holiday

Shirlington kicks off holiday season with tree lighting event next week

By James Jarvis

Shirlington will once again be illuminated for the holidays, starting next week.

The Village at Shirlington is set to host its annual “Light Up the Village” event on Thursday, Nov. 30, from 6-8:30 p.m.

The 20+ year annual yuletide celebration offers a variety of family-friendly activities, including horse-drawn carriage rides, face painting, balloon twisting, photo opportunities with Santa, a tree-lighting ceremony and musical performances by Signature Theatre and Bishop O’Connell High School.

Attendees can also enter a raffle to win a $150 gift card, usable at any business in Shirlington Village.

The event lineup up:

  • 6 p.m. — Holiday musical performance by Signature Theatre
  • 6:30 p.m. — Tree lighting celebration
  • 6:40 p.m. — Horse and carriage rides
  • 6:45 p.m. — Photos with Santa 

The event is free to attend, but guests are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items to the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC).

The neighborhood’s “sip and stroll” feature, introduced in 2020, allows attendees to wander the Village grounds with alcoholic beverages.

Santa photos begin right after the tree lighting in front of Hardwood Artisans on Campbell Avenue, wrapping up at 8:30 p.m.

Ballston Quarter to host charitable vending machines this holiday season

By James Jarvis
Giving Machines in Kensington, Maryland (courtesy of Daniel Laender)

Ballston Quarter is introducing some new vending machines with a benevolent twist.

From the Friday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 24 through New Year’s Day, visitors to the mall at 4238 Wilson Blvd can find what are called “#LighttheWorld Giving Machines,” near the Macy’s.

Unlike typical vending machines, these are designed to dispense aid to charity.

Customers select a charity, add the donation to a virtual cart, and then complete the transaction using a debit or credit card. In lieu of snacks or drinks, a card symbolizing the donation falls into a collection bin.

Launched in 2017 by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Giving Machines “have raised more than $22 million in donations for local and global charities,” according to a press release.

This year, patrons can choose to donate to one of several local or global charities, including American Red Cross, CARE, EcoAction Arlington, Volunteers of America, Willing Warriors and the Young Doctors Project.

With 52 locations across the globe, this is the second time the machines have been located in the D.C. area, per the release. Last year, the D.C. area machines were located in Kensington, Maryland.

Diwali festival to light up Crystal City Water Park tomorrow

By James Jarvis
1/2

The Water Park in Crystal City will be illuminated tomorrow evening in celebration of the annual Hindu festival, Diwali.

On Friday, from 6-9 p.m., the park will transform into a luminous display of floating lanterns and sparklers, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness in the Hindu religion.

The evening’s activities include a dance performance by Bethesda-based Kalanidhi Dance and music from a live DJ.

One of the food kiosks at the water park, DC Dosa, which specializes in South Indian street food, will serve a special Diwali treat: gajar halwa, a warm carrot pudding infused with almonds, raisins and cardamom.

The water park at 1601 Crystal Drive reopened last month after a 3-year renovation. The 1.6-acre outdoor food hall and park has 11 different food vendors as well as a bar and performance stage.

Photo (1) via Wilson Matthew/Unsplash

Park next to HQ2 to transform into winter wonderland and holiday market next month

By James Jarvis
1/8

It’s time to dig out those ugly Christmas sweaters and get into the holiday spirit.

The National Landing Business Improvement District is planning a ski-themed holiday festival — dubbed “The Lodge” — at Metropolitan Park in Pentagon City, according to a press release.

It’s happening the first weekend in December — Friday, Dec. 1 through Sunday, Dec. 3 — at the park (1400 S. Eads Street) next to Amazon’s HQ2.

“Guests can savor peppermint mochas and holiday-themed bites from local restaurants, shop for holiday gifts from local artists and adults can stop by Summit Bar for Aprés Ski,” a press release from the BID says.

There are three distinct activity zones named after different ski slope ratings, catering to families, pets and adults.

For the kiddos, “Bunny Hill” offers face painting, photos with Santa, train rides and crafts.

Dog owners can visit the “Blue Run” section, which will have a dog bone bar and pet caricatures. Additionally, there is a holiday market and a pop-up Christmas tree farm. For those needing last-minute holiday cards, a photo booth is also available.

