32 Festive Events to Make the Season Bright

Not all gifts can be boxed. You can also bring joy through shared experiences, and there are plenty to be had in our area, whether you want to immerse yourself in an illuminated wonderland, decorate cookies or take a pic of your pup with St. Nick.

This story will be updated as new information about seasonal events becomes available. 

A Very Victorian Christmas 

Nov. 25, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Visit the historic Cherry Hill Farmhouse to see how Christmas was celebrated during the Victorian age. Costumed re-enactors will welcome friends and neighbors to gather for holiday cheer during the 1860s and 1870s. Period decorations, music and Christmas carols, and children’s activities are all part of the festivities. Admission is free. //312 Park Ave., Falls Church

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens’ Winter Walk of Lights

Through Dec. 7, 5:30-10 p.m.
Dec. 8-Jan. 7, 5-10 p.m. 

A Northern Virginia tradition for 12 years, this event lights up Vienna’s Meadowlark Botanical Gardens with thousands of lighted trees and displays featuring nature, winter and holiday themes. A half-mile-long paved trail is perfect for a stroll, including families with wheelchairs and strollers. Find hot beverages (spiked or not) at the Sips & Sparkles Shop, s’mores from the S’mores Shack, and hot pretzels and funnel cakes from the Park Street Eats food truck. Tickets cost $6-$18, and timed entries are spaced 30 minutes apart. // 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna 

Bull Run Festival of Lights

Nightly from Nov. 17-Jan. 7
5:30-9:30 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 5:30-10 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holiday nights

Enjoy the lights of the season from the warmth of your vehicle as you wind through 2.5 miles of festive displays. At the end of the drive, you can get out to walk around the Holiday Village and Carnival. (See website for times.). Admission is $30 per vehicle (online) or $40 onsite. Carnival rides have an additional fee: $1.75/ticket, 30 for $40, 50 for $60 or an unlimited rides wristband for $27. // 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville 

Ice & Lights at the Winter Village at Cameron Run

Winter Village, through Jan. 1, 5-10 p.m. (tickets available at the door or online)
Evening outdoor skating, Dec. 1-Jan. 1, 5-10 p.m. (tickets available online only)
Daytime outdoor skating, Dec. 18-30 and weekends and holidays in January and February

If it’s selfies you want, look no further than this outdoor holiday lights extravaganza. Grab a hot chocolate to keep warm or work up a sweat on the ice rink under the stars. Skates are available to rent and are included in the ticket price. New this year: daytime ice skating on select dates. See website for all dates, times and ticket options. // 4001 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria

Christmas at Gaylord National

Nov. 19-Dec. 31

The 2,000-room, AAA-Four Diamond resort across the Potomac in National Harbor goes all out for the holidays. This year’s spectacle includes a 55-foot Christmas tree suspended from the 19-story atrium, indoor snowfalls, 2 million twinkling lights and 10,000 ornaments. A portion of the hotel’s convention center serves as headquarters for a Christmas Village with Bavarian-style storefronts and family-friendly activities such as indoor snow tubing down Snow Flow Mountain, throwing practice at Snowball Build & Blast, cookie icing at the Gingerbread Decorating Corner, story time with milk and cookies at Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Traditions, and photos with Santa. (See website for activity prices.) Outside, guests can ice skate or participate in a Reindeer Games Scavenger Hunt featuring Rudolph and the Misfit Toys. Check the hotel’s website for details on holiday dining specials. // 201 Waterfront St., National Harbor, Maryland

ICE! Featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Nov. 19-Dec. 31

The Gaylord National resort’s signature holiday attraction is ICE!, an exhibit made completely of sculpted ice. Wander through 13 scenes from the 1964 TV classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer made from more than 2 million pounds of ice. You can also slip down two-story-tall ice slides, huddle in ice tunnels and marvel at a nativity scene made from clear ice. Note that the temperature in the exhibit is a less-than-balmy 9 degrees. A special jacket is provided, but additional winter attire is encouraged. New elements this year include Spread Kindness & Shine Bright, an initiative to encourage kindness and inclusivity. Guests can fill out a Shine Bright Star to add to a special display, and $1 from every ticket sold on Twinkle Tuesdays (Nov. 21 and 28, Dec. 5 and 12) up to $10,000 will support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Maryland. Tickets cost $39.99 for visitors 12 and up; $29.99 for kids ages 4-11. Admission is free for kids 3 and under. // 201 Waterfront St., National Harbor, Maryland

Eighth Annual Light Yards

Nov. 20-Jan. 7, 5-10 p.m.

The Yards in D.C. is once again staging its popular Light Yards holiday-themed interactive lights installation. Back by popular demand are the Swinging Bells, five 13-foot-tall bells that jingle as you swing. This year’s fun also includes a holiday cocktail competition challenging bartenders from Trouble Bird, La Famosa, Shilling Canning Company, District Winery, Bluejacket and Agua 301 to create a signature cocktail served in themed glassware. Special guest judges will crown the winner, and the drinks will be available to the public starting Nov. 28. Also new this year: a kid-friendly Polar Express-themed attraction called Light Yards Express on Nov. 29, 5:30-9:30 p.m. Light Yards Express is free, but registration through Eventbrite is required. // 355 Water St., SE, Washington, D.C.

