Hey gang, Matt here! How many of you went Out & About in the snow this week? Email us photos of the winter wonderland that was Fairfax County and we will feature some of them in next week’s newsletter. We’ll also accept photos from Saturday’s upcoming snowfall, too. (Be sure to include your first name and where you took the photo so we can give you credit. 😉)

I snapped the photo above on Monday morning around 9:00a.m. in my yard outside of Falls Church — over 6” of snow in just a few hours!

If you’re ready to head Out & About after a few days of being cooped up in the house, we have you covered.

In this week’s newsletter:

• Hot tips about cool sledding spots in Fairfax County

• Enjoy “The Moment” at Paradise Valley Winery

• The sounds of saxophones at GMU

• How kids can give back in Vienna

• Watch the Commanders playoff game at the team’s “Rally Bars”

Let’s dive in!

Cheers,
Matt

A message from us

Things To Do

Shine up the sleds and head for the hills! We have a list of some of the top sledding spots in the area. Plus, where to watch the Washington Commanders if you want to catch the game with some fellow fans. 🛷

• Check out these hot sledding spots in Fairfax County

  • The folks at Visit Fairfax compiled this helpful list of the top seven sledding spots in Fairfax County. From McLean to Lorton, Reston to Springfield, and everywhere in between, there’s likely a hill near you.

• Stargazing at the Udvar-Hazy Center

  • It’s not a drone or the Starlink train crossing through Fairfax County this time. Check out the stars and space through telescopes at the Smithsonian’s Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly on Saturday, Jan. 11 from 5:30p.m.-7:30p.m. Experts will be on-hand to help you better understand what you’re seeing in the night sky. This event is free and open to the public and open weather permitting.

    • 14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy., Chantilly

• Watch the Washington Commanders playoff game at one of the team’s Rally Bars

  • Looking to watch the Washington Commanders take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday night with your fellow Commanders fans? The team’s “Rally Bar Network” has three locations in Fairfax County with spots in Fairfax, Reston, and Springfield. Check out the list of participating locations in the link above. Kickoff is at 8:00p.m.

• Vintage Winter Market in Fairfax

  • A collaboration between Fairfax Funky Flea & Commonwealth Brewing Company brings together the Vintage Winter Market this Saturday, Jan. 11 from 12:00-5:00p.m. at the Commonwealth. Find cool stuff from local vendors, hear live music, enjoy a beer, and much more.

    • 10426 Main St., Fairfax

Food & Drink

From a glass of wine to a cold beer and a hot drink, we have a little something for everyone this week. Bottoms up! 🍻🍷☕️

• Paradise Valley Winery hosts 15th Anniversary of “The Moment”

  • The Clifton winery will feature a one-of-a-kind event celebrating the 15th anniversary of its wine, “The Moment,” with tastings of seven past, current, and future vintages. The visit will also include a journey of the winery’s history with its owners and director of winemaking. The event runs Saturday, Jan. 11 starting at 1:00p.m. Tickets are $75.

    • 13219 Yates Ford Rd., Clifton

• Meritage Blending Class at The Winery at Bull Run

  • If you’ve ever wanted to make your own wine, you’re in luck! The Winery at Bull Run is hosting two classes, led by its award-winning winemakers, this weekend where customers will make their own red wine Meritage blends. The winning wine may become one of Bull Run’s future Meritage releases. Tickets are $55 with three sessions to pick from each on Saturday, Jan. 11, and Sunday, Jan. 12.

    • 15950 Route 29, Centreville

• Beer & Hot Drinks Festival

  • Head over to Shipgarten in Tysons on Saturday, Jan. 11 from 1:00p.m.-6:00p.m. for their Beer & Hot Drinks Festival. Enjoy a variety of drinks and apple cider donuts, compete for prizes, and more. The event is dog-friendly.

    • 7581 Colshire Dr., Tysons

• ‘Family Guy’ Trivia Night at Ornery Beer Co.

  • Test out your knowledge of the hit Fox TV show “Family Guy” at Fairfax’s Ornery Beer Co. on Thursday, Jan. 9 starting at 7:00p.m. It’s free to play and there will be a prize for the winning team. Sub out the Pawtucket Patriot Ale for one of Ornery’s tasty brews and enjoy!

    • 3950 University Dr., Fairfax

• “Resolution Buster” at Settle Down Easy Brewing

  • The Falls Church brewery is hosting its 6th annual “Resolution Buster” event, complete with lots of craft beer, crab cakes, and lobster rolls. The fun starts Saturday, Jan. 11 from 12:00p.m.-6:00p.m. Tickets are $27.