Adults in the mood for some grown-up fun can swing by the DC Fray Summit Bar in the “Black Diamond” section, sporting an ugly sweater, for an après ski spiked hot chocolate or mulled wine. The adults can also try their hand at axe throwing.

The park is accessible on foot or by bike and is a 10-minute walk from the Crystal City Metro Station. For those driving, parking is available along Crystal Drive, according to the release.

The hours of the festival are as follows.

  • Friday, Dec. 1 — 5:30-8:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, Dec. 2 — 1-8 p.m.
  • Sunday, Dec. 3 — 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where to watch the National Mall fireworks and celebrate July 4 this year

By Hallie LeTendre
1/4

(Updated at 11:30 a.m.) The Fourth of July is next week, which means now is the time to plan how to watch the fireworks spectacle without leaving Arlington.

The 17-minute National Mall show put on by the National Parks Service will begin at 9:09 p.m. There are several places to see it without braving the crowds set to descend on D.C.

  • Gateway Park in Rosslyn and Key Bridge, though the latter does not have seating
  • Mount Vernon Trail, along the Potomac River, which offers a clear view of the D.C. skyline and is accessible by bike
  • Gravelly Point Park, north of Reagan National Airport, which is better known for its views of airplanes taking off
  • The Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima), located near Rosslyn, which provides a panoramic view of the fireworks against the backdrop of the National Mall
  • Long Bridge Park in Crystal City, which has three athletic fields and plenty of space to picnic

Those looking for family-friendly ways to celebrate Independence Day during daylight hours have a couple options in local neighborhoods.

The annual July 4 Parade and Potluck at Woodlawn Park will begin at 10:30 a.m. from a home on the 1200 block of N. Abingdon Street and the potluck will begin at 11 a.m. in Woodlawn Park (1325 N. Buchanan Street).

The event — which has been a county tradition for over 20 years — will include traditional cookout-style food and July 4 themed activities throughout the afternoon.

Douglas Park plans to host its annual free July 4 parade and potluck beginning at 10 a.m. and running through noon. The event will include a bike decorating contest for children with a cash prize, a water slide, a fire truck and more.

Bellevue Forest is also having a kids parade, according to an event posted earlier this month on Nextdoor. Families will meet at 8:45 a.m. at the intersection of N. Oxford Street and Roberts Lane.

“The Cherrydale Fire Department will lead the kids down the street starting at 9 a.m. to the Kenmore cul de sac,” per the event. “Please decorate your bikes, strollers, scooters and yourselves for the parade.”

Some other Independence Day events typically occur annually but have not been updated for 2023:

  • The Barcroft Parade and Picnic, which has previously begun at 10 a.m.
  • The Bluemont Bell Ringing, which allows those who visit to ring the bell located next to Fire Station 2 on N. George Mason Drive and Wilson Blvd.
  • The Lyon Village Parade and Picnic, which commenced at the corner of Key Blvd and N. Highland Street.

Revelers looking to celebrate at a local park should note that alcoholic beverages, grills, fireworks and drones are not allowed on public parks in Arlington on Independence Day.

In connection to the fireworks, the following road closures are planned from 4:30-11 p.m. on July 4.

  • Marshall Drive, from Route 110 to N. Meade Street
  • N. Meade Street, from Marshall Drive to N. Fairfax Drive
  • Exit ramp from westbound Route 50 to N. Lynn Street
  • Exit ramp from eastbound Route 50 to N. Meade Street
  • Eastbound N. Fairfax Drive, from N. Pierce Street to N. Fort Myer Drive

The following closures are planned from 9-10 p.m.

  • Fort Myer Drive between 19th Street N. and Arlington Blvd will also be closed.
  • Memorial Bridge/Memorial Circle

The Air Force Memorial will be closed to fireworks watcher as it was last year, due to the ongoing Arlington National Cemetery expansion project.

Options for celebrating Cinco de Mayo in Arlington this week

By Matt Blitz
Tacos from Banditos Bar & Kitchen in Pentagon City (photo courtesy of Banditos & Kitchen)

In the past, big crowds have converged on Arlington’s Mexican restaurants on Cinco de Mayo and this year will likely be no exception with a number of events going on across the county.

