Nowhere will you find a greater variety of holiday events to attend than in Northern Virginia and the DC Metro area. It’s easy to find out that you missed something you really would have enjoyed just because there are SO MANY CHOICES. To help you narrow down your list of “must dos” here is a roundup of Holiday events and celebrations in and around NOVA.
Psst! Don’t forget to also check out our 2017 Fall Fun Roundup, here. Some fall events are running through November, so there is some overlap between these two lists!
Coming soon:
- LIVE! Holiday Giving Program Roundup: If you are supporting or operating a holiday giving program, please submit it for inclusion– I’d hate to leave out anything that helps our communities! Thanks!
- Shop Local Gift Guide: Get on our list of local, mom owned businesses before Small Business Saturday by submitting your listing.
- LIVE! Where to see Santa: Do you have a favorite? Are you planning a sensory friendly Santa event? Please drop me a line so we can make sure it’s on the list!
Your Northern Virginia Guide to Holiday Events
Holiday Tours & Exhibits
- River Farm Holiday Tours
- Mount Vernon by Candlelight Nov 24-25, Dec 1-2, 8-9, 17
- Christmas at Mount Vernon Nov 24-Jan 6
- Herndon Homes Tour Dec 2
- An Early American Christmas at Fairfax Museum Dec 10
- Indoor Holiday Display at River Farm Dec 1-22
- Civil War Christmas in Camp at Ft Ward Dec 9
- McLean Holiday Homes Tour Dec 7
- Vienna Holiday Stroll Nov 27
- Christmas Villiage at Leesburg Animal Park Dec 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 & 23
- A Victorian Christmas Nov 25
- Occoquan Holiday Open House Nov 17
Holiday Parades
- Scottish Christmas Walk in Old Town Alexandria Dec 1-2
- Reston Holiday Parade Nov 24
- DC-Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights Dec 3
- Greater Manassas Christmas Parade Dec 2
- Leesburg Annual Christmas & Holiday Parade Dec 9
- Christmas in Middleburg Parade Dec 2
Carol Singing & Concerts
- A Classic Brass Christmas Concert Dec 2-3
- Klezmer Holiday Nutcracker Concert Dec 4, 10
- Holiday Jazz Celebration Dec 2
- City of Fairfax Festival of Lights and Carols Dec 2
- Rockin’ with Rudolph and Friends Dec 15
- Christmas in Fairfax Dec 16
The Nutcracker
- Fairfax Ballet presents The Nutcracker Nov 25-26
- Manassas Ballet Presents The Nutcracker Dec 14-23
- Moscow Ballet Great Russian Nutcracker Dec 20
- Fairfax Symphony Orchestra Presents The Nutcracker Dec 16
- Alexandria Community Nutcracker Nov 30, Dec 1-2
Holiday Train Lovers Must-Do
- Burke Lake Park Winter Wonderland Dec 2,3,9,10
- Holiday Train Show at the US Botanical Garden Nov 23- Jan 1
- Holiday Train Show at Fairfax Station Railroad Museum Dec 2-3
- Winter Wonderland at Burke Lake Park Dec 3
- VRE Santa Train- Tickets on sale Nov 21 THEY SELL OUT Dec 10
- Whistle Stop Santa Train Dec 4, 11, 15, 18
- Turkey Train at Burke Lake Park Nov 18
Santa Appearances
- Waterskiing Santa Dec 24
- Lunch with Santa at Sherwood Community Center Dec 9
- Santa Fest at Springfield Town Center Nov 18
- Sensory Friendly Santa Event Springfield Town Center Dec 3
- Breakfast with Santa by the Junior League of N. VA Nov 18-19
Outdoor Ice Skating
- Reston Town Center outdoor ice skating Nov 4 – March 11
- Ice Skating at National Harbor “mid November through March.”
- Ice Skating at Tyson’s Corner “opening soon” through early March
- Pentagon Row Outdoor Ice Skating Late October – Mid March
- Harris Pavilion in Manassas Early November – March
Arts & Crafts
- Herndon Holiday Arts & Crafts Show Dec 3
- City of Fairfax Holiday Craft Show Nov 18-19
- Alexandria Holiday Market (Dates TBD)
- Northern Virginia Christmas Market Nov 10-12
- Faifax Holiday Market Dec 1-3, 8-10, 15-17
- Falls Church Holiday Craft Show Dec 2-3
Holiday Lights & Trees
- Bull Run Festival of Lights Nov 22 – Jan 7
- Meadowlark Winter Walk of Lights Nov 10-Jan 7
- Christmas Illuminations at Mt Vernon Dec 14-15
- National Christmas Tree Nov 30-Jan 1
- Georgetown Glow Dec 8- Jan 7
- Russian Winter Festival
- City of Fairfax Festival of Lights and Carols Dec 2
- National Harbor Tree Lighting Ceremony Nov 12
- Herndon Tree Lighting and Singalong Dec 3
- Jingle on Lake Anne Dec 2
- Leesburg Christmas Tree & Menora Lighting Dec 1
- Great Falls Celebration of Lights Dec 3
- Zoo Lights Nov 24 – Jan 1
- Christmas in Middleburg Tree Lighting Dec 1
- Occoquan Tree Lighting Nov 17
Horse Drawn Carriage Rides
- Holiday Horse Drawn Carriage Rides in Leesburg Fridays & Saturdays Nov 24-Dec 23
- Historic Manassas FREE Carriage Rides Dec 3, 10, 17
More holiday fun with your family:
- Don’t forget to check Holly’s Tacky Christmas lights for the best private light displays in the area!
New Year’s Eve Celebrations in Northern Virginia
(some of these are not yet updated for this year, but here are the bookmarks for your convenience.)
- First Night Alexandria Dec 31
- First Night Vienna Dec 31
- Watch Night in Falls Church Dec 31
