By Patricia Hall, FairfaxFamilyFun.com Feliz Navidad! Yes, it's already January, but the Christmas season is not quite over yet. As I mentioned in another post about the "12 Days of Christmas," these days begin, not end, on December 25, and the Christmas season for many doesn't wrap up until the day of the Epiphany. The Feast of the Epiphany, very simply explained, celebrates the visit of the Magi or "the Three Wise Men" to Baby Jesus. Continue Reading...
Go ahead: keep your Christmas tree up
By Patricia Hall, FairfaxFamilyFun.com Each year around this time, I hear the familiar lament from various people: the debate on when to take down the trees. After all, some say, Christmas is now over. But that is simply not true. The “12 Days of Christmas” begin, not end, on December 25. The "12 days" generally refers to the time between Christmas Day and the day of the Epiphany. But surprisingly many people, even some Christians, don’t seem Continue Reading...
Latino superstars band at Altisimo Live event to benefit farmworkers
UPDATE 5/5/20: The event now begins at 3 pm ET with a variety show, with the concerts at 7 pm. Planning on staying in this year for Cinco de Mayo? Of course. We all are! But you can still celebrate in a big way with a virtual event that brings together some of the biggest Latino stars and other celebrities from music and film to honor farmworkers. The Altísimo Live! Pop Culture and Music Festival on Tuesday, May 5, 2020, celebrates Continue Reading...
Kennedy Center REACH hosts free winter lantern display
The New Year is weeks past and so is the holiday season, with all its pretty lights displays, right? Not quite! In celebration of the upcoming Lunar New Year, the Kennedy Center is hosting an Asian Winter Lanterns exhibit that features thousands of lights that create stunning pieces of art. Best of all, the winter lanterns display is free! About The REACH In September 2019, the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, debuted The REACH, its first 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...
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: the viking festival returns! The Manassas Viking Festival, coming May 11, Continue Reading...
Experience Europe at DC’s EU Open House Day
May is a great time to travel the world without leaving home. How? Because those of us in the DC area can take advantage of great back-to-back international events! Last weekend was the “Around the World Embassy Tour,” when more than 50 embassies in Washington, DC, held a free open house on the same day. This Saturday, a similar event takes placed, focused on the countries of Europe. Saturday, May 11, is the European Union (EU) Open House Continue Reading...
See the world at embassy open house day!
By Patricia Hall, Fairfax Family Fun Living so close to the nation's capital has some distinct advantages, one of them being the ability to meet people truly from all over the world. And there is no better time to do this than during the annual "Around the World Embassy Tour" (AWET). This festival, which happens each spring, is open to the public, highly educational and fun, and completely free. AWET happens this year on Saturday, May 4, Continue Reading...
Udvar-Hazy Center celebrates 15th anniversary
One of Northern Virginia's most popular attractions is celebrating a special birthday: The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center turns 15 years old this Saturday! The annex of Smithsonian's Air & Space Museum in Chantilly opened its doors to the public on December 15, 2003. Since then, nearly 20 million people from all over the world have walked through its doors. To celebrate, the museum is hosting a day full of special talks, exhibits, and Continue Reading...
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with the Kentucky Derby!
What to do, what to do... with the Kentucky Derby falling on Cinco de Mayo, which will you celebrate? Why not both? On Saturday, May 5, 2018, the community is invited to Fairfax Corner for "Cinco de Derby" a free, fun celebration in honor of both events! The Cinco de Derby Party takes place on the Plaza (by the splash fountain in front of the movie theatre) from 5 pm to 8 pm. The event includes: Live Kentucky Derby Race viewing on a Continue Reading...