Fall Festival
The Fall Festival is an annual community celebration organized by the City of Fairfax's Parks and Recreation department, drawing large crowds from across the region.
In October 2024, the event was scheduled for October 12 with an anticipated attendance of 40,000–45,000 people. In 2025, it was held on October 11, with the Senior Center and the Urban Forestry Master Plan team both hosting informational tables at the event. In 2026, the festival marked its 50th annual edition, held on October 10; it was widely praised by council members and staff for its strong turnout and favorable weather.
The event regularly features participation from multiple city departments including Parks and Recreation, Police, Fire and Rescue, Public Works, Code Administration, and Transportation, as well as community partners, vendors, and volunteers. Ancillary programming at the festival has included a fire station open house, battery/fire safety resources, recycling and composting stations with volunteer "recycling champions," and water bottle refill stations aimed at reducing waste.
Still open
- Whether a formal volunteer management program for recurring events like the Fall Festival will be developed, given noted staff capacity constraints as of May 2026.
What members have said
- City Manager Alexander
Following the 2026 Fall Festival (October 10), Alexander praised the event's success, highlighting the community and departmental collaboration, favorable weather, and the extensive coordination involved in areas such as event action planning, public safety, emergency response, traffic management, and vendor organization. He specifically called out Parks and Rec, Police, Fire Rescue, Public Works, Code Administration, Transportation, and volunteers.
In September 2026, Bates noted that Fall Festival (anticipated October 10) was the next major event following the car show, expressed hope for good weather similar to what they had on Labor Day, and acknowledged that Rock the Block would occur before the festival.
- Mayor (unspecified)
At the October 13, 2026 meeting, the Mayor thanked staff for their contributions to the 50th Fall Festival, calling it a great community event with a good turnout and fantastic weather. At the September 22, 2026 meeting, the Mayor read a proclamation referencing the Fall Festival among the city's signature annual celebrations.
- Council Member (unspecified, Oct 13 2026 — second speaker)
Gave a 'huge thank you' to everyone who made the 2026 Fall Festival successful, citing a good turnout and great weather, and acknowledged the significant effort and long hours that staff put into the event.
- Council Member (unspecified, Oct 13 2026 — third speaker)
Thanked staff, volunteers, and first responders for a wonderful 50th Fall Festival.
Positions as recorded in meeting minutes; votes without recorded comment aren’t summarized.
Discussion time
councilcommissionMinutes of named discussion per transcribed meeting, Oct 8, 2024 onward.
History
Filled dots are actions on this topic; open dots are mentions.
- Oct 10, 2024Parks and Recreation Advisory Board · item 7bUpcoming Events and Programs
Fall Festival is scheduled for October 12, 2024, with anticipated attendance of 40,000–45,000 people.
- Urban Forestry Master Plan Presentation
Fall Festival on October 11th was noted as an upcoming opportunity to feature a table about the Urban Forestry Master Plan. The Senior Center confirmed it will have a presence at the Fall Festival on October 11th. Fall Festival is scheduled for October 11th as an upcoming Parks and Recreation department event.
Discussed alongside
Topics that come up in the same meetings.