By Patricia Hall, FairfaxFamilyFun.com
Did you make a New Year’s resolution? Did it involve avoiding sweets or chocolate? Well, you may want to avoid the rest of this post then! Winter in Northern Virginia means the return of several chocolate festivals! These day-long events feature lots of rich chocolatey treats, often along with entertainment and family-friendly activities. Some of them also benefit local small businesses and community organizations, so by indulging in chocolate treats, you’re also doing a good thing! See our annual list below for where and when you can indulge in chocolate over the next few weeks.
Sunday, January 27, 2019
McLean Chocolate Festival
McLean Community Center
Returning for the sixth year, this chocolate festival features dozens of vendors providing chocolate samples and items for sale. The event also has a kids’ room with games and entertainment all day long. The event is sponsored by the local Rotary Club. Admission is just $2 (free for kids under age six) and you pay for whatever samples you want to try. The event takes place from 11 am to 5 pm at the McLean Community Center.
Friday-Sunday, February 1-3, 2019
Chocolate Lovers Festival
City of Fairfax
This big event, now in its 26th year, is an area tradition presented by the City of Fairfax, George Mason University, and area businesses. Featured events include the Chocolate Challenge, the Kiwanis Chocolate Chip Pancake Breakfast, food tastings, historic tours, and children’s entertainment. It’s three full days of fun, so plan ahead by checking out the detailed schedule of events online. Some events are free while others have a fee. In 2019, the festival will be held Friday, February 1 for Liquid Chocolate only from 6 pm to 8 pm, Saturday, February 2, from 10 am to 7 pm (see schedule of events for times and locations) and Sunday, February 3, noon to 4 pm, with the Taste of Chocolate, the Chocolate Challenge, the Kiwanis BBQ Lunch and Craft Show, open houses at historic buildings and much more.
Saturday, February 9, 2019
Chocolate Escape
Winchester
How can you make the lovely, quaint Old Town Winchester any sweeter? By adding lots of chocolate to the picturesque town! At the annual “Chocolate Escape!” visit participating downtown restaurants to enjoy their $3 chocolate sampling menu at participating restaurants.
Saturday, February 9, 2019
Occoquan Chocolate Walk
Occoquan
Visitors to Occoquan are invited to stroll through the town’s historic district and sample a variety of goodies at participating shops and restaurants during this annual event.
Muy chevere.