New Year’s Celebration In Falls Church Canceled Over COVID-19 Concerns

FALLS CHURCH, VA — Falls Church's annual New Year's Eve event, Watch Night Falls Church, will not happen again this year due to concerns about the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the region.

Held for more than 20 years, Watch Night Falls Church is a family-friendly tradition that closes the streets downtown for music, entertainment and food, culminating in the traditional star being lowered to welcome the new year.

Like last year, the health and safety of attendees, vendors and volunteers are the top priority.

“Local COVID-19 case counts are increasing significantly just before family holiday gatherings, which presents an unpredictable scenario in the ability to have an event in 10 days that is safe for all,” the organizers said Tuesday.

Watch Night is organized by the nonprofit Little City CATCH Foundation and is financially supported by local businesses and nonprofits and receives support from the City of Falls Church.

The organizers said there was a groundswell of support to celebrate Watch Night this year. As COVID-19 started to increase, modified plans for the event were underway.

“But there have been significant increases in the number of local COVID-19 cases in Arlington and Fairfax Counties in the last 10 days,” the organizers said. “That in turn is having multiple secondary impacts on our vendors, performing bands, and our sponsors.”