Hey gang, Matt here!

Summer is just about here, as well. That’s almost the case for Fairfax County Public Schools, with the final day of the school year set for Wednesday, June 11. Congratulations in advance to all of this year’s graduates!

As you prepare to head Out & About for the weekend ahead, we have details about the Taste of Springfield Festival, a new(ish) artisan market opens in Chantilly, and plenty of pet-themed events around the area.

Music fans — a legend comes to Wolf Trap as Paul Simon takes the stage. We also have details about the popular Fairfax Family Festival, as well. If you’re heading to an outdoor event, keep an eye on the weather to see if your event is still scheduled before you leave the house.

It’s shaping up to be a fun weekend — let’s get to it!

In this week’s newsletter:

• nZone Artisan Market opens in Chantilly, pet-themed events

• Taste of Springfield Festival, Sour Phreak Fest at Mustang Sally Brewing

• Paul Simon headlines Wolf Trap

• Fairfax Family Festival, luau party in McLean

• Nationals host Rangers, and Spirit, D.C. United, Loudoun United FC are home

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See you Out & About! 👋

Cheers,
Matt

A message from us

Things To Do

Artisan markets, paw-sitively fun times, and plenty of paloozas! 🎉

• nZone Artisan Market Opens in Chantilly

  • The market, which first opened in 2024 as the nZone Farmers Market, returns this Saturday, June 7, with a new name and some new vendors. We’re told to expect everything from fresh produce, artisan chocolates, to baked goods and much more. Check out our feature Q&A with the organizers in the link above. The market runs from 9:00a.m.-1:00p.m.

    • 14550 Lee Rd., Chantilly

• Paws on the PenFed Plaza at Tysons Corner Center

  • Bring the pups to play at Tysons Corner Center on Saturday, June 7 from 11:00a.m.-3:00p.m. Enjoy a dog park and splash pad, shop from 20+ pet vendors, rescues with adoptable dogs, and much more. This event is free and open to the public.

    • 1961 Chain Bridge Rd., Tysons

• PetPalooza at Reston Town Center

  • It’s bound to be a paw-sitively fun day at Reston Town Center on Saturday, June 7 for PetPalooza. The family-friendly and, yes, pet-friendly event brings together local exhibitors, businesses, pet adoption groups, and more. The fun runs from 11:00a.m.-3:00p.m.

    • 11900 Market St., Reston

• Summer Palooza in Alexandria

  • The first-ever Summer Palooza is set for Saturday, June 7 at the Mount Vernon Governmental Center in Alexandria. Enjoy free food, a beer garden hosted by Bunnyman Brewing, fun pet-friendly exhibits, and pick up some handy County resources. Kids can enjoy a petting zoo with animals from Frying Pan Park and touch-a-truck fun. The event runs 11:00a.m.-3:00p.m.

    • 2511 Parkers Lane, Alexandria

• Healthy Together Fairfax 2025

  • A one-stop shop for all things health and fitness in Fairfax County is set for this Sunday, June 8 at Franconia Park in Alexandria. This free event aims to promote healthy and active lifestyles and will feature health screenings, fitness classes, access to community resources, and much more. The event runs from 12:00p.m.-3:00p.m.

    • 6601 Telegraph Rd., Alexandria

• Stargazing at the National Air & Space Museum 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, June 7 from 8:30p.m.-10:30p.m. Stargazing is free and open to the public, and will be held weather permitting. Telescopes will be provided by the museum and the club.

    • 14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway, Chantilly

Food & Drink

Food fests, phreaky funky sour beers, and laughs + libations! 🍻

• Taste of Springfield Festival

  • The 8th annual Taste of Springfield Festival kicks off on Saturday, June 7 at Springfield Town Center. The event features dozens of both food vendors and non-food vendors, plus plenty of exhibitors, live music, and more. The event runs from 11:00a.m.-5:00p.m. in the parking between JCPenney’s and Dick’s Sporting Goods.

    • 6500 Springfield Mall, Springfield

• Sour Phreak Fest at Mustang Sally Brewing

  • Two days of tasty yet tongue-twisting beers are on tap at Mustang Sally Brewing with Sour Phreak Fest on Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8. Enjoy several new beers — flights available — and see where your tastebuds lead you. No entrance fee to the event, times listed above.

    • 14140 Parke Long Ct. A-C, Chantilly

• Standup Comedy at Aslin Beer Co.

  • Laughs and libations abound at Aslin’s Alexandria location on Friday, June 6 at 8:00p.m. Enjoy a pint and punchlines from national comedians during the Giggle Monster Comedy Showcase. Tickets are $10.

    • 847 S. Pickett St., Alexandria

• 90s Yoga at Port City Brewing Company

  • Hit the yoga mat and travel back in time for a totally rad 90s-themed yoga session at Port City Brewing Company on Sunday, June 8. Whether you’re a beginner or returning to the yoga mat, come dressed in your favorite 90s gear and enjoy a pint during the session. Tickets: $30.

