Hey gang, Matt here!

The annual Winter Restaurant Week is in full swing around the DMV. This week also kicks off the new Falls Church and Alexandria Restaurant Weeks. Plus, looking for laughs? We have not one, but two comedy shows in Tysons.

We love to see so many of you are enjoying the new Weekly Poll Question! Let’s take a peek at last week’s results.

Last week’s question: “When should you take down your Christmas/Holiday lights?”

The results ⬇️

I’m in the “2 weeks“ camp. Thanks to those of you who wait it out with me every year. It’s also great to know I’m in good company with the nearly 47% of you who don’t mind lights up for a month or so. They sure look good with… well, this week’s poll question.

This week, I’m curious for your thoughts about the news of the week(end) — the snow. ❄️

This Week’s Poll Question

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

In this week’s newsletter:

• Ice-Travaganza in Reston, Polar Plunge in Fairfax

• Falls Church, Alexandria Restaurant Weeks kick off

• Comedy doubleheader in Tysons

• Parents Night Out in Reston

• Good News from Vienna, and a “1-2-3” Fun Fact for January 23

P.S.: Not yet a subscriber? Join 1,900+ neighbors and sign up for the FREE Out & About Fairfax newsletter here and follow along on Instagram.

Cheers,
Matt

A message from us

Things To Do

• Ice-Travaganza in Reston

  • Enjoy a family-fun winter themed event featuring ice sculptures including a live sculpting demonstration, live music, games, and more on Saturday, Jan. 24 from 11:00a.m.-3:00p.m.

    • 11900 Market St., Reston

• Mosaic District Polar Plunge

  • The Polar Plunge, which raises money for the Special Olympics, is back at Merrifield’s Mosaic District on Saturday, Jan. 24. Registration to participate is free but includes a fundraising requirement.

    • 2910 District Ave., Fairfax

• Herndon Community Center Open House

  • From fitness to games, swimming to ping pong, the Herndon Community Center is inviting neighbors to learn more about its offerings on Saturday, Jan. 24 from 2:00p.m.-4:00p.m.

    • 814 Ferndale Ave., Herndon

• Book Sale in Burke Centre

  • The Friends of Burke Centre Library will host its Winter Holiday & Gift Book Sale on Friday, Jan. 23 from 10:00a.m.-6:00p.m.

    • 5935 Freds Oak Rd., Burke Centre

• Stargazing at the Udvar-Hazy Center

  • 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, Jan. 24, 5:30p.m.-7:30p.m. The event is free and open to the public, weather permitting. Telescopes will be provided by the museum and the club.

    • 14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway, Chantilly

• Find a Farmers Market Near You

  • It may be winter, but some year-round farmers markets continue!

Food & Drink

• Falls Church Restaurant Week

  • 60+ restaurants, coffee shops, and other establishments are participating and will be serving up specials throughout the next week, starting on Friday, Jan. 23.

• Alexandria Restaurant Week

  • Check out multi-course dinner options ranging from $35-$55 a plate at nearly 100 Alexandria-area restaurants, starting on Friday, Jan. 23.

• RAMW Restaurant Week Wraps on Sunday

  • More than 60 restaurants across Fairfax County, including the cities of Fairfax, Falls Church, and Alexandria, will participate in the Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week from Jan. 19-25. From fast casual to fine dining, local restaurants will feature special pre-fixed menus to mark the annual event, with prices generally ranging from $25-$65 per plate.

• McLean Chocolate Festival Rescheduled

  • Due to the forecasted winter storm this weekend, the McLean Chocolate Festival originally scheduled for this weekend is now set for Sunday, March 15. Find more details in the link above.

• Murder Mystery Dinner in Chantilly

  • The StageCoach Theatre Company will host its latest Murder Mystery Dinner, a performance of “Happy Birthday, You’re Dead,” at Ono Offshore on Saturday, Jan. 24 at 5:30p.m. Tickets: $57/person.

    • 4515 Daly Drive, Suite N, Chantilly

• Beer & Cheese Pairing at Port City

  • Beer, cheese, charcuterie, and cold ones come together at the Alexandria brewery on Sunday, Jan. 25 from 1:00p.m.-4:00p.m. Tickets: $55.

    • 3950 Wheeler Ave., Alexandria

Presented by Kids Give Back

Fairfax County Public Schools are closed on January 29-30, 2026, making this the perfect opportunity for kids ages 6-12 to volunteer in our community. The Kids Give Back Winter Volunteer Camp includes service projects, guest speakers, crafts, games, and more.

