Spotlight on the Arts Fairfax
Illumination 250 - Shining a Light on Creativity, Discovery, and Community
Fairfax Spotlight on the Arts is one of the foremost arts festivals in Virginia. This year, the Spotlight Festival will span two arts-filled weekends, offering performances in venues throughout the City of Fairfax. Whether you like theater, music, fashion, visual arts, dance, opera, or storytelling, there's something for everyone to enjoy!
Illumination 250 celebrates the transformative power of creativity to connect, inspire, and illuminate. As America marks its 250th anniversary, the 2026 Spotlight on the Arts Festival will shine a light on the ideas, stories, and innovations that define Fairfax’s rich cultural identity.
Signature events happening in Old Town Fairfax include the Folks Fest, Art Walk, Ask Me Anything with Rick Davis plus many more! Check out their full list of events and activities HERE.
Old Town Fairfax Events and Activities:
Spotlight’s Opening Night & Art Contest - April 24, 2026, 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm, Stacy C. Sherwood Center - 3740 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax VA 22030
Fairfax Folk Festival - April 24 - 26 (multiples time slots), Mackenzie's Tunes and Tonics - 3950 Chain Bridge Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030
Karaoke – Sing Your Heart Out - April 24 - May 3, 2026, 9:00 pm - 1:00 am, Old Firestation #3 - 3988 University Dr., Fairfax, VA 22030
5th Annual Fairfax Muster - April 25, 2026, 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Veterans Amphitheater - 10485 Armstrong Street, Fairfax, VA 22030
Fashion in Motion - April 25, 2026, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Stacy C. Sherwood Center - 3740 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax VA 22030
9th Annual Student Playwright Festival - April 26, 2026, 11:00 am - 1:30 pm, Stacy C. Sherwood Center - 3740 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax VA 22030
Art Workshop – Drawing Landscapes with Eric Westbrook - April 26, 2026, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Stacy C. Sherwood Center - 3740 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax VA 22030
“We the People” – Main Street Community Band - April 26, 2026, 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm, Stacy C. Sherwood Center - 3740 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax VA 22030
“Celebrating Spotlight” Fairfax Art League Exhibition - April 27, 2026, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, City Hall - 10455 Armstrong Street, Fairfax VA 22030
Funday Monday – Sing Along with Mr. Gabe! - April 27, 2026, 10:30 am - 11:15 am, Stacy C. Sherwood Center - 3740 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax VA 22030
“Give Me Liberty: Virginia & the Forging of a Nation” – Traveling Exhibition - April 27 & May 2, 2026, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm, Fairfax Museum & Visitor Center - 10209 Main St., Fairfax, VA 22030
“Ask Me Anything” with Dr. Rick Davis, Dean of George Mason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts - April 27, 2026, 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm, High Side - 4009 Chain Bridge Rd., Fairfax 22030
Fairfax City Poetry Night - April 27, 2026, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Old Firestation #3 - 3988 University Dr., Fairfax, VA 22030
“An Evening with Kate Quinn” - April 30, 2026, 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm, Stacy C. Sherwood Center - 3740 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax VA 22030
“Songs of Many Lands” – A Bronze Unlimited Handbell Concert - May 1, 2026, 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Stacy C. Sherwood Center - 3740 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax VA 22030
Art Workshop – Watercolors with Amanda Fletchersmith - May 2, 2026, 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm, Stacy C. Sherwood Center - 3740 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax VA 22030
”A Night at the Opera” - May 2, 2026, 7:00 pm, Stacy C. Sherwood Center - 3740 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax VA 22030
Old Town Fairfax ART WALK! - May 3, 2026, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm, Old Town Square - 10415 North Street
