ArtsFairfax Announces artoberVA

Inaugural Fairfax Celebration of Local Arts Offers October-only Events & Discounts  

Presented in Collaboration with Richmond’s CultureWorks

Fairfax, VA (September 22, 2025) — It’s the first day of Fall and ArtsFairfax invites you to “fall into the arts” with artoberVA, the inaugural month-long celebration of local arts in Fairfax! From October 1-31, 2025, ArtsFairfax will showcase free events, and discount offers from dozens of local artists and arts organizations in the Fairfax region.   

Presented in collaboration with CultureWorks, which serves Richmond and the Tri-Cities region, artoberVA wants Virginia residents to experience and support local arts for National Arts & Humanities Month this October.

“The collaboration between CultureWorks and ArtsFairfax is incredibly inspiring,” said Colleen Messick, Executive Director of the Virginia Commission for the Arts. “Local arts agencies play a pivotal role in Virginia’s creative ecosystem, and these two are leading the way in showcasing how to build stronger, more inclusive, and culturally vibrant communities across the Commonwealth.”  
  
“Our motto at ArtsFairfax is to ‘stay curious & stay local’ to experience the arts, and artoberVA is the perfect way for the culturally curious among us to discover their new favorite artists and arts organizations while investing in their local community,” said Stuart Holt, President & CEO of ArtsFairfax. “We are honored to bring artoberVA to Northern Virginia to highlight the hundreds of arts nonprofits in Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, and the City of Falls Church.”  

“This milestone year is a chance to reflect on how far artoberVA has come while looking ahead to an even more vibrant and connected arts and culture landscape,” said Scott Garka, President of CultureWorks, which celebrates the tenth anniversary of artoberVA in Richmond and the Tri-Cities. What began as a grassroots movement has grown into one of the capital city’s most anticipated cultural traditions. Garka continues, “We’re thrilled to continue creating spaces where art can be experienced, celebrated, and shared by everyone. And this year, we’re excited to collaborate with ArtsFairfax to expand artoberVA’s reach, ensuring more of the Commonwealth can experience compelling arts and culture offerings all month long.”  

Open to the public, artoberVA events and discounts are for anyone living in or visiting the DMV. In addition to over 20 opportunities to experience local arts for free or at a discount, ArtsFairfax is hosting the following events:   

• ArtsFairfax artoberVA Social Hour will kick off our month-long celebration on October 9. Join ArtsFairfax to meet local art makers, arts workers and arts enthusiasts! Gather at Honor Brewing in Fairfax from 5-7pm. The event is cash bar, free admission, and open to all.   

• ArtsFairfax Presents at Springfield Town Center will be a new art exhibition at the popular shopping destination to showcase artists based in Northern Virginia; free, on view beginning October 16.    

• ArtsFairfax Awards, the annual fundraising luncheon that brings over 400 business professionals, elected officials, and arts and community leaders together to honor major arts contributions in Fairfax County.