Hey gang, Matt here!

If you’re a foodie, this week is for you! Restaurant Weeks are happening all across the DMV and right here in Fairfax County. Check out our full lists and links below.

Thanks to everyone who shared their thoughts during last week’s brand new Weekly Poll Question! I’m having fun with it and it’s great to see many of you are, as well. Think of the poll question as a casual “water cooler” kind of conversation for the community.

Last week’s question: “Will the new Fairfax County Meals Tax change how much you dine out?”

The results ⬇️

This week’s poll question comes from a guy I know (me) who likes to keep his Christmas lights displayed on the side of the house a few weeks into January. (I’m still waiting on some snow… 🤞) I’ve noticed some neighbors who do the same, but also a few who removed their lights soon after the holidays wrapped.

What do you prefer? Click the link below to take the poll. I’ll share the results next week ⬇️

This Week’s Poll Question

In this week’s newsletter:

• Winter Renaissance Festival and more winter fun

• Restaurant Week Preview, Vienna Ice Cream Social

• Wolf Trap kicks off 2026 schedule, new Reston Players show

• Campfire Fridays in Springfield

• Caps host two & Good News from Fairfax

P.S.: Not yet a subscriber? Join 1,800+ neighbors and sign up for the FREE Out & About Fairfax newsletter here and follow along on Instagram.

Cheers,
Matt

Things To Do

• Winter Renaissance Festival

  • An afternoon of medieval magic awaits at Shipgarten in McLean on Saturday, Jan. 17. Admission is free with food and drink available for purchase.

    • 7581 Colshire Dr., McLean

• New Year 2026 Cultural Market

  • The House of Culture and Arts will host a cultural market at the Fair Oaks Mall on Saturday, Jan. 17. Shop for fashion, jewelry, delicious food, and more. Admission is free.

    • 11750 Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax

• Winter Lantern Festival Final Weekend

  • Hundreds of lanterns light the night sky at Lerner Town Square at Tysons II through Sunday, Jan. 18 . Tickets: $18+.

    • 8025 Galleria Dr., Tysons

• Lace ‘em Up! Ice Skating in Reston and Tysons

  • Reston Town Center — Tickets: $9-$11 plus skate rental

    • 1818 Discovery St., Reston

  • Capital One Center — Tickets: $13

    • 1820 Capital One Dr. S, Tysons

• Ice & Lights in Alexandria

  • Fun continues at The Winter Village at Cameron Run Regional Park in Alexandria through February 28. Tickets start at $13.

    • 4001 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria

• Find A Farmers Market Near You

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

Food & Drink

• RAMW Winter Restaurant Week Preview

  • 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.

• Oakton Restaurant Week

  • 15 restaurants will be joining the 2nd Annual Oakton Restaurant Week, which kicks off on Friday, Jan. 16. Find the full list of restaurants above!

• Paradise Springs Winery 16th Anniversary Weekend

  • Toast to 16 years of the Clifton winery with three days of events, including an oyster raw bar ($11/pp), from Friday, Jan. 16-Sunday, Jan. 18.

    • 13219 Yates Ford Rd., Clifton

• Comedy Night in Herndon

  • Enjoy laughs and libations at Ornery Beer Company’s Herndon brewery on Friday, Jan. 16 at 9:00p.m. The event is free.

    • 2310 Woodland Crossing Dr., Herndon

• Vienna Ice Cream Social

  • A community ice cream social benefitting the One Neighborhood Foundation is scheduled at the Vienna Bruster’s Real Ice Cream location on Saturday, Jan. 17 from 3:00p.m.-7:00p.m. The first 150 visitors will receive one free scoop.

    • 237 Maple Ave E, Vienna

• News & Notes

  • Wonder Food Hall Opens in Alexandria

    • “Wonder is opening a new location in Alexandria’s Potomac Yard neighborhood on Jan. 9, marking its 10th establishment in the Washington-Baltimore area.” (WTOP)
      

A message from 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

• Wolf Trap 2026 Kicks Off

  • The Del McCoury Band begins a five-night residency at The Barns at Wolf Trap on Friday, Jan. 16 to kick off the 2026 calendar. Tickets start at $65.

    • 1635 Trap Rd., Vienna

• Reston Community Players Open New Show

  • “She Kills Monsters” brings the game Dungeons and Dragons to life as the Reston Community Players opens their latest show at the Reston Community Center on Friday, Jan. 16 at 8:00p.m. Tickets: $26-$36.

    • 2310 Colts Neck Rd., Reston

• Murder Mystery Dinner in Fairfax

  • The Roaring Twenties come to life, complete with a three-course meal, for “Murder at Mackenzie’s” at Mackenzie’s Tunes & Tonics in Fairfax on Friday, Jan. 16 at 7:00p.m. Limited tickets remain, $108.

    • 3950 University Dr. STE 210, Fairfax

• Jazz Jam at Vanguard Arts Center

  • The sweet sounds of jazz fill the air during a free concert that allows musicians to take part in the fun at Chantilly’s Vanguard Arts Center on Friday, Jan. 16 at 7:00p.m.

    • 14155-J Sullyfield Circle, Chantilly

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

• Campfire Fridays in Springfield

  • A fun-filled night around the campfire — complete with s’mores — at Hidden Pond Nature Center in Springfield on Friday, Jan. 16 at 6:00p.m. Cost: $12. Ages 5+.

    • 8511 Greeley Blvd., Springfield

• Family Skate Night

  • It’s a sports jersey-themed family skate and dance night at the Franconia Rec Center on Saturday, Jan. 17 at 6:00p.m. Cost: $10/person.

    • 6601 Telegraph Rd., Alexandria

• LEGO in the Library

  • LEGO lovers ages 4-18 can put their creativity to work at the Great Falls Library on Saturday, Jan. 17 at 10:30a.m. LEGOs will be provided.

    • 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls

• McLean Snowball Dance

  • A winter-themed party for 5th and 6th graders at the McLean Community Center’s Old Firehouse Center on Friday, Jan. 16. Tickets: $10-$35. Note: Waiting list registration is now open.

    • 1440 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean

Sports & Recreation

Home Games

• NHL: San Jose Sharks at Washington Capitals

  • Thursday, Jan. 15 at 7:00p.m., Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.

• NHL: Florida Panthers at Washington Capitals

  • Saturday, Jan. 17 at 7:00p.m., Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.

Fairfax County Fun Fact of the Week

Did you know: The Fairfax County Park Authority manages 421 parks covering more than 23,000 acres.

Before We Go, Some Good News!

For this week’s Good News, we go to Fairfax … and, Italy!

Fairfax native Ilia Malinin, 21, has his eyes on Olympic Gold. But, before he represents Team USA in next month’s Winter Olympics in Italy, he grabbed his fourth consecutive U.S. Figure Skating Championship Saturday night in St. Louis. Ilia is now just the second American man this century to win four consecutive titles. Congrats, and good luck in the Olympics! Read the full story on Olympics.com.

Thanks for reading! See you next week.