Hey everyone, Matt here! I hope everyone is having a great Christmas and holiday season. As I was preparing this edition, I came across this story from WJLA-TV (ABC 7) about a Herndon family who is certainly in the Christmas spirit. The lights and decorations are amazing. Take a look at the House of Peppermint the Elf!

Homes across the area are looking very festive — my fiancé snapped the photo below while we were Out & About checking out the Christmas lights last weekend.

Looking ahead to New Year’s festivities, I’ll highlight New Year’s parties and events happening across Fairfax County throughout this edition. (Some are listed in “Things To Do” while others are in “Food & Drink",” so scan each section for your favorite event!) Parents, interested in ringing in the new year with your little ones but can’t wait until midnight? We have you covered, as well.

In this week’s newsletter:

• New Year’s Eve parties & events across Fairfax County

• Cedric The Entertainer headlines “New Year’s Comedy Jam” in Fairfax

• Families can ring in the new year — before midnight

• Breweries ring in 2025 + Korean food tour

• Commanders host Sunday Night Football, Wizards host two at home

Let’s dive in!

Cheers,
Matt

A message from us

Things To Do

This week’s “Things To Do” highlights some of the big New Year’s Eve events happening throughout Fairfax County. Let’s ring in 2025 in style! 🔔

• New Year’s Eve Midnight Masquerade

  • A mix of mystery and glamour collide for an elegant way to ring in the new year at the Ritz-Carlton in Tysons. Live entertainment, dinner, and endless possibilities await. The event runs New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31 from 9:00p.m.-1:00p.m. Tickets are $230 for adults and includes two beverage tickets; and children ages 4-12 are $59, and children 3 and under are free. Reservations are required.

    • 1700 Tysons Blvd., McLean

• New Year’s Eve 2025 Gala

  • Dinner, live performances, and an all-star DJ lineup rings in the new year at the Hilton Washington Dulles Airport Hotel on New Year’s Eve in Herndon. PerGens events hosts their annual Persian New Year’s Eve Gala with three ticket package options, ranging from $100-$250. Children are permitted at the event, which runs from 8:00p.m.-2:00a.m.

    • 13869 Park Center Rd., Herndon

• New Year’s at Makers Union

  • Looking for less of a party and more of a night out? A three-course dinner rings in the new year at Makers Union in Reston. Each main course comes complete with tasty appetizers and delectable desserts. $49 per person with an optional champagne upgrade for $20.

    • 1811 Library St., Reston

• The Legwarmers: New Year’s Eve Dance Party

  • The DMV’s premier 80s tribute band closes out 2024 and rings in 2025 at The State Theatre in Falls Church. A great night for big hair, big music, and digging out those, yes, legwarmers. Tickets are $50 and the event starts at 9:30p.m., doors open at 8:00p.m.

    • 220 N. Washington St., Falls Church

• Y2K New Year’s Eve Countdown

  • Party like it’s 1999… or 2000… or 2025 at The St. James Sports, Wellness, and Entertainment Complex in Springfield. This Y2K-style celebration will bring the sounds of Britney and NSYNC, and bring back drinks from the era, including the 90s and 2000s favorite, the Cosmopolitan. Tickets start at $45 and are limited for this Dec. 31 event, which runs from 8:00p.m.-1:30a.m.

    • 6805 Industrial Rd., Springfield

• Looking to see Christmas and holiday light displays around Fairfax County? Check out a recent edition of the newsletter for some of the events happening throughout the holiday season. 🎄

Live Music & Arts

It’s a holiday weekend, but there are still several great shows throughout the area this weekend. Need a laugh? Check out our first event below! 🎤

• New Year’s Comedy Jam

  • The New Year’s Comedy Jam brings laughs to EagleBank Arena on Friday, December 27. The lineup includes several household names including Cedric the Entertainer, DL Hughley, Deon Cole, Earthquake, and Michael Blackson. Show starts at 8:00p.m. Tickets start at $59.

    • 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax

• 10th Annual Workhouse Glass International

  • Dozens of artists from around the United States will have their glass art on display at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton 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

• Virginia Ballet Company’s “The Nutcracker” in Annandale

  • The Virginia Ballet Company’s 60th annual performance of “The Nutcracker” comes to Northern Virginia Community College’s Annandale campus for four performances this weekend. Tchaikovsky’s classic takes centerstage with two shows each day, Saturday Dec. 28 and Sunday, Dec. 29 with shows at 2:00p.m. and 7:00p.m. each day. Tickets start at $25.

