Early Fall Reminders
If you’re still looking for pumpkins for your November gatherings, don’t miss these pumpkin patches. Keep in mind that several of them close after the first weekend of November.
The ground may be starting to fill with fallen leaves, but there are still plenty of beautiful spots to enjoy the fall foliage. Check out these 9 leaf-peeping locations, these great stops along the George Washington Memorial Parkway, these pretty scenic drives, or see how you can pair some scenic backdrops with a visit to one of the area’s best attractions.
Holiday Festivities
Craft stores and department stores have been eager to display their Christmas decorations for weeks, but in Fairfax County, early November marks the start of several beloved annual holiday traditions. Here are a few to add to your calendar:
Light Shows
Brighten up your November with a visit to one of the area’s stunning light shows! Don’t miss these popular favorites that attract visitors year after year:
- DMV Winter Lantern Festival - October 31, 2024 through January 12, 2025
- Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights – November 8, 2024 through January 5, 2025
- Bull Run Regional Park’s Festival of Lights – November 15, 2024 through January 5, 2025
- Winter Glow at George Washington’s Mount Vernon - November 29, 2024 through December 23, 2024
Tree Lightings
Enjoy the dazzling lights and live entertainment at these festive tree lighting ceremonies:
- Holiday Kick-Off Celebration at Tysons - November 15, 2024
- Mosaic Holiday Tree Lighting - November 29, 2024
- Reston Town Center Tree Lighting - November 29, 2024
- Herndon Christmas Tree Lighting - December 7, 2024
- Great Falls Celebration of Lights - December 1, 2024
More locations are to be determined, so be sure to check back here and on this events calendar for updates as they become available!
Ice Skating
Lace up those skates and get moving at one of the area ice rinks. Reston’s famed ice-skating pavilion will open November 4. For indoor skating, you can also skate at Fairfax Ice Arena.
Thanksgiving Ideas
Work off some of those Thanksgiving calories (before or after the feast!) by participating in one of these fun runs, and keep an eye out for more events coming soon.
- PR Races Turkey Day 5K & 1 Mile (Reston, VA) - November 23, 2024, 5K at 8AM, 1M at 8:55AM
- Wobble After Gobble 5K/10K (Springfield, VA) - November 23, 2024 at 3:30PM
- Herndon Parks and Recreation Turkey Trot 5K (Herndon, VA) - November 23, 2024 at 4PM
- Vienna Turkey Trot (Vienna, VA) - November 24, 2024 at 8AM
- Annual Fairfax Turkey Trot (Fairfax, VA) - November 28, 2024 at 9AM
- 33rd Annual Virginia Run Turkey Trot (Centreville, VA) - November 28, 2024 at 8AM
For a full list, keep tabs on this comprehensive Turkey Trots article.
Thanksgiving Dinners To-Go & Dine-In
Many local restaurants provide fully catered Thanksgiving dinners for takeout, as well as special dine-in menus. Here are a handful of area restaurants offering some great Thanksgiving meals. For even more dining options, check out the full list of Fairfax County restaurants here to see if any of these suits your needs.
Holiday Shopping
The holiday shopping frenzy traditionally kicks off in November. Fortunately, Fairfax County offers plenty of options to help you find the perfect gift, whether you prefer to shop with the crowds or steer clear of them. Looking for something truly unique? Head to Springfield Town Center for their holiday market or shop local at these unique gift shops to find one-of-a-kind presents that’ll stand out from the bunch - a great option to support Small Business Saturday! Need other ideas? Why not gift one of these Local Authors’ Books or browse the shelves at these indie book shops or these indie record stores. Or, grab a bag of locally-roasted coffee beans at one of these coffee shops. You can also pre-order some delicious chocolate gift boxes from these Fairfax County chocolate shops.
Keep an eye out for the upcoming 2024 Made in Fairfax Gift Guide, coming soon!
Special Events
This month features a few can’t-miss special events. Here’s a rundown of what’s happening:
- Revolutionary War Day at George Mason’s Gunston Hall – November 2
- Archaeology Family Days at George Washington’s Mount Vernon – November 2-3
- 10th Annual Workhouse Glass International at Workhouse Arts Center - November 2 and running through January
- 31st Annual Northern Virginia Christmas Market at Dulles Expo Center – November 8-10
- Astronomy Festival at the Turner Farm - November 16
- DMV Chocolate and Coffee Festival at Dulles Expo Center - November 16-17
- Make Room for Turkeys at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park – November 23 and 30
For a complete calendar of special events, be sure to check out the events page.
It seems like the perfect time to pause and reflect on what we’re thankful for.