Friday, May 5 marks the anniversary of Mexico’s victory over France in 1862’s Battle of Puebla. While considered a relatively minor holiday in Mexico, Cinco de Mayo in the United States has become a day to celebrate Mexican culture.

Here in Arlington, that often includes eating tacos, drinking margaritas, and general revelry.

There is no shortage of local bars and restaurants hosting special Cinco de Mayo events this year, including the following.

  • Assembly in Rosslyn is hosting a week of events including trivia, salsa dance lessons, and food specials.
  • B Live in Clarendon is putting on a “nacho average Cinco De Mayo event” starting at 3 p.m. with food specials, live entertainment, drinks, and the “infamous Patron Tree.”
  • Banditos at Westpost in Pentagon City is celebrating by opening early at 11 a.m. with tequila, tacos, and kid-friendly activities. A live band, Maria and The Sacred Hearts, will be playing from 2-4:30 p.m. in the plaza.
  • Buena Vida Gastrolounge on Wilson Blvd in Clarendon will have a discount on margaritas and a special four-course “Cinco Fiesta Feast” available all weekend.
  • Clarendon Ballroom is hosting a free Cinco de Mayo rooftop party starting at 3 p.m. featuring a Mexican and taco buffet, music, giveaways, and tequila.
  • Don Tito’s in Clarendon is hosting its annual Cinco de Mayo Block Party on both Friday and Saturday.
  • Inca Social in Rosslyn is serving discounted margaritas and tacos all day on Friday.
  • The Lot, which is closing for good later this year, is putting on a Taco, Tequila, Taps outdoor festival starting at 3 p.m. in Clarendon with frozen margaritas, live entertainment, and a “taco toss.” Furry friends are also invited.
  • WHINO in Ballston is hosting a Latin house party at 9 p.m. on Cinco de Mayo with DJ Mike Rodriguez spinning.
  • Arlington Rooftop Bar & Grill in Courthouse is holding a “margarita and mimosa fest” on Saturday, May 6 starting at 2 p.m. There will be drink specials, live DJ, and bar hopping.

There is also a Cinco de Mayo-themed bar crawl also planned for Saturday, beginning at 3 p.m., that will visit several Clarendon bars.

The Arlington County Police Department will be blocking off N. Hudson Street between Wilson Boulevard and the alleyway behind CVS starting Friday morning through 10 p.m. Saturday. The closure and police presence is intended to assist with crowd control and safety during the Don Tito’s Block Party.

Also for safety, the regional SoberRide program is offering free Lyft rides, up to $15, from Friday at 4 p.m. through Saturday morning at 4 a.m. A promo code is scheduled to be posted on the program’s website at 3 p.m. Friday.

An Easter egg hunt for adults is coming to Ballston this weekend courtesy of Quincy Hall

By Matt Blitz
Quincy Hall in Ballston (photo courtesy of Tin Shop)

An all-ages Easter egg hunt is coming to Ballston, giving hunters chances to win free pizza, wings, and beer.

Pizza and beer hall Quincy Hall at the corner of Fairfax Drive and N. Quincy Street is hosting its first-ever weekend Easter egg hunt starting Friday.

More than 40 eggs will be hidden “in the general blocks around Quincy Hall in trees, on sidewalks between buildings, parks, benches, and wherever else an Easter Egg may hide,” reads the press release.

The eggs will contain an assortment of prizes, including Quincy Hall gift cards valued from $10 to $50, a catered pizza party, free pizza slices, and free chicken wings.

“That same excitement that you had as a kid when you found an egg with a candy inside except this time it will be gift cards or food items,” the restaurant’s operations director Tony Radwan told ARLnow via email. “We want people to be walking around and say ‘hey what’s this? Oh cool, we just won a pizza party at Quincy Hall!’ ”

The hunt will start Friday morning at 11 a.m. and continue through Sunday, but it’s unlikely all the eggs will be located by then, Radwan said. Many of the prizes will expire in about a month, but the gift cards won’t have any expiration date.

This is the restaurant’s first Easter after opening nearly a year ago. The hope is to make the Easter egg hunt an annual event, said Radwan.

Quincy Hall comes from Tin Shop, the same ownership group set to open Astro Beer Hall in Shirlington later in the spring. The plan is to still open that restaurant in May, Radwan noted.

