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Hey gang, Matt here!

This month marks 1 year since we hit send on the very first newsletter. Whether you recently found us or you have been here since day one, thank you for being along for the ride.

For context, our 1,700+ subscribers would be enough to fill Capital One Hall’s Main Theater to capacity. This is quite the community we’ve built over the last year, and we’re just getting started.

As we look ahead to 2026, we want to hear your feedback about the newsletter and the content you would like to see — the things you like, the things you don’t like, and your thoughts about some of the new ideas we are exploring for the new year.

As a valued reader, please consider taking our year-end survey. Your feedback will help guarantee the best reader experience in 2026 (and your answers will remain anonymous). Thank you, and cheers to another year together.

In this week’s newsletter:

• Winter fun + Capital Art and Craft Festival

• Comedy and ugly sweater night, holiday charcuterie workshop

• The Nutcracker in Reston, holiday performances in Fairfax & Tysons

• Candy Cane Mini Golf in Oakton, Holiday on the Farm in Herndon

• “Good News” from Vienna!

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A message from Fairfax City Economic Development, Old Town Fairfax Business Association, & the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce

‘Tis the season to shop local and save big.

That’s right, Fairfax City Holiday Small Business Month has begun. From November 28 through December 22, Fairfax City comes alive with local treasures, unique flavors, and exhilarating experiences you’ll only find here.

Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift or treating yourself—Fairfax City’s thriving small business community has you covered.

Explore locally owned shops, uncover handcrafted treasures, and enjoy unique finds that reflect the creativity and personality of our city. Every visit supports the entrepreneurs who make Fairfax City so vibrant.

Don’t forget to purchase a Flex Card (redeemable at 60 Fairfax City small businesses) as the perfect holiday shopping companion. 

See what’s happening and plan your holiday shopping extravaganza. 

Things To Do

Festive fun + Capital Art and Craft Festival! ❄️

• New Winter Fun Across the Area!

  • Mosaic Holiday Village — Mosaic District, Fairfax. Saturday, Dec. 13-Sunday, Dec.14. Admission is free.

  • Frostival Winter Market — The PARC at Tysons on Saturday, Dec. 13 from 12:00p.m.-6:00p.m. Admission is free.

  • Herndon WinterMarkt — Downtown Herndon, Saturday, Dec. 13 from 12:00p.m.-7:00p.m. Admission is free.

  • nZone Winter Market — The nZone, Chantilly. Friday, Dec. 12-Sunday, Dec. 14. Admission is free.

  • Alexandria Christmas Market & Craft Show — John Carlyle Square, Alexandria. Saturday, Dec. 13 from 11:00a.m.-4:00p.m. Admission is free.

    • 🎄Want more Christmas and holiday events? Check out our Winter Fun Guide!

• Winter 2025 Capital Art and Craft Festival

  • More than 300 artists and vendors offering everything from jewelry, pottery, glass, painting, photography, and much more will pack the Dulles Expo Center from Friday, Dec. 12-Sunday, Dec. 14. Tickets: $10-$12.

    • 4320 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly

• Second Saturday Sungazing

  • Observe the sun and explore the atmosphere through a filtered telescope at the National Air & Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly on Saturday, Dec. 13 from 11:00a.m.-2:00p.m. Admission: free with parking at $15.

    • 14390 Air & Space Museum Parkway, Chantilly

Food & Drink

Comedy, charcuterie, and Christmas parties! 🙌

• Holiday Comedy and Ugly Sweater Night

  • Comedian Jon Yeager headlines a line-up of comics, and your ugly sweater can win you prizes at Ornery Beer Co.’s Fairfax brewpub on Saturday, Dec. 13 from 8:00p.m.-11:00p.m. Admission is free.

    • 3950 University Dr., Fairfax

• G34.3 Brewing Christmas Party

  • Enjoy live music, the Army-Navy game on the big screen, and a festive beer release at the Lorton brewery’s Christmas party on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 6:00p.m.

    • 8532 Terminal Rd., Suites L-N, Lorton

• Aslin’s “Snow Daze Market”

  • Find local and regional vendors at the market, plus food and fresh beer releases for the event on Saturday, Dec. 13 from 12:00p.m.-5:00p.m. Admission is free.

