Thanksgiving week has arrived, and for many local businesses, that means a critical holiday shopping season will soon be in full swing.
Small Business Saturday sales are expected to deliver nearly 20% of the annual revenue, on average, for small businesses this year, according to a study by American Express, which created the occasion in 2010.
A familiar face at farmers’ markets across Fairfax County has now set up a permanent shop in Reston.
Empanadas de Mendoza is currently in soft opening mode at North Point Village Center, but the doors of its second storefront will officially open on Dec. 6, co-owner Gabi Steelman told FFXnow.
Don’t just visit the Chesapeake Bay
Explore, unwind, and create memories on the water.
Imagine a Saturday morning on the water. Coffee on the dock as Annapolis wakes up. Cruising by historic waterfronts. Anchoring in a quiet cove with friends and family. Enjoying dinner at a waterfront restaurant before heading back as the sun sets over the harbor.
That’s the Chesapeake lifestyle.
With miles of shoreline, charming waterfront towns, protected waters, and endless places to discover, the Bay offers a unique combination of adventure and accessibility. It feels like a getaway, but it’s closer than you think.
Every fall, the Annapolis Powerboat Show brings that lifestyle to downtown Annapolis.
From October 8–11, City Dock transforms into a waterfront experience where visitors can step aboard hundreds of boats, explore the latest innovations, meet boating experts, and discover what life on the water could look like.
You don’t have to own a boat to enjoy the show. You just have to be curious.
Find Your Place on the Water
The Annapolis Powerboat Show is your chance to explore the many ways to enjoy the Chesapeake.
Looking for a way to spend weekends with family and friends? Explore spacious pontoon boats and deck boats built for relaxing, entertaining, and making memories on the water. Interested in adventure? Discover center consoles designed for exploring, fishing, and cruising the Bay’s many destinations. Dreaming about longer escapes? Step aboard cruisers and yachts built for comfortable weekends and extended adventures.
Every boat offers a different way to experience the water. The show gives you the opportunity to see them all in one place, compare options, ask questions, and imagine what your own Chesapeake adventures might look like.
More Than a Boat Show
The Annapolis Powerboat Show is about more than boats. It’s about the people, places, and experiences that make life on the water special.
Spend the day exploring the docks, then continue your Annapolis adventure beyond the show grounds. Enjoy waterfront dining, browse local shops, stroll historic streets, and take in views of one of the most beautiful harbors on the Chesapeake. Meet passionate boaters, connect with marine experts, discover new products and innovations, and experience the energy of Annapolis’s signature fall events.
From first-time visitors to longtime boating enthusiasts, there is something new on every dock.
Discover How Easy It Is to Get Started
Not a boater yet, and not sure where to begin? The Annapolis Powerboat Show makes the first step easier by giving you the chance to learn, ask questions, and experience life on the water firsthand.
Explore educational opportunities designed for every level of interest. Attend free seminars led by boating experts, learn more about navigation and safety, and discover resources that will help you feel comfortable on the water.
Visitors may also experience boats in action at the PropTalk Demo Dock, where select models are available for on-water sea trials. For those looking to build their skills, BoatUS on-water training offers hands-on instruction to help new boaters gain confidence at the helm.
The Annapolis Powerboat Show is more than a place to see boats. It’s a place to explore the boating lifestyle.
Your Next Adventure Is Waiting
The Chesapeake Bay offers endless ways to make the water part of your life.
A quiet morning cruise. A waterfront lunch. An afternoon anchored with friends. A new hobby waiting to be discovered. The Annapolis Powerboat Show brings those possibilities together in one unforgettable weekend.
Come curious. Walk the docks. Step aboard. Experience the boating lifestyle for yourself.
The president and CEO of Visit Fairfax believes an expected increase of $6.5 million a year in funding for promoting local tourism can be leveraged to create more than $1 billion annually in new economic activity countywide.
The tourism sector’s impact on the county economy “will get to $5 billion a year,” potentially within the next “three to five years,” Barry Biggar predicted at the Board of Supervisors’ Economic Initiatives Committee yesterday (Tuesday).
There’s something a little bit magical about picking up a foil for the first time — or drawing back a bow and watching your arrow fly true. It’s why fencing and archery have such a hold on kids and adults alike: real focus, real skill, and a thrill you don’t get from the usual sports lineup.
This fall, Nova Fencing & Archery Club in Bailey’s Crossroads is opening registration for both, with beginner classes for every age starting the week of September 12th. Fencing welcomes ages 7 to 12 and teens and adults 13 and up. Explore Archery, coached by USA Archery certified instructors, welcomes ages 8 to 12 and meets Tuesdays or Saturdays. And for our youngest fencers, ages 4 to 6, ABC’s of Fencing meets on Saturdays. All classes run eight sessions for $195, equipment provided, no experience needed — yes, even for grown-ups who’ve never held a sword or a bow before.
Like some businesses, local government offices and many services are set to close for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Administrative offices for Fairfax County as well as smaller jurisdictions like Vienna, Herndon and Fairfax City will all be closed on both Thursday and Friday (Nov. 27-28). However, some services will still be available or follow modified schedules.
