Merry Christmas Eve, Burke Neighbors
It's the night before Christmas, and all through the houses in Burke, folks are stirring—probably hiding last-minute gifts or realizing they forgot the cranberries for tomorrow's dinner. Whether you're tracking Santa's sleigh on NORAD or just hoping the kids finally crash early, we've got your back with the local essentials to make these next couple of days as smooth as fresh-fallen snow.
You all blew us away last week: over 300 subscribers after just one issue, with barely any pushing beyond a couple of local Facebook groups and Nextdoor. That kind of response tells me we're filling a real gap—much like how TheBurn.com started small in Ashburn and grew into the go-to spot for hyperlocal news there. That's exactly the vision here for The Burke Beat: your one-stop shop for what's happening right in our backyard. Thank you for jumping on board so quickly.
Now, let's get to the good stuff.
Quick Dates to Know (Because Who Has Time for Scrolling on Christmas Eve?)
Tonight (Dec 24): Most stores close early—plan that butter run accordingly.
Tomorrow (Dec 25): Almost everything closed; no county trash/recycling pickup (collections slide one day forward this week).
Dec 31: Deadlines hit for several youth sports registrations—details below!
Jan 1: NVGSA softball registration opens—6U is free for kindergarten and 1st graders!
Jan 9: Preschool Information Fair (free, 9:30 AM–noon at Mothers’ Day Out Preschool, Fairfax Station).
Dec 30 & Jan 4: VLC 2035 supplemental tryouts.
Jan 11: VLC 2032 supplemental tryouts.
The "I Forgot One Crucial Ingredient" Holiday Hours Guide
Last-minute dashes happen to the best of us. Hours can shift, so double-check apps or call ahead, but here's the latest for our area:
Giant (Burke Centre Parkway)
Christmas Eve: Open until around 7 PM (pharmacies shorter).
Christmas Day: Closed.
Safeway
5727 Burke Centre Parkway: Christmas Eve until ~8 PM; limited hours Christmas Day (8 AM–4 PM possible).
9596 Old Keene Mill Road: Similar schedule.
Target (Springfield/Burke area)
Christmas Eve: 7 AM–8 PM.
Christmas Day: Closed.
Walmart (Fairfax/Burke area)
Christmas Eve: Closes at 6 PM.
Christmas Day: Closed.
Costco (Springfield area)
Christmas Eve: Typically until 5 PM.
Christmas Day: Closed.
Pro tip: If you're out tonight, stash those bags in the trunk—let's not tempt the Grinch.
Tonight's Holiday Lights: Perfect for That Pre-Santa Drive
Need to tire out the kids (or just soak in some magic)? These local spots are glowing bright tonight, and most keep shining well past Christmas:
Local Favorites
Marshall Pond Christmas Village (10100–10112 Marshall Pond Rd, Burke): A whole cul-de-sac turned into a twinkling wonderland—up through early January.
Glenbard Road Inflatables (6410 Glenbard Rd, Burke/Springfield): Giant blow-ups and colors galore, lasting into the New Year.
Cardinal Shell Gas Station Light Show (Rolling Rd & Old Keene Mill Rd, Springfield): 100,000+ lights synced to music (tune to 87.9 FM)—quirky, fun, and still running post-Christmas.
Hidden gems off Shiplett Blvd cul-de-sacs (Springfield): Dense decor worth the detour.
Worth the Short Drive
Bull Run Festival of Lights (Centreville): Open nightly through January 4, 2026—drive-through magic with extras.
Meadowlark's Winter Walk of Lights (Vienna): Stroller-friendly walk-through, open through early January.
Bundle up, grab some hot cocoa, and make some memories.
Spring Youth Sports: The Hot Tip of the Week
Parents flooded my inbox with this one—spring sign-ups are live or opening soon. Don't sleep on it; spots go fast. And with a few deadlines hitting next week (Dec 31), now's the time to lock it in before the holiday haze clears. We've dug deep for more local options—here's everything we found, including a couple of extras like flag football and potential indoor soccer leagues that might fit your crew.
