Weekender Newsletter

Friday, Nov. 17 - Sunday, Nov. 19

National Take a Hike Day

Friday, Nov. 17

Hit the trails for National Take a Hike Day. Fairfax County has more than 334 miles of local and regional trails. Use our Trail Buddy to find a hiking trail near you. 

Weekend-Long Events

Visit Farmers Markets

Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m.-noon

The last McLean Farmers Market is Friday, Nov. 17. The Burke and Reston Farmers Market will remain open through December.

Mosaic Holiday Village 

Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Visit Mosaic for a festive weekend with over 65 talented makers. Celebrate the season, support local artisans and continue your holiday shopping.

Friday, Nov. 17 Events

Nocturnal Hunters (5:30-6:30 p.m.) Join a naturalist for a night hike to learn about nocturnal animals at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park. Finish the hike with a s’mores campfire. This program will seasonally change based on the animals living in the park.

Little Bookworms (10:30-11 a.m.)

Enjoy a fun story time about a Jewish holiday or tradition presented by PJ Library at the Burke Centre Library. Everyone is welcome. Tickets will be distributed at 10 a.m. on a first come, first serve basis

QPR Suicide Prevention Training (1-2:30 p.m.)

Learn how to recognize the warning signs, how to intervene and where to refer someone who is in crisis in this free virtual training.

Campfire Fridays (5-6:30 p.m.)

Explore the wonders of our natural world through a nature walk, interactive activities and animal presentations at Lake Fairfax. Enjoy s'mores by campfire to complete the evening.

Saturday, Nov. 18 Events

Thanksgiving Family Skate and Dance Night (6-9 p.m.) Lace up your roller skates or dancing shoes and head to Franconia Rec Center for a Thanksgiving-themed night out. Bring your family and friends to this event for an early start to celebrate the holiday.

Garden Artists - Seasonal Nature Prints (10:30-11:30 a.m.)

Enjoy a walk through Green Spring Gardens and discover patterns in nature and turn them into prints you can take home and keep forever. 

Garden Talk - Gardening with Deer (10:30-11:30 a.m.)

Learn how to discourage deer visits to your garden with plants.  Extension master gardeners will share what plants deer will avoid in this talk at Green Spring Gardens.

November Crafternoon (2-3 p.m.)

Choose from a variety of woodland animal crafts and create your own creature to take home at the Martha Washington Library. Make hedgehogs, owls, birds and more.

Meet Emily Ettlinger - Debut Author and Graphic Novelist (3-5 p.m.)

Join us for a conversation with debut author, illustrator, cartoonist and product designer Emily Ettlinger at the Thomas Jefferson Library. She will read from her graphic novel, Skeleanor the Decomposer, answer questions and do an art demonstration.

Open Hire Events (10 a.m.-noon)

Neighborhood and Community Services is hosting open-hire events at the Gerry Hyland Government Center and Pennino Building. Apply and interview on the spot for different positions. Please bring copies of your resume to the event. 

Sunday, Nov. 19 Events

Community Conversation About Community Cats (1-2:30 p.m.) Curious about cats who live outside, how you can help and the most humane and effective way to address community cat populations? Attend this free workshop with expert panelists at our Animal Shelter's Lorton Campus.

Birding for Beginners (7-8:30 p.m.)

Learn about birds at Burke Lake Park. This program is for beginners and will start with a bird identification discussion.

Hike with a Naturalist (11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.)

Join our park naturalist on a hike at Lake Fairfax and explore wild plants and animals throughout the trails. Learn how to use the iNaturalist app to take pictures of things you find along the way. Smart phones, cameras and binoculars are welcome.

Plant Swap (3:30-4:30 p.m)

Are you on the lookout for a new plant to add to your home? Plant parents of all levels of expertise are welcome to trade plants and cuttings at the Chantilly Regional Library.

Santa Paws - Pet Photos (6:30-8 p.m.)

Capture the magic of the holiday season with your furry friend at Fair Oaks Mall. Your pets can meet Santa Claus and pose for adorable photos that will warm your heart all year long.

Weather and Event Status

Weather and other reasons may impact the events listed above. View the weather forecast.

Be sure to check the links for each event's status. You may also view department operating status information. 

View additional events.

To request this information in an alternate format, call 703-324-3187, TTY 711.