Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center: Visiting, Events and Rentals
Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center is a City of Fairfax cultural arts and community events facility at 3740 Blenheim Boulevard, Fairfax, VA 22030, beside Van Dyck Park.
The center hosts arts and recreation programming, community gatherings, meetings, performances, wedding receptions and other approved private events. Its main attraction is a flexible Performance Space with hardwood flooring and configurable seating.
Reviewed October 21, 2026. Rental prices below are from the City’s FY2026 published agreement. Confirm which fee schedule applies to your event date.
Public Hours vs. Event Rental Hours
Visitors should distinguish public building hours from the extended hours available to approved rental groups.
| Day | Regular Public Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday–Friday | 8:30 AM–8:00 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM–4:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed to regular public access |
| Government holidays | Closed to regular public access |
Approved Rental Windows
| Day | Rentable Hours |
|---|---|
| Sunday–Thursday | 7:00 AM–10:00 PM |
| Friday–Saturday | 7:00 AM–1:00 AM the following day |
Address: 3740 Blenheim Boulevard, Fairfax, VA 22030
Telephone: 703-385-7858
Rental email: rentalvenues@fairfaxva.gov
Rooms, Capacities and Amenities
The City offers three primary interior event spaces, along with a separately rentable outdoor Civic Green area and an optional catering preparation area.
Large hardwood-floor venue for weddings, receptions, performances and meetings. The FY2026 agreement lists 333 banquet seats and 425 theater seats.
Smaller configuration of the main space, with FY2026 capacities of 167 banquet seats or 200 theater seats.
A flexible room for rehearsals, workshops and smaller gatherings. Listed for 70 banquet guests or 71 theater seats.
Room for arts instruction, meetings and smaller events. Listed for 60 banquet guests or 61 theater seats.
Outdoor area available in connection with an eligible room reservation. Published seated capacity is up to 200 in theater-style setup.
Separate warming and preparation space with refrigeration, a microwave, warming oven and sink. Cooking meals on site is not permitted.
Available equipment includes tables and chairs, audiovisual equipment and selected musical instruments. Some items are complimentary while microphones, projectors, audio systems and piano use may cost extra.
FY2026 Rental Rates and Security Deposits
The following figures come from the City of Fairfax’s FY2026 Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center pricing agreement. Listed minimum rates include a specified number of rental hours.
Performance Space Rentals
| Room / Period | Minimum Rental | Additional Hour |
|---|---|---|
| Full Performance Space, Mon–Thu | $600 / 2 hours | $300 |
| Full Performance Space, Friday or Sunday | $2,250 / 5 hours | $450 |
| Full Performance Space, Saturday | $3,000 / 5 hours | $600 |
| Half Performance Space, Mon–Thu | $390 / 2 hours | $195 |
| Half Performance Space, Friday or Sunday | $1,450 / 5 hours | $290 |
| Half Performance Space, Saturday | $1,925 / 5 hours | $385 |
| Entire Center, Friday–Sunday | $3,500 / 5 hours | $700 |
Smaller Rooms and Add-Ons
| Space | Published FY2026 Price |
|---|---|
| Rehearsal Space, Mon–Thu | $140 for 2 hours; $70/additional hour |
| Rehearsal Space, Fri–Sun | $180 for 2 hours; $90/additional hour |
| Art Room, Mon–Thu | $110 for 2 hours; $55/additional hour |
| Art Room, Fri–Sun | $150 for 2 hours; $75/additional hour |
| Pergola / Civic Green | $300 for 2 hours; $150/additional hour |
| Caterer’s Corner | $50 one-time fee |
Security Deposits
| Space | Deposit |
|---|---|
| Entire Center | $900 |
| Full Performance Space | $650 |
| Half Performance Space | $450 |
| Rehearsal Space | $100 |
| Art Room | $100 |
Discounts and Additional Event Costs
Qualifying discounts can substantially change the total, but they are subject to the City’s category and combination rules.
- City resident or city business: A $200 discount may apply to eligible Friday–Sunday Performance Space or entire-center bookings.
- Businesses and nonprofits: Eligible use of the full or half Performance Space can qualify for a 25% discount Monday–Thursday and Friday before 2 PM. Alcohol is not permitted under this rate.
- January and February: Certain Friday–Sunday Performance Space or entire-center rentals may receive a 10% seasonal reduction to the hourly rate.
- Repeat renters: Separate discounts may apply after qualifying previous reservations, subject to the City’s rules.
