Asian Festival on Main

Asian Festival on Main

Old Town Fairfax shuts down Main Street for this one, and the whole road fills up with food stalls, performance stages, and activity booths. The taiko drumming is the highlight for most kids. It's loud and intense, and my son stood there with his mouth open the first time he saw it. The lion dance is another crowd favorite, where costumed performers weave through the audience. Kids who are a little shy about it can watch from a distance, while braver ones try to get as close as possible.

The food is excellent. Think dumplings, pho, bubble tea, mango sticky rice, Japanese curry, Korean fried chicken, and a dozen other options. We ate our way down the street and still wanted more. There are also craft stations where kids can try calligraphy, origami, or fan painting. The festival runs from 11am to 6pm, which gives you a big window to come and go. We usually arrive around noon, eat lunch, watch a few performances, do some crafts, and head out by mid-afternoon. It's a full day if you want it to be, or a great two-hour visit if that's all the kids can handle.

Parent Tips 💡

• ✓Bring cash for food vendors. Some take cards, but cash lines move faster and a few stalls are cash only.
• ✓Check the performance schedule when you arrive. The taiko drumming and lion dance have set times, and you don't want to miss them.
• ✓The craft stations can have long waits by early afternoon, so do those first if your kids are interested in calligraphy or origami.
• ✓Bring a stroller for younger kids. Main Street is flat and easy to navigate, but there's a lot of walking between vendor sections.
• ✓Sunscreen and water bottles. The street has limited shade, and you'll be outside for a while.
• ✓Park early. The lots near City Hall fill up by noon. Side streets a few blocks away usually have spots.