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Hey gang, Matt here!

This week, we have not one but TWO special features about some of the big events happening around the area in the days ahead. (Hint, hint — they will be good reads for our fellow foodies.)

Let’s dive into the fun this week!

In this week’s newsletter:

• Fairfax Holiday Craft Show, Bull Run Festival of Lights Opens

• DMV Chocolate & Coffee Festival, Chicken Salad Chick Herndon opens Tuesday

• Comedy in Tysons, music across the area

• Santa stops in Tysons, Fairfax, and Springfield

• Mount Vernon Rec Center reopens, GMU women’s basketball hosts Georgetown

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Cheers,
Matt

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Things To Do

Crafts, lights, and festive fun! ⬇️

• 39th Annual Holiday Craft Show in Fairfax

  • One of the region’s largest arts and crafts shows — featuring 200+ vendors — is set for Saturday, Nov. 15-Sunday, Nov. 16 at Fairfax High School. Tickets: $5-8, guest 18-under are free.

    • 3501 Lion Run, Fairfax

• Bull Run Festival of Lights Starts Friday

  • A local favorite, and Northern Virginia’s largest drive-through holiday light experience, kicks off Friday, Nov. 14 in Bull Run Regional Park. Tickets: $32/vehicle.

    • 7700 Bull Run Dr., Centreville

• Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights Opens

  • Miss opening weekend? The popular Winter Walk of Lights is illuminating the gardens for its 14th season once again this weekend. Tickets: $20.

    • 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct., Vienna

• Craft Fair in Chantilly

  • The 45th annual craft fair at St. Timothy’s Catholic Parish is set for Saturday, Nov. 15 from 9:00a.m.-3:00p.m. Admission is free.

    • 13809 Poplar Tree Rd., Chantilly

• Reston Association Appraisal Roadshow

  • Antiques Roadshow meets a treasure hunt of sorts with this event hosted by the Reston Association on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 11:00a.m. Cost: free for RA members, $22 for non-RA members.

    • 12001 Sunrise Valley Dr., Reston

• Find A Farmers Market Near You

  • Some of our local markets have closed for the season, but plenty remain open! If you’re looking for fresh produce, local meats and eggs, artisan vendors, and more, check out our 2025 Farmers Market Guide.

Food & Drink

So much food and drink fun, you’ll be going back for seconds! 🍫

• DMV Chocolate & Coffee Festival

  • 200+ vendors will fill the Dulles Expo Center on Saturday, Nov. 15 and Sunday, Nov. 16. We chat with organizers to learn more about the event — check out the link above for more details, tickets, and times!

    • 4320 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly

• Chicken Salad Chick set to open in Herndon on Tuesday

  • The third Chicken Salad Chick location in Fairfax County will host its grand opening on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 10:30a.m. We recently spoke with the franchisee who shared more details about the grand opening and more in the link above!

    • 494 Elden St., Herndon

• OysterFest at Aslin Herndon

  • Aslin’s Herndon brewpub is hosting Oysterfest 2025, complete with fresh Virginia oysters, cold beer, and much more, on Sunday, Nov. 16 from 12:00p.m.-5:00p.m. General admission is free with purchases on site.

    • 767 Elden St., Herndon

• Settle Down Easy Brewing’s 7th Anniversary Party

  • The Falls Church brewery is celebrating its birthday with a seafood extravaganza, including lobster, crab, oysters, and more. The fun runs Saturday, Nov. 15 from 12:00p.m.-5:00p.m. Tickets: $12-$25.

    • 2822 Fallfax Dr., Falls Church

• Bingo Night at Paradise Springs Winery

  • Enjoy a classic bingo night at Paradise Springs Winery on Friday, Nov. 14 starting at 6:00p.m. Enjoy wine, food trucks, and more. Prizes will be awarded throughout the evening. Tickets: $10. Ages 21+.

    • 13219 Yates Ford Rd., Clifton

• Friendsgiving Market in Fairfax

  • Commonwealth Brewing’s biggest vendor market of the year, complete with food, drink, live music, and more, is set for Saturday, Nov. 15.

    • 10426 Main St., Fairfax

Presented by The Dominion Guild

Shop for a cause at The Dominion Guild Merry Market, November 18 & 19 at the Knights of Columbus in Arlington. This holiday shopping bazaar features twenty-five vendors with an array of distinctive merchandise. All proceeds from the Merry Market benefit nine NOVA non-profits. For tickets, event/vendor info, and a list of grant recipients and sponsors, visit their website!

Music, Arts, & Entertainment

Comedy in Tysons and music across the area! 🎤

• Dusty Slay Headlines Capital One Hall

  • The comedian brings his “Neighborhood Guy Tour” to Capital One Hall on Saturday, Nov. 15. Showtime: 7:00p.m. Tickets: $54.

