Planning Your Visit
All Fall for the Book events are free and open to the public, thanks to Friends of the Festival and our sponsors, including George Mason University, the City of Fairfax, Fairfax County Public Library, the Fairfax Library Foundation, and other generous businesses and organizations. Events are held at George Mason University’s Fairfax Campus, and around the City of Fairfax and Fairfax County Public Library Branches.
Getting to Mason
Whether you’re flying in, taking the metro, or driving, use this handy guide to find the best route to get to Mason’s Fairfax Campus. Have a Mason ID? Check the Mason Shuttle website for the schedule and stop locations.
Parking
For Mason’s Fairfax Campus, located at 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA:
Important 2026 Update: Mason Pond Parking Deck is closed to Visitor Parking. There are a few Visitor spaces in Rappahannock River Parking Deck, but they fill quickly. We strongly recommend parking in Lot K, near Eaglebank Arena. Pay for your space via ParkMobile app. Rates can be found here. Lot K often is where the bulk of students park, so please leave extra time to find a spot and walk. It is a 5-10 minute walk to festival events from this location. If you require handicapped parking, please use the icons on the map to the left to locate them.
If you are traveling by Uber or Lyft: We suggest being dropped off using the following address: 4471 Aquia Creek Ln, Fairfax, VA 22030.
To park in Lot K, use the Roanoke River Road entrance off of Braddock Road, across from University Mall. Lot K is the first left from that entrance.
For Downtown Fairfax: Free parking is available in large, multi-level decks and in public parking lots along North Street, Chain Bridge Road, University Drive and Old Lee Highway.
For Other Venues: All other libraries and businesses have nearby parking. Please contact individual venues for questions or special concerns.
Dining
You don’t have to venture far from festival events to grab tasty treat. The Johnson Center – which has some great grub options – is a short walk from all campus events.
Great City Eats
For an interactive map of all the fantastic restaurants in the City of Fairfax, click here.