Below is a partial listing of some autumn events happening in the local area:
Oct. 12—The Fairfax Fall Festival, held throughout the streets of downtown Saturday, Oct. 12, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. There’ll be crafts galore, plus food, music and fun for children.
Oct. 12—Encore Theatrical Arts Project will be among 12 dance companies performing in the fourth annual Fairfax County Dance Coalition Gala Showcase. “A Celebration of Dance” is slated for Saturday, Oct. 12, at 7:30 p.m., in the theater of NOVA’s Annandale campus. Ballet, jazz, tap, modern, hip-hop and international dances will be presented. Tickets are $22 in advance at www.fairfaxcountydance.org/gala.htm or $25 at the door. The audience is invited to the reception after the show.
Oct. 13—The 46th annual Clifton Day festival is Sunday, Oct. 13, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Rain date, Oct. 20). 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. 18, 19, 20—The Craftsmen’s Classic Arts & Crafts Festival will be held, Friday-Sunday, Oct. 18-20, 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. 26—The Clifton Haunted Trail is slated for Saturday, Oct. 26, 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.com.
Oct. 27—The 20th annual Valvoline Instant Oil Change Goblin Gallop 5K is set for Sunday, Oct. 27, 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. Registration and entry-fee information are at http://www.goblingallop.org/race.html.
Nov. 8-9 and Nov. 15-16—Woodson High’s thespians will present “Into the Woods,” on Friday-Saturday, Nov. 8-9 and Nov. 15-16.
Nov. 8-10—The Northern Virginia Christmas Market craft show returns to the Dulles Expo Center, Friday-Sunday, Nov. 8-10. Hours are Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Nov. 9—The 21st annual Holiday Happenings Craft Show will be held Saturday, Nov. 9, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at W.T. Woodson High School, 9525 Main St. in Fairfax.
Nov. 14-16—Robinson Secondary’s theater students present “Little Shop of Horrors,” Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 14-16, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. See www.RobinsonDrama.org.
Nov. 16-17—The 27th annual City of Fairfax Holiday Craft Show is slated for Saturday, Nov. 16, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 17, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at Fairfax High School, 3501 Rebel Run in Fairfax.
Nov. 21-24—Paul VI High’s thespians will present a spoof of “A Christmas Carol” called “A Dickens Christmas Carol: A Travelling Travesty in Two Tumultuous Acts.” Show times are Thursday, Nov. 21, at 7 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, Nov. 22-23, at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 24, at 2 p.m.
Nov. 22-24—Fairfax High theater students present “Almost, Maine,” Friday-Saturday, Nov. 22-23, at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 24, at 2:30 p.m. Ticket information is at www.fxplayers.org.
Dec. 7—The annual Clifton Christmas Parade on Horseback, Christmas-tree lighting ceremony and homes tour is set for Saturday, Dec. 7. The parade begins at 2 p.m.
Dec. 13-15 and Dec. 20-22—Encore Theatrical Arts Project’s song-and-dance extravaganza, “Switching Christmas,” takes the stage at NOVA’s Annandale campus. Performances are Dec. 13-15 and Dec. 20-22. Tickets are $18, students and senior citizens; and $22, adults, for this colorful, family-friendly show and may be purchased at http://www.encore-tap.org/.
Dec. 13-15—The Sugarloaf Crafts Festival is set for Friday-Sunday, Dec. 13-15, at the Dulles Expo Center. Hours are Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.