Hey gang, Matt here!

If you needed a sign that summer is on cruise control, football season is (almost officially) here as the Washington Commanders start training camp this week in Ashburn.

In the spirit of football season, we’re already thinking about fall and all the fun that comes with it. Keep an eye out for more details in the weeks ahead. 👀🍁🍂

Now, onto the good stuff if you’re heading Out & About this weekend. ⬇️

In this week’s newsletter:

• Flea markets + farmers markets, pups & kayaks

• Crabs, ice cream, & brews

• White Ford Bronco in Tysons, Rock the Block returns to Fairfax

• Skate nights + family fishing

• Nats on the road, Mystics host weekend games

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Cheers,
Matt

A message from us

Things To Do

Markets, nature, and events for the pups! 🙌

• Fairfax Funky Flea Set for Saturday

  • The latest Fairfax Funky Flea is set for Saturday, July 26 in the City of Fairfax. Scheduled for 9:00a.m.-3:00p.m., check out 70+ vendors in an outdoor flea market-style setting. Runs the last Saturday of every month through December.

    • 4031 University Drive, Fairfax

• D.C. Big Flea Market & Antiques Event at the Dulles Expo Center

  • Billed as the “mid-Atlantic’s largest indoor antiques and collectibles flea market,” the D.C. Big Flea Market & Antiques Event at the Dulles Expo Center offers fine antiques, vintage clothing and handbags, jewelry, and more. The event is Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27. Tickets: $10 for adults, children 12-under are free.

    • 4320 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly

• 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.

• Star Wars Trivia Night at Shipgarten

  • Put your Star Wars trivia to the test at Shipgarten in McLean on Sunday, July 27 from 6:00p.m.-8:00p.m. Admission is free.

    • 7581 Colshire Dr., McLean

• Pups in Window Plaza at Reston Town Center

  • Window Plaza turns into a pop-up dog park on Thursday, July 24, complete with pet-friendly giveaways and local vendors. The dog park is open is dogs 25 lbs. or smaller. Weather permitting. The fun runs 5:00p.m.-7:30p.m.

    • 1950 Opportunity Way, Reston

• Kayak Tour in Riverbend Park

  • Watch for the wildlife of the Potomac River (and its banks) on this unique kayak tour setting sail from Riverbend Park on Friday, July 25 starting at 6:30p.m. Kayaks are provided. Tickets: $43/person. Ages 14+.

    • 8700 Potomac Hills St., Great Falls

Food & Drink

Crabs, ice cream, brews, and (maybe) you! 🍦

• Beats, Bites, & Brews in Alexandria

  • Enjoy live music, cold beers, plenty of great food, and shop local vendors at John Carlyle Square Park in Old Town Alexandria on Saturday, July 26. Admission is free, and the event runs from 11:00a.m.-6:00p.m.

    • 300 John Carlyle St., Alexandria

• Yoga + Wine at Paradise Springs Winery

  • The team from “eat.YOGA.drink” comes to Paradise Springs Winery for a fun outdoor yoga session on Friday, July 25 from 6:30p.m.-8:00p.m. (Bring your own mat.) Tickets are $35 and include a glass of wine after class.

    • 13219 Yates Ford Rd., Clifton

• Settle Down Easy Brewing’s “All You Can Eat Crab”

  • The Falls Church brewery is hosting an “all you can eat” crab event on Saturday, July 26 from 12:00p.m.-5:00p.m. Includes corn on the cob, potatoes, live music, and more. Tickets are $55 but are limited.

    • 2822 Fallfax Dr., Falls Church

• Ice Cream + Beer Festival at Bunnyman Brewing Chantilly

  • Bunnyman Brewing’s Chantilly location will host its Ice Cream + Beer Festival on Saturday, July 26 from 11:00a.m.-7:00p.m. The event is free to attend and features two new beer releases this weekend.

    • 14140 Parke Long Ct., A-C, Chantilly

• Reports: Annandale’s “The Block” food hall is closing

  • In case you missed it, the popular Annandale food hall “The Block” is set to close by the end of August, according to multiple reports and first reported by Annandale Today.

Go Out & About Together

Music, Arts, & Entertainment

Live concerts big and small around the county this weekend! 🎶🎺

• White Ford Bronco Performs at Tysons Corner Center

  • D.C.’s famous ‘90s cover band comes to Tysons Corner Center’s PenFed Plaza on Saturday, July 26 to perform all of your favorite hits. The show is open to the public and free to attend. Showtime: 7:00p.m.-9:00p.m.