Common Add-On Charges
| Item | FY2026 Fee |
|---|---|
| Alcohol service, half Performance Space | $150 |
| Alcohol service, full Performance Space or entire center | $300 |
| Event security when ending after 10 PM with over 200 guests | $150 |
| Ceiling projector and screen | $50 |
| Handheld, lapel or tabletop microphone | $25 each |
| A/V package in the Performance Space | $150 |
| Wedding rehearsal, one hour | $100, subject to availability |
Additional insurance, state licenses, health permits or equipment fees may be required based on the event.
How to Reserve Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center
Rentals are managed by the City of Fairfax. Submitting an inquiry is not the same as receiving an approved reservation.
- Select your room. Choose the full or half Performance Space, Rehearsal Space, Art Room or an eligible combination of indoor and outdoor areas.
- Estimate your guest count. Determine your expected attendance and preferred banquet or theater-style seating.
- Choose the date and rental hours. Include all vendor setup, decorating, event and cleanup time.
- Check the lead time. The FY2026 agreement requires reservation requests at least six weeks before the event.
- Contact the venue team. Email rentalvenues@fairfaxva.gov to confirm availability and arrange a viewing appointment.
- Review the rental packet. Complete the City’s contract and provide the required government-issued identification.
- Declare event features. Tell staff about catering, alcohol, ticketing, entertainment, tents, outdoor cooking or other special arrangements.
- Arrange required documents. Obtain any required insurance, banquet license, health permit or vendor approval.
- Pay the deposit and charges. Follow the City’s payment deadline and accepted payment methods.
- Keep the approved agreement. Confirm the room, schedule, permitted setup and vendor access in writing.
Rental team: rentalvenues@fairfaxva.gov
Phone: 703-385-7858
Wedding Receptions, Performances and Private Parties
The Sherwood Center is particularly suited to events needing flexible seating, a large hardwood-floor space, presentation equipment or a separate rehearsal room.
- Compare full and half Performance Space capacity.
- Include catering, decorations and cleanup time.
- Ask about the optional Caterer’s Corner.
- Confirm music and alcohol permissions.
- Request a room setup diagram before finalizing your guest list.
- Choose theater or classroom seating according to the event.
- Check projector and microphone availability.
- Confirm whether amplified sound is permitted.
- Allow time for technical setup.
- Ask whether the Rehearsal or Art Room is sufficient.
Important Event Restrictions
- Applicants must be at least 25 years old under the FY2026 contract.
- DJs, live bands and amplified music are generally restricted to the Performance Space.
- Food preparation is restricted to approved areas; the Caterer’s Corner is for warming and preparation, not cooking.
- Decorations must not be attached to building surfaces.
- Confetti, glitter, sparklers and similar materials are prohibited.
- Renter-provided equipment and vendors must comply with the City’s requirements.
- Events with alcohol require applicable licensing and liability insurance.
- City staff supervise the venue during rentals.
Food, Alcohol and Insurance Requirements
The contract asks applicants to disclose whether food or alcohol will be served and whether an event is public or private.
| Event Feature | What May Be Required |
|---|---|
| Alcohol service | Virginia banquet license, $1 million liability insurance naming the City as additionally insured, and the applicable alcohol service charge. |
| Public event with catered food | Appropriate temporary food or health permit when applicable. |
| Food trucks | Approved fire-safety authorization and vendor paperwork. |
| Outdoor tent | Additional permits for qualifying tent sizes, insurance and setup approval. |
| Large late-night event | City-appointed security where the contract’s attendance and time conditions are met. |
Art Classes, Recreation and Community Programming
Although the center is widely known as a rental venue, it also supports City of Fairfax cultural arts and recreation activities.
Seasonal programs can include:
- Children’s music, dance and creative arts classes.
- Educational workshops and family programming.
- Rehearsals and artistic instruction.
- Cultural events, performances and public activities.
- Community meetings organized by the City or local groups.
For example, the City included a youth music ensemble for ages 10–14 at the Sherwood Center in its winter/spring 2026 recreation brochure. That class ran during January and February 2026 and is not an ongoing drop-in session.
Finding a Current Class
- Open the City’s Parks and Recreation program listings.
- Look for programs with Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center as the location.
- Check the age group, dates and fees.
- Confirm whether preregistration is required.
- Use the City’s official enrollment instructions.
- Bring the registration confirmation to your scheduled class.
