For the second year in a row, Fairfax County’s designated nonprofit arts agency is hosting a month-long celebration of the arts — and this time, there will be twice as many opportunities to join in the festivities.
Organized by ArtsFairfax, the “artoberVA” initiative will offer residents a variety of ways to enjoy the visual, performing, literary and culinary arts. More than 60 discounts and events from over 40 artists and organizations in Fairfax city and county are planned throughout October.
“For the full month of October, ArtsFairfax wants Virginians to discover the wealth of artistry from Fairfax County artists and arts organizations. artoberVA is our invitation to Fairfax residents to invest in their local economy by supporting local artists,” ArtsFairfax President and CEO Stuart Holt said in a press release.
Thirty events will be free to the public.
Highlights include an Oct. 17 public sing-along at Fair Oaks Mall that’s billed as the first event of its kind for the Fairfax area. Singers and singing groups from the community are invited to join the Fairfax Jubil-Aires for a collaboration to mark World Singing Day, a celebration of music expected to be recognized by 100 communities across 28 different countries.
ArtsFairfax will also open two art shows in October as part of ArtsFairfax Presents, the nonprofit’s initiative to exhibit local artists in daily spaces.
“The Great Outdoors” will open with works from nine local artists at the Lincolnia Senior Center (4710 Chambliss Street) on Oct. 1 and run through Jan. 15.
Meanwhile, “Through Me: Where Wonder Finds a Way,” an exhibition of works by local contemporary mixed media artist Precious Burger will open Oct. 8 at Springfield Town Center (6500 Franconia-Springfield Parkway) and run through March 30.
Here’s a full list of organizations participating in this year’s artoberVA so far, either by hosting special events or offering promotional discounts:
2026 artoberVA Cultural Partners
Updated as of September 18; ArtsFairfax will accept partnerships through Sept. 30.Art & Design
AB EX FFX at Rotary Art Gallery
Great Falls Studios
Liz Edelson Design
McLean Project for the Arts
Reston Art Gallery & Studios
Squill Calligraphy Studio
Workhouse Arts CenterArt Skills & Learning
Community Studio
NovaLabs
OLLI MasonCulinary Arts
Bold Bakery
Tysons CreameryDance
Conservatory Ballet
Greater Washington Chinese Dance
Virginia Ballet Company and SchoolFestivals
Fall Fest at Workhouse Arts Center
City of Fairfax’s Fiesta Fairfax!
Mason Arts Festival
McLean ArtFestFilm
ARTScreen, City of Fairfax
Movies that Move, RCCLiterary Arts
Better Said Than Done
Fall for the BookMusic
Alfred Yun Quartet
Fairfax Jubil-Aires
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra
Great Falls Philharmonic
Herndon Regional Wind Ensemble
Mary Voutsas
Reston Community Center
Reston Community Orchestra
Vienna Choral Society
Voce Chamber Singers
Woodbridge Flute ChoirTheater
1st Stage Theatre
City of Fairfax Theatre Company
Creative Cauldron Stage
McLean Community Players
NextStop Theatre
Providence Players of Fairfax
Resonance Improv Alliance
Shakespeare Opera Theatre
