Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is Centreville Day?
Centreville Day is traditionally held on the third Saturday in October.
In 2026, Centreville Day will take place Saturday, October 17.
Centreville Day takes place in Historic Centreville Park and the Centreville Historic District, northeast of the intersection of Routes 28 and 29.
A convenient address for locating the event is:
5714 Mt. Gilead Road
Centreville, VA 20120
Please note that streets within the festival area are closed to regular vehicle traffic during the event.
Opening ceremonies begin at 10:00 a.m., and the festival continues until 4:00 p.m.
What can we do at Centreville Day?
There’s a lot to see and do! Explore the Historic District, visit historic buildings, and check the event program for tours and special activities.
Opening ceremonies begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by local live entertainment, pet pageant, and the pizza-eating contest hosted by Mellow Mushroom on the Centreville Day Stage. The American Legion Parade begins at 11:00 a.m. and passes the stage at approximately 11:30 a.m.
Experience local history through reenactors, live music, art, make-and-take activities, and more throughout the festival grounds thanks to support from the Fairfax250 commission.
Browse the Centreville Day Marketplace, featuring crafters, local businesses, churches, nonprofits, health professionals, and more. Kids can wear their Halloween costumes and follow the Trick-or-Treat Trail through the Marketplace.
Meet local first responders and explore their equipment at the Safety Expo, discover bees, worms, and other environmental activities at the Eco Expo, learn more about Scouting and try the monkey bridge, and enjoy free children’s attractions and activities throughout the day.
Calm, people-friendly pets are welcome at Pets in the Park, which includes the Pet Village, Pets in the Park On Stage, and pet blessings at St. John’s Episcopal Church.
And, of course, come hungry! Food and drinks will be available for purchase in the Food Court.
Is there an admission fee? Will I have to pay for children’s activities?
No! Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, Centreville Day is free to attend, with no charge for admission, parking, or children’s attractions.
Food, drinks, crafts, and other items are available for purchase from our Food Court and Marketplace vendors, so be sure to bring a payment method for anything you’d like to buy.
Where do I park?
Free parking is available at:
• Trinity Centre: 5820 Trinity Parkway
• Centreville United Methodist Church: 6400 Old Centreville Road
Free shuttles will take you to stops near the entrances to Centreville Day. Shuttles from Trinity Centre stop on Braddock Road, while shuttles from Centreville United Methodist Church stop on Wharton Lane.
Centreville Day is a walking event held largely on parkland, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
Accessible parking is available near the Trinity Centre shuttle stop on Braddock Road. This provides easier wheelchair access to the event area, although it is still some distance from the center of the festival.
Do you cancel Centreville Day because of inclement weather? How will I know if the event has been canceled?
Centreville Day is a rain-or-shine event, and we do not cancel for passing rain showers.
However, if weather conditions become dangerous or severe enough to affect public safety, we may delay opening, close early, or cancel the event.
Weather-related changes will be announced on this website and on Centreville Day VA on Facebook.
Is there a rain date?
No. Centreville Day does not have a rain date.
Several churches are located within the Historic District, making Sunday impractical, and closing the necessary roads again on another October weekend presents significant logistical challenges.
In the spirit of “the show must go on,” we do our best to hold Centreville Day even when the weather is less than ideal. At the same time, we have to consider public safety, the comfort of our vendors and visitors, and the condition of the parkland. Occasionally, that means opening late, closing early, or, very rarely, canceling the event.
Where and when is the parade?
The parade begins at the end of Wharton Lane, proceeds along Wharton Lane and Mt. Gilead Road past the Centreville Day Stage, and ends on Braddock Road.
The parade begins at 11:00 a.m. and passes the Centreville Day Stage and judging area at approximately 11:30 a.m.
Are there prizes for the parade?
Yes! Judges award prizes for the Most Enthusiastic and Most Patriotic parade participants. Each category includes a certificate and a $50 award.
Anyone may participate in the parade, but you must register to be eligible for a prize.
When does Pets in the Park On Stage begin?
If you’re bringing a pet, please arrive at the stage by 1:30 p.m. The pet cavalcade begins at 2:00 p.m.
All kinds of pets are welcome, including cats, parrots, snakes, and more, but please make sure your pet will enjoy the experience too. Centreville Day can be busy, noisy, and crowded, which may be stressful for shy or quiet-loving animals.
