The Arlington County Fair opens today (Wednesday), kicking off five days of fun with a ceremony honoring the event’s 50th anniversary.
The ceremony will take place at 5 p.m. on the basketball courts at Thomas Jefferson Community Center (3501 2nd Street S.), featuring a photo booth, music and a historical photo display tracing 50 years of festivities.
After that, it’s open season on the fair’s Ferris wheels, drop tower, fried delicacies and other attractions.
“This summer, the Arlington County Fair celebrates its golden 50th anniversary alongside nationwide commemorations of America’s 250th birthday, making this year one for the history books,” a press release said. “Themed Stars, Stripes & Summer Nights, the event honors a shared celebration of community and tradition.”
The first two nights of the fair are entirely outdoors, while an indoor area with vendors, markets and a portable planetarium opens on Friday.
All rides will be operational starting tonight.
For younger kids, “The Dizzy Dragon” is back for another year, as is the “fun slide,” a fair mainstay for children of all ages. More intense ride options include “The Brute,” where riders’ feet dangle out of their seats as they’re both rotated by a claw and swung back and forth by a pendulum.
The “Super Shot” drop tower and the “Rockstar” pendulum swing are also back this year.
Outdoor food options include classic fair treats like funnel cake and fried Oreos, as well as food trucks offering dumplings, tacos, smash burgers, “jumbo” hot dogs, chicken tenders and cheesecake.
The opening ceremony tonight will be hosted by NBC4 reporter Tommy McFly. A color guard procession from Arlington Scouting America troops and the National Anthem performed by The Arlingtones Barbershop Chorus will kick off the ceremony.
Speakers will include County Board member JD Spain Sr. and county fair chair Matt Cochrane.
Cotton candy, rides, and community spirit 🎡🫶 As you make your way to and from the Arlington County Fair, just a friendly reminder to:🗑️ Pick up after yourself🩵 Be kind to neighbors🌿 Leave no traceLearn more and plan your visit at ArlingtonCountyFair.us 🎠🍧✨
— Arlington County Government (@arlingtonva.us) 2026-08-10T18:15:23.47138293Z
A shuttle service is available every day of the fair, running between the public parking garage at Ballston Quarter and the fairgrounds. Parking around the fair is usually tough, with limited options on nearby side streets.
Shuttles are set to run every 10-15 minutes. The service begins every day 30 minutes before the fair opens, and it stops running 30 minutes after the fair closes.
A list of fair hours is below:
- Wednesday, August 12: 5-10:30 p.m. outside
- Thursday, August 13: 5-10:30 p.m. outside
- Friday, August 14: 2-10:30 p.m. outside, 4-10 p.m. indoors
- Saturday, August 15: 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m. outside, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. indoors
- Sunday, August 16: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. outside, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. indoors
Sensory-friendly hours are from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Aug. 15 and from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Aug. 16.
