events | FFXnow

Published February 10, 2026 at 3:45PM

Gianandrea Noseda conducts the National Symphony Orchestra (courtesy of Wolf Trap)

For anyone seeking a welcome reminder that this winter will eventually end, no matter what the snow still piled up on local sidewalks and parking lots suggests, look no further than Wolf Trap’s newly released summer schedule.

In honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary, a special series celebrating the eclectic music woven into the U.S.’s “rich cultural tapestry” will take center stage at the Filene Center throughout the season, the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts announced today (Tuesday).

News

Kingstowne library to close Sunday ahead of new branch arriving this spring

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 9, 2026 at 11:45AM

Future Franconia Governmental Center and Kingstowne Regional Library site under construction at 6121 Franconia Road in October 2024 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The coming weekend will bring Valentine’s Day, President’s Day and, for Kingstowne residents, the closure of their longtime community library.

Fortunately, patrons won’t have to wait too long for a new place to check out books: after the existing Kingstowne Library closes this Sunday (Feb. 15), a regional branch that has been under construction since 2023 will open at 7130 Silver Lake Blvd early this spring.

Around Town

Fairfax City’s chocolate festival returns with venue change, new charity run

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 4, 2026 at 11:45AM

A sign for Fairfax City's Chocolate Lovers Festival hangs over a banister at Old Town Hall (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax City’s annual Chocolate Lovers Festival is returning for its 34th year later this week, assuming the weather is more cooperative than it was for the McLean Chocolate Festival.

Kicking off with a free concert on Friday (Feb. 6) and continuing through Sunday (Feb. 8), the festival will feature a variety of tasting opportunities, culinary crafts, entertainment and — in a new addition for this year — a 1-mile run for charity.

Around Town

Vienna Inn marks 66th anniversary with specials, events for diners

By Emily Leayman

Published February 3, 2026 at 3:45PM

Vienna Inn during Winter Storm Fern (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Vienna Inn will celebrate its lasting power in town by commemorating its 66th anniversary in February.

The restaurant’s 66th anniversary celebration begins this week with a month-long series of events and specials to thank customers for over six decades of support.

Around Town

Dance company that canceled Kennedy Center visit to offer free show at GMU

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 3, 2026 at 1:45PM

Doug Varone and Dancers will perform at George Mason University's Center for the Arts on April 25, 2026 (photo by John Landry)

A New York dance company that recently nixed scheduled appearances at the Kennedy Center is coming to George Mason University’s Center for the Arts instead.

Doug Varone and Dancers will visit the Fairfax performing arts venue (4373 Mason Pond Drive) on Saturday, April 25 for a free show in the concert hall, the Center for the Arts announced today.

News

Cathy Hudgins Community Center reopens in Reston after months-long renovation

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 30, 2026 at 1:45PM

The Cathy Hudgins Community Center at Southgate in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

After waiting through five months and one blizzard, the Cathy Hudgins Community Center at Southgate is back in action.

The Reston-based community center (12125 Pinecrest Road) will celebrate its reopening following an extended renovation with a party at 1-4 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday).

Around Town

Photos: Reston families revel in ‘Ice-travaganza’ before storm

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 27, 2026 at 8:30AM

An ice sculpture near Reston Town Center's ice skating rink at Ice-travaganza (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Despite cold temperatures and a looming storm, plenty of families stopped by the Reston Town Center pavilion on Saturday (Jan. 24) to enjoy a variety of winter activities.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the town center’s second annual “Ice-travaganza” brought live music, free hot chocolate, ice skating and ice sculptures that were soon buried under as many as eight inches of snow by Winter Storm Fern, which passed through the area a day later.

News

McLean Chocolate Festival postponed as region braces for winter storm

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 22, 2026 at 9:15AM

A sign marks a snow emergency route prioritized for plowing in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The McLean Chocolate Festival has been postponed, and other events across Fairfax County are likely to follow, as a potentially major snow storm bears down on the D.C. region.

Originally set for this Sunday (Jan. 25), the McLean Chocolate Festival will instead return for its 14th year on Sunday, March 15, the Rotary Club of McLean announced yesterday. It will be held at the McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Avenue) from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Around Town

Capitals invite Reston Town Center to ‘Rock the Rink’ skate and watch party

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 8, 2026 at 3:45PM

Ice skaters enjoy the rink at Reston Town Center's pavilion (courtesy Reston Town Center)

When the Washington Capitals take on the Chicago Blackhawks tomorrow (Friday), local fans will be able to take in the action while hitting the ice themselves at Reston Town Center.

For the first time, D.C.’s NHL team is bringing a “Rock the Rink” skate and watch party to the town center’s ice skating pavilion (1818 Discovery Street), inviting community members to enjoy a variety of activities before cheering on the boys in red.

Around Town

Artists pay tribute to Lake Anne Plaza in exhibit opening Thursday

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 7, 2026 at 2:45PM

Rosemarie Forsythe's painting of Reston's Used Book Shop is among the works included in the new exhibit Art of Lake Anne (courtesy Reston Art Gallery and Studios)

With its first exhibit of the new year, Reston Art Gallery and Studios is turning its attention to a subject close to home: Lake Anne Plaza.

The gallery at 11400 Washington Plaza West, Suite B, will unveil the new exhibition “Art of Lake Anne” tomorrow (Thursday), showcasing interpretations of Reston’s original village center from nine different local artists.