    • 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale

Go Out & About Together

Food & Drink

Some of our local breweries are hosting fun New Year’s parties, and a big Korean food tour in Annandale will highlight some of the county’s top cuisine. Let’s take a look! 👀

• G34.3 Brewing Company’s New Year’s Eve Party

  • The space-themed brewery in Lorton is holding its out-of-this-world New Year’s Eve Party from 6:00p.m.-1:00a.m. on Dec. 31. Take 3 will be playing live music throughout the evening. The party is complete with a midnight toast to ring in 2025. No cover for this event — just cold beer, live music, and good times!

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

• Starr Hill’s “Decades Theme” New Year’s Eve Party

  • Live bands and DJs guide you through a New Year’s Eve of music from the 70s to today at Starr Hill Tysons. Tickets are $75 per person and include two drink tickets, hors d’oeuvres, a champagne toast at midnight, and more. The party runs from 9:00p.m.-1:30a.m.

    • 1610 Capital One Dr., McLean

• 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 for the final time in 2024 on Saturday, Dec. 28 . 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.

    • 3950 Wheeler Ave., Alexandria

• Friday Night Flights at The Winery at Bull Run

  • Sparkling wines highlight this month’s Friday Night Flights at The Winery at Bull Run. Tickets are $55 and include a curated six-wine flight complete with small bites and a “tasting passport” for your adventurous palate. The 21+ event runs Friday, Dec. 27 from 7:00p.m.-8:30p.m.

    • 15950 Route 29, Centreville

• Virginialicious: Korean Food Tour

  • A tastebud explosion in Annandale on Saturday, Dec. 28! This exciting and engaging event features food tastings at four-to-six local restaurants showcasing Korean cuisine in one of the largest Korean American communities in the country. A portion of all food tour proceeds will benefit Food for Others, a non-profit food bank assisting Northern Virginia families. Tickets are $75, and the event runs from 2:00p.m.-5:00p.m.

    • The exact meeting point will be sent with your ticket confirmation, Annandale

Families & Kids

Not all of us are cut out to stay up until midnight to ring in the new year — I’ve outlined a fun daytime option. Plus, a chance to check out the U.S. Army in-person. Check out these family-friendly events on New Year’s Eve and throughout the weekend. 🎲

• Ring in the New Year’s Early at Dave & Buster’s

  • This family-friendly way to ring in the new year is sure to treat Mom and Dad AND the little ones — and do so before midnight. The event runs Dec. 31 from 4:00p.m.-7:00p.m. at the Fairfax Dave & Buster’s location. The $41 ticket includes a $20 Power Card along with unlimited video game play, signature D&B foods, and unlimited soft drinks.

    • 11958 U Fair Oaks Shopping Center, Fairfax

• Family Activity Day at National Museum of the U.S. Army

  • The month-long Family Activity Day wraps up this weekend at the National Museum of the U.S. Army in Fort Belvoir. Kids ages 4-8 are welcome to create crafts and learn more about the Army in a family-friendly setting. This runs Saturday, Dec. 28 and Sunday, Dec. 29 from 9:00a.m.-12:00p.m. each day. Admission to the event is free with the purchase of a general admission ticket.

    • 1775 Liberty Dr., Fort Belvoir

• Shipgarten’s Kids & Families Festival

  • Family-friendly fun this weekend at Shipgarten’s Tysons restaurant when Paw Patrol and a Taylor Swift impersonator highlight their Kids & Families Festival. Live music, face-painting, moonbounces, arts and crafts, and much more will be on-hand. The event runs Sunday, Dec. 29 from 12:00p.m.-6:00p.m.

    • 7581 Colshire Dr., McLean

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.

• 🏀 NBA: Charlotte Hornets at Washington Wizards

  • Thursday, Dec. 26 at 7:00p.m., Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.

• 🏀 NCAAM: Mt. St. Mary’s at George Mason

  • Saturday, Dec. 28 at 2:00p.m., EagleBank Arena, Fairfax

• 🏀 NBA: New York Knicks at Washington Wizards

  • Saturday, Dec. 28 at 7:00p.m., Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.

• 🏈 NFL: Atlanta Falcons at Washington Commanders

  • Sunday, Dec. 29 at 8:20p.m., Northwest Stadium, Landover, Md.

Fairfax County Fun Fact of the Week

Did you know: Washington Dulles International Airport has land in both Fairfax and Loudoun counties, and is named after former U.S. Secretary of State, John Foster Dulles.

We Want to Hear from You!

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Thanks for reading! I look forward to sharing more fun news and events with you in 2025. See you next week.

Matt Knoedler
Publisher, Out & About Fairfax