What's New at Tysons Corner Center & Galleria This Winter: The Complete 2025-2026 Guide for NoVA Shoppers

Northern Virginia's retail crown jewels are getting a major refresh this winter. Tysons Corner Center—the largest mall in the Baltimore-Washington region and the 8th largest in the country—is in the midst of one of its most transformative years in recent memory. From immersive entertainment venues to flagship retail expansions and beloved dining additions, the 2025-2026 winter season brings over 20 new openings, relocations, and renovations across both Tysons Corner Center and its luxury neighbor, Tysons Galleria.

For Fairfax County residents, this isn't just about having more places to shop—it's about Tysons evolving into a true urban center with dining, entertainment, and experiences that rival anything in D.C. And if you're considering buying or selling a home near Tysons, these developments signal continued investment in the area's long-term appeal. Here's your comprehensive breakdown of everything new at Tysons this winter.

🏬 What's Happening at Tysons This Winter

Tysons Corner Center has experienced sustained momentum throughout 2025, with property management director Jesse Benites describing the season as a period of "consistently delivering a dynamic mix of retail, dining, and entertainment." The mall's east end—once anchored by a two-story Barnes & Noble—has been completely reimagined with new flooring, ceiling treatments, lighting updates, and a striking hanging metal art installation.

The transformation extends beyond aesthetics. Macerich, the mall's owner, is positioning Tysons as a full lifestyle destination. The company envisions Tysons Corner Center as a place for "living, working, shopping, dining, staying and playing"—and the winter 2025-2026 lineup reflects that ambition with experiential entertainment, flagship brand debuts, and dining concepts that give residents reasons to stay longer.

🎮 New Entertainment Destinations

The most dramatic shift at Tysons this winter is the arrival of two major entertainment venues targeting adults—a clear signal that the mall is pivoting toward experience-based retail.

Level99: The DMV's Adult Playground

Level99 opened in August 2025 and has quickly become one of the region's most talked-about destinations. This 40,000-square-foot entertainment venue occupies the former Old Navy and Barnes & Noble spaces on the mall's second level and offers over 50 interactive mental and physical challenges.

Unlike arcade-style entertainment, Level99 challenges guests to work in teams of two to six players across puzzle rooms, scavenger hunts, and head-to-head "duels." The venue was designed by an MIT-trained Disney engineer and caters specifically to the 21-to-39 demographic—socially engaged, mentally active professionals looking for alternatives to the typical dinner-and-movie date night.

The Escape Game: Opening Early 2026

America's #1 escape room brand is bringing its first Virginia location to Tysons Corner Center in early 2026. The Escape Game offers 60-minute immersive adventures with themes including Prison Break, The Depths, Cosmic Crisis, and Ruins: Forbidden Treasure. Unlike basic escape rooms, these experiences feature multiple rooms that open as you progress—creating a theatrical, cinematic experience.

Pre-sale gift cards are already available, signaling an imminent opening. This will be the brand's third DMV location, joining existing venues in Georgetown and Penn Quarter.

🛍️ New Retail Stores & Expansions

The retail lineup at Tysons this winter spans fashion, jewelry, sustainable brands, and lifestyle—with several flagship-level openings.

UNIQLO's expansion deserves special mention. The Japanese retailer nearly doubled its footprint to 18,000 square feet, with a grand opening that featured exclusive locally-inspired merchandise by artist Lauren Martin and daily giveaways. This is one of UNIQLO's largest stores in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Reformation brings sustainable, vintage-inspired fashion to Tysons with a tech-enabled store concept. The company has been carbon neutral since 2015, and the Tysons location—their 60th retail store—runs entirely on renewable energy offsets.

🍽️ Dining & Restaurant Updates

The dining landscape at Tysons is shifting with new arrivals and a notable relocation from across the street.

Maggiano's Little Italy is making the jump from Tysons Galleria—where it operated for nearly 30 years—to Tysons Corner Center. The restaurant is currently under construction on the first floor near Coastal Flats and is expected to open in Spring 2026. This move reflects the broader momentum at Tysons Corner Center versus the Galleria.

Victory Brewing opened alongside Level99, offering a 300-seat taproom with Detroit-style pizza, wagyu burgers, Korean BBQ chicken, craft beers, and cocktails. It's designed as a refueling station for gamers but functions equally well as a standalone dining destination.

Chip City Cookies has arrived from New York City, bringing its signature oversized gooey cookies (4 inches, 5.5 ounces each) with a rotating menu of 105 flavors. The shop is located next to Auntie Anne's on the second floor.

