Presented by Fairfax City Economic Development, Old Town Fairfax Business Association, & Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce

Hey gang, Matt here!

Today’s edition has a little something for everyone — the foodies, the farmers market shopper, those in search of a hearty deep-belly laugh, and those seeking a trip back in time to (… checks notes…) yes, 2016. (Feels just like yesterday. 😬)

Now, onto the poll question!

Last week’s poll question: “What is your favorite local coffee shop or cafe?”
The results (rankings based on reader submissions) ⬇️

  1. Caffe Amouri, Vienna

  2. Weird Brothers, Herndon

  3. Cafein, Centreville/Chantilly

There are so many great coffee shops and cafés around the area, so it was interesting to see where many of you grab a cup o’joe (ideally, while you read the newsletter 😉 ).

This Week’s Poll Question

Share your thoughts and we’ll post the results in next week’s newsletter!

In this week’s newsletter:

  • Ice & Lights Final Weekend, new McLean cat lounge opens

  • Fairfax & Vienna Restaurant Weeks Begin, 2016 throwback party

  • Comedy shows in Fairfax & Tysons

  • Summer Camp Fair in Fairfax

  • Caps, GMU Men, Wizards are home

P.S.: Not yet a subscriber? Join 2,000+ neighbors and sign up for the FREE Out & About Fairfax newsletter here and follow along on Instagram.

Cheers,
Matt

A message from Fairfax City Restaurant Week

Prep your taste buds for take off.

Fairfax City Restaurant Week is back, serving up unbeatable flavors and delicious deals from February 27 - March 8. For ten days, Fairfax City becomes your passport to the world, one plate at a time.

From globally inspired cuisines to hometown favorites, this is your chance to explore the incredible variety of restaurants that make Fairfax City a standout dining destination. Whether you’re planning a date night, a family outing, or a casual bite with friends—there’s something on the menu for everyone.

Come hungry, bring your crew, and discover how Fairfax City lets you taste the world in one place.

See participating restaurants and start planning your Restaurant Week experience 

Things To Do

    • The popular Alexandria-area winter favorite runs through Feb. 28, Cameron Run Regional Park. Cost: $14/person

      • 4001 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria

    • The RTC ice rink is open through March 8. Cost: $9-$11, skate aids are available.

      • 1818 Discovery St., Reston

    • Join the museum staff and members of the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club for an up-close look at stars, planets, and the moon on Saturday, Feb. 28. The free event is open to the public, weather permitting. Telescopes will be provided by the museum and the club.

      • 14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway, Chantilly

    • “Fantastic Fiction” fans can get their fix at the Herndon Fortnightly Library during the pop-up book sale on Saturday, Feb. 28. Admission is free.

      • 768 Center St., Herndon

    • Meet cats — and maybe even adopt one — at the new MeowTown Cat Lounge in McLean during an open house on Saturday, Feb. 28. Admission is free.

      • 1345 Chain Bridge Rd, McLean

    • We wanted to flag a new(ish) market to the Oakton area! The 4 Seasonz Market is held Saturdays from 9:00a.m.-1:00p.m. It replaces FreshFarm’s Oakton market, which closed last year. Find the list of local year-round markets above!

Food & Drink

    • 25 restaurants dish up special meals and deals for everything from date nights, casual bites, or a family outing, from February 27-March 8.

    • From bites to beverages, drinks and dining, 45 restaurants and establishments across Vienna will serve up specials from February 27-March 8.

    • Has it already been a decade?! Cue up the hits of 2016 at Shipgarten in McLean for a unique party on Saturday, Feb. 28. Admission is free, price of purchase. Ages 21+.

      • 7581 Colshire Dr., McLean

    • Also known as “Stout Fest,” Bunnyman Brewing’s Chantilly brewpub hosts a weekend full of new beer releases, a cigar trailer, food, and more on Saturday, Feb. 28 and Sunday, March 1. Price of Purchase.

      • 14140 Parke Long Ct., Chantilly

  • Wine + Line Dancing

    • Grab your best pair of boots and hit the dance floor for line dancing at two local wineries:

Presented by Kids Give Back

Now in its eighth year, Kids Give Back’s Summer Volunteer Camp is here — register by April 30 and save! Children ages 6–12 will spend the week participating in fun, meaningful volunteer projects that strengthen our community.

Projects may include:

  • Preparing meals for families and individuals in need

  • Creating gifts for hospitalized children

  • Making toys for animal shelters, and more

 They’ll head home each day inspired, empowered, and excited to do even more!

Music, Arts, & Entertainment

    • The star-studded lineup, headlined by Mike Epps, returns to Fairfax’s EagleBank Arena on Sunday, March 1. Tickets start at $88.

      • 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax

    • Some of the DMV’s finest comedians, headlined by Martin Phillips of “Kill Tony” fame, come together at Capital One Hall on Saturday, Feb. 28. Tickets: $24.

      • 7750 Capital One Tower Rd., Tysons

    • A big night for big hair and the hits of yesterday at The State Theatre on Saturday, Feb. 28. Tickets: $25. Ages 21+.

      • 220 N. Washington St., Falls Church

    • “Great Northern Out of D.C.” brings the hits of the Grateful Dead to Jammin’ Java on Friday, Feb. 27. Tickets: $21.

      • 227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna

    • Tickets for Wolf Trap’s Summer 2026 performances go on sale on Friday, Feb. 27. Find the full schedule linked above.

Families & Kids

    • The latest summer camp one-stop-shop comes to the Fair Oaks Mall on Saturday, Feb. 28. Admission is free.

      • 11750 Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax

    • Watch and learn how sap is made into syrup (and even sample some of the sweet product) during this fun outdoor demonstration at Colvin Run Mill on Sunday, March 1. Three sessions available. Cost: $8/person.

      • 10017 Colvin Run Rd., Great Falls

    • Parents and kiddos in Reston can pop by Reston Community Center Hunters Woods to play games, read books, and more. This event on Mondays and Thursday mornings is free, no registration is required.

      • 2310 Colts Neck Rd., Reston

    • A child-friendly “gym” opens with mats, toys, and more at the Herndon Community Center on Friday, Feb. 27 from 10:00a.m.-12:00p.m. Cost: $5/child.

      • 814 Ferndale Ave., Herndon

Sports & Recreation

Home Games

  • 🏒 NHL: Vegas Golden Knights at Washington Capitals

    • Friday, Feb. 27 at 7:00p.m., Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.

  • 🏀 NCAAM: St. Bonaventure at George Mason

    • Saturday, Feb. 28 at 2:00p.m., EagleBank Arena, Fairfax

  • 🏀 NBA: Toronto Raptors at Washington Wizards

    • Saturday, Feb. 28 at 7:00p.m., Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.

News & Notes

  • ⚾️ The Washington Nationals play the Phillies, Mets, Astros, and Marlins in Spring Training from Thursday-Sunday.

  • ⚽️ D.C. United visits Austin on Sunday.

Fairfax County Fun Fact of the Week

Did you know: Washington Dulles International Airport has land in both Fairfax and Loudoun counties, and is named after former U.S. Secretary of State, John Foster Dulles.

Before We Go, Some Good News!

For this week’s Good News, we go to Italy! As the Winter Olympics wrap up, we wanted to shoutout our local Olympians — Vienna's Ilia Malinin and Fairfax native Brandon Kim. Ilia won a gold medal as part of the figure skating team event. Brandon finished eighth in speed skating's 2000m relay-mixed event.

We are proud of our local Olympians! 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].

Thanks for reading! See you next week.

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