Volunteer service projects may include:

• Making meals for our neighbors in need

• Creating Valentine's gifts for local seniors

• Making art kits for children in the hospital, and much more!

Fees: $270/one child, $480/two siblings, $730/three siblings

Camp is limited to 24 attendees and fills up quickly. 

Music, Arts, & Entertainment

• Adam Ray Performs in Tysons

  • The comedian, famous for his roles on “Kill Tony” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” will perform at Capital One Hall on Friday, Jan. 23 at 7:00p.m. Tickets: $49.50.

    • 7750 Capital One Tower Rd., Tysons

• 70+ Improv Performers Headline in Tysons

  • A comedy mini-festival hosted by the Resonance Improv Alliance comes to 1st Stage Theater in Tysons on Saturday, Jan. 24. Attendees are encouraged to check tickets/show availability due to the predicted inclement weather.

    • 1524 Spring Hill Rd Suite LL, Tysons

• Gaby Moreno at Wolf Trap

  • The Grammy-winning singer/songwriter brings the sounds of blue, folk, and Latin soul for her debut at The Barns at Wolf Trap on Friday, Jan. 23. Tickets start at $39.

    • 1635 Trap Rd., Vienna

• Final Weekend for “Into The Woods”

  • Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton hosts the classic 1986 musical for its concluding performances, with shows set for Friday, Jan. 23-Sunday, Jan. 25. Tickets: $36-$47.

    • 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton

• South Lakes HS Broadway Night

  • The South Lakes High School Chorus brings the best of Broadway to Reston on Friday, Jan. 23 and Saturday, Jan. 24. Tickets: $15-$20.

    • 11400 South Lakes Dr., Reston

Are you looking to spread the word about an upcoming event your business or organization will be hosting? Hoping to draw a BIG crowd?

The Community Corkboard is a great way to promote your event weeks in advance and to invite your neighbors Out & About!

Whether it’s an upcoming festival, a local trivia night, or a big grand opening, share the message on our Community Corkboard and create some buzz in the neighborhood!

Want to feature your upcoming event on our Community Corkboard, or want to learn more? Email us!

Families & Kids

• Historic Radios on the Farm

  • Take a trip back in time to learn how radios helped, and informed, farm families at Frying Pan Farm Park on Saturday, Jan. 24. Tickets: $12.

    • 2709 West Ox Rd., Herndon

• Enchant Light Experience

  • Snap a photo while walking through 14 interactive light sculptures at Tysons Corner Center’s PenFed Plaza. The display runs through Jan. 31.

    • 1961 Chain Bridge Rd., Tysons

• Parents Night Out in Reston

  • Parents can enjoy a quiet night while the kids hang out at the Reston Community Center Hunter Woods to play board games, swim, and more on Friday, Jan. 23 from 5:00p.m.-9:00p.m. Cost: $8-$12.

    • 2310 Colts Neck Rd., Reston

• In The News

  • "With the first significant snowstorm of the year on the radar, it’s time to start staking out the best sledding spot. Start planning your trip to one of these 14 popular sledding hills throughout NoVA.” (Northern Virginia Magazine)

Sports & Recreation

Home Games

• 🏀 NBA: Denver Nuggets at Washington Wizards

  • Thursday, Jan. 22 at 7:00p.m., Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.

• 🏀 NCAAW: Richmond at George Mason

  • Sunday, Jan. 25 at 2:00p.m., EagleBank Arena, Fairfax

News & Notes

• 🏒 The Washington Capitals continue their West Coast road trip this weekend.

• 🏀 George Mason Men’s Basketball (18-1) visits Rhode Island on Saturday.

Fairfax County Fun Fact of the Week

Did you know: January 23 (1/23) is this Friday. While you’re Out & About on State Route 123, you may notice it goes by many different names depending on your location. It’s names include Chain Bridge Road (Fairfax) Dolley Madison Blvd. (McLean/Tysons), Ox Road (southern Fairfax County), and Maple Ave. (Vienna)

Before We Go, Some Good News!

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

The idea for an ice cream social wasn’t simply to enjoy a sweet treat. It was also meant to give back to the Vienna community and to help raise money for the One Neighborhood Foundation, a local non-profit working to address food insecurity in Fairfax County and across Northern Virginia. Together, thanks to the generosity of the Vienna community and nearby ice cream lovers, they raised $600 last weekend! Learn more about their work in their Instagram post.

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.