music, food, drinks, and workshops fill Wollam Gardens during this colorful seasonal festival. Free admission makes the afternoon especially appealing for anyone looking for a scenic fall outing.
Pilates at the Vineyard, Three Fox Winery + Farm Brewery | 1011 Three Fox Lane, Delaplane
Date: October 3rd, 2026
Time: 9:30AM
A 45-minute mat Pilates class inside the tasting room pairs movement with a trip to the vineyard. Admission includes the class and a pour of wine or beer afterward, and participants should bring their own mat.
Manassas Fall Jubilee, Historic Downtown Manassas | 9431 West Street, Manassas
Date: October 3rd, 2026
Time: 10AM-5PM
Historic Downtown Manassas becomes a large fall festival filled with food, shopping, live entertainment, and activities for the whole family. Free admission makes the annual celebration an accessible way to spend a full fall day downtown.
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Arts on the Avenue, Del Ray | Mt. Vernon Avenue between Hume + Bellefonte Avenues, Alexandria
Date: October 3rd, 2026
Time: 10AM-6PM
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Hundreds of artists, musicians, food vendors, and community groups come together along Mount Vernon Avenue for this multicultural arts festival. Kids’ activities, live performances, handmade goods, and plenty of food make it one of Alexandria’s biggest fall happenings.
DogFest, Reston Town Center | 11900 Market Street, Reston
Date: October 3rd, 2026
Time: 11AM-3PM
Dog lovers and their four-legged friends can spend the afternoon enjoying vendors, activities, music, and family-friendly fun at Reston Town Center. The event also supports the mission of Canine Companions and its work providing service dogs.
Jessica Spotswood Pop-Up Signing for The Harrow Home for Wayward Girls, One More Page Books | 2200 N Westmoreland Street, Arlington
Date: October 3rd, 2026
Time: 11AM-1PM
Local author and librarian Jessica Spotswood will be at One More Page Books for a pop-up signing of The Harrow Home for Wayward Girls. Readers can stop by during the two-hour window to meet the author and pick up a signed copy.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Fairfax Walk, Mosaic District | 2905 District Avenue, Fairfax
Date: October 3rd, 2026
Time: Check-in at 11AM; walk at 12:30PM
The Fairfax community walk brings people together in support of suicide prevention, mental health awareness, remembrance, and hope. Fundraising from the event supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s research, education, advocacy, and support programs.
Vienna Oktoberfest, Church Street | 131 Church Street NE, Vienna
Date: October 3rd, 2026
Time: 11AM-7PM
Three stages of live entertainment, beer and wine, more than 150 vendors, international food, and free children’s activities take over downtown Vienna. The large community celebration brings Oktoberfest energy to Church Street for an entire day.
38th Annual Leesburg Car Show, Market Street | 18 E Market Street, Leesburg
Date: October 3rd, 2026
Time: 12PM-4PM
More than 150 classic, muscle, sports, custom, and hot rod vehicles are expected in Historic Downtown Leesburg for this longstanding car show. Spectator admission is free, with dozens of awards presented across multiple vehicle categories.
The ARTS Place Pop-Up on Langston, Arlington Artists Alliance | 3130 Langston Boulevard, Arlington
Date: Fridays, Saturdays + Sundays through October 25th, 2026
Time: 12PM-6PM
More than 35 local artists are represented inside this temporary Arlington gallery and gift shop. Paintings, collage, sculpture, ceramics, and other original works give shoppers plenty of locally made art to browse.
Fiesta Fairfax: Cultura + Cuisine, Old Town Square | 10415 North Street, Fairfax
Date: October 3rd, 2026
Time: 2PM-7:30PM
Old Town Square hosts an afternoon celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month through live music, dance, food, artisans, and local organizations. Cultural performances and community vendors make this one of Fairfax City’s standout celebrations of the month.
