Virginia knows how to celebrate a season! Here are seven local fall festivals featuring wine tasting, crafts, petting zoos, lots of pumpkins, and other activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Fall Fun Fest at Reston Farm Garden Market
Saturdays and Sundays, September 27 to October 27
This fall fest has everything from a petting zoo to pumpkins. Little ones will love a train ride that loops twice around the market, as well as face painting and balloon art at an extra fee. Fall food options will be available too, like apple cider and donuts. 10800 Baron Cameron Ave., Reston, $5, free for kids 2 and under
Vienna Oktoberfest
October 4, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Oktoberfest lovers will be delighted to hear that Vienna’s version features a huge selection of beer and wine from local places like Caboose Brewing and Norms Beer & Wine. There will be live entertainment on three stages, food, children’s activities, and a business expo showcase with a vendor and artisan marketplace. Parking is limited, so take advantage of a free shuttle from the Vienna Metro and James Madison High School. Historic Church Street, Vienna, free
Fall Wine Festival at Mount Vernon
October 10 to 12, 6–9 p.m.
Sample wines from Virginia wineries as you overlook the Potomac River at Mount Vernon’s Fall Wine Festival. Guests can take home their own commemorative wine glass. Throughout the night, there will be live music from Bruce Ewan and the Solid Senders. 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy., Mount Vernon, $66
Taste of NoVA
October 11 and 12, noon–4 p.m.
Northern Virginia Magazine‘s annual food festival will feature more than 120 chefs, wineries, breweries, distilleries, and mixologists. Held at event field next to MurLarkey at NOVA LIVE, there will be two days of food and drink tastings, live cooking demos, and panels featuring beverage professionals and foodie influencers. Don’t miss a chance to taste food from the three-Michelin-starred Inn at Little Washington, and see the Lifetime Achievement Award presentation to Chef Patrick O’Connell. Emcees include NBC4’s Eun Yang, FOX5DC’s Julie Donaldson and Erin Como, and WUSA9’s Annie Yu. NOVA LIVE: 9665 Discovery Blvd., Manassas, starting at $100
Fall Artisan Market at The Plaza in Fairfax Corner
October 18
Start your holiday shopping early at Fairfax Corner’s Fall Artisan Market. There will be over 40 local artists at the plaza, and the market is curated by Locally Crafted. Live music will accompany you as you shop, and a free, all-ages craft (picture frame making) is part of the fun. Also, if you spend $75 or more at Fairfax Corner retailers, guests can create a custom bag charm at the market. 4100 Monument Corner Dr., Fairfax, free
Richard’s Fruit Market Apple Festival
October 19, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Celebrate all things apple at this festival with apple pie, caramel apples, apple dumplings, and apple sauce. Admission is free, and the event is family-friendly with a bounce house and barrel train rides for kids. The apple festival is rain or shine. 6410 Middle Rd., Middletown, free
Harvest Festival Fly-In
October 25, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
A day for aviation and autumn lovers, the Harvest Festival Fly-In at Shannon Airport in Fredericksburg will feature aircraft and aviation-style trick-or-treating and candy drops. A C-54 Spirit of Freedom plane and DC-3 Shannon Air Express will be on display, as they were in 2024. Children ages 12 and under are welcome to dress in costume and partake in the candy drops. 3380 Shannon Airport Cir., Fredericksburg
Feature image of Vienna Oktoberfest courtesy Vienna Business Association/Greater Merrifield Business Association
