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Hey gang, Matt here!

Thanks to everyone who has taken our Year-End Survey! If you haven’t shared your thoughts about the newsletter — the things you like, the things you don’t like, and the things you would like to see in 2026 — we want to hear from you!

Let’s dive in!

In this week’s newsletter:

• Final weekend of events at the Dulles Expo Center

• Brunch with Santa in Fairfax

• “The Nutcracker" on stage in Fairfax and Tysons

• Winter fun in Burke and Herndon

• Capitals, Commanders, & Wizards are home this weekend

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Cheers,
Matt

A message from Fairfax City Economic Development, Old Town Fairfax Business Association, & the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce

‘Tis the season to shop local and save big.

That’s right, Fairfax City Holiday Small Business Month has begun. From November 28 through December 22, Fairfax City comes alive with local treasures, unique flavors, and exhilarating experiences you’ll only find here.

Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift or treating yourself—Fairfax City’s thriving small business community has you covered. Explore locally owned shops, uncover handcrafted treasures, and enjoy unique finds that reflect the creativity and personality of our city. Every visit supports the entrepreneurs who make Fairfax City so vibrant.

Don’t forget to purchase a Flex Card (redeemable at 60 Fairfax City small businesses) as the perfect holiday shopping companion. See what’s happening and plan your holiday shopping extravaganza. 

Things To Do

• Check out this weekend’s new Winter Fun!

  • Mount Vernon by Candlelight

    • A candlelit guided tour brings the holidays during the 18th century to life at George Washington’s Mount Vernon on select dates from Dec. 19-23. Tickets: $33-$41.

      • 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon

  • Holiday Lantern Tour

    • Discover how different the 200-year old Colvin Run Mill looks at night and visit the miller’s house decorated for the holidays on Friday, Dec. 19 at 6:30p.m. Limited tickets remain: $10-$12

      • 10017 Colvin Run Rd., Great Falls

  • 🎄Want more festive goodness? Check out our full Winter Fun Guide for all of the local events!

• International Gem & Jewelry Show

  • More than 360 exhibitors bring a variety of jewelry to the Dulles Expo Center from Friday, Dec. 19-21. Tickets: $6-$8.

    • 4320 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly

• Greenberg’s Train & Toy Show

  • Check out model railroads, dealers selling trains and collectable toys, and demonstrations at the Dulles Expo Center from Saturday, Dec. 20-Sunday, Dec. 21. Tickets: $10-$12.

    • 4320 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly

• Holiday Book Sale in Burke

  • The sale at Kings Park Library continues through Dec. 31, and features puzzles and holiday-themed books for adults and children alike. Admission is free.

    • 9000 Burke Lake Rd., Burke

Food & Drink

• Brunch with Santa at Ornery Beer Co.

  • A brunch buffet — featuring everything from Belgian waffles to a smoked ham carving station — and a chance to meet Santa at the Fairfax brewpub on Saturday, Dec. 20 from 10:00a.m.-3:00p.m. Tickets: $19-$39.

    • 3950 University Dr., Fairfax

• Line Dancing at The Winery at Bull Run

  • Enjoy line dancing lessons in country, hip hop, and pop at the Winery at Bull Run on Friday, Dec. 19 at 6:30p.m. Admission is free. Ages 18+.

    • 15950 Lee Highway, Centreville

• Alexandria Christmas Bar Crawl

  • Get in the festive spirit in Alexandria this Saturday, Dec. 20 starting at 4:00p.m. starting at Augie’s Mussel House & Beer Garden. Tickets: $24-$29. Ages 21+

    • 1106 King St., Alexandria

• Fondant Cake Decorating Class in Fairfax

  • Learn basics of working with fondant at Fran’s Cake & Candy Supplies in Fairfax on Saturday, Dec. 20 from 10:00a.m.-1:00p.m. Tickets: $165.

