Calendar

NOVEMBER

Nov. 29 – Holiday Tree Lighting and Santa Parade, Strawberry Park at Mosaic, Merrifield, 6-9 p.m.

Nov. 30 – Second Annual Beaver Boogie 5K, hosted by Friends of Lake Accotink Park, 5700 Accotink Park Road, Springfield, 9 a.m.

Nov. 30 – Justice Park Rehabilitation. 3312 Peace Valley Lane, Seven Corners, 2-4 p.m. Hosted by Friends of Holmes Run. Register here.

DECEMBER

Dec. 2 – Socrates Café, George Mason Regional Library, 2-3 p.m. Philosophy discussion with light refreshments. Registration recommended. Adults.

Dec. 2 – Inner Peace this Holiday Season Through Meditation, virtual, 7-8 p.m., hosted by George Mason Regional Library. Registration required. Adults.

Dec. 3 – Grief Circle for Teens, a workshop for teens ages 13-18 who lost a loved one to cancer, Inova Peterson Life with Cancer Family Center, 8411 Pennell St., Fairfax, 4:30 p.m. Free. To register, create an account and sign up for the session here.

Dec. 3 – George Mason Knitting and Crochet Group, George Mason Regional Library,7-8:30 p.m. Bring your current project and learn, share, and create community. Adults of all skill levels welcome.

Dec. 4 – Oddball Cinema: “The Holdovers,” George Mason Regional Library, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Adults.

Dec. 3 – Crossroads + Corners Coalition (C3), discussion of new gateway signage for Bailey’s Crossroads and Seven Corners, virtual, 7 p.m. Join the meeting on Zoom.

Dec. 4 – Best of Braddock Awards Ceremony & Reception, Braddock Hall, 9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Dec. 5 – Snake and Turtle Feeding, Hidden Oaks Nature Center, 6:30 p.m. Ages 4-adult. $8. To register, search for the title on Parktakes or call 703-222-4664.

Dec. 6 – Immigrant Advocates Summit, Annandale United Methodist Church, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Hosted by the Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizations.

Dec. 6 – “Stress Less, Enjoy More,” A free webinar for families hosted by the Fairfax County Public Schools Family Resource Center, 10-11:30 a.m. Register here.

Dec. 7 – Breakfast with Santa, St. John’s United Methodist Church, 5312 Backlick Road, Springfield. Session 1 8-9:45 a.m., session 2 10:15 a.m.-noon. Hosted by Boy Scout Troop 980. $20, includes pancake breakfast, photos with Santa, holiday craft, elf story time.

Dec. 7 – Drawing & Investigating Owls, Hidden Oaks Nature Center, 9-11:30 a.m. Ages 16-adult. $25. To register, search for the title on Parktakes or call 703-222-4664.

Dec. 7-8 – On Christmas Day in History, Historic House at Green Spring Gardens, 1-3 p.m. $45, includes a traditional British afternoon tea. Call 703-941-7987 to register.

Dec. 7 – Winter Festival, Eileen Garnett Civic Space, 7200 Columbia Pike, Annandale, 3:30-6:30 p.m. Tree decoring and lighting, hot cocoa and treats, live music, children’s activities, winter crafts. Bring winter coats and clothing for those in need.

Dec. 8 – Family Fun: Excellent Evergreens, Green Spring Gardens, 1 p.m. Ages 4 and up. $10. To register, search for the title on Parktakes or call 703-642-5173.

Dec. 8 – Holiday Engineering Challenge, Hidden Oaks Nature Center, 2-3 p.m. Ages 6-10. $10. To register, search for the title on Parktakes or call 703-222-4664.

Dec. 10 – FCPS community forum for families, school staff, and students on cell phone policies and practices and the Student Rights and Responsibilities document, Willow Oaks Administrative Center, 6:30-8 p.m.

Dec. 11 – Community meeting on potential options for relieving overcrowding at Parklawn Elementary School, school cafeteria, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Dec. 12 – Lunch N’ Life hosted by the Shepherd’s Center of Annandale Springfield, featuring the Annandale High School Chorus and guitarist Art Hildebrand, Annandale United Methodist Church, 6935 Columbia Pike, Annandale, 11:15 a.m.-1 p.m. $15. To register, call the SCAS Office at 703-941-1419 or send an email to [email protected] by Dec. 10.

Dec. 12 – FCPS Boundary Review Community Meeting for Region 6, Annandale High School cafeteria, 6:30-8 p.m.

