Hey there, and a happy Thanksgiving! We’re sending the newsletter to you a day early this week not only because of the holiday, but because of all of the events happening on the holiday. Check out all of the fun happening around Fairfax County this week.

In this week’s newsletter:

• Lace ‘em up: Turkey Trots on Thanksgiving Day

• How to shop local on Small Business Saturday

• Holiday fun in the Mosaic District, horse-drawn carriages in Reston

• World-renowned Canadian Brass brings big band sounds to GMU

Let’s dive in!

Cheers,
Matt

A message from us

Things To Do

This week, we’re talking turkey trots, Friday’s festive fun + the kickoff of the Christmas and holiday seasons, Small Business Saturday must-knows, and other events happening around the region.

• Here is a list of some of the turkey trots happening around Fairfax County this Thanksgiving Day:

  • Fairfax Turkey Trot

    • This 12th annual event begins Thanksgiving Day at 9:00a.m. The four-mile run around the Mantua community benefits Britepaths (formerly Our Daily Bread). Packet pick-up: 7:00-8:30a.m. Cost: $40.

      • 9330 Pentland Place, Fairfax

  • Virginia Run Turkey Trot

    • The 33rd annual Virginia Run Turkey Trot in Centreville offers two options: a 5k and a more reasonable (and untimed) 2k. The run benefits the American Boy Project, which helps those struggling with addiction and substance abuse.

      • Packet pick up on Thanksgiving Day begins 6:00-7:30a.m. with an 8:00a.m. start time for the 5k and an 8:05a.m. start time for the 2k. Cost: $50 (5k), $5 (2k).

        • 15355 Wetherburn Court, Centreville

  • Can The Bird 5k

    • The 4th annual Can The Bird 5k Turkey Trot in Alexandria starts at 8:00a.m. ET on Thanksgiving Day. The race around Kingstowne and its scenic lake is open to all ages and is both a walk and run. Members of Koinonia will be on hand to collect canned non-perishable food items to help local families. Cost: $40 (adult 5k), prices vary. Packet pick-up on Thanksgiving Day begins at 7:00a.m. in the Walmart parking lot.

      • 5885 Kingstowne Blvd., Alexandria.

• Small Business Saturday — Fairfax County Edition

  • There are so many great small, local businesses in our area! Area chambers of commerce and economic development agencies are promoting their local shops, stores, and more on their website. We’ve linked to some of them below. You can also learn more about Fairfax County’s small business initiative, Fairfax CORE, here.

    • Fairfax City Small Business Saturday

    • Fairfax County’s “Made in Fairfax” Directory guides shoppers businesses and producers.

    • Mount Vernon-Springfield Chamber of Commerce lists their directory of local small businesses

    If you know of a mom & pop place in your neighborhood, consider stopping by. After all, $50 can go a long way at a local business.

Live Music & Arts

Something big, something (for) little(s), and something local. Check out some of the live music and performances in the region this weekend.

• Canadian Brass kicks off holiday season at GMU

  • Big band sounds from North of the border make their way to Fairfax’s George Mason University’s Center for the Arts. The world-renowned Canadian Brass quintet has recorded a whopping 130+ albums and brings their nearly 90-minute set to our community. Tickets start at $36. Showtime: Saturday, Nov. 30 at 8:00p.m.

    • 4373 Mason Pond Dr, Fairfax

• Sesame Street! Live at Capital One Hall

  • TV’s “Sesame Street” performs live in Tysons this weekend if you’re looking to entertain the kiddos. Two shows on Saturday, Nov. 30 with tickets starting at $35.

    • 7750 Capital One Tower Rd., Tysons

• Creative Cauldron’s Alice in Wonderland

  • This local rendition of Alice in Wonderland provides Falls Church and the surrounding communities with a classic musical take on the Lewis Carroll tale.

    • 410 S. Maple Ave., Retail 116, Falls Church

      Go Out & About Together!

Food & Drink

Breweries with jokes. Breweries with music. Smoked meats, more smoked meats, and… well, you get it. We criss-cross the county in Food & Drink this week to highlight some of the new events on tap and restaurants opening their doors.

• Settle Down Easy hosts Tripmas 2024

  • The Falls Church brewery hosts their 3rd annual event together with Free Flowing Musical Experience. The event brings together local musicians playing everything from jazz, funk, to blues with Brian Curtiss as the evening’s sound engineer. This event is free and runs Friday, Nov. 29 from 7-10p.m. ET.

    • 2822 Fallfax Drive, Falls Church

• Herndon’s new Kanoon Smoke Meat & Steakhouse Restaurant caps first week open

  • The new halal restaurant first opened on Friday, Nov. 22, but word has traveled quickly about Herndon’s new restaurant. Their social media touts “masterfully smoked meats,” where a “halal smokehouse meets American BBQ with a Middle Eastern twist” featuring briskets, smoked ribs, and more.

    • 1106 Herndon Parkway, Herndon

• Port City Brewing Company’s “Jokes on Tap”

  • Beers and laughs — always a great combo. Alexandria’s Port City Brewing Company hosts their free comedy night on the final Saturday of the month. Doors open at 7:00p.m. with sets starting at 7:30p.m. Food trucks will be on hand, but you are welcome to bring your own food, as well. “Jokes on Tap: A Free Comedy Night” run Saturday, Nov. 30 from 7:00p.m.-9:00p.m.

    • 3950 Wheeler Ave., Alexandria

Families & Kids

Once you’ve wrapped up your second round of leftovers, head over to these festive family-friendly events across the country!

• Mosaic’s Holiday Tree Lighting & Santa Fire Truck Parade

  • Live music, a holiday parade, and a visit from the Big Man himself will highlight The Mosaic District’s “Merry Mosaic” festivities on Friday, Nov. 29 in Strawberry Park. The parade starts at 6:30p.m. with Live entertainment from the George Mason University band starting at 6:50p.m., and the tree lighting at 7:00p.m.

    • Strawberry Park, Strawberry Lane — Fairfax

• Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides at Reston Town Center

  • Experience the magic of the holiday season on a one-horse open sleigh (of sorts) with horse-drawn carriage rides through the decorated streets of Reston Town Center. All proceeds will benefit local charities. Reservations are required, and one reservation is good for up to six people. (If reservations for this Friday are booked, you’re in luck — rides run every Saturday through Dec. 21.)

    • Pick up will be in front of the Ice Rink on Market St., Reston

• Bull Run Festival of Lights

  • Tis the season for light displays across the region! One of the most notable is the Bull Run Festival of Lights, 2.5 miles of illumination you can view from the comfort of your car. $30 per vehicle online or $40 at the gate. (Stay tuned for next week’s edition, we’ll list many more bright light displays across the county.)

    • 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville

Fairfax County Fun Fact of the Week

Did you know: Wolf Trap is the first and only U.S. National Park dedicated to the performing arts.

We Want to Hear from You!

Want to get your neighbors Out and 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].