Hey gang, Matt here with a question I’ve heard a lot lately — when do we stop saying “Happy New Year”? If you’re a fan of Larry David’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” you know that time has already come and gone. But, if you’re celebrating the Lunar New Year, you’re in luck — several events are on the schedule this weekend, including a big event at the Dulles Expo Center.

From the brewery scene to the bingo table, from the NOVA Wine Expo to Wolf Trap, we have a little something for everyone in this week’s edition.

In this week’s newsletter:

• NOVA Wine Expo, La Vang Lunar New Year at Dulles Expo Center

• Bricks ‘n Brews & Lorton Lager Luau

• Russell Peters at Capital One Hall, Wolf Trap hosts Holiday

• Family Bingo Night in Vienna

• A DMV men’s college basketball showdown: GW at GMU; Commanders at Lions in NFC Divisional Round

Let’s dive in!

Cheers,
Matt

A message from us

Things To Do

Two events are on tap this weekend at the Dulles Expo Center — the NOVA Wine Expo and the La Vang Lunar New Year’s Festival. Details for these and more events are below! 🍷

• NOVA Wine Expo returns to Dulles Expo Center

  • Northern Virginia’s premier wine event is this Saturday, Jan. 18, at the Dulles Expo Center from 11:00a.m.-4:00p.m. Wineries from across Virginia and specialty local vendors will be on-hand. Wine samples are included with admission. Pre-sale tickets start at $40 with tickets available for $50 at the door.

    • 4320 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly

• La Vang Lunar New Year’s Festival

  • Also at the Dulles Expo Center this weekend, the La Vang Lunar New Year’s Festival rings in the season with a festive two-day event. Cultural festivities, performances, food and music, and martial arts demonstrations are just some of what the festival has to offer. The event runs Saturday, Jan. 18 and Sunday, Jan. 19 with tickets starting at $10, students and children age 12-under are $5. It runs 10:00a.m.-10:00p.m. each day.

    • 4320 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly

• Northern Virginia Model Railroaders Host First Open House of 2025

  • All aboard! This open house offers model railroad enthusiasts and newcomers alike a chance to learn about the hobby and to visit the historic train depot in downtown Vienna. Club members will be on-hand to answer questions and offer insight about all things model railroading. The open house is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 18 from 1:00p.m.-5:00p.m.

    • 231 Dominion Rd. NE, Vienna

• The Fairfax Record Riot

  • Thousands of records, LPs, and CDs are on sale this weekend in Fairfax for the latest “Record Riot.” More than 35 dealers from around the D.C. and NOVA areas are scheduled to attend, selling everything from punk to funk. The event runs Sunday, Jan. 19 from 10:00a.m.-5:00p.m. at the Arlington-Fairfax Elks Lodge No. 2188. Tickets are $5, but $15 tickets are available if you want early-access at 9:00a.m.

    • 8421 Arlington Blvd., Fairfax

• Mount Vernon displays George Washington’s Inaugural Suit Coat

  • Ahead of Monday’s presidential inauguration, the team at George Washington’s Mount Vernon is traveling back in time with a rare look at the suit coat our first president wore during his inauguration in New York in the 18th century. On Saturday, Jan. 18 and Sunday, Jan. 19, curators will be on-site to share information about the suit coat and Washington’s other items from the era.

    • 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon

Food & Drink

Did you know this week is National Pizza Week? Consider hitting up your favorite local spot and pop by one of these cool events at our local breweries afterwards. 🍕🍻

• Bunnyman Brewing’s “Bricks ‘n Brews”

  • Bunnyman Brewing’s Burke location is hosting its exclusive LEGO Bricks ‘n Brews Winter Build on Saturday, Jan. 18 from 1:00p.m.-4:00p.m. The instructor will guide you as you build a LEGO winter cabin scene complete with snow-covered trees, a frozen pond, and warm, rustic details that capture the winter season. Tickets are $65 and include materials for your custom creation, 2+ hours of interactive instruction, and a drink of your choice.

    • 5583 Guinea Rd., Fairfax

• Aslin Beer Company’s “Silent Disco”

  • If you haven’t heard of silent disco, it’s a dance party you can’t hear — well, sort of. Aslin’s Alexandria location teams up with the team at “Good Times Only,” who will provide wireless headphones that change between three channels of music only you can hear. Dance the night away while everyone enjoys their favorite music. This event is 21+. It’s scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 18 from 7:00p.m.-11:00p.m. Tickets are $20.

    • 847 S. Pickett St., Alexandria

• “Lorton Lager Luau” at Fair Winds Brewing Company

  • A Luau-style party and the warm vibes of the tropics breeze into Lorton’s Fair Winds Brewing Company this Friday, Jan. 17 starting at 3:00p.m. Enjoy several new lagers on tap and tropical-themed food as you take a break from the cold weather. The event is free to attend with beer and food sold a la carte.

    • 7000 Newington Rd., Lorton

• Lake Anne Brew House’s Austin Powers-Themed Food Pantry Event

  • Lake Anne Brew House is hosting a “groovy” fundraiser and food drive for the South Lakes High School food pantry on Sunday, Jan. 19 from 1:00p.m.-5:00p.m. They will be accepting physical and cash donations, including toiletries, box and dry food goods, canned goods, cooking oil, laundry detergent, and dish soap. You can find more information about donations in the link above.

