25 Food Festivals Happening Soon In Northern Virginia

Get ready for a culinary adventure in Northern Virginia and the chance to sample some new foods, discover new flavors or explore cultural traditions.

Deeply intertwined with culture, food is a powerful symbol of identity, heritage and community, shaping not only our understanding of ourselves and others, but also connecting us to our roots. Recipes are passed from generation to generation, preserving cultural practices and the stories behind them.

Beyond the food itself, festivals are often lively cultural celebrations with music and other events that appeal to the entire family.

Food festivals are often held in the fall to coincide with the harvest season and the abundance of fresh produce available during that time. Autumn is a time of celebration for the harvest, with many fruits and vegetables reaching their peak ripeness. This makes it a natural time to showcase these ingredients in culinary events and festivals.

We’ve rounded up some food festivals in Northern Virginia that you shouldn’t miss.

Aug. 22-31: Fairfax City Restaurant Week, Fairfax

Aug. 22-31: Alexandria Restaurant Week, Alexandria

Aug. 30: Middle Eastern Food Festival, McLean

Sept. 7, Oct. 12, Nov. 2: Northern Virginia Thai Street Food & Culture Festival, Manassas

Sept. 13: Falls Church Festival and Taste of Falls Church, Falls Church

Sept. 13: International Food and Culture Festival, Sterling

Sept. 13: Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center's Fall Fest and Chili Cook-Off, Woodbridge

Sept. 20: Taste of Annandale, Annandale

Sept. 20: Manassas International Food Fest, Manassas

Sept. 20: Old Town Manassas Oktoberfest, Manassas

Sept. 21: End of Summer Food Truck Festival, Fredericksburg

Sept. 27: Alexandria Oktoberfest, Alexandria

Sept. 27: Clarendon Day, Arlington

Sept. 27: Manassas Latino Festival, Manassas

Sept. 27-28: DMV Taco, Beer, Tequila Festival, Ashburn

Sept. 27-28: Loco Wine Festival, Aldie

Sept. 28, Nov. 16: International Food & Culture Festival, Manassas

Oct. 3: Great Falls Oktoberfest, Great Falls

Oct. 3: Saint Katherine's Greek Festival, Falls Church

Oct. 4: Vienna Oktoberfest, Vienna

Oct. 10-12: Fall Wine Festival at Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon

Oct. 11-12: Taste of NoVA, Fort Belvoir

Oct. 12: Clifton Day Festival, Clifton

Oct. 25: FXBG VegFest, Fredericksburg

Nov. 15-16: DMV Chocolate & Coffee Festival, Chantilly

Are you planning an event this fall? Feature it so nearby readers see it all across Patch — including in roundups like this!