Hey gang, Matt here!

First, thank you to everyone who provided such great feedback about our new 2025 Out & About Fairfax Farmers Market Guide in last week’s newsletter! We’re glad you think it's as useful as we do. If you missed it, you can check it out here.

This week, we chat with organizers of the 12th annual Taste of Vienna to help you learn more about the event. What makes this food fest special — it’s not just another food fest. It’s also a big fundraiser for the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department. You can find our full conversation here along with a preview of the festival below. (If you like this type of feature article, let us know! We’re always kicking around new features and story ideas.)

Also this week, we have details of the Bluebell Music Festival in Centreville, Earth Day events around the region, Holi festivities, and much more.

Before we dive into the fun this weekend, we are always interested in hearing from you — what you like about the newsletter, perhaps something new you would like to see, and more. As a valued newsletter subscriber, we’d love to have you take this quick 2-minute poll to help us give you the best reader experience possible. Thank you! 🙏 

In this week’s newsletter:

• Earth Day Fairfax, Holi festivities, Annandale book sale

• Taste of Vienna, Spring Beer Fest + OysterFest in Falls Church

• Bluebell Music Festival, The Washington Ballet performs at Capital One Hall

• “Soar Together” Family Day in Chantilly, Family Fishing at Burke Lake Park

• Nationals host the Mets this weekend

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See you Out & About! 👋

Cheers,
Matt

A message from us

Things To Do

From Earth Day events to Holi festivities, there’s a little something for everyone! ⬇️

• Earth Day Fairfax

  • Earth Day Fairfax, one of the largest Earth Day events in the region, is scheduled for Saturday, April 26 from 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m. at the Sully Historic Site in Chantilly. Enjoy outdoor and nature-themed activities, food, drinks, music, and more. Admission is free, parking is $10.

    • 3650 Historic Sully Way, Chantilly

• Additional Earth Day Events

  • We have linked to some more Earth Day and eco-friendly events happening around Fairfax County this weekend. Check each link for more details.

    • Herndon: Join the Park & Stream Clean-Up at Runnymede Park on Saturday, April 26 from 8:00a.m.-12:00p.m.

    • Mount Vernon: Visit George Washington’s Mount Vernon’s Spring Plant and Garden Sale from the estate’s greenhouses on Saturday, April 26. (Members can visit a day earlier.)

    • Fairfax: City of Fairfax hosts Fairfax HisTree Day on Saturday, April 26 from 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m.

    • Fairfax: Planet Virginia at George Mason University hosts 50+ vendors, exhibits and engaging conversations about Earth and the environment, and more.

• Holi at Mosaic

  • Celebrate Holi, The Festival of Colors, at Fairfax’s Mosaic District on Saturday, April 26 from 5:00p.m.-7:00p.m. This event is free, and guests will receive a satchel of colored powder and a t-shirt while supplies last. Advanced registration is recommended.

    • 2910 District Ave., Fairfax

• Techno Color Holi Festival at Workhouse Arts Center

  • The Lorton arts center is getting festive as they celebrate Holi on Saturday, April 26 from 12:00p.m.-5:00p.m. Enjoy the Festival of Colors, a Bollywood DJ, music, dancing, and more. Tickets: $10.

    • 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton

• Fair Winds Pop-Up Comic Con & Market

  • A one-stop shop for fans of comics, collectibles, and more! On Sunday, April 27, stop by Fair Winds Brewing Company in Lorton for this free event. Wear your favorite cosplay and win prizes. The fun runs from 12:00p.m.-5:00p.m.

    • 7000 Newington Rd., Suites K&L, Lorton

• George Mason Friends Book Sale

  • The four-day book sale from Thursday, April 24-Sunday, April 27 is hosted by George Mason Friends at George Mason Regional Library in Annandale. Explore 60+ categories, plus children’s books. Admission is free. The event runs from 10:00a.m.-5:30p.m. each day.