    • 11404 Washington Plz. N, Reston

Go Out & About Together

Music, Arts, & Entertainment

Some high-profile performances come to stages across Fairfax County this weekend. From comedy to live music, it’s showtime! 🎤

• Comedian Russell Peters headlines Capital One Hall this weekend

  • Named one of Rolling Stone’s 50 Best Comics of All Time, this weekend, Russell Peters will take the stage at Capital One Hall in Tysons as part of his “Relax World Tour.” Three shows are scheduled, starting Friday, Jan. 17. Tickets start at $63.75.

    • 7750 Capital One Tower Rd., Tysons

• John Holiday performs at Wolf Trap

  • Countertenor John Holiday opens the 2025 calendar at Wolf Trap on Sunday, Jan. 19 at 3:00p.m. Jeanne-Minette Cilliers performs on the piano. Holiday is a Wolf Trap Opera alumnus (‘14). Tickets start at $51.

    • 1635 Trap Rd., Vienna

• Jimmy Buffett Tribute Band in Falls Church

  • Captain Mike & The Shipwrecked, the region’s premier Jimmy Buffett tribute band, takes the stage at The State Theatre in Falls Church on Friday, Jan. 17 at 7:00p.m. Tickets are $18 in advance and $22 day of show.

    • 220 N. Washington St., Falls Church

• Reston Community Center’s Salute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

  • The Reston Community Orchestra will host its “Annual Musical Salute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” on Saturday, Jan. 18 at 4:00p.m. at the Reston Community Center. The performance includes words and music specifically chosen for the occasion. Tickets are $18-$25.

    • 2310 Colts Neck Rd., Reston

• McLean Project for the Arts Kicks Off 2025 Season

  • The McLean Project for the Arts will hold its opening exhibition reception on Thursday, Jan. 16 from 7:00p.m.-9:00p.m. Two different exhibitions will be on display, one focusing on quilting and another highlighting sculptures. The exhibitions will be on display through Feb. 22 and are free and open to the public.

    • 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean

Families & Kids

There are several fun family-friendly events across the region this weekend, from bingo to animals and more. Let’s hit the road! 🚗

• Family Bingo Night in Vienna

  • The local non-profit Kids Give Back is hosting Family Bingo Night to benefit its upcoming 2025 volunteer service projects. This fun event includes bingo, prizes, dinner from Pizza Vienna, and more. Tickets start at $15. The event runs Saturday, Jan. 18 from 5:30p.m.-7:00p.m. at the Vienna Community Center. Kids Give Back service projects for the year ahead include addressing food insecurity, helping hospitalized children, assisting animal shelters, and other worthy causes.

    • 120 Cherry St. SE, Vienna

• Animal Tea Party at Frying Pan Park

  • A fun day out for the kiddos in Herndon’s Frying Pan Park. This event is for kids ages 4-7. They can bring their favorite stuffed animal and enjoy drinks and snacks and meet one of the animals in the park. It’s scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 18 with two sessions to choose from, 11:00a.m. and 2:00p.m.

    • 2709 West Ox Rd., Herndon

• Lunar New Year Celebration at Winkler Botanical Reserve

  • 2025 is the Year of the Snake, and the team at Alexandria’s Winkler Botanical Reserve have organized an outdoor adventure for kids ring in the Lunar New Year in a family-friendly way. Explore the sights and sounds of the winter season with a Naturalist, listen to a story about snakes, and enjoy a craft in the process. This event runs Sunday, Jan. 19 from 11:00a.m.-12:00p.m.; it is free and reservations are not needed. Recommended for kids age 6-under.

    • 5400 Roanoke Ave., Alexandria

• Kids & Family Festival at Shipgarten

  • Little Mermaid, Spiderman, and Wolverine all make an appearance at this weekend’s Kids & Family Festival at Shipgarten in Tysons. The event runs Sunday, Jan. 19 from 12:00p.m.-6:00p.m. Kids can enjoy face-painting, arts & crafts, moonbounces, and more fun.

    • 7581 Colshire Dr., Tysons

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.

News & Notes

• 🏈 Washington Commanders fans: The Commanders will travel to Detroit to take on the Lions in the NFC Divisional Round matchup on Saturday, Jan. 18 at 8:00p.m. Can’t make it to the Motor City to watch? Catch the game locally on Fox 5, or head over to one of the team’s Rally Bars in Fairfax, Reston, or Springfield to cheer with your fellow fans. (We linked to the bars in last week’s newsletter, check out the “Things To Do” section for more information.)

• ⚾️ This week, Reston-Herndon Little League announced details about how to play free Blastball (a fast-paced, simplified version of T-Ball) this spring. Learn more on their Facebook page.

  • Last week, we also linked to a list of little league sign-up options for kids across the area. (Jump to the Sports & Recreation section for more information.)

High School

• 🏀 HSBB: The St. James 2025 MLK Classic

  • The St. James Sports, Wellness, & Entertainment Complex hosts the annual St. James MLK Classic, featuring some of the best boys and girls high school basketball teams in the DMV. Tickets and tipoff info can be found in the link above.

    • 6805 Industrial Rd., Springfield

College & Pro

• 🏀 NBA: Phoenix Suns at Washington Wizards

  • Thursday, Jan. 16 at 7:00p.m., Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.

• 🏀 NCAAM: GW at George Mason

  • Saturday, Jan. 18 at 12:30p.m., EagleBank Arena, Fairfax

• 🏒 NHL: Pittsburgh Penguins at Washington Capitals

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

Fairfax County Fun Fact of the Week

Did you know: Virginia is the birthplace of eight former U.S. presidents, the most of any state in the union. (They are Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, William Henry Harrison, Tyler, Taylor, Wilson.)

We Want to Hear from You!

Want to get your neighbors Out and About?

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Thanks for reading! See you next week.

Matt Knoedler
Publisher, Out & About Fairfax