Fairfax City’s annual Chocolate Lovers Festival is returning for its 34th year later this week, assuming the weather is more cooperative than it was for the McLean Chocolate Festival.
Kicking off with a free concert on Friday (Feb. 6) and continuing through Sunday (Feb. 8), the festival will feature a variety of tasting opportunities, culinary crafts, entertainment and — in a new addition for this year — a 1-mile run for charity.
The Sweet Mile will start at 9 a.m. on Saturday (Feb. 7) outside the Fairfax Volunteer Fire Department’s Fire Station 3 (4081 University Drive). Participants can choose to run, walk or jog through the “scenic, family-friendly” course, which will be “filled with chocolate-themed surprises,” according to the event description.
Upon completing the race, participants can indulge in a chocolate treat at the finish line, win prizes and show their support for local community programs. Commemorative beanies will also be handed out.
Registration is required by 9:30 a.m. on Saturday and costs $30. Participants can pick up their packets for the race either on Friday from 4-7 p.m. at PR Run and Walk’s Fairfax Corner store (11895 Grand Commons Avenue) or at the starting line on Saturday at 8 a.m.
Proceeds will go to the NOVA Community Cares Project, a Northern Virginia-based charitable initiative led by firefighters and other public safety workers. Its signature project is a “Coats for Kids” winter clothing drive.
“The project reflects the fire service’s commitment to service beyond emergency response — supporting neighbors, strengthening community connections, and addressing everyday needs that impact safety and well-being,” a Fairfax City spokesperson said.
The other big change to expect for the 2026 Chocolate Lovers Festival is a change in venue for the flagship Taste of Chocolate event, which has moved from Old Town Hall to the Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center (3740 Blenheim Blvd).
The relocation was necessitated by an ongoing renovation that has kept Old Town Hall closed since last April. On track to finish this summer, the project involves extensive rehabilitation of the 126-year-old building’s exterior and interior structure, the addition of a concrete stairway, installation of a new HVAC system, and other site modifications.
The Sherwood Center, which is slated to undergo its own renovation in the future, has more capacity in its performance space than Old Town Hall did, but the number of vendors participating in this year’s Taste of Chocolate appears to be in line with past iterations.
Taste of Chocolate will take place on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., with doors closing half an hour before the end time on both days.
The announced vendors include:
- Blended Desserts
- Cameron’s Coffee and Chocolates
- Capital Candy Jar
- Capitol Chocolate Fountains
- El Ceibo Chocolate-Diestro
- Le Papiyon Chocolatier
- Lovely Macarons, LLC
- Mike’s Fudge
- Mother Clusters
- Nothing Bundt Cakes
- The Sweet Life Cakery
- Tysons Creamery, LLC
- Wilson Candy Company
As in past years, visitors can purchase sweet treats from the vendors using “pogs,” with each pog costing $1. Free tote bags will also be available.
All other returning festival events will take place at their usual venue, City of Fairfax communications director Matthew Kaiser says. A free shuttle, dubbed the Chocolate Express, will be available to transport people between all locations.
Other festival highlights include:
- Liquid Chocolate: a tent offering hot chocolate, craft beers, wines and other beverages. Located at Old Town Square (10415 North Street) from 6-8 p.m. on Friday and noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
- Jazz and Chocolate: this free concert by Darden Purcell and the Mason Jazz Vocals kicks off at the Sherwood Center at 8 p.m. on Friday and will include treats from Lina’s Bakery.
- Children’s Activities and Performances: City of Fairfax Regional Library hosts Goodlife Puppet Theater for performances at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, followed by a magic show at those same times on Sunday. Kids can get free balloon animals from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days while supplies last.
- Make-Your-Own Chocolate Bar: For $5, visitors to Historic Blenheim (3610 Blenheim Blvd) can craft their own chocolate bar. Doors will be open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, and from noon to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.
- Musical Cakes: Participants can win a cake if they’re standing on the right number when the music stops in this sweet spin on musical chairs, held at Old Town Square from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Entry is $5 per person.
- Harley Eye Candy: Harley-Davidson motorcycles will be on display in front of the Sherwood Center and City of Fairfax Regional Library from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
- Construct a Cupcake: Decorate your dream cupcake at Fairfax Ace Hardware (10310-B Main Street) on Sunday from noon to 3 p.m., or until supplies run out. Proceeds from the $5-per-cupcake minimum donation go to Children’s National Hospital.
- Hot Chocolate Bar: The Liquid Chocolate tent will be replaced on Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. by a DIY hot chocolate bar. Visitors can select any non-alcoholic beverage and three toppings for $4, with additional costs for a shot of alcohol and more toppings.
- Chocolate Through the Senses: This free educational event will let attendees smell, touch and taste ingredients as they learn how chocolate has evolved from the colonial era to the 21st century. Talks will be given on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2-4 p.m., and on Sunday from 1-3 p.m.
The full schedule of events, including details of the annual Chocolate Stroll and a golden ticket scavenger hunt, can be found on Fairfax City’s website.
According to Kaiser, all events will be held rain or shine, and no rain dates are planned. As a result, if the snow showers forecast for Friday do materialize, cancellations would be more likely than postponements.
“Any changes to the schedule would be shared on Facebook at @ffxcityparksrec,” Kaiser said.
