Updated on December 11, 2025 by Julie McCool
2025 October events in Northern Virginia bring pumpkin patches, Oktoberfests, art, wine, and craft festivals, and more fall fun to the Washington DC region. Cooler weather and fall foliage offer a beautiful backdrop to fun celebrations all month long.
Spooky and not-so-scary events run all month, ending with local trick-or-treating when Halloween arrives. Follow the links to find detailed schedules, purchase tickets, and check for weather closures.
Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links. We will make a small commission from these links if you order something, at no additional cost to you.
Our list of fun things to do this weekend in Northern VA includes Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Prince William County, Alexandria, Arlington, and other area towns. Festivals and events are listed in order of start date, with multi-day events generally listed first.
Check our guide to 21 Fall Festivals in Northern Virginia for more can't-miss Autumn fun.
Cox Farms Fall Festival, Cox Farms, Centreville, thru Nov 9
The biggest fall festival in Northern VA is packed with slides, rope swings, hayrides, a corn maze, and more family fun. Hours and ticket prices vary by day, follow the link for details.
Find more pumpkin fun in our complete guide to Pumpkin Patches in Northern Virginia.
Halloween Events in Northern Virginia
Halloween season events are held throughout October. Use the link above to find schedule and ticket details A few favorites held before Halloween night include:
- Air & Scare Day at the Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center (Canceled)
- A family-friendly Ghost Town at Burke Lake Park
- Costume parade in historic Occoquan
- A terrifying haunted trail at the Workhouse Arts Center
Waterford Fair, Waterford, Oct 3-5
Head to beautiful historic Waterford VA for Virginia’s oldest juried crafts fair. Watch and interact with artisans at work, tour Village gardens, and enjoy a weekend in the country. Kids’ activities make the fair a family-friendly event. Single day adult tickets are $25, 12 and under free. Follow the link for more ticket options, the artisan list, and schedule details. 10:00 – 5:00.
Art on the Avenue in Del Ray, Alexandria, Oct 4
The family-friendly festival includes juried artists selling handmade wares across ten blocks of Del Ray’s Mount Vernon Avenue. Five stages of live entertainment, plus food vendors, interactive art activities, and kids’ activities add to the fun. Free; 10:00 – 6:00.
Find more Fun Unique Things to Do in Alexandria VA.
Vienna Oktoberfest, Vienna, Oct 4
The popular Vienna Oktoberfest takes over Church Street with three stages of live entertainment, a German beer and food garden sponsored by Caboose Brewing Company, plus plenty of kids’ activities, games, and crafts. Admission is free; 11:00-7:00.
Find more Great Things to Do in Vienna Virginia.
Fall Jubilee, Manassas, Oct 4
Experience fall with a trip to historic Downtown Manassas. The Jubilee fills the streets of Manassas with a wine garden, pumpkin patch, live entertainment, and more than 100 crafter and community booths. Free; 10:00-5:00.
Leesburg Car Show, Leesburg, Oct 4
The Leesburg Car Show fills historic downtown Leesburg with over 150 classic cars. Check out the cars and cheer on your favorite for the awards in 32 categories. Noon-4:00.
MPAartfest, McLean, Oct 5
MPAartfest transforms McLean Park into an outdoor art studio and community-wide celebration of the visual arts. The festival features art, music, food, children’s activities, and more. Free, 10:00 – 4:00.
Fall for the Book Festival, Fairfax, Oct 7-11
Join authors and artists from around the world for book readings, exhibitions, performances, and discussions at George Mason University. Follow the link for schedule details.
Workhouse Haunt, Workhouse Arts Center, Lorton, Oct 10–Nov 1
Northern Virginia’s scariest haunted trail returns to the Workhouse Arts Center with zombies, swamp creatures, and creepy characters in the abandoned buildings at the Workhouse campus.
The Haunt walk-through trail is open Friday-Sunday and timed entry tickets start at $25. Many dates will sell out so get your tickets early. 7:00 – 11:00, Sunday to 10:00.
Find more Halloween Scares + Fun in Northern Virginia.