    • 2822 Fallfax Dr., Falls Church

Go Out & About Together

Live Music & Arts

The sounds of saxophones ring through the campus of George Mason University this weekend. Meanwhile, comedy, theater, and what it means to go “full circle.” Let’s find out! ⬇️

• 45th International Saxophone Symposium at GMU

  • The 45th International Saxophone Symposium will take place stage at George Mason University in Fairfax this weekend. The symposium features more than 150+ performances, master classes, and lectures throughout Friday, Jan. 10 and Saturday, Jan. 11. Please note: the U.S. Navy Concert Band’s performance on Friday night has been canceled due to schedule changes. The Symposium’s events are free and non-ticketed and will be held in multiple locations across GMU’s Fairfax Campus, including the Harris Theatre.

    • 4471 Aquia Creek Ln., Fairfax

• Del Ray Artisans Host Amateur Stand-Up Comedy Night

  • Fun and puns — show off your stand-up comedy skills and enjoy a laugh at the Del Ray Artisans Amateur Stand-Up Comedy Night in Alexandria on Friday, Jan. 10 from 8:00p.m.-10:00p.m. Participants will receive a two-minute slot to test out their best material. Sign-up is in the link above.

    • 2704 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria

• Virginia Thespian Festival

  • “Deep Roots, Bright Future” is the theme of this year’s Virginia Thespian Festival at Capital One Hall and the Hilton Conference Center in Tysons from Thursday, Jan. 9-Saturday, Jan. 11. This is a one-stop-shop for all arts and theater lovers, featuring auditions, competitions, and workshops. Ticket and schedule information can be found in the link above.

• Falls Church Arts goes “Full Circle”

  • Artists from Falls Church and across the region will host “Full Circle,” an artistic exhibit showcasing the.concept of what “full circle” really means. The free exhibit is live for the first time on Saturday, Jan. 11 where visitors can meet the artists. The exhibit can be viewed through Feb. 23.

    • 700-B W. Broad St., Falls Church

Families & Kids

This weekend, families can “brush up” on their art skills, give back to their communities, and adventure into some fun outdoor events. Let’s hit the road! 🚗

• Chick-fil-A and Kids Give Back Community Night

  • A Chick-fil-A dinner and a chance to give back in this winter volunteer project for families in Vienna on Monday, Jan. 13 from 5:00p.m.-7:00p.m. The non-profit “Kids Give Back” will host parents and kids as they make snowman gloves for our neighbors in need. The event is free, and Chick-fil-A provides all supplies. Pre-registration is required.

    • 538 Maple Ave., Vienna

• Snowflake Tea Party at Colvin Run Mill

  • A family-friendly wintertime tea party for parents and kids to enjoy the season. Tea, sweet and savory treats, and crafts and historic games for the whole family to enjoy. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The event runs Saturday, Jan. 11 from 1:00p.m.-2:30p.m. Tickets are $15.

    • 10017 Colvin Run Rd., Great Falls

• Full Moon Nature Hike & Campfire

  • Riverbend Park in Great Falls plays host to a tranquil evening under the stars as naturalists guide guests on a tour through the woods. The evening ends around a warm campfire where you can make s’mores and enjoy nature. Children are welcome and must be accompanied by an adult. The walk is held Friday, Jan. 10 at 6:00p.m. Admission is $10.

    • 8700 Potomac Hills St., Great Falls

• Muse Paint Bar Family Day

  • Gather up the family and put your artistic skills to the test at the Muse Paint Bar in the Mosaic District in Fairfax on Sunday, Jan 12. from 12:00p.m.-1:30p.m. Art instructors will lead you through a fun step-by-step painting process — no art experience is required. Tickets are $35 per person.

    • 2920 District Ave., Suite 100, Fairfax

Sports & Recreation

Each weekend, we run down the schedule as our local pro and college sports teams take the field (or court, ice, etc.) if you’re interested in hitting the big game. Plus, a local softball league is already gearing up for the show spring season. How to join ⬇️

News & Notes

• Northern Virginia Senior Softball, a slow-pitch softball league open to men 50+ and women 40+, has opened registration for their new season. Learn more on their website.

  • Parents: If you’re interested in signing up your child for little league this year, check out the list of leagues around the county here.

• The Washington Commanders are in the NFL Playoffs for the first time since 2020. They are on the road to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kickoff is set for Sunday, Jan. 12 at 8:00p.m.

Home Games

• 🏒 NHL: Montreal Canadiens at Washington Capitals

  • Friday, Jan. 10 at 7:00p.m., Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.

• 🏀 NCAAM: UMass at George Mason

  • Saturday, Jan. 11 at 2:00p.m., EagleBank Arena, Fairfax

• 🏀 NBA: Oklahoma City Thunder at Washington Wizards

  • Sunday, Jan. 12 at 6:00p.m., Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.

Fairfax County Fun Fact of the Week

Did you know: Virginia is a “commonwealth,” one of only four in the entire United States. The others — Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Kentucky.

We Want to Hear from You!

Want to get your neighbors Out and About?

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.

Matt Knoedler
Publisher, Out & About Fairfax