Clay Bowl, a Vietnamese concept featuring pho, banh mi sandwiches, and spring rolls, is also slated for the food court.

💎 Tysons Galleria Luxury Updates

Across Chain Bridge Road, Tysons Galleria continues to serve as Northern Virginia's premier luxury destination—though the changes here are more subtle than the rapid evolution at Tysons Corner Center.

The three-level, 260,000-square-foot mall remains home to exclusive-to-market designer shops including Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Cartier, Versace, Burberry, and Balenciaga. The mall is connected to The Ritz-Carlton, which draws international visitors who fuel high-end purchases.

Chloé, the Paris-based luxury house, has signed a lease to open its first Washington D.C.-area store at the Galleria. This will be one of only a handful of Chloé U.S. locations, joining Beverly Hills, Chicago, and New York.

The departure of Maggiano's creates a notable shift in the Galleria's dining lineup, though existing options like Wildfire and upscale food court selections continue to serve the luxury shopping crowd. The former Macy's space is being reconfigured for amenities and potential retail/restaurant additions.

✨ Winter Holiday Events & Attractions

Tysons Corner Center has expanded its holiday programming for the 2025-2026 season, making it a destination beyond just shopping.

The Enchant Light Experience has returned to PenFed Plaza with 14 interactive light sculptures (up from 11 last year), including a 30-foot walk-through ornament. Sponsored by George Mason University, this free attraction runs through February 2026 and has become one of the most photographed holiday displays in the DMV.

Santa's Chalet is open through December 24, with options to book appointments in advance and receive personalized digital messages from Santa via Portable North Pole. Sensory-friendly Santa sessions and pet photo nights are available on select dates.

The Angel Tree returns for the Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic partnership, allowing shoppers to select tags and help local families in need.

Nearby, the Winter Lantern Festival at Lerner Town Square (adjacent to Tysons) features hundreds of intricately crafted lanterns, live acrobatic shows, and local food—running through mid-January 2026.

🏠 Real Estate Implications for NoVA Buyers & Sellers

For anyone buying or selling a home in the Tysons, McLean, Vienna, or Falls Church areas, these developments carry real weight.

For Buyers: Proximity to Tysons remains one of the strongest selling points for homes in Fairfax County. The continued investment in retail, entertainment, dining, and mixed-use development—combined with direct Silver Line Metro access—makes nearby neighborhoods highly desirable for professionals working in D.C. or the tech corridor. Communities like Pimmit Hills, Idylwood, and parts of Vienna are particularly well-positioned.

For Sellers: If you're listing a home within a 10-15 minute drive of Tysons, the "Tysons lifestyle" is a marketable feature. Buyers are looking for walkable amenities, entertainment options, and modern retail—all of which Tysons now delivers at a level that rivals urban cores.

For Investors: The $500+ million in planned development at Tysons Corner Center—including potential new retail buildings, office towers, and residential phases—signals long-term growth. Rental demand in the immediate area is expected to remain strong as the urban center matures.

🌐 Why Tysons Growth Matters for Northern Virginia

Tysons isn't just a shopping destination—it's a barometer for Northern Virginia's economic trajectory.

The area's evolution from suburban office parks and strip malls to a walkable urban center reflects the broader transformation happening across the DMV. With Amazon HQ2 in nearby Arlington, Dulles tech corridor expansions, and continued federal employment, Tysons sits at the geographic and economic heart of one of the nation's wealthiest and most educated regions.

The mall's pivot toward entertainment (Level99, The Escape Game) and experiential retail reflects changing consumer habits—people want experiences, not just products. That Tysons is successfully attracting these concepts ahead of D.C. proper is notable.

For Northern Virginia residents, the practical benefit is clear: world-class shopping, dining, and entertainment without the D.C. commute, parking hassles, or weather-dependent planning. Tysons offers a year-round, indoor, climate-controlled alternative that serves families, date nights, and corporate events alike.

📍 Plan Your Visit: Hours & Tips

Tysons Corner Center Hours:

• Monday–Saturday: 10 AM – 9 PM
• Sunday: 11 AM – 7 PM

Tysons Galleria Hours:

• Monday–Saturday: 10 AM – 8 PM
• Sunday: 12 PM – 6 PM

Getting There: Both malls are accessible via the Silver Line Metro (Tysons Corner station for the Center, Greensboro station for the Galleria). Free parking is available at both locations with no time limits.

Pro Tip: Visit during weekday mornings for the best parking and shortest lines at popular spots like Level99 and Chip City.