Mount Vernon Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour, Oct 10-12
Head to George Washington’s Mount Vernon‘s to sample Virginia wines, relax on the expansive East Lawn, and watch the sunset over the Potomac River. General Washington will be in attendance and you can tour the Mansion after hours.
Tickets often sell out for this popular event. Tickets start at $40/$50 members/non-members. 6:00-9:00 pm nightly.
Taste of Nova, Fort Belvois, Oct 11-12
Sample the best of Northern Virginia food, wine, and beer plus live music at the annual Taste of Nova. The festival returns to the National Museum of the US Army and admission starts at $100. 1:00 – 4:00.
Falls Church Farm Day, Falls Church, Oct 11
Head to Cherry Hill Park for a day of family-friendly farm fun including a petting zoo, pumpkin rides, farmhouse demonstrations, and more plus live music. Free, 10:00-3:00.
Fairfax Fall Festival, Oct 11
The streets of Old Town Fairfax are lined with booths featuring crafters, food stalls, and local businesses while carnival rides, live entertainment, and food and beer courts add to the fun. Free admission, fees for some activities, 10:00-5:00.
Clifton Day, Clifton, Oct 12
Head to charming Clifton for a day of family-friendly activities at the annual Clifton Day. Attractions include crafts, live entertainment, pony rides, children’s activities, and plenty of food and beverage choices. Admission is free and paid parking starts at $5.00 per car, but why not arrive in style?
Clifton Day is the only day of the year that you can take the Virginia Railway Express to town. Train service to Clifton is free from all stops between Manassas and Rolling Road, and the return trip is only $5.00. 9:00–5:00.
Garden Glow, Maymont Richmond, Oct 15-Nov 9
See the beautiful gardens at historic Maymont in Richmond as they glow with colorful lighting. Fire pits, a glow bar, food trucks, and immersive art add to the fun. General admission tickets are $20/$16 for adults/kids 3-16 with member discounts available.
Plan your visit and find fun things to do nearby with our Richmond getaway guide.
Fall Carnival and Harvest Days, Frying Pan Park, Oct 17-19
Enjoy carnival rides, games, food, animals, Harvest Days demonstrations, and kid-friendly activities at Frying Pan Park. Free admission, $10 parking, unlimited ride tickets $20/$25 advance/day-of. Fri 5:00-9:00; Sat 11:00-9:00, Sun 11:00-6:00.
Lucketts Fall Vintage Market, Berryville, Oct 17-19
Head to the Clarke County Fairgrounds to shop for unique finds from more than 200 hip vintage vendors. A craft beer garden, music, food trucks, and workshops add to the fun. General admission tickets are $20, Friday 12:00-5:00, weekend 10:00-5:00.
Loudoun Farm Tour, Oct 18-19
Enjoy special activities and learn from locals at the fall Loudoun Farm Tour. Participating farms raise alpacas, llamas, goats, mushrooms, lavender, wine, and much more. Follow the link for a map of participating farms. Free.
Fall Harvest Festival, Mount Vernon, Oct 18-19
Mount Vernon celebrates autumn with Fall Harvest Family Days. Explore the farm, watch 18th-century demonstrations, and meet General Washington. Events included with admission. 9:00 – 5:00 daily.
Great Falls Studio Tour, Great Falls, Oct 18-19
Visit 6 local artists in their studios to learn about their work, join in activities, and shop for unique gifts. Free, 10:00-5:00.
Haymarket Day, Haymarket, Oct 18
This annual hometown street festival includes a parade featuring local schools, performers, and law enforcement led by the year’s Town Marshal. Dozens of vendors, entertainers, a beer garden, and culinary options add to the family-friendly day. Free admission; 10:00-4:00
Fall Foliage Fest, Sky Meadows, Oct 18
Head to beautiful Sky Meadows State Park to see the fall foliage. Enjoy hay rides, guided hikes, live music, fall treats, family activities, and more. Activities included with $10 admission fee.
