Find Unique Gifts at the Holiday Craft Show, Nov. 15-16
Fairfax City ushers in the holiday season with one of its most beloved traditions: the annual Holiday Craft Show, set for Nov. 15-16 at Fairfax High School.
For two festive days, the school transforms into a marketplace filled with more than 200 juried artisans, crafters, and gourmet food vendors. It’s the perfect place to uncover unique holiday treasures—whether that’s handcrafted woodwork, cozy home décor, jewelry, pottery, or beautifully made clay pieces.
The show is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $5 for a one-day pass or $8 for two-day pass, available at the door. Visitors 18 and younger enjoy free admission. Learn more.
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Attend the Virginia Women’s Conference, Nov. 15
 13th Annual Virginia Women’s Conference Sparks Transformation and Inspiration
George Mason University and Sen. Mark Warner invite you to the 13th Annual Virginia Women’s Conference: Women Lead the Way, a day designed to uplift, connect, and inspire our community.
📅 Saturday, Nov. 15
🕗 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
📍 Johnson Center, Fairfax Campus
This year’s event features an unforgettable keynote by Cynt Marshall — trailblazing President & CEO of Marshalling Resources, former CEO of the Dallas Mavericks, bestselling author, and retired AT&T executive.
💬 What’s in store:
- 🔥 Dynamic speakers who spark change
- 🛠️ Interactive workshops to build skills and confidence
- 💼 Expert-led sessions on health, wealth, career, and leadership
- 🤝 Unmatched networking with changemakers across Virginia
🎟️ Admission is free — but registration is required!
🔗: https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2025-virginia-women-s-conference
Welcome to Fairfax City!
Fairfax City continues to attract new businesses. Watch videos from recent ribbon-cutting ceremonies coordinated by Fairfax City Economic Development.
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Solid Waste Management Plan Update Meeting, Nov. 20
The city is updating its Solid Waste Management Plan — a 20-year roadmap for how our community will reduce, reuse, recycle, compost, and safely dispose of waste.
This plan is more than just a state requirement. It’s our chance to rethink how we handle waste in ways that protect the environment, support public health, and build a more sustainable future.
A public meeting will be held 7-8 p.m. Nov. 20 at Katherine Johnson Middle School, 3801 Jermantown Rd. Share your ideas, concerns, and priorities for sustainable waste management in our community!
Your voice is essential. Help shape the future of the city's recycling and sustainable waste management in our community by spending just 10 minutes a quick survey. As a thank-you, every resident who participates will be entered into a drawing to win one of five prizes valued at $50 (one entry per person).
Learn more at Engage Fairfax.
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A Warm Gesture is Back!
We’re collecting handmade hats and scarves for those in need this winter season. This could be a meaningful community service project for your group! Please drop off your hand-made items in the City Hall Atrium during business hours, 8:30 am to 5 pm. The donation box is open through Feb. 15. Thank you!
Watch a video featuring city resident Frank Taylor.
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Read the Council Reporter for the Nov. 4 Work Session
 Pictured from left to right: Mayor Catherine Read and City Councilmembers Anthony Amos, Billy Bates, Stacy Hall, Stacey Hardy-Chandler, Rachel McQuillen, and Thomas Peterson.
The city council held a work session on Nov. 4. View the Council Reporter. A summary is provided below.
- Discussed authorizing the reappropriation of $500,000 in capital improvement funds previously earmarked specifically for schools, and authorizing an additional 0.5 FTE, increasing the school superintendent position to 1.0 FTE. This change is budget neutral, utilizing funds appropriated in FY2026.
- Received a presentation on the Affordable Housing Strategic Plan. The plan identifies practical steps to increase the supply of affordable housing, preserve existing units, and expand housing choices. It provides a framework to guide future policy, partnerships, and investment in affordable and workforce housing in the city. View the presentation.
- Discussed the CUE zero-fare evaluation. In anticipation of the expiration of the zero-fare pilot, the city conducted an evaluation of the zero-fare policy to inform the discussion about CUE fares for FY 2027 and beyond. View the presentation.
- Discussed the George Snyder Trail. View the presentation. The city was awarded $20.6M in concessionaire funding for this project. To date, approximately $4.1M has been spent or is anticipated to be spent on design and right-of-way acquisition. The construction phase of the project, which includes this bid amount as well as contingency, construction management, and VDOT oversight, is estimated to cost approximately $20.6M. This amount exceeds the $16M in remaining funding for the project by approximately $4.6M.
The city has discussed options with VDOT for next steps:
- Fund the difference with $4.6M of city funds.
- Request additional concessionaire funding from the VDOT concessionaire account, which has $6.6M available. This would require RJACC, NVTA and CTB approval (approximate 3-month time frame).
- Value-engineer the plans to remove items and then rebid. This would require VDOT review and approval (approximate 6-8 month time frame).
- Cancel the project and repay what has been spent to date.
- Discussed the City of Fairfax 2026 Legislative Program, which is assembled annually to inform the city’s delegation of policy statements and priorities the city would like considered during the General Assembly session. The city council will hold a public hearing on Nov. 18 to gain feedback on the proposed plan. The discussion will continue on Dec. 2 in a work session, with final consideration for approval on Dec. 9. View the presentation.
A city council meeting is scheduled for Nov. 18. View the agenda (subject to change). Meetings are held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday nights in City Hall. Watch meetings live on Channel 12 (COX/Verizon) and online, or catch a replay at 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Visit the city meetings website.
Leadership Update: City council appoints Melanie Zipp to serve as acting city manager
New Video Testimony Option: Submit video testimony for city council public hearings.
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