    • 7001 Little River Turnpike, Annandale

• Reston Association Spring Community Yard Sale

  • The Reston Association will hold its spring community yard sale on Saturday, April 26 from 8:30a.m.-1:00p.m. More than 90 families and vendors are scheduled to participate. Shoppers can find everything from home decor, furniture, clothing, toys, and much more. 2025 marks the 30th year for the sale.

    • 12010 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston

Food & Drink

Taste of Vienna and a buzzin’ brewery scene! 🍻🍢

• Taste of Vienna is Saturday

  • 35+ local restaurants and vendors will fill the back parking lot of the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday, April 26 from 11:00a.m.-8:00p.m. for Taste of Vienna. Enjoy great food and plenty of activities, live performances, and more. Admission is free and purchases from individual vendors will be available.

    • 400 Center St. S., Vienna

• Settle Down Easy’s 7th Annual OysterFest and Seafood Extravaganza

  • The Falls Church brewery is hosting is annual OysterFest and Seafood Extravaganza on Saturday, April 26 from 12:00p.m.-5:00p.m. Enjoy grilled and raw oysters, crab cakes, lobster and shrimp, and more. Tickets: $12-$26.

    • 2822 Fallfax Drive, Falls Church

• Bricks n’ Brews at G34.3 Brewing Company

  • The Lorton brewery is hosting a fun LEGO-themed “Bricks n’ Brews” event on Saturday, April 26 from 1:00p.m.-4:00p.m. Build a space-themed set complete with planets, a spaceship, and more. Tickets: $60. Ages 21+.

    • 8532 Terminal Rd. Suites L, M, N, Lorton

• Spring Beer Fest at Solace Outpost

  • More than a dozen breweries and several food vendors are scheduled to attend Spring Beer Fest at Solace Outpost on Saturday, April 26 from 12:00p.m.-5:00p.m. Enjoy live music, shop artisan vendors, and more. Tickets: $50 (early-bird), $60 starting April 25.

    • 444 W. Broad St., Falls Church

• Fish Market at McLean Community Center

  • Led by Chef Joel Olson, learn basic skills or new tricks to prepare your favorite fish dinner at the McLean Community Center on Thursday, April 24. A midday class and an evening class are both available. Tickets are $72 for MCC members, $79 for non-members.

    • 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean

Go Out & About Together

Music, Arts, & Entertainment

Lights, camera, action! The stage is set across the area this weekend. 🎶

• The Washington Ballet presents “Alice in Wonderland” at Capital One Hall

  • The Washington Ballet takes over the stage at Capital One Hall with five shows over four days as they perform “Alice in Wonderland.” This Lewis Carroll classic comes to life starting Thursday, April 24-Sunday, April 27. Tickets start at $44.

    • 7750 Capital One Tower Rd., Tysons

• Bluebell Music Festival at The Winery at Bull Run

  • This combination music festival and fundraiser (which benefits the local charity “Making Everything Good”) will include a full lineup of music, food trucks, artisan vendors, and — of course — wine. This outdoor event is free and is scheduled for Sunday, April 27 from 11:00a.m.-6:30p.m.

    • 15950 Lee Highway, Centreville

• “Woman on Fire” Opens at Creative Cauldron

  • The Falls Church venue hosts “Woman on Fire,” a tale of a woman named Juanita "and “a beautifully crafted ghost story that speaks eloquently to our times.” Opening night is scheduled for Saturday, April 26 at 7:30p.m. Tickets start at $20. The show runs through May 11.

    • 127 E. Broad St., Falls Church

• Mason Opera Presents “27”

  • The Mason Opera takes the stage at the Harris Theatre to present “27” for three days of performances, Friday, April 25-Sunday, April 27. Original composer Ricky Ian Gordon will introduce each performance and will share his insights. Tickets: $20 for general public, $15 for seniors, and $5 for students.

    • 4471 Aquia Creek Lane, Fairfax

• Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir de Florence at Wolf Trap

  • Hear Bach, Classical, and so much more during this eloquent sextet performance of Chamber Music at the Barns at Wolf Trap on Friday, April 25 at 7:30p.m. Tickets: $51.

