When the leaves start changing color and the weather cools down, it’s time for the Fairfax Fall Festival. This year’s event, the 48th annual, is Saturday, Oct. 12, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., in downtown Fairfax City. The fun includes three stages of live entertainment. food, crafts, beer gardens, plus children’s rides and activities. 

Admission is free, the festival happens rain or shine, and there are activities for all ages. (Except for service animals, pets are discouraged.) Vendors and the carnival will close at 5 p.m. But the musical entertainment will continue with the Sudden M-Pac Band performing pop, R&B and funk songs from the 1970s, ’80s and forward, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. in Old Town Square, at University Drive and North Street. 

More than 400 crafts booths and displays will line both sides of University Drive, Main Street and Sager Avenue. And at Fire Station 3 at 4081 University Drive, the Fairfax Volunteer Fire Department will host Sparky’s Harvest Bash with Sparky the Fire Dog teaching children fire prevention and safety.

“The Fairfax Fall Festival is an event our region looks forward to each year on the second Saturday of October,” said City Mayor Catherine Read. “We have wonderful artisans, food vendors, music, rides for the kids and many local organizations. It’s a celebration of everything we associate with this season of the year, and all are welcome to this free community event.”

A wide variety of food will be offered at two food courts – one on Sager Avenue and the other on University Drive next to the fire station. And two more food vendors will be at Old Town Square, 10415 North St. And a trio of beer gardens will be at the Main Stage at University Drive and South Street, in Old Town Square, and at University Drive and Sager Avenue.

The Children’s Stage in the Truist Bank parking lot at 4020 University Drive will feature singers, dancers, clowns and a ventriloquist. Children’s rides, moonbounces, slides, a cake walk, petting zoo, obstacle course and touch-a-truck vehicles will be in that area, too. (Rides are weather-dependent). 

In addition, a full slate of entertainers will perform on the three festival stages. (See Entertainment Schedule for details and addresses.) Plus, returning to the festival after last year’s rousing success will be Haus of Marzipan with its show stopping aerial choreography, comedic acrobatics and whimsical dance. This 25-minute, two-woman show will be held next to Fire Station 3 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Fall for the Book – featuring books and activities for children, teens and adults – will run from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Old Town Hall, 3999 University Drive. And open houses will be held at the City of Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center, as well as at the Ratcliffe-Allison-Pozer House. For details, times and addresses, go to www.FairfaxFallFestival.com.