Actresses from The Alliance Theatre march in Chantilly High’s Sept. 21 Homecoming Parade to advertise their upcoming musical comedy, “Nunsense.” Photo by Bonnie Hobbs.
Centreville — Ongoing:
A highlight of every autumn is the fall festival at Cox Farms, 15621 Braddock Road, just off Pleasant Valley Road, in Centreville. It begins Sept. 29 and runs daily until Oct. 31, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and from Nov. 3-6, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The outdoor family fun on 90 acres includes giant slides, hayrides, rope swings, farm animals and their babies, a goat village, food, live entertainment and a Cornundrum Cornfield Adventure – complete with funhouse mirrors, a hall of doors, giant vortex and a pirate ship.
For older teens and adults, the scary, 20-acre nighttime adventure, Fields of Fear, is open Friday and Saturday nights, Sept. 28-Oct. 27, from 7:30-11 p.m., plus Sunday, Oct. 7, and Saturday, Nov. 3. The pumpkin-smashing event, Pumpkin Madness, is slated for Nov. 3-4, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. For ticket prices and more information, see www.coxfarms.com.
Sept. 28:
Chantilly High’ Show Stoppers Fall Cabaret is this Friday, Sept. 28, at 7 p.m., in the school theater. Some of the Show Choir students are highlighted in both solo and small-group numbers. The program features Broadway-themed acts and accompanying, assorted desserts. Tickets are available at www.chantillychoral.org or at the door.
Oct. 6-7
Fairfax Corner hosts the 2nd Annual Fairfax Festival of the Arts. More than 90 artists will offer more than 10,000 pieces of original handmade artwork for sale. Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission and parking are free. Visit www.paragonartevents.com/fairfax/.
Oct. 7
The 45th annual Clifton Day festival is Sunday, Oct. 7, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Rain date, Oct. 14). The family-friendly fun includes crafts, food, antiques, jugglers, bagpipe players, unicyclists, music, pony rides, civil war reenactments and children’s activities. For VRE train schedule plus parking information, go to www.cliftonday.com.
Oct. 7:
Encore Theatrical Arts Project of Chantilly will be among 12 dance companies performing in the third annual Fairfax County Dance Coalition Gala Showcase. “A Celebration of Dance” is slated for Sunday, Oct. 7, at 3 p.m., in the theater of NOVA’s Annandale campus. Ballet, jazz, tap, modern, hip hop and international dances will be presented. Tickets are $20 in advance at www.dancefairfax-gala.org or $23 at the door. The audience is invited to the reception after the show.
Oct. 13:
The Fairfax Fall Festival, held throughout the streets of downtown Fairfax, will be held Saturday, Oct. 13, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. There’ll be crafts galore, plus food, music and fun for children.
Oct. 12, 13, 14: A three-day, family celebration unfolds at the 16th annual Shenandoah Valley Hot Air Balloon, Wine & Music Festival. It’s held on the rolling fields of Long Branch in Clarke County, at 830 Long Branch Lane in Millwood, Va. The all-day fun includes food, handmade crafts and “pumpkin chunking.” The dates are Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 12-14. For more information, go to http://historiclongbranch.com/events/77.htm.
Oct. 17-20:
Chantilly High theater students will perform “Urinetown, the Musical,” Oct. 17-20, at 7 p.m. each night.
Oct. 19, 20, 21:
The Craftsmen’s Classic Arts & Crafts Festival will be held, Friday-Sunday, Oct. 19-21, at the Dulles Expo Center. Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, see www.craftshow.com.
Oct. 22-23
Westfield High’s Haunted House and Wax Museum will be held Monday-Tuesday, Oct. 22-23, from 6-9 p.m., at 4700 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly.
Oct. 27:
The Clifton Haunted Trail is slated for Saturday, Oct. 27, from 7-10 p.m., in the Town of Clifton’s Eight-Acre Park. Sturdy shoes are recommended; snacks and beverages are available. (Not recommended for young children). For cost and other information, see www.cliftonhauntedtrail.org.
Oct. 28:
The 19th annual Valvoline Instant Oil Change Goblin Gallop 5K is set for Sunday, Oct. 28, at the Fairfax Corner Shopping Center. The 1K fun run starts at 8:30 a.m.; the 5K race, at 9 a.m.; and the 5K walk, at 9:10 a.m. There’s fun for the whole family with a moonbounce, hot dogs, popcorn and a band. Many of the participants and those cheering them on wear Halloween costumes, and prizes are given to the best costumes.
Proceeds go to the John Quadrino Foundation to Benefit Children with Cancer. Rain or shine, the race begins and ends in front of Coastal Flats restaurant. Entry fees are: 5K race, $23; 1K fun run, $15; 5K walk, $20. Register at www.goblingallop.org.
Nov. 2-18:
The Alliance Theatre presents the musical comedy, “Nunsense,” weekends, from Nov. 2-18, at Mountain View High School, 5775 Spindle Court in Centreville. Five of the 19 surviving Little Sisters of Hoboken discover that their cook, Sister Julia, accidently killed the other 52 residents of their convent. So to raise money for their burials, they decide to stage a variety show. Tickets are $16/adult; $14/child (12 and under); $14/senior citizens. For specific show times, see boxoffice@thealliancetheatre.org.
Nov. 9-11 and Nov. 16-17:
Centreville High theater students will perform the musical comedy, “Cabaret,” Nov. 9, 10, 11 and Nov. 16-17.
Nov. 9-11:
The Northern Virginia Christmas Market craft show returns to the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Friday-Sunday, Nov. 9-11. Hours are Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Nov. 10:
The 20th annual Holiday Happenings Craft Show will be held Saturday, Nov. 10, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at W.T. Woodson High School, 9525 Main St. in Fairfax.
Nov. 13:
Chantilly High’s Fall Choral Concert is set for Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. in the school theater. The evening’s entertainment features ensembles from both the Concert Choir and Show Choir.
Nov. 15-17:
Rocky Run Middle’s theater students will perform “The Election,” Nov. 15-16 at 7 p.m., and Nov. 17 at 1:30 p.m.
Nov. 15-17:
Robinson Secondary School’s thespians will perform “Night Must Fall,” Nov. 15, 16, 17, at 7:30 p.m. each night.
Nov. 16-18:
Westfield High theater students are performing the comedy, “Laughing Stock,” Nov. 16-18.
Nov. 17:
The 32nd annual St. Timothy School craft fair will be held Saturday, Nov. 17, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., at 13809 Poplar Tree Road in Chantilly. For more information or to participate, see www.sainttimothyschool.org.
Nov. 17-18:
The 26th annual City of Fairfax Holiday Craft Show is slated for Saturday, Nov. 17, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 18, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at Fairfax High School, 3501 Rebel Run in Fairfax.
Dec. 7-9:
The Sugarloaf Crafts Festival is set for Friday-Sunday, Dec. 7-9, at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly. Hours are Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Dec. 14-15:
Stone Middle School’s thespians will perform “Annie Jr.” on Dec. 14-15.