Hey gang, Matt here!

This weekend is jam-packed with fall fun once again — we detail the new events happening around the region. Halloween-themed fun is also “creepin’” in — see where you can play Halloween-themed mini golf, “boo” at the zoo, and even seasonal fun for your four-legged friends. Let’s dive in!

In this week’s newsletter:

• Fall fun in Fairfax, Springfield, Herndon, Centreville, & Chantilly

• Bull Run Wine Festival, Oyster Week in Alexandria

• Chalkfest in Reston, “Mrs. Doubtfire” headlines Broadway in Tysons

• Goblin Golf in Fairfax Station

• Caps host two games + Mason Madness on Friday

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Cheers,
Matt

A message from us

Things To Do

New fall fun, a big weekend for sports fans, book sales, and more! 🍂

• New Fall Fun This Weekend!

  • Fall Artisan Market in Fairfax Corner — Saturday, Oct. 18, Fairfax. Admission is free.

  • Farm Harvest Fest at Frying Pan Farm Park — Friday, Oct. 17-Sunday, Oct. 19, Herndon. Parking and ride ticket fees are detailed in the link.

  • 33rd Annual Centreville Day — Saturday, Oct. 18, Centreville. Admission is free.

  • Fall Fest at Springfield Town Center — Saturday, Oct. 18, Springfield. Admission is free.

  • nZone Fun Fall Fest — Saturday, Oct. 18, Chantilly.

    • Want more? Check out our full 2025 Fall Fun Guide for recurring events and more details!

• CSA Sports Show at Dulles Expo Center

  • Find dozens of pro-athlete signers, rare photo opportunities, 200 exhibitors offering high-quality items, and more from Friday, Oct. 17-Sunday, Oct. 19. Tickets: $15-$20.

    • 4320 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly

• Book Sales in Oakton, Burke, and Alexandria

  • Two book sales are set for this weekend! The Friends of Oakton Library Book Sale is set for Oct. 15-18, and Friends of Pohick Regional Library Fall Book Sale is set for Oct. 15-19. The Alexandria Book & Craft Festival is set for Saturday, Oct. 18. Admission is free.

• “Howl”-o-Ween in Reston

  • The Reston Association will host a Halloween-themed party for dogs — dogs are encouraged to dress up! — complete with costume contests, music, pet care vendors, and more on Saturday, Oct. 18 from 1:00p.m.-4:00p.m. Admission is free, but registration is requested.

    • 1525 Brown’s Chapel Road, Reston

• Find A Farmers Market Near You

  • If you’re looking for fresh produce, local meats and eggs, artisan vendors, and more, check out our 2025 Farmers Market Guide! We have details for nearly 20 markets across Fairfax County, from Great Falls to Lorton, Chantilly to Falls Church, and much more.

Food & Drink

Wine festivities, oysters, and more! 🍷

• Bull Run Fall Wine Fest

  • The two-day festival hosted by The Winery at Bull Run is set for Saturday, Oct. 18-Sunday, Oct. 19 from 12:00p.m.-5:00p.m. daily. Tickets: $55-$125. Ages: 21+.

    • 15950 Lee Highway, Centreville

• 6th Annual Old Town Oyster Week

  • Old Town Alexandria’s restaurant scene continues to host the 6th Annual Old Town Oyster Week through Oct. 18. Pick up an Oyster Passport to win prizes.

    • Old Town Alexandria

• Cheese & Beer Tasting in Falls Church

  • Settle Down Easy Brewing is teaming up with The Cheese Cartel for a special beer and cheese tasting. (Wine can be substituted.) Tickets: $54. The event runs Sunday, Oct. 19 from 12:00p.m.-5:00p.m.

    • 2822 Fallfax Dr., Falls Church

• The Wine Cabinet 22nd Anniversary Tasting Event

  • Taste 20+ wines from around the world during this annual favorite at the Reston wine shop on Saturday, Oct. 18 from 1:00p.m.-5:00p.m. This event is free to attend with wine available for purchase.

    • 1416 Northpoint Village Ctr., Reston

• Funk ‘N Ferments in Fairfax

  • Commonwealth Brewing Co. is hosting its first-ever Funk ‘N Ferments, “a funky fresh celebration of all things fermented, fizzy, and fabulous," on Saturday, Oct. 18 from 12:00p.m.-5:00p.m.

    • 10426 Main St., Fairfax

A message from Kids Give Back

Join Kids Give Back to prepare costumes for local children. Costumes for Kids: A Fall Volunteer Festival this Saturday, October 18 helps you celebrate fall while doing something great for our community.  Enjoy:

• Five no-sew costume-making stations

• Face painting & crafts

• Kid-focused Silent Auction

• Games and more.

$12/ticket, group discounts available.

Music, Arts, & Entertainment

Broadway in Tysons returns + “Rock” and “Chalk.” 🎶

• “Mrs. Doubtfire” Headlines Broadway in Tysons

  • The iconic movie comes to life for five shows in three days as Broadway in Tysons returns to Capital One Hall. (Showtimes and ticket info are in the link above.)

