Hey gang, Happy New Year! As we start 2025, I just wanted to extend a quick thank you to everyone who has subscribed and joined this newsletter. I look forward to sharing more fun and exciting events around Fairfax County in the year ahead!

As we wrap up the holidays, Fairfax County has outlined the following information for natural Christmas tree pickup. Please note — only 10% of Fairfax County residents receive trash and special pickup from the county itself. If you’re among the 90% who receive trash pickup from a private company, contact them for more information if you have questions about disposing of your Christmas tree.

If you’re heading Out & About this weekend, there is a little something for everyone, including ways to kickstart your healthy New Year’s resolutions, and a host of indoor and outdoor events to kick off the new year!

In this week’s newsletter:

• The DC Big Flea Market & Antiques Event comes to the Dulles Expo Center

• A restaurant merger + a North Carolina restaurant comes to Chantilly

• Annandale art show + Wolf Trap preps for new season

• Winter Block Party in McLean, trip to the tropics in Herndon

• Capitals host two at home while Commanders visit Cowboys

Let’s dive in!

Cheers,
Matt

A message from us

Things To Do

A giant indoor flea market headlines the big events this weekend at the Dulles Expo Center. Plus, did someone say “Bingo!”? Pass me a card. 🚗

• The DC Big Flea Market & Antiques Event

  • Billed as the largest “mid-Atlantic’s largest indoor antiques and collectibles flea market,” the DC Big Flea Market & Antiques Event at the Dulles Expo Center offers fine antiques, vintage clothing and handbags, jewelry, and more. The event is Saturday, Jan. 4 from 9:00a.m.-6:00p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 5 from 11:00a.m.-5:00p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, children 12-under are free.

    • 4320 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly

• Fairfax County Rec Centers Hold Open Houses

  • Fairfax County’s eight recreational centers will be open for free on Saturday, Jan. 4 for their annual open houses. Find one near you (in the link above) to visit between 2:00p.m.-5:00p.m. to learn more about workout programs, classes, activities, and a whole lot more.

• Bingo Night at Vienna Volunteer Fire Department

  • The Vienna Volunteer Fire Department will hold their first Bingo Night of the new year on Sunday, Jan. 5 at 6:00p.m. Football fans can receive a discount on bingo games when they wear their team’s attire throughout the month. Can’t make it this time? The department holds bingo every Sunday. Costs and more information are included in the link above.

    • 400 Center St. South, Vienna

• Reston Town Center’s Ice Skating Pavilion

  • Temperatures are heading back into the 20s and 30s this weekend, giving us another opportunity to head over to Reston Town Center’s public ice skating rink! Skate aids are available if you need a little help, as well. This would be a great spot for a date night or a family outing. Prices range from $9-$11 plus the cost of skate rental. Hours and ticket info are in the link above.

    • 1818 Discovery St., Reston

• Ranger at the Refuge: Tundra Swans

  • Rangers at Mason Neck State Park in Lorton offer insight into the annual migration of the Tundra Swans from the Arctic to warmer climates, such as here in Northern Virginia. Walk along the scenic 2.5 loop of The Woodmarsh Trail for a great bird watching experience. This event runs Saturday, Jan. 4 from 10:00a.m.-12:00p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 5 from 11:00a.m.-1:00p.m.

    • 7301 High Point Rd., Lorton

Food & Drink

Trying Dry January? Perhaps working to get healthier? I found this article from the folks at Harvard Health Publishing with some helpful tips for success that I wanted to share with you.

Locally, we have a few events and headlines from the food and drink scene that I wanted to share as well. ⬇️

• SouvlakiBar to merge with The Big Greek Cafe

  • According to their website, Souvlaki Bar is merging with The Big Greek Cafe, a Maryland-based Greek restaurant chain. Souvlaki Bar has several locations across Northern Virginia, including one in Oakton. The Oakton location is currently closed, and a reopening date has not been announced.

• Farmside Kitchen’s “Free Farmbowl Day” Grand Opening in Chantilly

  • Farmside Kitchen, a North Carolina-based eatery, is holding the grand opening of their Chantilly location on Thursday, Jan. 2 with a special giveaway — a free “Farm Bowl,” their famous dish, from 11:00a.m.-1:00p.m. They will remain open for business throughout the day.

    • 14385 Newbrook Dr., Suite 500, Chantilly

• Cider & Crafts at Lost Boy Cider

  • An easygoing night after the holidays at Alexandria’s Lost Boy Cider where patrons are invited to design a craft or even bring your own. The event runs Friday, Jan. 3 from 6:00p.m.-9:00p.m. and is free.

    • 317 Hooffs Run Dr., Alexandria

• Aslin’s Pilates at the Brewery

  • Aslin Beer Company’s Alexandria location will host their first Pilates at the Brewery event of 2025 on Saturday, Jan. 4. Bring your mat, water bottle, and good vibes for the 10:00a.m. workout. Tickets are $15.