ChalkFest, Reston, Oct 19
Reston Town Center once again hosts amateur and professional artists creating beautiful chalk art. Live music, face painting, and prizes add the the fun. Free, 10:00-5:00
Fall in the Garden, Chantilly, Oct 25-26
The New National Botanic Garden in Centreville opens for a few days in early October for a look at the pre-fall foliage. Take a self-guided tour of the bamboo garden, Hobbit Town, the unique Xeric garden, and more. Tickets are $35-$45; open noon–5:00.
Reston Home Tour, Reston, Oct 25
Enjoy self-conducted tours of four outstanding private homes in Reston neighborhoods. See inspiring interior design, architecture, unique ideas, art collections, and renovation successes. All proceeds benefit Reston Museum. Tickets $40 online or at Reston Museum; 10:00 – 4:00.
Annandale Parade, Annadale, Oct 25
This 70-year-old tradition features clowns, storybook characters, marching bands, antique & military cars, fire trucks, and more Children are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes. Free; 10:00-noon.
Art Safari, Alexandria, Oct 25
Join in an afternoon of hands-on activities for kids and families at the 30th annual Art Safari in Old Town Alexandria. Dress to get a little messy! Free. 12:00 – 4:00.
Marine Corps Marathon, Arlington, Oct 26
One of the largest marathons in the world, the Marine Corps Marathon follows a scenic course by the Potomac in Arlington and Washington DC. Known as ‘the best marathon for beginners,’ the MCM is the largest marathon in the world that doesn’t offer prize money.
Virginia Gold Cup, The Plains, Oct 26
The world-famous Virginia Gold Cup steeplechase race returns to The Plains. Race Day features hurdle and timber horse races, Jack Russell Terrier races, tent, tailgate and hat contests, and vendor booths for shopping.
Halloween Weekend Scares and Fun
Many Halloween events will be held on the weekend before Halloween Local trick-or-treating, haunted houses, and other spooky fun will happen during Halloween weekend.
Open House, Library of Congress Packard Campus, Culpeper, TBA
Once a year, the Library of Congress National Audio-Visual Conservation Center in Culpeper Virginia opens its doors to the public. Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the largest collection of films, tv broadcasts, radio broadcasts, and sound recordings in the world (more than 1.1 million items!).
The 75-minute tour of the beautiful Packard Campus building features screenings and demonstrations with the experts who work there. Free but timed reservations are required. 10:00 – 2:00. The Packard Campus also hosts free movie screenings throughout the year.
Ongoing October Events and Fall Fun in Northern VA
Check out our guides to favorite fall activities for Autumn fun all month long. Our guides make it easy to plan a fall day trip or a weekend getaway.
Pumpkin Patches in Northern Virginia
Area pumpkin patches really ramp up in October. Our complete guide to pumpkin patches and corn mazes in Northern Virginia includes both paid and free options.
Apple Picking and Apple Season Festivals
October is prime apple season in Virginia and you can visit beautiful orchards in and near Northern VA. Apple picking is family-friendly, but it also makes a fun date or group outing. Our complete guide to Apple Picking in Virginia: U-Pick Orchards + Apple Festivals includes a handy map of the best apple-picking spots near DC.
16 Favorite Fall Hikes in Northern Virginia
Soak up the best fall foliage views with our guide to favorite fall hikes in the Northern VA area. From easy strolls to more challenging trails, we’ve found a great selection of foliage-friendly hikes in the region.
Virginia Wine Month
October is Virginia Wine Month so it’s a great time to visit and sample the wonderful wineries in Northern VA. Use our guides to discover a new winery or revisit an old favorite:
- Sensational Northern Virginia Winery Views Close to Washington DC
- 8 Awesome Hike and Winery Day Trips Near Washington DC
- Beautiful Hunt Country Scenic Drive in Northern Virginia
- 15 Fantastic Northern VA Wine Country Vacation Rentals and Airbnbs
More Fantastic Ways to Celebrate Fall in Northern Virginia
Still looking for October events and outings? Follow the link to see how local Virginia tourism experts like to celebrate the fall season.
Fall is a beautiful time in Virginia and there are so many ways to celebrate the season. Happily, many favorite annual October events in Northern Virginia are back in 2025.
Follow Fun in Fairfax VA on Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram
