Opening Ceremony Celebration
2023-08-16 17:00 - 17:30 (America/New_York)
Please join the Arlington County Fair Board and members of the Arlington County Government at the Opening Ceremony Celebration of the Fair. The Opening Ceremony will begin promptly at 5:00 p.m. at the Playground outside the Thomas Jefferson Community Center.

VMFA on the Road
2023-08-16 17:00 - 20:00, 2023-08-17 17:00 - 22:00, 2023-08-18 16:00 - 22:00, 2023-08-19 10:00 - 21:00
You don’t need to travel to Richmond to get a look at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts‘ incredible works! Check out VMFA on the Road each day of the Fair with their (air-conditioned!) ArtMobile featuring the exhibit Revealing and Obscuring Identify: Portraits from the Permanent Collection:

Wed., Aug. 16: 5-8 p.m.
Thurs., Aug. 17: 5-10 p.m.
Fri., Aug. 18: 4-10 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 19: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 20: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Beer Garden
2023-08-16 17:00 - 21:30, 2023-08-17 17:00 - 21:30, 2023-08-18 14:00 - 21:30 | Beer Garden, 2nd Street S between S Jackson St and S Ivy St (on-street), Arlington, VA, 22204, United States
The Arlington County Fair has partnered with New District Brewery to bring fair patrons a beer garden experience! Pre-sale early bird tickets are available for special purchase at three beer tickets for $25 including a souvenir glass. We will also be offering a wine option this year. You can pre purchase three three wine tickets for $27 including a souvenir glass. Additional tickets are available at the event. Come enjoy the fair and then enjoy a New District beer, made locally here in Arlington. The Beer Garden is FREE to enter! Families and children are welcome! We look forward to hosting you at the beer garden!

Beer Garden Schedule:

Wednesday, Aug. 16: 5:00-9:30pm
Thursday, Aug. 17: 5:00-9:30pm
Friday, Aug. 18: 2:00pm-9:30pm
Saturday, Aug. 19: 12:00pm-9:30pm
Sunday, Aug. 20: 12:00pm-7:30pm

Live Performance: Alma Boliviana
2023-08-16 20:00 - 20:45
Visit our live entertainment stage on the tennis courts Thurs-Sun for a rockin’ good time! On Wed., Aug. 16 from 8-8:45 p.m. check out Alma Boliviana, a cultural and dance organization from Arlington, Virginia, whose mission is to sustain Andean Bolivian culture through dance interpretation.

Live Performance: Calico Cloggers
2023-08-17 17:15 - 18:00
The Calico Cloggers are a Fair classic! They are a dance group performing clog and percussion routines to a variety of music, including pop, bluegrass, and Celtic tunes. Come tap your foot along to the beat on Thur., Aug. 17 from 5:15-6 p.m.!

Drew Blue Shoes
2023-08-17 18:00 - 18:30 | Family Fun Spot Up Top
Everyone’s favorite magician, Drew Blue Shoes, returns with his wondrous show. His eye-popping magic and hilarious humor delights all! Check out his shows at the Family Fun Spot Up Top above the midway:

Thur., Aug 17: 6 p.m.
Fri., Aug 18: 4 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 19: 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 20: 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Live Performance: The Sunshine Gang
2023-08-17 18:30 - 19:15
Visit our live entertainment stage on the tennis courts Thurs-Sun for a rockin’ good time! On Thurs., Aug. 17 from 6:30-7:15 p.m., check out The Sunshine Gang, a full 9-piece band that plays an entire review of popular 20th century music.

Special Trivia Night at Beer Garden!
2023-08-17 19:00 - 21:00
Stop by the beer garden on Thurs., Aug. 17 from 7-9 p.m. for a special trivia night! Grab your favorite New District Brewing beer or a glass of rose and test your knowledge.

Live Performance: Inspira Dance
2023-08-17 19:45 - 20:30
Visit our live entertainment stage on the tennis courts Thurs-Sun for a rockin’ good time! On Thur., Aug. 17 from 7:45-8:30 p.m. check out Inspira Dance, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide sustainable, high-quality dance programs for all students.

Live Performance: DJ Ruben DC
2023-08-17 21:00 - 21:45
Visit our live entertainment stage on the tennis courts Thurs-Sun for a rockin’ good time! On Thur., Aug. 17 from 9-9:45 p.m. check out DJ Ruben DC to hear the most popular hip-hop, 80’s, 90’s, latin, dance and top 40 hits.

Live Performance: Avant Bard Theatre
2023-08-18 14:00 - 14:45
Visit our live entertainment stage on the tennis courts Friday 2:00-2:45 p.m. and Sunday 8:15-9:00 p.m. to get a taste of the award-winning theatrical history podcast, A Simple Herstory, brought to you by Arlington’s Avant Bard Theatre. Beloved Arlington musician-songwriter Sarah Fridrich will be there to give the event a rollicking intro and outro. Be there for your chance to meet the ghost of Victoria Woodhull, the first woman to run for president – nearly 50 years before Congress passed the 19th amendment!

Live Performance: SmoothCity
2023-08-18 15:15 - 16:00, 2023-08-18 19:00 - 19:45
Visit our live entertainment stage on the tennis courts Thurs-Sun for a rockin’ good time! On Fri., Aug. 18 from 3:15-4 p.m. and 7-7:45 p.m. and on Sun., Aug. 20 from 2-2:45 p.m. check out a live performance by SmoothCity!

Drew Blue Shoes
2023-08-18 16:00 - 16:30, 2023-08-19 10:30 - 11:00 | Family Fun Spot Up Top
Everyone’s favorite magician, Drew Blue Shoes, returns with his wondrous show. His eye-popping magic and hilarious humor delights all! Check out his shows at the Family Fun Spot Up Top above the midway:

Fri., Aug 18: 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 19: 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 20: 12 p.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.

Sensory Tent Hours
2023-08-18 16:00 - 2023-08-20 16:00
After a successful inaugural year of the Sensory Friendly Hour we are happy to share that we have expanded this offering for the 2023 Arlington County Fair!
On Saturday, Aug., 19 from 10am-1pm and Sunday, Aug., 20 11am-1pm Fair goers can enjoy all the magic of the Fair without loud sounds or music. Friendly volunteers will be on hand to direct attendees to the various amenities and attractions that the Fair has to offer.
Also back again this year is the Sensory Tent. The Sensory Tent is a break space for individuals who can become or are overstimulated by the sights and sounds of the Fair. Taking a break in the Sensory Tent can reduce unwanted sensory input and provide access to specific sensory input that can aid in self-regulation. Check out this handout to learn more about the Sensory Tent.
*New this Year* A self-guided assessment of your own sensory needs related to self-regulation. Find out how to identify when you are dysregulated and what helps you feel better.
The Sensory Tent will be available during the following hours:
• Fri., Aug. 18, 4-7pm• Sat., Aug. 19, 10am-6pm• Sun., Aug. 20, 11am-4pm
Special thanks to the Arlington County Therapeutic Recreation Office for their partnership!

Live Performance: Beat Willy
2023-08-18 16:30 - 17:15 | Entertainment Stage, 3501 2nd St S, Arlington, United States
Visit our live entertainment stage on the tennis courts Thurs-Sun for a rockin’ good time! On Fri., Aug. 18 from 4:30-5:15 p.m. check out Beat Willy for an eclectic mix of acoustic alternative folk, including original songs and some covers. Come check them out and sing along at the Entertainment Tent!

Drew Blue Shoes
2023-08-18 17:00 - 17:30

BINGO
2023-08-18 17:30 - 19:00 | Gymnasium, 3501 2nd St S, Arlington, VA, 22204
BINGO! Our Fair favorite is back this year! Join us for Friday night Bingo on Aug. 18 at 5:30 PM inside the gymnasium. This event is FREE and welcomes players of all ages! This event is brought to you through a collaboration with the Arlington Jaycees and Bicycling Realty Group. Relax in the air conditioning indoors while you compete for fun prizes!
Free to enter; no pre-registration required.

Live Performance: Too Much Feedback
2023-08-18 17:45 - 18:30
Visit our live entertainment stage on the tennis courts Thurs-Sun for a rockin’ good time! On Fri., Aug. 18 from 5:45-6:30 p.m. check out Too Much Feedback, for a performance of fun, danceable party hits from the ’80s to today.

Pizza Eating Contest
2023-08-18 19:30 - 20:30 | Gymnasium, 3501 2nd St S, Arlington, VA, 22204
Who doesn’t enjoy a nice slice of pizza pie? Show up at 7:30PM, Friday, Aug. 18 inside the gymnasium (right after BINGO) for a chance to compete against your neighbors for the Pizza Eat-A-Slice Contest. Be the first to finish in your age category and win a prize! Kids under 5 years old eat Twinkies instead of pizza. This event is brought to you by the Arlington Jaycees and Troy’s Italian Kitchen.

Live Performance: The Players Band
2023-08-18 20:30 - 22:00 | Entertainment Stage, 3501 2nd St S, Arlington, United States
Visit our live entertainment stage on the tennis courts Thurs-Sun for a rockin’ good time! On Fri., Aug. 18 from 8:30-10 p.m. check out The Players Band, playing a blend of Jamaican ska and reggae with American rock and roll.

Go Bananas Performance & Family Dance Party
2023-08-19 11:00 - 12:00
Go Bananas Dancing spreads joy to the ACF and patrons through their combination of exercise, learning and fun! All ages welcome.

Rocknoceros
2023-08-19 12:00 - 12:30
Come check out Rocknoceros, Saturday and Sunday at the Family Fun Spot! Rocknoceros has entertained tens of thousands of fans around the country, performing at Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, and the Kennedy Center. Since its inception in 2005, Rocknoceros has won ten Washington Area Music Awards and has found its way into the hearts and homes of music-lovers of all ages.

Pie Eating Championship
2023-08-19 12:00 - 13:00 | Gymnasium, 3501 2nd St S, Arlington, VA, 22204
Do you have what it takes to be a champion? Then join us for the 2023 Arlington County Fair Pie Eating CHAMPIONSHIP!!!
The Arlington County Fair, in partnership with Livin’ the Pie Life, the Arlington Jaycees, and Bicycle Realty, is proud to present the 2023 Arlington County Fair Pie Eating Championship! This fun event requires participants to eat one slice of pie with no hands! The first three contestants in each age group to finish everything on their plate are WINNERS!
Pre-register today to compete for the championship!
$10.00 per person to enter
Pre-registering will guarantee you a slice of delicious “triple berry pie” from Livin’ the Pie Life, a seat at the pie eating table, and a limited-edition Arlington County Fair Pie Eating Championship t-shirt! Pre-registration ends on Monday, August 14, 2023! Limited “day of” sign-ups may be available.
On Saturday, August 19, check in will start at 10:45AM, and you must be checked in by 11:45AM. The event will start promptly at 12:00 NOON with the youngest age groups competing first.
Each participant will receive a limited-edition Arlington County Fair Pie Eating Championship t-shirt and a chance to win a Livin’ the Pie Life gift certificate!
Learn more and register here.
