Go See Some Christmas Lights
The most well-known light show in NoVA is the Bull Run Festival of Lights. It’s a 2.5-mile drive through some decently nice lights with a pop-up carnival at the end. There’s no music, though, and the price isn’t all that cheap either.
Meadowlark’s Walk of Lights at Botanical Gardens is another option. The trail is a paved half-mile, and for extra festive feels, they have warmed beverages and marshmallow roasting at the end of the road. To enter this light show, tickets have to be purchased online.
My personal favorite light show is not brought to you by a company, but rather a lovely lady named Holly. Holly’s Tacky Christmas Lights Tour is her special rendition of a drive-through lights show. She has compiled a list of houses that have extravagant lights, sort of like a connect-the-dots drive through NoVa. She’s a Northern Virginia legend for her compilation, and if you want to check it out, see the link at the bottom of this article.
Take a Carriage Ride in Middleburg
Middleburg is one of Northern Virginia’s most historic areas; they go big for the holidays in turn, and everything related to snowy festivities is quite the treat. In December, they offer horse-drawn carriage rides through their quaint town, which really puts locals and tourists alike in a holiday fervor. The carriage rides will be available between 10 A.M and 2 P.M, but dates for the event are still TBD. Tickets are on sale as of now; grab them quickly because it’s a favorite festivity in Northern Virginia. When you’re done, stop by Piedmont Drip & Dip for free hot cocoa.
Check Out Westpost Outdoor Ice Skating Rink
Maybe you know it by its former name, Pentagon Post. Westpost is the largest outdoor ice rink in the entirety of Northern Virginia, and the second largest in the whole state at a whopping 6,940 square feet. When your feet need a break, sit by their double-sided stone fireplace to warm up. There’s a little gift shop too, and discounts are available for children. The rink is open for incredibly long hours (10 A.M - 10 P.M.) and especially so for holidays (An hour later than regular days). Tickets are cheap, and so are ice skate rentals, so if you have the free time, make this a stop on your holiday bucket list.
Hit Up A Holiday Market
Holiday markets are in abundance during the winter season. Chantilly hosts a Christmas Market at the Dulles Expo Center. Admission is $9, and tickets are available both online and at the door. One admission ticket counts towards all three days of the market. Not my biggest recommendation due to the location, but the pop-up features arts and crafts from small time vendors, and some gingerbead house decorating, which is always a plus
Luckets Holiday House is a lovely little market that’s hosted inside a 100-year-old farmhouse each November and early December. This ‘market’ is quite unique; each room in the farmhouse is decorated meticulously, and when the holiday season rolls around, everything within it is for sale. Every day, the house is restocked, so there is no disadvantage to attending a date closer to the end of the season. After you shop, head to Vanish Brewery next door to cozy up by the fire with a refreshing beverage. Luckett’s market is just one part of their store, and the rest of the grounds are free to explore, even if you aren’t there for the farmhouse market. The one downside is that the tickets guests purchase are for a specific time slot, and there’s no wiggle room; you must arrive at the designated entry time and day.
Fairfax City Holiday Market is pretty special, too. As with most Alexandria events, this pop-up is located in Old Town Square. A myriad of different vendors will be there, along with local artists and dance groups. Be aware: vendors and performance groups from December 5-7 will be different than the vendors at the Dec. 12-14 dates.
Watch the Nutcracker in Fairfax
George Mason University Center for the Arts puts on a production of The Nutcracker every year. This year, the show is presented by Fairfax Symphony Orchestra and Fairfax Ballet on December 22. It features Tchaikovsky’s classic score. The GMU theatre is beautiful with a color palette of vibrant reds and copper browns, so the space really amplifies the performance. Keep in mind, prices are not the cheapest but definitely well-worth the splurge.
Partake in A Victorian Christmas
Falls Church has a Victorian Christmas annual reenactment that they do on November 29th in the Cherry Hill Farmhouse. Admission is free and registration is not required. Re-enactors dress in intricate costumes as part of the Victorian Society of Falls Church, and they welcome visitors to celebrate Christmas as if it were the late 19th century. From decorations to music to caroling, the whole event is very much of that era.
Ride the Virginia Railway Express Santa Train
VRE’s Santa Train is chugging into town on December 13th and it's perfect for the little ones. Tickets aren’t on sale yet but will be available in-person on Monday, December 1st, starting at 10 A.M and ending at 12 noon; online tickets will begin sale on Tuesday, December 2nd. This little event channels the energy of The Polar Express with children (and, unlike The Polar Express, thankfully parents) riding a Christmas-themed train with Santa and his friends. Santa’s helpers will be handing out candy canes and coloring books. This isn’t just about fun; the event is focused on promoting train safety as well. Make sure you check the train schedule before attending, which will be linked below.
Win a NOVA Gingerbread House Contest
Okay, winning may be too lofty a goal, but competing sure isn’t. Join a local gingerbread competition just for the sake of the holiday spirit. Arlington is hosting a competition at the Board Room Game Bar & Brewery on December 8th. Houses and tools will be provided, which is a plus, and participants will get access to a limited and exclusive holiday menu. Plus, prizes for the winners.
If you’re looking for something more official, Prince William County is hosting its very first Rippon Lodge gingerbread house contest this year. There are three different categories: amateur, family, and professional. Winners are chosen by a voting system, and entry forms must be turned in by December 5th; and entry is free. Winners will be announced on December 12th
This bucket list was packed, but there’s still plenty left to explore in Northern Virginia. Keep your eyes peeled around the NoVa neighborhoods for more, and enjoy the happy holidays in one of the most celebratory U.S states.
Posted by Lauren Weiner
on
Leave A Comment