Pet blessings will also take place at St. John’s Episcopal Church. See the event program for details.
Is there swag for Pets in the Park?
Yes! The Centreville-Chantilly Rotary Club collects gifts and giveaways from local pet-related businesses that generously support this fun and growing part of Centreville Day.
What is the Safety Expo?
Located near the Sears House and along William Patterson Way, the Safety Expo brings together first responders, Fairfax County agencies, and community organizations focused on keeping people, families, and homes safe.
Visitors can meet first responders, see vehicles and equipment up close, and learn about a variety of community safety resources.
The 2026 Safety Expo is sponsored by SYA
What is the Eco Expo?
The Eco Expo offers hands-on opportunities to learn about the natural world and ways we can help build a more sustainable future.
Come meet worms and bees, visit the Wonder Wagon, and explore environmental activities for all ages.
This year's Eco Expo is sponsored by Luck Stone, who has geneously donated rocks from our local quarry for a make & take "kindness rock" painting/public art project.
Who decides who receives a Citizen of the Year Award?
The Centreville Day Planning Committee selects the honorees, and we welcome nominations from the public.
Do you know someone whose service to the Centreville community deserves recognition? Contact us to submit a nomination.
Who runs Centreville Day?
Centreville Day is presented by the Friends of Historic Centreville (FHC) in partnership with the Fairfax County Park Authority.
FHC is a nonprofit volunteer organization that supports Historic Centreville Park as well as local historic preservation and education.
Who pays for Centreville Day?
Our generous sponsors and vendors make Centreville Day possible.
Support from local businesses, crafters, nonprofits, churches, community organizations, and sponsors helps keep the festival free for local families.
Please visit the Centreville Day Marketplace and support the organizations and small businesses that help make the event possible. Kids can also trick-or-treat their way through participating Marketplace booths!
For Exhibitors
How do I get involved as a vendor or exhibitor?
Getting started is easy. Visit our vendor info page for details.
What do I get as a vendor?
Vendors receive a 10' x 10' space, not a furnished booth. You may set up and furnish your space in the way that best suits your organization or business, subject to event rules and requirements.
Centreville Day has been a community tradition for decades, and many of our businesses and organizations return year after year.
Please be sure to read our Vendor Terms and Agreements before the event. They contain important information about setup, operations, safety, and other requirements.
What's the load-in/out and parking situation?
Limited on-site parking is available for vendors and sponsors who will remain at Centreville Day for the entire event.
Load-in is from 7-9am and load-out is from 4-5:30pm. Volunteers and designated area concierges will be available to help tents, hauling, packing, and bathroom break coverage.
If you are working only part of the day, you must park outside the pedestrian-only festival area.
Free off-site parking is available at:
• Trinity Centre: 5820 Trinity Parkway
• Centreville United Methodist Church: 6400 Old Centreville Road
Free shuttle buses operate between these parking areas and Centreville Day. Look for Centreville Day parking signs directing you to the appropriate lots.
Is there a rain date for vendors and sponsors?
No. Several churches are located within the festival area, making Sunday impractical as a rain date. Closing the necessary roads again on the following Saturday is also difficult to accommodate during a busy October event season.
Do I receive a refund if Centreville Day is canceled because of weather?
No. Many event expenses must still be paid even if Centreville Day is canceled because of weather.
The Friends of Historic Centreville is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and vendor and sponsor fees help support the costs of producing the event.
Cancellation is rare. Centreville Day generally continues through light rain, and in past years we have also delayed opening or closed early when conditions required it.
If the event must be canceled, the committee will assess the circumstances and event costs and may offer discounts or other accommodations for the following year when possible.
How will vendors and sponsors know if the event has been canceled or changed?
We do not cancel for passing rain showers, but dangerous or severe weather may require us to delay opening, close early, or cancel the event.
Whenever possible, we try to make cancellation or delayed-opening decisions by Friday afternoon before the event. Updates will be posted on this website and on Facebook, and vendors and sponsors will be notified by email as soon as a decision is made.
Early closures generally occur in response to changing conditions during Centreville Day itself. We continually monitor the weather and consult with public safety officials when necessary. Vendors and sponsors on site will be notified directly.