Celebrations of the new year aren't over when the January 1st has come and gone. For some people around the world, the traditional new year won't happen for another few weeks: Lunar New Year (sometimes called Chinese New Year) is coming up soon! This year (4717 in the Chinese lunar calendar) is the “Year of the Pig” (or sometimes called The Year of the Boar) and it begins on February 5, 2019. With a sizable Asian population in the Northern Continue Reading...
Family-friendly Oktoberfest events in Northern Virginia
By Patricia Hall, FairfaxFamilyFun.com Prost! Autumn is here and with it come many Oktoberfest celebrations! Many (or probably most) such events in Northern Virginia, as elsewhere, tend to be oriented toward adults, of course. However, we have some celebrations in our area that are kid-friendly! At these festivals, adults can enjoy a beer garden, and everyone can delight in traditional German foods, German singing and dancing, and loads of Continue Reading...
Virginia Indian Festival honors Native American culture
By Patricia Hall, FairfaxFamilyFun.com September will soon be here, and while many are thinking of back-to-school time, this month also means the return of the The Virginia Indian Festival, which this year takes place on Saturday, September 8, 2018. This Native American festival that Fairfax County Park Authority hosts is one of our favorite events and one that each year we try not to miss. Our son loves Native American culture and we all get Continue Reading...
A tasty annual tradition: the Middle Eastern Food Festival
By Patricia Hall, Fairfax Family Fun Great food, music and dancing, tours of a beautiful church, fun for kids, and more baklava than you might ever see assembled in one place. If all that sounds good to you, plan to attend the Middle Eastern Food Festival taking place at Holy Transfiguration Melkite Greek Catholic Church Saturday and Sunday, September 1-2, 2018. The annual event in McLean is two full days of fun for all ages. The main Continue Reading...
Vikings to descend upon Manassas!
By Patricia Hall, Fairfax Family Fun When you live in an area as rich in history as Northern Virginia is, you have ample opportunities to relive moments of days gone past. NOVA (and areas nearby) is home to several Civil War and Revolutionary reenactments, as well as many other living history events throughout the year. Now you can add a different one to the list: a viking festival! The Manassas Viking Festival, coming May 12, 2018, is a Continue Reading...
ETAP kicks Christmas into high gear with new musical
By Patricia Hall, Fairfax Family Fun UPDATE 12/13: We are giving away four tickets to one family to see this great show this weekend! See details at the end of this post! Every holiday season Northern Virginia families are treated to some great entertainment right here at home, by local students: it's time for the annual Christmas show by Encore Theatrical Arts Productions (ETAP)! For more than 20 years, ETAP has produced Continue Reading...
Disney on Ice outdoes itself with ‘Dare to Dream’
By Mariana Azuero for Fairfax Family Fun Disney. It’s a name that everyone knows, a name that puts a smile on your face and that is always attached to happy memories. Last Friday, I had the amazing opportunity to take my daughters (ages 4 and 6) to Disney on Ice presents Dare to Dream, and once again, Disney did not disappoint. (Note: the next shows are October 6-8, 2017.) The show starts off with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy Continue Reading...
Encore Theatrical Arts Project presents ‘That’s Life’
A true gem in the Northern Virginia, Encore Theatrical Arts Project (ETAP) produces high-caliber musicals featuring talented youth from the community. Each Christmas season and each spring, dozens of young dancers and actors from elementary through high school tap, spin, and dance their way into our hearts. This weekend, the group presents its 21st original Broadway-style spring musical, THAT’S LIFE. The song and dance musical is about Continue Reading...
Kennedy Center Open House celebrates JFK’s 100th birthday
By Patricia Hall, Fairfax Family Fun This coming Memorial Day Monday, May 29, President John F. Kennedy would have turned 100 years old. To celebrate him, his namesake concert venue is opening its doors to the community for a completely free and full day of fun. The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, is hosting an open house this Saturday, May 27, with a wide variety of performances inside and out. The event will feature live music, art, Continue Reading...
Unwrap Christmas fun at ETAP Christmas Undercover show
By Patricia Hall, Fairfax Family Fun Another year, another great Christmas show by Encore Theatrical Arts Productions (ETAP): this past weekend we had a chance to see the latest production by this local group, and as always, the show did NOT disappoint! For 21 years now, ETAP has produced Broadway-style, high-energy shows that are so well done you almost forget this is a volunteer group starring mostly local students. These all-ages Continue Reading...
