Centreville Day Activities Map
FAQs
What can we do at Centreville Day? There are so many activities! Explore the historic district and check out the historic buildings and tours listed in the porgram. Opening ceremonies at 10, local live entertainment, pet performers, and a hula contest for the coveted pineapple award can all be found on the stage throughout the day. The American Legion Parade starts at 11 and marches past the stage at 11:30. The Centreville Day Marketplace abounds with crafters, churches, health professionals, and so much more (put own your Halloween costume and follow the Trick or Treat Trail)! Meet amazing first responders and their cool equipment at the Safety Fair! Check out the bees and more at the Eco Expo! FREE children's rides throughout the day, thanks to our long-time sponsor, Wegman's Chantilly! Learn more about scouting and try the monkey bridge! Calm, people-friendly pets are welcome to frolic through a celebration of Pets in the Park that now includes the Pet Village; Pets in the Park: OnStage; and Pet Blessings at St John's! And great food for sale at the Food Court!
Is there an admission fee? Will I have to pay for kids' rides and activities? NO! Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, Centreville Day has no fees for admission, parking, or for children's rides. We do have an awesome Food Court and Marketplace, so be sure to bring some cash for food and unique craft items!
Where do I park? 5820 Trinity Parkway at the Trinity Centre and at 6400 Old Centreville Road at the Centreville United Methodist Church. A shuttle will take you to stop near an entrance to Centreville Day. Shuttles from the Trinity Center will stop on Braddock Road. Shuttles from Centreville United Methodist will stop on Wharton Lane. NOTE: Centreville Day is a walking event on parkland. Wear comfortable shoes. Handicapped parking is available near the Trinity shuttle stop on Braddock Road gives easier access for wheelchairs but is a distrance from the main venue.
What's new? The Pets in the Park Village expands our pet-centered activities! The Walk to End Hunger and the Eco Expo! Miss Virginia will be in the parade and will be meeting people during the day. MORE PARKING (see above)!
When is Centreville Day? Typically, it takes place on the third Saturday of October. In 2026 that will be Saturday, October 17. Opening ceremonies start the festivities at 10 am and we roll up the sidewalks at 4 pm.
Do you cancel Centreville Day in case of inclement weather? How will I know if the event has been canceled? We don't cancel for passing rain showers, but if the weather is dangerous or miserable, yes, we will cancel the event. Sometimes we'll open for part of the day and close early. Cancellations and early closures will be announced here on this website and on Centreville Day VA on Facebook.
Is there a rain date? No, sorry. Why? There are lots of churches in the Historic District that would be blocked if we used Sunday as a rain date. In the spirit of 'the show must go on!' we try to hold Centreville Day even in less-than-ideal weather. We also have to protect public safety, the comfort of our vendors, and the condition of the parkland, too, so sometimes Centreville Day ends early or - rarely - is canceled.
Where does Centreville Day take place? In Historic Centreville Park in the Centreville Historic District, located northeast of the intersection of Routes 28 and 29. A street address you can use to locate the event is 5714 Mt. Gilead Road, Centreville 20120. NOTE: streets are closed to vehicles!
What is the parade route? Our parade begins at the very end of Wharton Lane and marches down that road past the Centreville Day stage on Mount Gilead Road and ends on Braddock Road. Why don't we march on Route 29 or another road where more people might see the parade? In the 1960s the parade did march down Route 29. But it was the 1960s . . . folks still rode their horses into town (seriously). VDOT won't allow the disruption to traffic it would cause today.
When does the parade start? The parade begins at 11 am and passes the Centreville Day stage, and the judges, at about 11:30.
Are there prizes for the parade? Yes! Judges award prizes for the Most Enthusiastic and the Most Patriotic marchers. There's a certificate and a $50 award for each category. Anyone can join the parade, but you have to register to be considered for a prize.
When does the Rotary Pets in the Park On Stage begin? If you are bringing a pet, please find us at the stage at 1:30. The cavalcade (the walk on stage) begins at 2 pm. ALL pets are welcome - cats, parrots, snakes - please be sure your pet will find the experience fun too. Centreville Day can make shy, quiet-loving pets nervous. Pet blessings are also happening at St John's Church. See our program for more information.
Is there swag for Pets in the Park? Yes! The Centreville-Chantilly Rotary Club collects gifts from many local pet-related businesses who generously support this fun and growing part of Centreville Day!
What is the Safety Expo? Located by the Sears House and on William Patterson Way, the Expo showcases first responder agencies, County agencies focused on mental health and domestic violence, and businesses interested in helping to keep you and your home safe.
NEW! The Eco Expo! Visit worms, bees, and the Wonder Wagon. Learn how you can help create a sustainable future for everyone.
Who decides who gets to receive a Citizen of the Year Award? The Centreville Day Planning Committee makes that decision. We love to have nominations from the public. Do you know anyone whose service to the local community should be celebrated? Contact us and nominate them!
Who runs Centreville Day? The Friends of Historic Centreville (FHC) in partnership with the Fairfax County Park Authority. Proceeds benefit FHC, a non-profit, volunteer organization that supports Historic Centreville Park and local historic preservation and education. Learn more about FHC here.
Who pays for Centreville Day? Our generous sponsors and vendors! Fees and donations from businesses, entrepreneurial crafters, earnest nonprofits, and local churches make Centreville Day possible and keep it a free event for local families. Please visit the Centreville Day Market Place and meet some of these wonderful people. You can take the kids trick or treating there too!
FOR OUR VENDORS & SPONSORS:
What do I get if I'm a vendor? You get a 10 x 10 space, not a booth, to furnish in the way that best suits your enterprise and the opportunity to interact with a great crowd. Centreville Day has been around for a while and we have many business that attend every year. Please be sure to read our Terms and Agreements -- you'll find lots of useful information there.
Is there a rain date? No, sorry, there are multiple churches in the area that make Sunday an unworkable rain date and the logistics of having roads closed for the following Saturday, given how busy October is, make that untenable also.
Do I get a refund for inclement weather if Centreville Day is cancelled? No, sorry again. We still have to pay expenses even if we cancel Centreville Day. But we are a 501 c3 charity, so your fee becomes a donation if we have to cancel the event. We have only had to cancel Centreville Day about twice in this century - in the spirit of the show must go on, we will stay open through light rain. We have also opened late and closed early in the past. If we have had to cancel, we will make an assessment of costs and will try to offer discounts for the following year.
How will I know if the event has been canceled or changed? We don't cancel for passing rain showers, but if the weather is dangerous or just miserable, yes, we will cancel. Sometimes we'll open for part of the day and close early. Cancellations and late openings will be announced here on this website, on Facebook, and we will email all vendors and sponsors as soon as we make the determination.
We try our best to make cancellation and delayed opening decisions by Friday afternoon, before the event.
Typically, an early closure occurs during the day of Centreville Day. We're always watching the weather, and if we see a reason for concern, we consult with the police to make a decision, and then inform every vendor and sponsor in person. See the Emergency Plan that you will receive with your space assignments.
Where is parking? There is on-site parking for vendors and sponsors who are planning to spend the whole day with us. If you are working a part-day shift then you must park outside the pedestrian-only venue. You can park your vehicle for free at 5820 Trinity Parkway or at Centreville Methodist Church (6400 Old Centreville Road) and take the free shuttle in. Look for the Centreville Day parking signs and our free shuttle buses.