    • 1635 Trap Rd., Vienna

Families & Kids

From Earth Day and nature events to something out of this world, check out these family-friendly events this weekend! ⬇️

• Soar Together Family Day at the Air & Space Museum

  • Families can explore the roles of aircrafts and spacecrafts big and small at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly on Saturday, April 26 from 10:00a.m.-2:00p.m. Kids will use miniatures to learn the big stories behind space’s biggest adventures. Admission is free, parking is $15.

    • 14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway, Chantilly

• eARTh Chalk Fest at Reston Town Center

  • An art-inspired Earth Day celebration for the kiddos at Reston Town Center on Saturday, April 26 from 11:00a.m.-5:30p.m. It’s also a chance for both professional and amateur artists to showcase their skills. Registration for families and kids: $25.

    • 11900 Market St., Reston

• Spring Egg Hunt in the Gardens at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

  • The daily Spring Egg Hunt adventure continues through the end of April at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens from 10:00a.m.-6:00p.m. Winners receive an “egg-cellent” prize at the end. All ages are welcome, and tickets are $8 for egg hunters. (Additional fee for accompanying adults.)

    • 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct., Vienna

• Spring Family Fun Day in Herndon

  • Herndon United Methodist Church is hosting its Spring Family Fun Day on Saturday, April 26 from 11:00a.m.-2:30p.m. Enjoy bounce houses, games, food, music, a petting zoo, and more.

    • 701 Bennett St., Herndon

• Family Fishing at Burke Lake Park

  • Join a naturalist and learn the basics of fishing and enjoy a night on the lake for this family night out. Ages 5+, but participants ages 16+ must have a valid Virginia fishing license. The event runs Friday, April 25 at 6:00p.m. in Burke Lake Park. Cost: $12.

    • 7315 Ox Rd., Fairfax Station

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

• ⛳️“Golfing for Veterans” golf tournament, hosted by VFW Post 8469, is scheduled for this Friday, April 25 at Twin Lakes Golf Course in Clifton. Registration opens at 7:30a.m., tee time is 9:00a.m. Fees and more information can be found in the link above.

  • 6201 Union Mill Rd., Clifton

• 🏒The Washington Capitals travel to Montreal to face the Canadiens in the first round of the NHL Eastern Conference playoffs. Game 3 is Friday, April 25 at 7:00p.m. Game 4 is Sunday, April 27 at 6:30p.m.

• ⚽️D.C. United travels to Philadelphia on Saturday.

• 🏈The D.C. Defenders travel to Texas to play Arlington on Sunday.

Home Games

• ⚾️MLB: Baltimore Orioles at Washington Nationals

  • Thursday, April 24 at 6:45p.m., Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.

• ⚾️MLB: New York Mets at Washington Nationals

  • Friday, April 25 at 6:45p.m., Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.

• ⚽️NWSL: NY Gotham FC at Washington Spirit

  • Saturday, April 26 at 1:00p.m., Audi Field, Washington, D.C.

• ⚾️MLB: New York Mets at Washington Nationals

  • Saturday, April 26 at 4:05p.m., Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.

• ⚾️MLB: New York Mets at Washington Nationals

  • Sunday, April 27 at 1:35p.m., Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.

Fairfax County Fun Fact of the Week

Did you know: There are 12 volunteer fire and rescue departments in Fairfax County, according to the Fairfax County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association.

Before We Go, Some Good News…

We received an email this week from a newsletter subscriber with some good news about a local organization — Meows Corner, a cat cafe and lounge which partners with 4Paws Rescue Team in Fairfax, recently celebrated their 500th adoption!

Know about some good news in the community you’d like to share with your neighbors? Send us an email!

We Want to Hear from You!

Want to get your neighbors Out & About?

If you have an event you would like to feature in the newsletter, or if you’re a business looking to advertise with us, send us an email! —> [email protected].

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Thanks for reading! See you next week.

Matt Knoedler
Publisher, Out & About Fairfax