Music. Art. Food. Community. The Takoma Park Folk Festival brings it all together for one free, unforgettable day. Discover six stages of live music from around the world, shop an acclaimed juried craft show, enjoy international cuisine, connect with local community organizations, and let the kids explore crafts and activities in the Children's Nook. It's one of the region's most beloved traditions, and a celebration of the creativity, diversity, and welcoming spirit that has long defined Takoma Park.
New this year! Jam at the Crossroads is a place for musicians of all levels to come together and be part of the music.
A 60-year-old man from Hybla Valley is being held without bond after being arrested for allegedly robbing a jewelry store in Arlington on Monday (Nov. 24).
The man was arrested Monday night (Nov. 24) in Fairfax County, just hours after the reported robbery in the 2700 block of Washington Blvd.
Having seen a major drop in opioid overdoses among teens, some Fairfax County supervisors want to focus prevention efforts on young adults.
The 18-to-24 and 25-to-34 age groups appear to be where services need to be intensified, Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said during a Nov. 25 briefing on the county’s opioid services.
Patriot Pawsabilities, a cat lounge at University Mall in Fairfax, recently celebrated its 1,000th adoption since opening in March 2019.
Owner Monique Ryan said she didn’t have a specific target in mind when she first opened the cat cafe in 2019, but it was a welcome milestone.
FCPS Serves Thanksgiving Meals — “On Monday, FCPS Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) and Educate Fairfax hosted the first FCPS Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Herndon High School. FNS staff served more than 150 Thanksgiving-inspired meals in one hour, welcoming all students and their families from the community to participate. Close to 100 meals were also served at Justice High School.” [Fairfax County Public Schools]
GMU Professor Reportedly Fired for Drinking — “News4 has learned an adjunct faculty member at George Mason University (GMU) has been fired after multiple sources say they openly drank alcohol with their undergraduate students in class last week. The University confirms it has launched an internal investigation along with a police investigation into the allegations.” [NBC4]
Youngkin Reviews Tax Forecasts — “Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin said a group of corporate executives that advise him on how much tax revenue Virginia’s economy can expect are ‘cautiously optimistic’ about the coming budget cycle.” The report stood in contrast to warnings to the House and Senate appropriations committees that the state might “need to dip into a one-time surplus to cover projected expenses.” [VPM News]
Dems Propose Energy Efficiency Bills — “In recent days, House Democrats released some of their priority bills – two of which zoom in on energy efficiency in homes.” One would establish a task force to review the accessibility of weatherization and efficiency programs offered by power utilities to low-income customers, while the other would require utilities to implement upgrades, potentially reducing heating costs. [Virginia Mercury]
Local Woman Doubts Russia Will Agree to Peace Deal — “Reports of a potential peace deal aimed at ending the nearly four-year war in Ukraine are generating guarded hope among those with loved ones caught in the conflict, including a Fairfax County woman who says she wants to believe progress is finally being made but fears it may not hold.” [WUSA9]
Tysons Korean BBQ Spot Expands — “Now, one of the region’s very best tabletop grill restaurants, Ingle Korean Steakhouse, has expanded from Tysons to 14th Street. Since opening in 2022, Ingle Korean Steak has become a standout on the Korean barbecue scene for its higher-end vibe.” [Washingtonian]
FCPD Increases Patrols for Holidays — “With the holiday season in full swing, Fairfax County Police are stepping up patrols and encouraging residents to take steps to safeguard their homes.” During a patrol on Monday (Nov. 24), “officers from the McLean District worked alongside members of the Tysons Urban Team, passing out fliers and deploying both on bikes and on foot through neighborhoods.” [WUSA9]
Vienna Restaurant Hosts Thanksgiving Dinner — “The Virginian, in conjunction with Vienna Business Association and One Neighborhood Foundation, is hosting a Thanksgiving Dinner for people in our community who are food insecure, homeless, furloughed, or alone for the holidays.” Meals will be available tomorrow (Thursday) from 1-5 p.m., or while supplies last. Donations can be dropped off at the restaurant or sent to One Neighborhood’s Venmo account. [Vienna Business Association]
It’s Wednesday — Patchy fog will gradually give way to sunny skies, with a high near 70. There’s a 30% chance of precipitation. Night will be partly cloudy and breezy, with a low of 38 and winds gusting up to 39 mph. Thanksgiving Day will be partly sunny with a high of 44. [NWS]
Good Tuesday evening, Fairfax County. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — Nov 25, 2025.
Here is what’s going on Wednesday throughout the county, from our event calendar.
Expect scattered showers before 7am, followed by gradual clearing and a high of around 70°F. Winds will be southwest at 9 to 11 mph, gusting up to 21 mph, with a 30% chance of precipitation. Wednesday night will be partly cloudy with lows near 37°F, featuring breezy west winds at 10 to 20 mph, gusting up to 39 mph. On Thanksgiving Day, anticipate partly sunny conditions, a high near 44°F, and west winds at 10 to 15 mph gusting up to 29 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.
Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.
For many young families and seniors, everyday expenses continue to add up. Two locally owned Great Clips salons are helping make one routine expense a little easier.
Every Tuesday, seniors age 65+ and children age 10 and under can receive a haircut for just $17.99 at locally owned Great Clips locations in Fairfax City and Reston.