    • 847 S. Pickett St., Alexandria

Go Out & About Together

Live Music & Arts

This week, we feature a series of live concerts and several arts events across the region. Wolf Trap is also preparing for its upcoming season. Let’s tune in! 🎵

• Artisans United Winter Show Opening

  • The Artisans United Craft Gallery in Annandale is hosting is Winter Show Opening to highlight the work of local crafters and artisans on Saturday, Jan. 4 from 1:00p.m.-3:00p.m. The organization’s 20 permanent artist members will have their latest work on display. There will be light refreshments, a silent auction, and more.

    • 4022 Hummer Rd., Annandale

• Solace Outpost Hosts Two Live Shows

  • The Falls Church brewery hosts a pair of live bands, with Sidewalk Soul hitting the stage on Friday, Jan. 3 at 8:00p.m., and Rae Band on stage Saturday, Jan. 4 at 8:00p.m.

    • 444 W. Broad St., Falls Church

• Guns N’ Roses Tribute in Fairfax

  • “Whole Lotta Roses!” takes the stage at Earp’s Ordinary in Fairfax on Friday, Jan. 3 at 8:00p.m. The Maryland-based Gun N’ Roses tribute band covers artists from their namesake to AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, and more. Tickets are $15.

    • 10420 Main St., Fairfax

• 10th Annual Workhouse Glass International

  • In case you missed it in last week’s newsletter, dozens of artists from around the United States will have their glass art on display at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton once again this weekend. The exhibition features the “depth and breadth of contemporary functional and sculptural glass art.” The exhibit is open weekly from Wednesday-Sunday and is on display through January 12, 2025.

    • 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton

• Wolf Trap Prepares for New Season

  • Performances from The Del McCoury Band and John Holiday headline a busy January at Wolf Trap. Performances scheduled for later in 2025 include Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band, James Blunt, Goo Goo Dolls, and Alison Krauss & Union Station among other high-profile artists. The full schedule is linked above.

    • 1635 Trap Rd., Vienna

Families & Kids

From winter parties to a “trip” to the tropics, plus a pair of fun events specifically for the kiddos. Let’s hit the road! 🌴

• Herndon Community Center Beach Resort

  • Feel the warmth of the islands in your own backyard at the Herndon Community Center’s Beach Resort on Saturday, Jan. 4 from 3:00p.m.-5:00p.m. An indoor pool, frozen mocktails, and tropical fun will help to take away the winter chill at this family-friendly event. Cost: $15 per person.

    • 814 Ferndale Ave., Herndon

• Winter Block Party in McLean

  • The McLean Community Center is holding their 4th annual Winter Block Party on Saturday, Jan. 4 from 1:00p.m.-4:00p.m. This free event includes entertainment, food, games, and more.

    • 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean

• Tiny Troops Story Time

  • The National Museum of the U.S. Army is hosting its first “Tiny Troops Story Time” of the year. While best for ages 3-6, all ages are welcome for this 30-minute interactive event. Here, kids will use their imaginations while learning about the Army. The event runs Saturday, Jan. 4 and Sunday, Jan. 5 from 10:00-10:30a.m. each day. Ticketing info is in the link above.

    • 1775 Liberty Dr., Fort Belvoir

• Disney’s Encanto Immersive Experience

  • Disney 🤝 Tysons Corner Center with the new interactive exhibit featuring Disney’s Encanto. This permanent feature will rotate experiences, with December’s highlighting this 2021 animated favorite. The event, which we also highlighted last month, continues through January, including this weekend on Saturday, Jan. 4 and Sunday, Jan. 5. Times and ticket info are in the link above.

    • 1961 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean

Sports & Recreation

Each week, 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.

• 🏀 NCAAW: Saint Joseph’s at George Mason

  • Thursday, Jan. 2 at 12:00p.m., EagleBank Arena, Fairfax

• 🏒 NHL: Minnesota Wild at Washington Capitals

  • Thursday, Jan. 2 at 7:00p.m., Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.

• 🏒 NHL: New York Rangers at Washington Capitals

  • Saturday, Jan. 4 at 12:00p.m., Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.

• 🏀 NCAAW: St. Bonaventure at George Mason

  • Sunday, Jan. 5 at 3:00p.m., EagleBank Arena, Fairfax

• 🏀 NBA: New Orleans Pelicans at Washington Wizards

  • Sunday, Jan. 5 at 6:00p.m., Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.

Fairfax County Fun Fact of the Week

Did you know: George Mason University is the largest public university by student enrollment in Virginia.

We Want to Hear from You!

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Thanks for reading! See you next week.

Matt Knoedler
Publisher, Out & About Fairfax