Parking, Directions and Nearby Van Dyck Park
Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center
3740 Blenheim Boulevard
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
The center is next to Van Dyck Park and within reach of Old Town Fairfax. Its location is convenient for events involving guests from Fairfax City and surrounding Northern Virginia communities.
Parking and Accessibility
- Parking is listed among the center’s on-site amenities.
- The City’s rental materials include a venue parking map.
- Parking in fire lanes and double parking are prohibited.
- ADA-compliant restrooms are included in the facility.
- Renter and vendor access must follow the approved contract times.
For larger weddings or performances, ask the rental team about guest parking, loading zones, accessible entry and any event-specific parking instructions. Do not assume unlimited on-site spaces.
Willard-Sherwood Project: Know the Difference
The City of Fairfax is developing the separate Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center project near the existing Sherwood Center.
The City reported on April 29, 2026 that the council authorized the new project to proceed to construction, while an optional renovation and expansion of the existing Sherwood Center’s performance space would not proceed at that time.
The future health and community project is not the same as the existing Stacy C. Sherwood event venue at 3740 Blenheim Boulevard.
For current event reservations, continue using the existing Sherwood Community Center venue contact and confirm any construction-related parking or access notices.
Official Willard-Sherwood Project Updates →Before-You-Go Checklist
- Use 3740 Blenheim Boulevard, Fairfax, VA 22030.
- Distinguish public opening hours from rental hours.
- For events, compare banquet and theater capacities.
- Check FY2026 rates against the contract applicable to your event date.
- Submit rental inquiries early enough to satisfy City deadlines.
- Include setup, vendor arrival and cleanup in the requested hours.
- Confirm seating layouts and equipment availability.
- Ask about alcohol, catering, insurance and security requirements.
- Check whether your event is eligible for any discount.
- Arrange a viewing appointment before committing to a complex event setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center?
Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center is at 3740 Blenheim Boulevard, Fairfax, VA 22030, next to Van Dyck Park. The center is operated by the City of Fairfax.
2. What are Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center’s hours?
Regular public hours are Monday–Friday 8:30 AM–8 PM and Saturday 9 AM–4 PM. The center is normally closed Sunday and government holidays for general public access. Approved rental hours are different.
3. What is the center’s phone number?
The center’s published phone number is 703-385-7858. Rental inquiries can also be sent to rentalvenues@fairfaxva.gov.
4. Can I rent Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center for a wedding?
Yes. The center rents its Performance Space and other eligible areas for approved wedding receptions and private events. Capacity, rental fees, deposits, vendor arrangements and event rules depend on the selected space.
5. How much does the full Performance Space cost?
Under the FY2026 agreement, the full Performance Space starts at $600 for two hours Monday–Thursday, $2,250 for five hours Friday or Sunday, and $3,000 for five hours Saturday. A $650 security deposit is separate.
6. How many guests fit in the Performance Space?
The FY2026 contract lists a maximum of 333 banquet guests or 425 theater seats in the full Performance Space. Confirm the approved layout because other City venue materials display a different theater capacity.
7. Are small meeting rooms available?
Yes. The Rehearsal Space accommodates approximately 70 banquet guests and the Art Room approximately 60. The FY2026 agreement lists two-hour weekday minimums starting at $140 and $110 respectively.
8. How far ahead must I book?
The City’s FY2026 agreement requires requests at least six weeks before the event. The venue page also sets an application cutoff on the 14th of the preceding month for upcoming rentals, with a limited public-hours exception. Confirm both deadlines.
9. Can alcohol be served at a rented event?
Alcohol can be permitted under the City’s conditions, including a Virginia banquet license, qualifying insurance and an additional service fee. The FY2026 fee is $150 for half the Performance Space or $300 for the full Performance Space or entire center.
10. Does the community center offer classes and community programs?
Yes. The center hosts scheduled City of Fairfax cultural arts, youth recreation, music, educational and community activities. Programs vary by season, and many require advance registration.
Official Sources and Reservation Resources
- City of Fairfax — Sherwood Community Center Venue Page
- FY2026 Stacy C. Sherwood Rental Prices, Contract and Policies (PDF)
- City of Fairfax — Other Rental Venues
- Fairfax Winter/Spring 2026 Recreation Programs (PDF)
- Willard-Sherwood Construction Project Updates
This visitor guide is published independently by community-center.org. It is not the official City of Fairfax reservation service. The City controls facility availability, rental approvals, permits, prices, policies and public programming.