Community Corner

Fairfax City 4th of July Schedule and Guide

Get all the details on the parade, fireworks and other events, plus helpful tips on parking and shuttles.

Getting excited for another great 4th of July in Fairfax City?

So are City staff and officials, who are hard at work planning a wide variety of events for locals.

Get all the details on this year’s events below, as well as helpful tips on parking and shuttles.

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Find out what's happening in Fairfax Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Independence Day Parade in Old Town

The 47th annual Independence Day parade will kick off at 10 a.m. at 4100 Chain Bridge Road (between Judicial Drive and Courthouse Road), rain or shine. 

The parade will then loop around downtown Fairfax, along Chain Bridge Road, Main Street, University Drive and Armstrong Street. 

Among the entries in this year’s parade are eight high school marching bands, from as far west as Nebraska and Minnesota, to the City's own Fairfax High School Marching Rebels. 

Other parade entries include many large inflatable parade balloons, horses and clowns. 

The Grand Marshal of this year’s parade is the Honorable Quin S. Elson, a long-time community activist and Fairfax Police Youth Club (FPYC) volunteer.  The Honorable Elson is being recognized for his dedication and commitment to the community.

Other officials you can expect to see at the parade are Fairfax City Mayor Scott Silverthorne, the members of the City Council, and Virginia governor candidate Terry McAuliffe (Democrat).


Old-Fashioned Fireman’s Day Competition and Celebration 

After the parade, watch local fire companies compete using firefighting and emergency techniques and equipment in the Old Fashioned Fireman’s Day event, from 12:30 to 5 p.m. at Fire Station 3, 4081 University Dr.  The event also features food, beverages and games.

 

Evening Show and Fireworks 

As the sun sets, enjoy music and dancing during the Evening Show at 7 p.m. at Fairfax High School, 3501 Rebel Run.  The show will feature the nine-piece band GrooveLine, playing popular hits from the 50s to today, and the City of Fairfax Band. 

As always, a “spectacular fireworks display” will follow, with a finale performance by GrooveLine until 10:30 pm. 

The rain date for the fireworks only is July 5.    

Items that may puncture the synthetic turf, smoking, alcohol, and animals, with the exception of service animals, are not permitted on the football field for the Evening Show and fireworks.

 

Historic Open Houses

Several historic properties will be open to the public on July 4, including the Fairfax Museum and Visitors Center (9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 10209 Main Street) and the Ratcliffe-Allison House (11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., 10386 Main Street).

 

Parking & Shuttle Information

Shuttle bus service for the parade runs from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. from the following three locations:

  • George Mason University
  • Woodson High School, 9525 Main Street
  • Fairfax United Methodist Church, 10300 Stratford Avenue

Shuttles will return spectators to these locations after the parade.

On July 4th, for the evening show and fireworks, public parking is available at Fairfax High School, 3501 Rebel Run. 

The City encourages people to utilize shuttle buses, available from 6 to 9:15 p.m. at Woodson High School, 9525 Main Street, to get to Fairfax High School for the festivities. Shuttles will return spectators to Woodson High School after the fireworks, up until 11 p.m. 

On July 5th, the rain date for the fireworks show, shuttles will be available from 7 to 9:15 p.m. at Woodson High School.  Shuttles will return spectators to Woodson High School after the fireworks, up until 10:30 p.m.   

Handicapped parking is available at Fairfax High School.

For more information about parking, shuttles and the rain date for fireworks, call 703-385-7858.

 

Questions?

For additional information on Independence Day activities or to volunteer, call 703-385-7858 or visit the city’s website at www.fairfaxva.gov.

 

What’s your favorite part of the 4th of July festivities in Fairfax City? Do you plan to go this year? Tell us in the comments below.       

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