Tin Shop launched a membership program last summer called “Tin Shop Social Club.” The service provides drinks and food deals plus events at a number of its local eateries for a set monthly price.

Radwan said the program is going well and the company expects to introduce some new events and promotions in the coming months.

SoberRide offering free rides home on St. Patrick’s Day

By Vernon Miles
SoberRide poster for St. Patrick’s Day 2023 (image courtesy WRAP)

If you’re hitting up one of Arlington’s many St. Patrick’s Day events, your ride home could come free courtesy of a local nonprofit combatting drunk driving.

The Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) is continuing its holiday SoberRide program this year for St. Patrick’s Day 2023.

The SoberRide program will kick off at 4 p.m. on Friday, March 17, and will be active until 4 a.m. on Saturday, March 18.

According to a press release from WRAP:

During this twelve-hour period, area residents ages 21 and older celebrating with alcohol may download the Lyft app to their phones, then enter the SoberRide code in the app’s ‘Promo’ section to receive their no-cost (up to $15) safe transportation home. WRAP’s 2023 St. Patrick’s Day SoberRide promo code will be posted at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, March 17th on www.SoberRide.com.

The program is offered around the region, including in Arlington and surrounding localities.

The release noted that last year, 482 people in the region took advantage of the SoberRide program. WRAP also offers the SoberRide program on Cinco de Mayo, Independence Day, Halloween, and the winter holidays.

In addition to major sponsors like Amazon and the 395 Express Lanes, several Irish restaurants have helped to sponsor SoberRide this year, including Arlington’s own O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub (3207 Washington Blvd).

Easter Bunny will hop into Pentagon City for photo ops starting this month

By Vernon Miles
Easter Bunny at Fashion Centre at Pentagon City (via Fashion Centre at Pentagon City/Facebook)

Santa’s lap is out and Easter lapins are in.

The Easter Bunny is making a few trips to Fashion Centre at Pentagon City this month and in early April.

The holiday hare will hold court in Nordstrom Court, located in the first level of the mall at 1100 S. Hayes Street.

“Reserve your visit now and make it an Easter tradition,” the mall said on its website.

Scheduled photo op hours for the rabbit are as follows:

  • Friday, March 24: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 25: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
  • Sunday, March 26: 12-6 p.m.
  • Monday, March 27 through Thursday, March 30: 2-7 p.m.
  • Friday, March 31 through Sunday, April 2: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
  • Monday, April 3 through Thursday, April 6: 2-7 p.m.
  • Friday, April 7 & Saturday, April 8: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

In addition to the main photo sessions, there will be a sensory-friendly “caring bunny” experience exclusively for children with special needs and their families on Sunday, March 26 from 9-11 a.m, per a mall webpage.

Photo via Fashion Centre at Pentagon City/Facebook

Here’s a look at St. Patrick’s Day 2023 events around Arlington

By Vernon Miles
O’Sullivan’s in Clarendon (file photo)

(Updated at 10 p.m.) Next Friday, March 17, is a celebration of all things Irish: the release of a new Hozier EP.

But for some local bars and the Catholic Church, next Friday is more notably St. Patrick’s Day. The weekend is set to be marked with celebrations of Irish dancing, music, and drinking.

Some of the local happenings are listed below.

  • Clarendon Ballroom (3185 Wilson Blvd)
    A combined St. Patrick’s Day and March Madness celebration called Irish Madness Fest. The bar will be showing NCAA games and there will be bands, DJs, drink specials, a buffet and more. Doors open at noon and the event runs all day.
  • The Lot (3217 10th Street N.)
    The Lot is celebrating its last St. Patrick’s Day with Shamrock & Roll, featuring live entertainment, food trucks, and of course the quintessentially Irish tiki bar and “adult sandpit.”
  • Wilson Hardware (2915 Wilson Blvd)
    The Clarendon bar is celebrating with Guinness and Jameson specials from opening to 9 p.m., along with an all-night dance party.
  • The Celtic House (2500 Columbia Pike)
    Staff said the St. Patrick’s Day event will start at 9 a.m. and include a full day of music and Irish dancing.
  • O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub (3207 Washington Blvd)
    The Irish pub will have Irish dancers and live music on both Friday, March 17 and Saturday, March 18.
  • McNamara’s Pub and Restaurant (567 23rd Street S.)
    The bar will be open, but it won’t be a special event — St. Patrick’s Day will be just another day that ends in “y” — we’re told.
  • Mattie & Eddie’s (1301 S. Joyce Street)
    Staff said the restaurant will have live music for the holiday.
  • The Union (3811 Fairfax Drive)
    The Ballston bar is offering 50% off for all small plates until 8 p.m. for anyone wearing green and 50% off drinks after 8 p.m., also for anyone wearing green.
  • Samuel Beckett’s Irish Gastro Pub (2800 S. Randolph Street)
    Doors will open at 10 a.m. and live Irish music will be performed all day, a manager tells us. There will also be live Irish dancing performances throughout the day.