Big Highlight: NVGSA Softball (Spring 2026)
6U division is completely free for kindergarten and 1st graders this year!
Registration opens January 1: https://www.nvgsa.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1563034
More info/updates: https://www.nvgsa.org
(Practices start mid-March, games late March—usually one game Saturday, one weeknight practice.)
Baseball
SYA Little League (Baseball & Softball): Ages 5-18, serving Burke and surrounding areas.
Register here: https://syasports.org/sports/baseball/little-league/West Springfield Little League (Baseball): Regular registration closes Dec 31. A $25 late fee kicks in on Jan 1.
Fairfax Little League: Spring 2026 registration open now—check for deadlines on their site: https://www.fairfaxll.org/
Soccer
BRYC Soccer (Rec): Early Bird discount ($25 off) ends Dec 31. Regular registration stays open until Feb 7, but why pay more? https://brycsoccer.org/
BAC Soccer: You have a little more time here—Early Bird pricing is good through Jan 18. (Note: Their site lists early registration through Dec 31 at $115, rising to $125 Jan 1–Feb 28, and $150 after March 1—double-check for updates: https://www.burkeathleticclub.org/rec-soccer)
SYA Recreational Soccer: Early bird discount ($15 off) available now—save more with sibling registrations. https://syasports.org/sports/soccer/recreational-soccer/
Fairfax Sportsplex Youth Rec Soccer (Indoor, Session 3): Regular registration deadline Feb 9, 2026. Boys & girls leagues. https://www.fairfaxsportsplex.com/product/youth-recreation-soccer-registration/
Lacrosse
Braddock Road Youth Lacrosse (ages 5–14 rec league): www.brlax.com
Virginia Lacrosse Club (VLC): www.vlcrabs.com
2035 (3rd grade) supplemental tryouts: Dec 30 & Jan 4 (contact: [email protected])
2032 (6th grade): Jan 11 (contact: [email protected])
Burke Athletic Club (Lacrosse): Early Bird pricing ends Dec 31.
Grades K-2: Price jumps from $105 to $120.
Grades 3-8: Price jumps from $160 to $175.
https://www.burkeathleticclub.org/lacrosse
Basketball
SYA House Basketball (Spring 2026): Regular registration open now through January (fees $180 for K-1, $190 for grades 2-12; plus $10 county fee, $50 out-of-county). Late fee $25 starts February. Waitlist March 1-14, closes March 15. Ages K-12 (grouped by grade/gender). https://syasports.org/sports/basketball/sya-house-basketball/
SYA Travel Basketball: For competitive players—check site for Summer 2026 details (registration opens Feb with
Flag Football
BRYC Flag Football: Early Bird pricing ends Feb 1; registration closes Feb 20. Serves Fairfax, Burke, Springfield areas. https://clubs.bluesombrero.com/Default.aspx?tabid=1385594
Other Options
i9 Sports (Various: Soccer, flag football, basketball, etc.): Spring 2026 programs start April 18 in Burke/Fairfax Station—check for registration openings. https://www.i9sports.com/venues/burke---fairfax-station-burke-youth-sports-programs/6332
Chantilly Youth Association: Spring registration begins Dec 1 (nearby, includes baseball, soccer, etc.). https://www.chantillyyouth.org/registration
If you've got swim, volleyball, or other links we missed, shoot them to [email protected]—I'll round them up next time.
Real Estate Snapshot: Wrapping Up 2025 with Steady Vibes in Burke (22015)
As we cozy up for the holidays, Burke's housing market is like that reliable family recipe—stable, comforting, and full of hidden gems. With our great schools, parks like Burke Lake, and easy commutes, this spot stays appealing even as national trends cool off a bit. Prices are holding firm with a slight dip, giving buyers a breather while sellers still see quick action in hot pockets like near Lake Braddock. Whether you're dreaming of a townhome upgrade or a colonial with room for the in-laws, now might be the time to peek before 2026 brings potential rate tweaks and more listings.