    • 1961 Chain Bridge Rd., Tysons

• Goo Goo Dolls, Trombone Shorty Shows Headline Wolf Trap

  • A fully loaded weekend at Wolf Trap includes shows by the Trombone Shorty (July 24) and Goo Goo Dolls (July 27). Shows this weekend also include the Disney ‘80s-’90s Celebration in Concert on Saturday, July 26 at 8:00p.m.

    • 1645 Trap Rd., Vienna

• Christian Lopez Band at Capital One Hall

  • The West Virginia native brings his style of Americana and folk rock to Tysons this weekend for a show on Saturday, July 26 at 8:00p.m. Tickets start at $33.25.

    • 7750 Capital One Tower Rd., Tysons

• “Rock the Block” in Fairfax

  • The City of Fairfax hosts “Rock the Block” on Friday, July 25 as Ocho de Bastos brings Latin sounds to the stage. The show is free and starts at 6:30p.m.

    • 10415 North St., Fairfax

• Reston Concerts on the Town

  • The Pat McGee Band headlines this week’s free show at Reston Town Center Pavilion on Saturday, July 26. Showtime: 7:30p.m.

    • 11900 Market St., Reston

• Summer Music Passport Festival in Falls Church

  • Creative Cauldron continues its Summer Music Passport Festival this Friday, July 25 when Sahel takes the stage to perform music inspired by African culture and more. Showtime: 7:30p.m. Valeria Stewart & Friends perform on Saturday, July 26. Showtime: 7:30p.m.

    • 127 E. Broad St., Falls Church

• Shrek the Musical in McLean

  • The 2000s classic comes to life at McLean’s Alden Theatre for shows Friday, July 25-Sunday, July 27. Tickets range from $18-$25.

    • 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean

Families & Kids

Fun for families and kiddos all around the area! 🚗

• Family Skate Night — Christmas in July

  • The Franconia Rec Center is hosting its latest Family Skate Night, this time with a Christmas theme! The fun starts Saturday, July 26 at 6:00p.m. Cost: $10/person.

    • 6601 Telegraph Rd., Alexandria

• Science & History in Great Falls

  • Bubbles bring science to life and learn about the history of the mill in the process on Saturday, July 26 at 10:00a.m. at Colvin Run Mill in Great Falls. For kiddos ages 6-10. Cost: $12.

    • 10017 Colvin Run Rd., Great Falls

• Family Fishing at Burke Lake Park

  • Join a naturalist and learn the basics of fishing and enjoy a morning on the lake for this family event. Ages 5+, but participants ages 16+ must have a valid Virginia fishing license. The event runs Sunday, July 27 at 7:30a.m. in Burke Lake Park. Cost: $12.

    • 7315 Ox Rd., Fairfax Station

• Make Your Own Ice Cream at Dairy Days in Chantilly

  • Head over to the Sully Historic Site for a hands-on, interactive event for kids and parents where you will learn how to make your own ice cream, hand-crank butter, and more on Sunday, July 27 at 2:00p.m.

    • 3650 Historic Sully Way, Chantilly

• Kids Give Back Summer Volunteer Camp

  • The Vienna non-profit Kids Give Back is hosting its Summer Volunteer Camp starting next week, July 28 at Oakton United Methodist Church. Registration details and more can be found in the link above.

Sports & Recreation

Each weekend, we run down the schedule for our local pro and college sports teams if you want to check out the big game.

News & Notes

• ⚾️ The Washington Nationals are on the road this weekend at Minnesota to face the Twins.

•  ⚽️ Loudoun United FC is on the road at North Carolina FC on Saturday.

• 🏈 The Washington Commanders start training camp in Ashburn this week.

Home Games

• ⚽️ MLS: Austin FC at D.C. United

  • Saturday, July 26 at 7:30p.m., Audi Field, Washington, D.C.

• 🏀 WNBA: Seattle Storm at Washington Mystics

  • Saturday, July 26 at 7:30p.m., CareFirst Arena, Washington, D.C.

• 🏀 WNBA: Phoenix Mercury at Washington Mystics

  • Saturday, July 27 at 6:00p.m., CareFirst Arena, Washington, D.C.

Fairfax County Fun Fact of the Week

Did you know: The 703 area code was created as one of the eighty-six original North American area codes in October 1947, and originally served the entire Commonwealth of Virginia. (The 571 area code wasn’t established until 2000.)

Before We Go, Some Good News…

Cheers to Caboose Brewing Co.! The Vienna-based brewery’s “Vienna, VA Lager” won Gold at the U.S. Open Beer Competition. This is the SECOND straight year they won the award.

Congratulations! 🎉

Know about some good news in the community? Send it our way for this section.

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Thanks for reading! See you next week.

Matt Knoedler
Publisher, Out & About Fairfax