    • 10927 Main St., Fairfax

Music, Arts, & Entertainment

• Find “The Nutcracker” Near You

  • Fairfax Symphony Orchestra will host perform the seasonal classic on Saturday, Dec. 20 and Sunday, Dec. 21 at GMU’s Center for the Arts: Showtime: 4:00p.m. daily. Tickets start at $44.

    • 4373 Mason Pond Dr., Fairfax

  • Virginia National Ballet will perform their rendition of the holiday favorite on Friday, Dec. 19 at Capital One Hall. Showtime: 6:00p.m. Tickets start at $77.

    • 7750 Capital One Tower Rd., Tysons

• “Into the Woods” at Workhouse Arts Center

  • The classic 1986 musical comes to Lorton, with opening weekend set for Saturday, Dec. 20 and Sunday, Dec. 21. Tickets: $36-$47.

    • 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton

• Madeline’s Christmas at Creative Cauldron

  • The holiday favorite concludes this weekend at the Falls Church venue, with shows set for Friday, Dec. 19-Sunday, Dec. 21. Tickets: $18-$30.

    • 127 E. Broad St., Falls Church

• “The Holiday Carolers” in Reston

  • Enjoy holiday performances in the crisp, fresh air at Reston Town Center on Saturday, Dec. 20 from 12:00p.m.-3:00p.m.

    • 11900 Market St., Reston

Families & Kids

• Winter Wonderland at Burke Lake Park

  • Climb on for a train ride, spin around the Carolers Carousel, play a round of Gingerbread Man Golf or cozy up by the fire to make s’mores at Burke Lake Park on Saturday, Dec. 20. Tickets: $20-$25.

    • 7315 Ox Rd., Fairfax Station

• Holiday on the Farm

  • Enjoy the holidays at Frying Pan Farm Park with a wagon ride, campfires, meet Santa, create fun crafts, and more on Friday, Dec. 19-Saturday, Dec. 20. Tickets: $15-$20

    • 2709 West Ox Rd., Herndon

• Where To Meet Santa

  • Fair Oaks Mall — Through Dec. 24, reservations are encouraged.

  • Tysons Corner Center — Through Dec. 24, reservations are encouraged.

  • Springfield Town Center — Through Dec. 24, photos for a fee

  • Mosaic District — “Selfies with Santa” on select dates through Dec. 24, Pet Day is this Saturday, Dec. 20.

Sports & Recreation

Home Games

• 🏒 NHL: Toronto Maple Leafs at Washington Capitals

  • Thursday, Dec. 18 at 7:00p.m., Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.

• 🏒 NHL: Detroit Red Wings at Washington Capitals

  • Saturday, Dec. 20 at 12:30p.m., Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.

• 🏀 NCAAW: Princeton at George Mason

  • Saturday, Dec. 20 at 1:00p.m., EagleBank Arena, Fairfax

• 🏈 NFL: Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Commanders

  • Saturday, Dec. 20 at 5:00p.m, Northwest Stadium, Landover, MD

• 🏀 NCAAM: Loyola (MD) at George Mason

  • Sunday, Dec. 21 at 2:00p.m., EagleBank Arena, Fairfax

• 🏀 NBA: San Antonio Spurs at Washington Wizards

  • Sunday, Dec. 21 at 7:00p.m., Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.

Fairfax County Fun Fact of the Week

Did you know: Largely driven by the Dulles Technology Corridor, Fairfax County is part of what has been called the “Silicon Valley of the East.”

Before We Go, Some Good News!

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

Last weekend was the annual Wreaths Across America, a volunteer-led initiative that places wreaths on veterans’ graves during the holiday season. One of the largest local volunteer efforts is in Herndon, led by the Herndon Woman’s Club, where community members placed more than 1,000 wreaths at Chestnut Grove Cemetery. Learn more about their work here! Fantastic work, everyone!

Community Contributions

Out & About Fairfax is a free, community minded, independent local newsletter. This holiday season, your contribution will help to grow our newsletter and spread the word about all of the local events and good news in our community. Appreciate you, my friends!

Thanks for reading! See you next week.