FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va.—Visit Fairfax has released its annual What’s New guide, outlining upcoming attractions, dining, lodging, and special events expected to shape tourism in the county and the national capital region next year. The guide provides an overview of new and expanded experiences planned for 2026, with a special focus on events tied to the nation’s 250th birthday.
Among the guide’s highlights are major updates at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, where newly reimagined mansion tours, new exhibitions, and yearlong events will debut following a multi-year preservation project. Visitors will be able to participate in the Virginia 250 Passport program, which allows travelers to collect stamps at historic sites, including Mount Vernon, Gunston Hall, Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House, and the National Museum of the U.S. Army.
The Fairfax 250 Commission has launched a countywide History Trail pass that encourages visits to local historic and cultural attractions, with participants eligible for monthly prize drawings. Additional anniversary programming will include new artifacts and events at the National Museum of the U.S. Army; signature celebrations at such venues as Gunston Hall, Workhouse Arts Center, and Reston Community Center; and limited-edition F&B offerings themed around the 250th birthday.
The guide also outlines new attractions and events debuting in 2026. Hershey’s Super Sweet Adventure will make its East Coast debut on March 6 at Tysons Corner Center, offering interactive family experiences and exclusive merchandise. Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House will introduce a new summer exhibit focused on the Quaker and Free Black communities that shaped the estate, while continuing monthly Slavery and Freedom tours. Workhouse Arts Center will host ComicWorx, its first Comic Con-style event, on March 7. Sports highlights include the Premier Lacrosse League Championship Series at The St. James in late February and the start of the Major League Rugby season for Old Glory DC at George Mason Stadium in April.
There are also several F&B expansions and planned openings. Bunnyman Brewing Co. is set to open a second restaurant at Workhouse Arts Center, while River Sea Chocolates has expanded with a second location in Reston. Elden Street Tea Shop is moving into wholesale manufacturing, bringing its loose-leaf teas to a national audience. New restaurants expected to open in 2026 include Electric Bull Steakhouse, the first expansion of Washington’s Old Ebbitt Grill with Ebbitt House, a second location of Ruthie’s All Day, and an additional Clarity restaurant. Miami-based concepts The Salty and Pure Vida will make their Mid-Atlantic debuts, and Mount Vernon will unveil a fully renovated food court for visitors.
On the lodging front, JW Marriott Reston Station has opened as the state’s first JW Marriott property, offering luxury accommodations, dining, and wellness-focused guest rooms. The AC Marriott Reston and Residence Inn Reston dual property has also opened near Reston Town Center and the Silver Line.
The full What’s New for 2026 guide and additional details on America’s 250th birthday programming in Fairfax County are available through Visit Fairfax.