    • 7750 Capital One Tower Rd., Tysons

• Rocktoberversary at Vanguard Arts Center

  • Food trucks, live music, raffle prizes, and more fun are on tap to celebrate the Chantilly art center’s 2nd anniversary on Saturday, Oct. 18 from 12:00p.m.-5:00p.m.

    • 14155-J Sullyfield Circle, Chantilly

• ChalkFest at Reston Town Center

  • This free, family-friendly event on Sunday, Oct. 19, offers live music, face painting, and a chance for all ages to enjoy or create stunning chalk artwork. The event runs 10:00a.m.-5:00p.m.

    • 11900 Market St., Reston

• Final Weekend for Cirque du Soleil at Tysons II

  • “Luzia” comes to life Under the Big Top at Tysons II. The show runs through Saturday, Oct. 18. Tickets vary by show/time.

    • 8025 Galleria Dr., Tysons

4th Annual Potomac Music Fall Fest — Bring the whole family out to Potomac Music’s Fall Fest this weekend, October 18-19, at Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton! Enjoy hayrides, live music, food and cocktails, visit the pumpkin patch, shop dozens of local small business vendors, and catch a screening of Hocus Pocus. Admission is free!

Holiday Bazaar & Craft Fair — The holidays are coming early to Centreville! Visit the Holiday Bazaar & Craft Fair at the Centreville United Methodist Church on Saturday, November 1 to shop for handcrafted treasures made by local artisans. Enjoy homemade lunch and baked goods, a silent auction, and more. Admission is free!

Interested in featuring your upcoming event on our NEW Community Corkboard? Email us!

Families & Kids

Goblin Golf, celebrations, and more! 🎃

• McLean Community Center 50th Anniversary Celebration

  • Dance through the decades, sip a cocktail or mocktail, play trivia, and more for the center’s 50th anniversary party on Saturday, Oct. 18 from 5:00p.m.-10:00p.m. Admission is free.

    • 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean

• Fall Harvest Family Days at George Washington’s Mount Vernon

  • A family-friendly way to enjoy the fall season and learn history at the same time on Saturday, Oct. 18 and Sunday, Oct. 19 from 9:00a.m.-5:00p.m. Tickets: $15-$28, (5-under are free).

    • 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon

• Boo at the Zoo at NOVA Wild

  • A “spooktacular” night for kids, families, and animal lovers alike at NOVA Wild Zoo on Friday, Oct. 17 from 5:00p.m.-7:00p.m. Include a trunk-or-treat, pumpkin painting contest, and zoo admission. Tickets: $30.

    • 1228 Hunter Mill Rd., Vienna

• Goblin Golf at Burke Lake Park

  • Enjoy Halloween-themed mini golf — treats included — on Saturday, October 18 and Sunday, October 19 at 11:00a.m. Cost: $10.

    • 7315 Ox Rd., Fairfax Station

Sports & Recreation

Together with

This high school football season, we are teaming up with the guys at “All Hitches — The NoVA Football Podcast” to provide you with local high school football coverage!

Be sure to tune in to the All Hitches “Friday Night Spotlight” on YouTube, where they take you LIVE to games around the region for all of the local high school football action, from Reston to Fairfax to Alexandria and more.

Check out their Fairfax County Games of the Week!

• James Madison (3-3) at Centreville (4-1)

• Herndon (2-4) at Washington-Liberty (6-1)

• Westfield (4-2) at Oakton (3-3)

• Alexandria City (5-1) at Fairfax (3-3)

Home Games

• 🏒 NHL: Minnesota Wild at Washington Capitals

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

• ⚽️ NWSL: Orlando Pride at Washington Spirit

  • Saturday, Oct. 18 at 12:30p.m., Audi Field, Washington, D.C.

• 🏒 NHL: Vancouver Canucks at Washington Capitals

  • Sunday, Oct. 19 at 12:30p.m., Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.

News & Notes

• ⚽️ D.C. United and Loudoun United FC are on the road this weekend.

• 🏀 Mason Madness, the free public kickoff to GMU’s upcoming men’s and women’s basketball seasons, is Friday, Oct. 17. The fun starts at 7:00p.m. at EagleBank Arena.

Fairfax County Fun Fact of the Week

Did you know: EagleBank Arena opened 40 years ago this month! The first game at the arena was held Oct. 4, 1985 when the Washington Bullets hosted the New York Knicks during an NBA preseason game.

Before We Go, Some Good News…

Thanks to our loyal newsletter reader Lisa from Vienna for sending along this week’s Good News!

Sarah Faisal has made it her mission to care for animals, notably to help lost dogs around the Oakton and Vienna areas return home safely. Recently, Sarah successfully caught a newly adopted lost dog "Sunny Forest" in Oakton after 10 days of trying — and accidentally caught two other dogs who were captivated by the hot dogs and burgers she was grilling to lure Sunny into the tasty “trap.” The good news — all of the dogs are safe and Sunny Forest is home!

Sarah recently posted the full story online, which you can watch here!

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Thanks for reading! See you next week.