    • 847 S. Pickett St., Alexandria

• Holiday Charcuterie Board Workshop

  • Prep the best meat and cheese board possible during this hands-on class at The Winery at Bull Run on Sunday, Dec. 14 at 1:30p.m. Tickets: $70/person.

    • 15950 Lee Highway, Centreville

• Our Farmers Market Guide has the best spots to find local produce and more!

Music, Arts, & Entertainment

Holiday-themed performances across the area! 🎶

• “A Backstage Christmas” in Fairfax

  • The City of Fairfax Theatre Company hosts the holiday romantic comedy for two weekends, starting on Friday, Dec. 12. Tickets: $15-$25.

    • 3801 Jermantown Rd., Fairfax

• “The Nutcracker” in Reston

  • The Ravel Dance Company brings the holiday favorite to the Leila Gordon Theatre on Saturday, Dec. 13. Showtime: 2:00p.m. Tickets: $35-$55.

    • 2310 Colts Neck Rd., Reston

• Songs of the Season by the Virginia Chamber Orchestra

  • The playlist includes excerpts from The Nutcracker and Swan Lake among other classics performed by the Virginia Chamber Orchestra on Sunday, Dec. 14. Showtime: 4:00p.m. Tickets: $42.50

    • 7750 Capital One Tower Rd., Tysons

• Workhouse Arts Glass & Ceramic Sale

  • Shop local and support student art at the Lorton art venue on Saturday, Dec. 13 from 12:00p.m.-6:00p.m.

    • 9504 Workhouse Way, Lorton

Whether it’s a big holiday festival for the community, a trivia night at your local brewery or restaurant, or maybe your organization is hosting an event, the Community Corkboard is a great way to spread the message and get your neighbors Out & About!

Want to feature your upcoming event on our Community Corkboard? Email us!

Families & Kids

Putt-putt with Mrs. Claus! ⛳️

• Candy Cane Mini Golf

  • A holiday-themed mini golf comes to Oakmont Rec Center on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 3:15p.m. Tickets: $12-$15.

    • 3200 Jermantown Rd., Oakton

• Caroling Wagon Ride & Campfire

  • This family-friendly event on Saturday, Dec. 13, is full of festive songs while you explore the park. Warm up with refreshments at the campfire. Admission: $10, ages 4+.

    • 5040 Walney Rd., Chantilly

• Holiday on the Farm

  • Enjoy the holidays at Frying Pan Farm Park with a wagon ride, campfires, meet Santa, create fun crafts, and more on Saturday, Dec. 12-Sunday, Dec. 13. Tickets: $15-$20

    • 2709 West Ox Rd., Herndon

• Winter Wonderland at Burke Lake Park

  • Climb on for a train ride, spin around the Carolers Carousel, play a round of Gingerbread Man Golf or cozy up by the fire to make s’mores at Burke Lake Park on Saturday, Dec. 13. Tickets: $20-$25.

    • 7315 Ox Rd., Fairfax Station

Sports & Recreation

Home Games

• 🏒 NHL: Carolina Hurricanes at Washington Capitals

  • Thursday, Dec. 11 at 7:00p.m., Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.

• 🏀 NBA: Cleveland Cavaliers at Washington Wizards

  • Friday, Dec. 12 at 7:00p.m., Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.

• 🏀 NCAAM: Old Dominion at George Mason

  • Saturday, Dec. 13 at 12:30p.m., EagleBank Arena, Fairfax

News & Notes

• 🏈 The Washington Commanders visit the New York Giants on Sunday.

Fairfax County Fun Fact of the Week

Did you know: Renowned author David Baldacci resides in Fairfax County.

Before We Go, Some Good News…

For this week’s Good News, we go to Vienna!

Earlier this year, the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department launched “Operation Save Santa’s Sleigh.” The goal was to raise $50,000 to fix Vienna’s Antique Fire Engine, a 1946 Maxim. The truck is an iconic piece of the annual Vienna holiday festivities.

Not only did the Vienna community show up — they far exceeded the goal by raising $77,000! Although the repairs were not made in time for the truck’s annual stops this year, the donations ensure it will be back on the road next Christmas (or maybe even sooner 😉). Check out the Vienna VFD’s Instagram post for more information. Great work!

We Want to Hear from You!

If you have an event you would like to feature in the newsletter, or if you’re a business looking to advertise with us, send us an email! —> [email protected].

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Thanks for reading! See you next week.