Hey gang, Matt here!

We’re back with another feature in our special series, “What to Expect,” where we take you behind the scenes of some of the big events happening in our local communities.

You likely know the commonwealth’s tourism and travel slogan, “Virginia is for Lovers.” This weekend, Virginia is for chocolate and coffee lovers — at least here in Fairfax County — as the annual DMV Chocolate & Coffee Festival returns to the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly.

In our latest edition of “What to Expect,” we had a chance to chit-chat with the festival’s organizers, John and Lindsay Hill, to learn more about the festival’s 200+ vendors from across the region, the different tastings and experiences, and what else is included if someone in your group may not enjoy chocolate or coffee quite like you do.

We also chat with them about future plans for the festival following recent news that the Dulles Expo Center will become an IKEA in 2026.

Let’s go Out & About in Chantilly!

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A message from us

A preview of the DMV Chocolate & Coffee Festival

• Out & About Fairfax: “Thanks for chatting with us! For our neighbors who may be unfamiliar with the DMV Chocolate and Coffee Festival, what can they expect?”

• DMV Chocolate & Coffee Festival: “The DMV Chocolate and Coffee Festival is a two-day celebration of the region’s best chocolate makers, coffee roasters, and local artisans. Guests can explore over 200 small businesses offering gourmet chocolate, specialty coffee, baked goods, and unique handmade items — all while enjoying live music, interactive demos, and a welcoming community atmosphere. Your festival ticket also includes access to a variety of onsite experiences, such as educational seminars, coffee cuppings, and trivia sessions. Plus, don’t miss the chance to snap a fun photo with our beloved mascots, Chunk the chocolate bar and Bean the coffee cup!”

• Out & About Fairfax: “Do you have events and experiences planned during this year’s festival!”

• DMV Chocolate & Coffee Festival: “Absolutely! This year’s festival is packed with fun experiences for all ages. Guests can attend interactive coffee and chocolate seminars, take part in coffee cuppings, and join in on trivia sessions — all included with festival admission. We’ll also have live music during VIP hour, photo ops with our mascots Chunk and Bean, and plenty of opportunities to meet the makers behind your favorite chocolate and coffee brands. Plus, families can enjoy our kids’ craft tables featuring coffee filter crafts and coloring pages for the little ones.”

• Out & About Fairfax: “200+ vendors sure make for an impressive list! Tell us about the planning process for an event like this.”

• DMV Chocolate & Coffee Festival: “It really is an impressive lineup, and we’re so grateful for the incredible businesses that choose to be part of it each year. Our main goal is to highlight and support local and regional makers — giving them a platform to share their products with thousands of attendees who value shopping small. We put a lot of care into creating an environment where vendors can not only make great sales, but also build lasting connections with the community and with each other… We have over 45 coffee roasters, over 30 chocolate makers, and we also have a variety of bakers, gourmet food vendors, and local artists and crafters. In between shopping for craft chocolate and gourmet coffee, attendees can also enjoy a variety of dips, spices, hot sauces, jams, fashion, pottery, and more.”
  

• Out & About Fairfax: “Do you have vendors in addition to chocolate and coffee businesses?”

• DMV Chocolate & Coffee Festival: “Yes! While over half of the vendors are chocolate or coffee related businesses, we also have a variety of businesses selling baked goods, gourmet foods, and artists and crafters. Attendees will find fun chocolate and coffee themed products such as coffee scented candles and soaps, chocolate drizzled popcorn, brownies, coffee cakes, coffee/chocolate themed fashion items, and more!”
  

• Out & About Fairfax: “What is it that makes this event so popular?”

• DMV Chocolate & Coffee Festival: “People love this event because it brings together two of everyone’s favorite things — chocolate and coffee — in one place! But beyond that, it’s the atmosphere that makes it special. You can taste, shop, learn, and connect directly with the local makers behind each brand. You can learn about the specialty coffee industry and what makes craft chocolate so much better than what you find in the big grocery stores . There’s something for everyone, from families to foodies, and the energy in the room is always incredible.”
  

• Out & About Fairfax: “Are there any other details our readers should know about ahead of this year's DMV Chocolate and Coffee Festival?”

• DMV Chocolate & Coffee Festival: “We are celebrating our final year at the Dulles Expo Center. While we are searching for a new venue for 2026 and are hopeful to keep the event going, we highly encourage anyone who's been thinking of coming to join us for our final hurrah at the Dulles Expo Center. Tickets are currently discounted on our website for a limited time. Bring your friends, family, and appetite because it's sure to be an incredible weekend!”

Events Details:

• When: Saturday, Nov. 15 and Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025

  Saturday — 10:00a.m.-5:00p.m., Sunday — 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m.

• Where: Dulles Expo Center
  4320 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly

• Tickets: General Admission: $18 through Nov. 14, VIP Tickets: $36 through Nov. 14.

• Find more details here.

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