Hey gang, Matt here!
We have markets on the mind this week, with new markets and pop-up shops in Fairfax, Annandale, and Alexandria. Plus, a rather “sweet” event in Tysons — the long-awaited Hershey Super Sweet Adventure is scheduled to open in the Tysons Corner Center mall. The full list of things to do this weekend is below.
Speaking of markets, our annual Farmers Market Guide is almost ripe for the picking! You can find it in next week’s newsletter.
Thank you to everyone who participated in last week’s Poll Question to help us decide some of the key details for our first in-person event. A local brewery or winery meetup, coffee social, ice cream social, or an activity were among our highest-voted events!
We’re planning the next steps, and I hope to have some more information for you soon. Stay tuned…
This Week’s Poll Question
Share your thoughts and we’ll reveal the results in next week’s newsletter!
In this week’s newsletter:
Spring markets, Art Blooms at Mosaic
McLean Restaurant Week, Books n’ Brews
Wolf Trap Comedy Nights, Blossom Bash in Lorton
Hershey Super Sweet Adventure in Tysons
Caps at home + Good News in Reston
P.S.: Not yet a subscriber? Join 2,300+ neighbors and sign up for the FREE Out & About Fairfax newsletter here and follow along on Instagram.
A message from us
Things To Do
The annual two-day festival returns to the Mosaic District on Saturday, April 11-Sunday, April 12. Enjoy art, live music, a farmers market, and more. Admission is free.
2905 District Ave., Fairfax
The popular market in Fairfax City is back for the season on Sunday, April 12. The market features local vendors, vintage and handmade items, and more.
10417 Main St., Fairfax
The DMV Asian Night Market returns to Annandale on Saturday, April 11, featuring a variety of Asian street food, music, culture, and more. Admission is free, price of purchase.
7200 Columbia Pike, Annandale
The popular two-day market, hosted by the American Horticultural Society, returns on Friday, April 10 and Saturday, April 11. Features plants, herbs, seeds, and much more. Tickets: $5-$20 (AHS members are free.)
7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria
Miss it last week? The popular nature-themed scavenger hunt around Reston continues through the month. Pick up your free scavenger hunt card at the Reston Community Center.
Learn the fundamentals of kayaking in a relaxed and comfortable setting on Lake Accotink on Saturday, April 11. Tickets: $43, equipment included.
7500 Accotink Park Rd., Springfield
Check out these local year-round markets!
Food & Drink
This first-ever event brings together nearly 30 McLean restaurants and eateries offering special prix fixe menus, from April 12-19. Check out our feature story previewing the inaugural McLean Restaurant Week in the link above.
The Herndon brewpub is hosting the area’s latest OysterFest, complete with cold beer, on Saturday, April 11. Admission is free, price of purchase.
767 Elden St., Herndon
Bards Alley and Caboose Tavern team up for this unique book sale, featuring happy hour specials and prices, on Sunday, April 12 at the Vienna brewery. Admission is free, price of purchase.
520 Mill St. NE, Vienna
The Winery at Bull Run is hosting Spring Sip + Paint on Sunday, April 12. Tickets: $75/person. Ages 21+.
15950 Lee Hwy., Centreville
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Music, Arts, & Entertainment
The 37th annual event returns with four nights of laughs from the likes of Bobby Collins (VH1) and Jeff Stilson (The Late Show w/David Letterman), from Thursday, April 9-Sunday, April 12. Tickets start at $43.
1635 Trap Rd., Vienna
The Lorton music school will host a cherry blossom-themed live event, featuring music, food, drink, and more on Saturday, April 11. Tickets: $40/couple, $10/child.
9510 Workhouse Way, Lorton
The month-long series featuring women-led musicals and plays begins Saturday, April 11 at Creative Cauldron in Falls Church.
127 E. Broad St., Falls Church
It’s the final weekend for the Agatha Christie classic at the Workhouse Arts Center. Shows run through Sunday, April 12. Tickets: $40.
9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton
The Community Corkboard
Family Bingo Night — Get ready for an evening packed with fun, prizes, and meaningful service! Kids Give Back is hosting Family Bingo Night on April 18 in Annandale. Play Bingo, win prizes, and also participate in hands-on volunteer projects. Bring your friends, family, neighbors, and anyone who loves having a good time!
Olive Oil Tasting Workshop — Join Together in Tuscany (curator of magical villa retreats in Tuscany) and Olio2go (Fairfax, Va.) on April 18 for a guided tasting with an olive oil sommelier featuring Tuscany’s finest artisanal oils. This is a curated, seated experience featuring stuzzichini (small bites), salad, and a sweet treat, all beautifully paired with Tuscan extra virgin olive oils.
Time-Prov Quartet — Dark Horse Theatre Company joins Paragon Pops for a hilarious afternoon of music and improv at Capital One Hall on Sunday, April 12! In this one-of-a-kind collaboration, you (the audience) help decide where the story goes. With music guiding the way, this time-traveling adventure comes to life in real time!
Want to feature your event on The Community Corkboard? Email us for more info!
Families & Kids
Hershey Super Sweet Adventure, an interactive family-friendly candy-themed experience, comes to Tysons Corner Center with previews this weekend, starting Friday, April 10. (The official grand opening is set for April 24.) Tickets start at $25.
1961 Chain Bridge Rd., Tysons
This family-friendly festival on Saturday, April 11 features dozens of exhibitors outdoors, various spring activities, including live music, entertainment, and kids’ activities, and more. Admission is free.
6500 Springfield Mall, Springfield
The famed fishing derby is back this Saturday, April 11 at Ashby Pond Conservatory, freshly stocked with hundreds of trout. Tickets: $7 with three sessions between 9:00a.m.-12:00p.m.
9817 Ashby Rd., Fairfax
Building Kidz Fairfax is hosting a children’s events day, complete with soccer, martial arts, crafts, and more on Saturday, April 11.
11240 Waples Mill Rd., Suite 101, Fairfax
Sports & Recreation
Home Games
🏀 NBA: Chicago Bulls at Washington Wizards
Thursday, April 9 at 7:00p.m., Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
⚽️ USL: Louisville City FC at Loudoun United FC
Friday, April 10 at 6:30p.m., Segra Field, Leesburg
🏀 NBA: Miami Heat at Washington Wizards
Friday, April 10 at 7:00p.m., Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
🏈 UFL: Houston Gamblers at D.C. Defenders
Saturday, April 11 at 12:00p.m., Audi Field, Washington, D.C.
🏒 NHL: Pittsburgh Penguins at Washington Capitals
Sunday, April 12 at 3:00p.m., Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
News & Notes
⚾️ The Washington Nationals visit the Milwaukee Brewers this weekend.
Fairfax County Fun Fact of the Week
Did you know: Women’s soccer legend Mia Hamm attended Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke and helped the Lake Braddock soccer team win the 1989 state championship.
Before We Go, Some Good News!
For this week’s Good News, we go to Reston!
In 2025, South Lakes High School student Zahra Nikzad launched a local chapter of GlamourGals, a national nonprofit that pairs students with seniors for hands-on grooming sessions and companionship. But what began as a personal mission for Zahra has now turned into a passion project for so many other students, as well. Read the full story in The Reston Letter.
Great work!
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Thanks for reading! See you next week.
