For plenty of Northern Virginia families, visiting Cox Farms is synonymous with autumn. This year, the Centreville farm’s Fall Festival returns with an exciting new addition, about six months after a fire on the property.
“Our biggest slide ever has been in the works for a couple of years, and it will debut when we open on September 20,” says Aaron Cox-Leow, co-farmer-in-chief of Cox Farms. “The new Safari Slide is eight lanes wide and 180 feet long. Unlike most of our attractions, the Safari Slide is visible from Braddock Road, so locals have watched as it has slowly come together. We’re so excited that folks will be able to experience it for themselves soon!”
The festival runs until November 9, welcoming visitors Thursdays through Mondays (closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays), with adjusted hours once November arrives.
Plans to Rebuild
In February, a fire destroyed one of the farm’s barns, along with a tractor, one of the venue’s most popular slides, and the iconic sunflower art that decorated the barn.
“While we still plan to rebuild the barn in the future, we decided to leave that visible gap in our landscape this year as a tribute, to honor and remember the barn that we lost,” says Cox-Leow. “It felt too soon and we didn’t want to rush into rebuilding.”
What to Expect
Visitors to Cox Farms can expect a dizzying array of activities: Take a 20-minute wagon journey through whimsical scenes, including aliens, an Old West town, a jungle, and an enchanted barn. Check out the hay rides, giant slides, rope swings, corn maze, goat village, tractor museum, milking chores, and hay tunnels. Visit the farm’s rabbits, goats, llamas, chickens, alpaca, cows, horses, pigs, and ducks.
Live musical performers bring bluegrass, classic rock, and more to the farm. Visitors can also indulge in seasonal treats like fresh apple cider doughnuts, kettle corn, and caramel apples.
For those in a spooky mood, Cox Farms also holds Fields of Fear, a nighttime haunted event on Friday and Saturday nights during the season. Tickets are available sale online and run $35 and $40, depending which night you attend.
Tips for Families & Groups
Advance tickets are only sold online and tend to sell out quickly — make sure to buy tickets before arriving. Tickets range from $15 to $30, depending what day you visit. The market is open daily during festival hours and requires no entry ticket. Schools and large groups can arrange field trips or weekend gatherings for birthday parties, reunions, or group outings.
Feature image courtesy Cox Farms