Quick pulse from the latest data (pulled from Redfin, Zillow, and others as of late 2025):
Median Sale Price: Around $651,000—a tiny 0.6% dip year-over-year, keeping us more affordable than neighbors like Springfield (over $700K). Single-families often hit $750K+, but townhomes and condos start in the $400K-500K range.
Days on Market: 30-36 days on average, up a smidge, signaling a subtle buyer-friendly shift—but with a "very competitive" score of 83, prime spots vanish fast.
Inventory & Sales: About 40-50 active listings, with 92 homes sold in November (down 14% YoY due to market caution). Low supply keeps things snug.
Price per Square Foot: $335, down 7%—a budget bonus for those eyeing updated homes with fresh kitchens or roofs.
Rental Scoop: Median around $2,750/month, solid for investors.
Spotlight Deals: On the high end, check out something like the 5-bed stunner at 9616 Villagesmith Way that just sold for $975,000—prime updates and location scream upscale Burke charm. For entry-level, a 3-bed townhome like 9510 Cherry Oak Ct went for $675,000 recently, packed with community perks for first-timers. (Got a hotter tip? Reply with a link or address—I'll spotlight it next time!)
Peering into 2026, Northern VA pros predict modest 1-5% price growth, boosted by hybrid work pulling in DC folks. If you're mulling a move, chat with a local agent for the real dirt. And hey, real estate pros: If you've got off-market insights or neighborhood trends, hit [email protected]—we can team up for future features.
Burke Voices: Love It or Fix It (Holiday Edition)
We cracked open the inbox like a fresh batch of Christmas cookies, and you didn't disappoint—sharing the neighborhood highs, lows, and wishes with that classic Burke candor. Here's the festive roundup of what makes our corner of the world sparkle (or flicker, in some cases).
The "Please Fix It" List (Because Even Santa Deals with Traffic)
Those parking zones turning into impromptu parking lots? Multiple readers called out the "quick pickup" offenders ignoring spots just steps away—let's keep those fire lanes clear, folks, before someone gets a lump of coal from the fire marshal.
Braddock Road's traffic lights: Officially dubbed the "mood killer" by several of you, with timing that feels like it's on holiday time all year round.
The "Why We Live Here" List (The Gifts That Keep on Giving)
Our unbeatable walking trails: The crown jewel, perfect for post-dinner strolls or escaping the in-laws with a "quick walk."
The community vibe: Shoutouts to BRYC sports for the kids, the lively Farmers Market, and that overall kid-friendliness that makes Burke feel like one big family gathering (minus the awkward uncle stories).
The Wishlist (Under the Tree for 2026)
Top request by far: More upscale dining spots. We adore our casual haunts, but a proper date-night restaurant—without the trek to DC—would be the cherry on top of our suburban sundae.
Got thoughts? What's the absolute worst intersection or parking lot in Burke—the one that makes you mutter under your breath every time? Reply or email [email protected], and we'll crown the "winner" (or should we say loser?) in the next issue. Let's turn those gripes into improvements!
January 9 Preschool Information Fair
One-stop shopping for next year's options—free event with directors from local programs (Truro, Guidepost Montessori, Burke UMC, Kiddie Country, and more).
9:30 AM–noon at Mothers’ Day Out Preschool (5424 Ox Rd, Fairfax Station).
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/share/14UDqv8MWet/
Civic Corner
Braddock District School Board vacancy—special election coming. Stay informed:
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/office-elections
Public Safety Reminder
Keep the season merry: Hide packages, park smart, turn off lights when heading out, and no wrapping paper bonfires in the fireplace. Report issues to Fairfax County Police non-emergency: 703-691-2131.
Your Turn: New Year's Eve Ideas
What's your favorite way to ring in the New Year around Burke or nearby? Quiet night in? Local spot? Family tradition? Reply here or email [email protected]—we'll share the best in the next issue (and maybe poll the community).
Merry Christmas Eve, everyone. May your stockings be stuffed, your travels safe, and your eggnog strong.
See you in 2026,
Pete
The Burke Beat
P.S. Know someone missing these updates? Forward this along—we're building this together.