    • 7750 Capital One Tower Rd., Tysons

• La Santa Cecilia Performs at GMU

  • Grammy-winning and Latin Grammy-nominated La Santa Cecilia brings the sounds of Latin culture, rock, and world music to GMU’s Center for the Arts on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 8:00p.m. Tickets: $35-$55.

    • 4373 Mason Pond Dr., Fairfax

• Will Hoge & His Rock and Roll Band Headlines Jammin Java

  • The Grammy-nominated artist will perform on Friday, Nov. 14 at 8:00p.m. Tickets: $25-$35.

    • 227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna

• Led Zeppelin Tribute Band in Falls Church

  • “Lez Zeppelin” returns to our area with a full classic rock setlist on Saturday, Nov. 15. Showtime: 8:30p.m. Tickets: $30 in advance, $34 at the door.

    • 220 N. Washington St., Falls Church

Just Between Friends Sale — It's the last JBF Kids' Consignment sale of the season! Shop our Winter sale at Twinbrooke Shopping Center, November 13-16. Baby to Teen Clothing & Shoes, Toys, Baby Gear, Winter Coats, Holiday Items & Gifts. 50-90% Off Retail!

Interested in featuring your upcoming event on our NEW Community Corkboard? Email us!

Families & Kids

Where to find Santa and greet the season! 🎄

• Santa’s Arrival at Fair Oaks Mall

  • A chance for the kids to meet and greet with Santa, plus a holiday artisan and crafter market for parents at the Fair Oaks Mall on Friday, Nov. 14 from 5:00p.m.-9:00p.m.

    • 11750 Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax

• Holiday Kick-Off Celebration at Tysons Corner Center

  • Enjoy live performances, fireworks, and enjoy Santa’s grand arrival at Tysons Corner Center on Friday, Nov. 14 from 6:00p.m.-8:00p.m. Admission is free.

    • 1961 Chain Bridge Rd., Tysons

• Welcoming Santa at Springfield Town Center

  • Kick off the holiday season with a visit with Santa, plus face painting, balloons, holiday crafts, games, on Saturday, Nov. 15 from 11:00a.m.-1:00p.m.

    • 6500 Springfield Mall, Springfield

• Family Fun Bingo in McLean

  • Enjoy a night of bingo, prizes, and fun at the McLean Community Center on Friday, Nov. 14 from 7:00p.m.-9:30p.m. Cost: $10-$15.

    • 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean

• Campfire Wagon Ride

  • Register for a wagon ride time and enjoy the bonfire after your ride in Herndon’s Frying Pan Farm Park on Saturday, Nov. 15 from 4:00p.m.-6:00p.m. Tickets: $10.

    • 2709 West Ox Rd., Herndon

Sports & Recreation

Catch a home game and more! 🏀

Home Games

• 🏀 NCAAW: Georgetown at George Mason

  • Friday, Nov. 14 at 7:00p.m., EagleBank Arena, Fairfax

• ⚽️ NWSL: Portland Thorns FC at Washington Spirit

  • Saturday, Nov. 15 at 12:00p.m., Audi Field, Washington, D.C.

• 🏀 NCAAM: New Hampshire at George Mason

  • Saturday, Nov. 15 at 2:00p.m., EagleBank Arena, Fairfax

• 🏒 NHL: New Jersey Devils at Washington Capitals

  • Saturday, Nov. 15 at 7:00p.m., Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.

• 🏀 NBA: Brooklyn Nets at Washington Wizards

  • Sunday, Nov. 16 at 6:00p.m., Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.

News & Notes

• The Mount Vernon Rec Center’s Grand Reopening is set for Saturday, Nov. 15 from 10:00a.m.-2:00p.m. Test new amenities, check out classes, and more.

• The Washington Commanders will play the Miami Dolphins Sunday in the NFL’s first-ever game in Spain on Sunday. Kickoff if 9:30a.m. ET.

Fairfax County Fun Fact of the Week

Did you know: The Battle of Ox Hill (also known as the Battle of Chantilly) was the only major battle of the Civil War fought in Fairfax County.

Before We Go, Some Good News!

This week, we find Good News throughout Fairfax County thanks to one local organization!

The Fox Mill Chapter of the Young Men’s Service League volunteers throughout our local communities — from Herndon, where they recently assisted local seniors with their tech questions, to Dulles International Airport where they thanked veterans for their service as they head home on an Honor Flight. Learn more about their work and find more information about the program on their Instagram page.

Great work! Know about some good news in the community? Email us!

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.