Dec. 13 – “Protecting Kids Against Digital Exploitation,” A free webinar for families hosted by the Fairfax County Public Schools Family Resource Center, 10-11:30 a.m. Register here.

Dec. 13 – Flying Squirrel Campfire, Hidden Oaks Nature Center, 7-8 p.m. Ages 4-adult. $8. To register, search for the title on Parktakes or call 703-222-4664.

Dec. 14 – Santa Comes to Lake Accotink Park, large pavilion by the marina, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Organized by Friends of Lake Accotink Park. Santa arrives at noon. Holiday goodies, prizes, photos with Santa. Free.

Dec. 14 – Chair Yoga, George Mason Regional Library, 11 a.m.-noon. Registration required. Adults.

Dec. 14 – Tea Rex Tea Party, Hidden Oaks Nature Center, 2-3:30 p.m. Ages 4-adult. $15. To register, search for the title on Parktakes or call 703-222-4664.

Dec. 15-16 – Holiday Market, District Avenue and Strawberry Lane at Mosaic, Merrifield, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Dec. 15 – Animal Pajama Party, Hidden Oaks Nature Center, 6:30 p.m. Ages 3-7. $10. To register, search for the title on Parktakes or call 703-222-4664.

Dec. 19 – George Mason Book Discussion Group: “A Personal History of the 1960s” by Doris Kearns Goodwin. George Mason Regional Library, 2-3 p.m.

Dec. 20 – “Youth Mental Health First Aid,” A free course for families hosted by the Fairfax County Public Schools Family Resource Center, 2334 Gallows Road, Dunn Loring, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Register here.

Dec. 21 – George Mason Knitting and Crochet Group, George Mason Regional Library, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Dec. 22 – All About Owls Campfire, Hidden Oaks Nature Center, 7-8 p.m. Ages 4-adult. $8. To register, search for the title on Parktakes or call 703-222-4664.

JANUARY 2025

Jan. 5 – Caribbean Reef Puppet Show, Hidden Oaks Nature Center, 2 p.m. Ages 3-7. $10. To register, search for the title on Parktakes or call 703-222-4664.

Jan. 11 – Polymer – the Slab Technique, a class at the Artisans United Craft Gallery, 4022C Hummer Road, Annandale, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. To register visit or call the Craft Gallery, 703-941-0202.

Jan. 11 – Flying Squirrel Campfire, Hidden Oaks Nature Center, 7-8 p.m. Ages 4-adult. $8. To register, search for the title on Parktakes or call 703-222-4664.

Jan. 12 – Birding for Beginners, Hidden Oaks Nature Center, 9-10:30 a.m. Ages 12-adult. $12. To register, search for the title on Parktakes or call 703-222-4664.

Jan. 12 – Winter Engineering Challenge, Hidden Oaks Nature Center, 1-2 p.m. Ages 6-10. $10. To register, search for the title on Parktakes or call 703-222-4664.

Jan. 19 – Winter Lecture: Green Spring Goes to Great Dixter, Green Spring Gardens, 1:30 p.m. Ages 16 and up. $15. To register, search for the title on Parktakes or call 703-642-5173.

Jan. 25 – Garden Talk: Easy Garden Makeover Tips, Green Spring Gardens, 10:30 a.m. Adults. $12. To register, search for the title on Parktakes or call 703-642-5173.

Jan. 25 – Family Fun: Glasshouse Exploration, Green Spring Gardens, 1 p.m. Ages 5 and up. $10. To register, search for the title on Parktakes or call 703-642-5173.

Jan. 25 – Mysterious Space, Hidden Oaks Nature Center, 6:30 p.m. Ages 7-adult. $10. To register, search for the title on Parktakes or call 703-222-4664.

Jan. 26 – Dino Puppet Show & Activities, Hidden Oaks Nature Center, 1-2 p.m. and 2:30-3:30 p.m. Ages 4-8. $10. To register, search for the title on Parktakes or call 703-222-4664.

Jan. 26 – Winter Lecture: Pleasure Gardens, Green Spring Gardens, 1:30 p.m. Ages 16 and up. $15. To register, search for the title on Parktakes or call 703-642-5173.

Jan. 27 – Wood Carving, a class at the Artisans United Craft Gallery, 4022C Hummer Road, Annandale, 7:30-8:30 p.m. To register visit or call the Craft Gallery, 703-941-0202.

Jan. 29 – Snake and Turtle Feeding, Hidden Oaks Nature Center, 2-3 p.m. Ages 4-adult. $8. To register, search for the title on Parktakes or call 703-222-4664.