B Social Hospitality, meanwhile, will be hosting its Leprechaun Lap Bar Crawl across multiple locations in Clarendon this coming Saturday, March 11. Tickets range from $10 to $20. The crawl includes giveaways and drink specials, including (distastefully named) $8 car bombs.

Locals can also show their support for Ireland by keeping their fingers crossed for The Banshees of Inisherin at the Oscars this weekend, as well.

One notable absence from the above list is the venerable Ireland’s Four Courts in Courthouse. Four Courts remains closed but is being rebuilt, after a rideshare vehicle plowed into it last summer, seriously injuring several patrons and sparking a devastating fire.

Courthouse’s Bayou Bakery holding ‘Bayou-Gras Mardi Pardi’ tonight

By Matt Blitz
1/4

Bayou Bakery in Courthouse is once again going all out for Mardi Gras.

The New Orleans-themed eatery at 1515 N. Courthouse Road is hosting a Fat Tuesday “Bayou-Gras Mardi Pardi” starting at 6 p.m. tonight (Feb. 21)

The celebration will feature food, beverages, and live jazz from Louisiana native Nick Adde. There, of course, will be King Cake too.

Bayou Bakery opened in 2010 by David Gaus, a nationally-known chef who has appeared on a number of Food Network cooking competition shows over the years.

He’s also made a name for himself locally for his community work including the “Chefs Feeding Families” program, delivering meals to the National Guard after Jan. 6, and cooking for Ukrainian refugees.

Even during tough times, Bayou Bakery always makes a point to celebrate Mardi Gras. In 2021, the restaurant put together a take-home “Mardi Gras in a Box” so that folks could enjoy the holiday safely at home. (It proved popular and was still being offered for this year’s Mardi Gras.)

For close to two decades, there was an annual Clarendon Mardi Gras parade that always traveled past Bayou Bakery. But winter weather and other larger events led to it being changed or canceled a number of times. Finally, after another cancellation in 2019, it was confirmed that the parade was likely permanently on hold.

ARLnow has reached out to the Clarendon Alliance, the organization that had put on the parade, to confirm that the parade remains a no-go this year but has yet to hear back as of publication.

More details about tonight’s Bayou-Gras Mardi Pardi, below.

Revelry explodes on Fat Tuesday, hosted by Chef David Guas, born and bred in New Orleans, with a BAYOU-GRAS MARDI PARDI at Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery [Arlington, VA] – featuring authentic dishes, famous drinks, and live, Jazzy music.

Fat Tuesday – February 21, 2023 – the day is festive with a Pardi at the DMV’s only Mardi Gras Headquarters, indulging in New Orleans signature eats and beverages. Open ALL DAY from 7AM to 5PM. Staff Break! Bayou Gras begins 6PM – 9PM for the annual celebration. A menu of Parade specials and LIVE MUSIC. Purchase Tickets upon entry, and with each Ticket you get Three Items within the corresponding category:

BOOZE [$22]

  • Hurricane
  • NOLA Swinger
  • Hurricane Daiquiri
  • King Cake Daiquiri

GRUB [$16]

  • Gumbo
  • Muffuletta
  • Veg-a-lotta [veggie muffuletta]
  • Shrimp Jambalaya
  • Red Beans & Rice [veggie will also be available]

BREW [$18]

  • Abita [Amber, Purple Haze, IPA]

SWEETS [ A la carte desserts]

  • Slice of King Cake
  • Traditional Pralines
  • Beignets
View More Stories