Dance The Line: A Country Swing + Line Dancing Social, Westpost at National Landing | 1201 South Joyce Street, Arlington
Date: October 3rd, 2026
Time: 4PM-7PM
Country swing and line dancing take over Westpost for an afternoon social featuring a DJ, food and drink specials, and plenty of time on the dance floor. A complimentary lesson at 4:30PM gives newcomers a chance to learn a few moves before the party continues.
Festival Latinoamericano, Arlington Mill Community Center | 909 South Dinwiddie Street, Arlington
Date: October 3rd, 2026
Time: 5PM-9PM
Live entertainment, food, local vendors, and cultural programming spotlight Latin American traditions at Arlington Mill Community Center. The evening festival celebrates the diversity of Arlington’s Latino community through music, dance, and food.
Night Market x Art After Hours, Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington | 3550 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington
Date: October 3rd, 2026
Time: 5PM-8PM
More than 20 artists and makers fill the outdoor space for an evening market alongside extended gallery hours. Open studios, art, food, and drinks continue inside the museum for a full evening centered around Arlington’s creative community.
2026 Lost Dog 5K + 10K, Workhouse Arts Center | 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton
Date: October 3rd, 2026
Time: 5:30PM-7:30PM
This evening race supports the Lost Dog + Cat Rescue Foundation while taking runners through the historic Workhouse Arts Center grounds. Both 5K and 10K options are available for participants looking to combine a fall run with a good cause.
Friends of Reston Fall 5K + Pumpkin Dash, Browns Chapel | 1686 Browns Chapel Road, Reston
Date: October 4th, 2026
Time: Pumpkin Dash at 8AM; 5K at 8:15AM
A free Pumpkin Dash for kids kicks off the morning before runners and walkers head out for the annual fall 5K. Proceeds support scholarships, enrichment programs, and other Friends of Reston initiatives.
McLean ArtFest, McLean Central Park | 1468 Dolley Madison Boulevard, McLean
Date: October 4th, 2026
Time: 10AM-4PM
More than 30 artists gather at McLean Central Park for a day devoted to art and community. Food trucks, a beer and wine garden, children’s art activities, and live music round out the annual festival.
SPARK! Not Your Usual Halloween Art Market, 2700 Art Space | 2700 South Nelson Street, Arlington
Date: October 4th, 2026
Time: 10AM-2PM
A Halloween-themed outdoor market brings together a curated lineup of art and food vendors in Arlington. Poetry, music, artmaking, and unconventional seasonal finds make this a creative alternative to a traditional fall market.
October Main St. Market, Old Town Fairfax | 10417 Main Street, Fairfax
Date: October 4th, 2026
Time: 12PM-4PM
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Vintage finds, handmade goods, jewelry, accessories, home decor, and other locally sourced items fill Old Town Fairfax during this curated market. The free event gives shoppers an opportunity to support independent vendors while spending an afternoon downtown.
CCH Cornhole Classic, Vienna Presbyterian Church | 124 Park Street NE, Vienna
Date: October 4th, 2026
Time: 2PM-5PM
Cornhole teams compete inside the Great Hall during this community fundraiser benefiting Community Coalition for Haiti. Food, a raffle, and free spectator admission make it possible to participate even without entering the tournament.
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The M Factor 2: Before the Pause — A Perimenopause Documentary Screening, Patagonia | 815 1/2 King Street, Alexandria
Date: October 4th, 2026
Time: 5PM-8PM
A documentary screening and panel discussion put perimenopause and women’s health at the center of the conversation. The evening provides an opportunity to learn from experts and hear more candid discussion about a stage of life that has historically received less attention.
Alexandria Book + Craft Festival, King Street | 415 King Street, Alexandria
Date: October 11th, 2026
Time: 10AM-4PM
Books, art, handmade goods, and local makers come together in Old Town for the second annual Alexandria Book + Craft Festival. Authors and artists will be on-site throughout the free outdoor event, with food available nearby and plenty of opportunities to start early holiday shopping.
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