    • 3950 Wheeler Ave., Alexandria

Go Out & About Together

Music, Arts, & Entertainment

Let’s see who’s taking the stage this weekend around the area! 🎤

• Paul Simon Headlines Wolf Trap

  • The legendary singer-songwriter performs two shows this weekend — Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7 at Wolf Trap’s Filene Center. Simon will perform his critically acclaimed, Grammy-nominated album Seven Psalms along with other greatest hits. Limited tickets remain for both shows.

    • 1551 Trap Rd., Vienna

• “Coppelia” at Capital One Hall

  • The Ravel Performing Company brings the comic ballet “Coppelia” to Capital One Hall for one performance only on Sunday, June 8 at 2:00p.m. Tickets start at $63.25.

    • 7750 Capital One Tower Rd., Tysons

• “Footloose: The Musical” in Herndon Concludes This Weekend

  • NextStop Theatre Company wraps up their month-long performance of the 1980s classic “Footloose” this weekend, with shows scheduled Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7. Tickets: $55.

    • 269 Sunset Park Drive, Herndon

• “Sip & Script” at Workhouse Arts Center

  • Learn the art of modern calligraphy while enjoying a drink and snacks at Lorton’s Workhouse Arts Center on Friday, June 6. The 1.5-hour class comes complete with a beginner’s calligraphy kit, which you can take home after the class. The event runs 6:30p.m.-8:30p.m. at the Lorton Prison Museum featuring the Lucy Burns Gallery. Tickets: $65.

    • 9528 Workhouse Way, Lorton

• Fab Fridays Summerbration: Beatlemania

  • Let the sounds of The Beatles kick off your weekend with live music at Reston Station on Friday, June 6 from 7:00p.m.-8:30p.m. This free event is organized by the Reston Community Center.

    • 1901 Reston Metro Plaza, Reston

Families & Kids

Family festivals, luaus, and a whole lot more! ⬇️

• 8th Annual Fairfax Family Festival

  • A free family-friendly festival comes to Fairfax this Saturday, June 7 from 10:00a.m.-2:00p.m. Kids can enjoy games, bounce houses, face painting, and more. Enjoy tasty treats from local food trucks and restaurants.

    • 11230 Waples Mill Rd., Fairfax

• Luau Party at McLean Community Center

  • Local 5th and 6th graders can dance the night away during the Luau Party at the McLean Community Center on Friday, June 6 from 7:00p.m.-9:30p.m. Free catered food and beverages will be provided. Tickets: $35 general public, $25 for MCC members.

    • 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean

• Campfire Saturdays & Stargazing at Burke Lake Park

  • This week, enjoy stargazing during Campfire Saturdays at Burke Lake Park. Team up with an astronomical naturalist who will help parents and kids identify the stars (telescopes will be provided, and s’mores included). The fun is scheduled for Saturday, June 7 at 8:30p.m. Tickets are $12.

    • 7315 Ox Rd., Fairfax Station

• Touch-a-Truck at Fair Lakes Chick-Fil-A

  • Touch-a-Truck comes to the parking lot of the Hilton Fairfax on Saturday, June 7 from 11:00a.m.-1:00p.m. Kids can check out police cars, fire trucks, trash trucks, and much more. This event is free and is hosted by Chick-Fil-A Fair Lakes.

    • 4516 Fair Knoll Dr., Fairfax

Sports & Recreation

Looking to hit the big game or perhaps go Out & About outdoors? We run down the news, notes, and schedules for our local teams and events this weekend.

News & Notes

• ⛳️ Golfers: Oakmont Golf’s Summer Team Scramble in Oakton is this Saturday, June 7 at 8:00a.m. Cost: $60/team. Ages: 12+. Rain date is June 14.

• 🏈 The D.C. Defenders are on the road at St. Louis on Sunday, June 8.

Home Games

• ⚾️ MLB: Chicago Cubs at Washington Nationals

  • Thursday, June 5 at 6:45p.m., Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.

• 🏀 WNBA: New York Liberty at Washington Mystics

  • Thursday, June 5 at 7:30p.m., CareFirst Arena, Washington, D.C.

• ⚾️ MLB: Texas Rangers at Washington Nationals

  • Friday, June 6 at 6:45p.m., Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.

• ⚾️ MLB: Texas Rangers at Washington Nationals

  • Saturday, June 7 at 4:05p.m., Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.

• ⚽️ USL: Charleston Battery at Loudoun United FC

  • Saturday, June 7 at 6:00p.m., Segra Field, Leesburg

• ⚽️ MLS: Chicago at D.C. United

  • Saturday, June 7 at 7:30p.m., Audi Field, Washington, D.C.

• ⚾️ MLB: Texas Rangers at Washington Nationals

  • Sunday, June 8 at 1:35p.m., Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.

• 🏀 WNBA: Connecticut Sun at Washington Mystics

  • Sunday, June 8 at 3:00p.m., CareFirst Arena, Washington, D.C.

• ⚽️ NWSL: North Carolina Courage at Washington Spirit

  • Sunday, June 8 at 4:00p.m., Audi Field, Washington, D.C.

Fairfax County Fun Fact of the Week

Did you know: The Tysons Corner Center mall is the largest mall in the DMV area, and it is the 8th-largest in the United States.

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Thanks for reading! See you next week.

Matt Knoedler
Publisher, Out & About Fairfax