“Newly renovated Old Town Hall.” That is how the City of Fairfax’s October Cityscene newsletter describes the venue for the upcoming Old Town Hall Performance Series. However, the newsletter doesn’t specify a return date, and the first show in November won’t be hosted there at all. In fact, the event page for iMusical (scheduled for Friday, Nov. 6) now includes an update banner confirming it will take place at the Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center at 3740 Blenheim Boulevard instead.
Through the end of the year, the City’s cultural calendar is split across two venues – and official listings don’t always match. While the Old Town Hall name remains on the series, many performances are being relocated. If you plan on attending any events this November or December, be sure to double-check the venue address before heading out.
A 1900 Building With a Reopening Date That Keeps Moving
Built in 1900, Old Town Hall (located at 3999 University Drive) has long served as a cherished civic and cultural hub. It closed in August 2020 after a front portico column collapsed. Phase 1 of the restoration wrapped up in June 2023, rebuilding the portico and addressing structural and exterior repairs. Phase 2 is currently underway, funded by $2.1 million in federal grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development alongside $1.8 million from the City’s General Fund.
Here is how the expected completion timeline has shifted over the past year:
- July 22, 2025: City Council awarded the construction contract to A.P. Construction, LLC, kicking off a 300-day timeline in August.
- September 8, 2025: The City issued the notice to proceed.
- April 2026: The cover story in April’s Cityscene indicated the hall was “scheduled to reopen this summer.”
- April 9, 2026: The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board minutes targeted substantial completion for October 3, citing slight delays with window restoration work.
- July 9, 2026: The board’s July minutes noted: “Work is continuing, the windows are coming along.”
- Present Day: The City’s project page continues to list the status as “Under Construction,” with an anticipated completion timeframe of Fall 2026.
Additionally, the Old Town Hall rental page – which handles private events like weddings and meetings – maintains that the facility is temporarily closed for renovations.
What the Wait Is Buying
According to April’s Cityscene, the upgraded hall will feature enhanced spaces for performances, meetings, and community gatherings. Restored windows, added insulation, and an energy-efficient HVAC system will ensure year-round comfort. The building has also transitioned to full electrification. Additional upgrades include restored original plaster walls, modernized audio systems, improved security, an elevator, fire sprinklers, and ADA-compliant restrooms. On the exterior, a period-accurate color palette will feature “cottage cream” siding, “Rockwood shutter green” shutters, and “alabaster” trim.
Phase 2 also introduces new public restrooms accessible from both Fairfax Old Town Square Park and Main Street to serve splash pad visitors and eventgoers. However, because these facilities are tied to the main project contract, visitors attending December events in the square should plan accordingly until an official opening is announced.
Where the Season's Shows Are Listed, Venue by Venue
Now in its 37th year, the Bonita Lestina Old Town Hall Performance Series runs from October through April, with doors opening at 7:30 p.m. and performances starting at 8 p.m. Although the main series page lists Old Town Hall as its primary venue – noting only Oct. 16, 2026, as an exception hosted at Sherwood – individual event pages tell a different story. November opens at Sherwood, while later dates still list University Drive.
Date | Event | Listed venue | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
Fri., Nov. 6, 8 p.m. | Old Town Hall Performance Series: iMusical | Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center, 3740 Blenheim Blvd. | Free |
Fri., Nov. 13 | ARTScreen Film Series, doors 6:30 p.m. | Sherwood Center | Free |
Wed., Nov. 18 | "Arias & Duets," The Virginia Opera | Sherwood Center | Free |
Fri., Nov. 20, 8 p.m. | Performance Series: Bokor / Snedecor / Hill | Old Town Hall, 3999 University Dr. | Free |
Fri., Dec. 11, 8 p.m. | Performance Series: The Capital Hearings | Old Town Hall, 3999 University Dr. | Free |
Fri., Dec. 18 | ARTScreen presents "Every Little Step" | Sherwood Center | Free |
The lineup features a wide variety of talents: iMusical presents unscripted, full-length musical comedy; Nov. 20 brings a chamber music trio with Ben Bokor, Erin Snedecor, and Elizabeth Hill; and Dec. 11 features vocal ensemble The Capital Hearings. Given the recent updates, attendees are encouraged to verify location details on the City’s Cultural Arts page prior to each event.
Families with young children can also look forward to the free Early Childhood Arts Program (ages 2–5 with an adult), which meets twice monthly at 10:30 a.m. (pre-registration required). Notably, its schedule places sessions at Sherwood through December 2026 before returning to Old Town Hall starting in January 2027 – offering the clearest timeline for the venue’s anticipated reopening.
While visiting the Sherwood Center, attendees can also explore AB EX FFX, an abstract expressionist exhibit and sale curated by The Rogue Art Project, on display in the Rotary Gallery through Dec. 18.
The Square Next Door Keeps Its Dates
Despite venue adjustments for indoor shows, outdoor holiday events at Old Town Square (10415 North Street) remain on schedule:
- 10th Annual Holiday Market (Dec. 4–6 & Dec. 11–13): Fridays 5–8 p.m., Saturdays noon–6 p.m., Sundays noon–5 p.m. Admission is free, featuring over 30 craft artisans each weekend with a rotating artisan lineup.
- Festival of Lights and Carols (Sat., Dec. 5, noon–6 p.m.): Free admission, featuring photos with Santa from 3 to 5 p.m., followed by the tree lighting and caroling at 5:30 p.m.
- Fairfax Main St. Market (Sun., Dec. 6, noon–4 p.m.): A sidewalk market offering vintage and handmade goods along Main Street between Chain Bridge Road and University Drive.
- A Historic Holiday at Blenheim (Sat., Dec. 12, noon–3 p.m.): Held at Historic Blenheim (3610 Blenheim Blvd.). Free entry with no registration required, featuring cookie decorating, crafts, and traditional games.
December 5 and 12 mark the busiest weekends of the season. On Dec. 5, the Holiday Market and Festival of Lights overlap, followed by the Main St. Market on Sunday. On Dec. 12, the market’s second weekend coincides with the Blenheim open house – conveniently located along the same stretch as the Sherwood Center.
November's Other Fixed Points
Several other seasonal traditions carry confirmed dates. The Fairfax Veterans Day Ceremony will take place Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 10:30 a.m. at American Legion Post 177 (3939 Oak St.). Co-sponsored by VFW Post 8469 and American Legion Post 177, the ceremony is free and open to the public.
The 40th Annual Holiday Craft Show returns to Fairfax High School (3501 Lion Run) on Saturday, Nov. 21 (10 a.m.–5 p.m.) and Sunday, Nov. 22 (10 a.m.–3 p.m.). Admission is $5 for one day or $8 for a two-day pass (free for ages 17 and under). Note that this year’s show falls on the weekend immediately preceding Thanksgiving.
Please note that the regular Fairfax Farmers’ Market wrapped up its 2026 season on Oct. 31, with no winter market dates scheduled.
As Fairfax continues to update its historical facilities and civic spaces, local events remain a vibrant part of community life. If you’re interested in learning how local infrastructure and revitalization projects influence the local real estate market, reach out to the team at Corcoran McEnearney to schedule a Local Market Consultation.