ZooLights

Nov. 24-Dec. 30, 5-9 p.m. (Sundays 5-8 p.m.)

The pandas may be gone, but there’s still plenty to do at Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Now in its 15th year, the beloved ZooLights event decks the park out in more than half a million environmentally friendly LED lights and illuminations. Stroll through immersive lantern displays showing rainforest, grassland, desert, ocean and polar habitats and the animals that live in them. Visitors will also find live music, food and holiday shopping. Tickets are $6. Reserve a parking spot online for $30 or pay when you arrive. // 3001 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, D.C.

Enchant Christmas

Nov. 24-Dec. 31

Returning to Nationals Park, Enchant Christmas will feature an all-new light maze with forest animal friends of Santa’s reindeer. (They’re hatching a plan to get the reindeers’ magic bells so that they, too, can fly the sleigh, and it’s up to visitors to save Christmas from the havoc.) Revelers can also stop by The Village, a market with vendors and boutiques selling holiday gifts. Grab a hand—or a railing—and take to the Ice Skating Trail, and be sure to stop at Santa’s Landing to spend a little one-on-one time with the man of the hour. A Kid Zone will welcome kiddos 7 and younger (and their adults) who need a break from the hustle and bustle of the main events. Ticket prices range from $27 for kids 3-17 to $100.80 for a family four-pack. // 1500 South Capitol St., SE, Washington, D.C.

“A Chanticleer Christmas”

Nov. 25, 8 p.m.

The 12 members of Grammy-winning vocal ensemble Chanticleer will be in town to perform a cappella arrangements of well-known holiday tunes, including Renaissance music, gospel hymns and Christmas carols, plus songs from Great American Songbook, at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts. Tickets are $34-$58; half price for students through 12th grade. // 4373 Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax 

Ballston Sip & Jingle

Nov. 29, 5-7 p.m.

This networking happy hour at The Commentary inside the Westin Arlington Gateway will be steeped in holiday merriment, blending business and pleasure. Enjoy festive cocktails at the Jingle Bar and enter the Ugly Sweater Contest to win prizes. Bring a toy to to contribute to Fill the Cruiser, an initiative of the Arlington County Police Department. Tickets are free for employees of Ballston businesses and organizations. Others must pay $20 or make a toy donation. This event is hosted by the Ballston Business Improvement District and Monument Home Loans. // 801 N. Glebe Road, Arlington (Ballston)

Light Up the Village

Nov. 30, 6-8:30 p.m.

Emcee’d by NBC4’s Joseph Olmo, the Village at Shirlington’s annual tree lighting celebration kicks off with a musical performance by Signature Theatre at 6 p.m., followed by the tree lighting at 6:30. Horse and carriage rides start at 6:40 (bring a nonperishable food item or make a cash donation to the Arlington Food Assistance Center as admission). Photos with Santa will get underway at 7  p.m. at Hardwood Artisans. Other activities include a makers market, live performances by Bishop O’Connell High School students, and free face painting and balloon art. Admission is free and open to the public. // 4280 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington) 

The Lodge – National Landing

Dec. 1, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Dec. 2, 1-8 p.m.
Dec. 3, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Come December, Amazon’s Met Park will transform into a ski-themed holiday destination with activities and Insta-worthy scenes for visitors and their pets. Free and open to the public, the space will be broken into three sections. Stop by the kid-friendly Bunny Hill for glitter tattoos, face painting, balloon artists and crafts. The Blue Run will be geared toward families and pups, with a dog bone bar and pet caricaturist, plus a holiday market, photo booth and a pop-up Christmas tree farm where you can buy a real tree. In the Black Diamond zone, adults can try their hand at ax throwing, raise a glass during an Ugly Sweater Après Ski Happy Hour, watch a Sleigh Ride Drag Show and sidle up to a bar serving spiked hot chocolate and mulled wine. // 1400 S. Eads St., Arlington (National Landing)

Madeline’s Christmas at Creative Cauldron

Dec. 1-17

“In an old house in Paris, covered in vines, lived twelve little girls in two straight lines…” Ludwig Bemelmans’ picture books have delighted generations. In this enchanting stage adaptation, little Madeline must save Christmas when illness prevents her classmates from traveling home for the holidays. Performances 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; and 4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $20-$30 ($18 for students). // 410 S. Maple Ave., Falls Church

Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights 

Dec. 2, 5:30 p.m.

The 23rd annual event will feature more than 50 illuminated boats floating down the Potomac from Canal Center (44 Canal Center Plaza, Alexandria) to Ford’s Landing Park, but the festivities extend well beyond that. From 1-8 p.m., enjoy dockside fun in Waterfront Park at the foot of King Street that includes a pop-up beer garden, hot chocolate and food from Mason Social, Tequila & Taco, Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, and Together We Bake. Holiday music from 97.1 WASH-FM will provide a cheerful backdrop. From 1-5:30 p.m. local businesses, including the soon-to-open Pippin Toy Co., will offer hands-on activities. Send a postcard to Santa from Penny Post or create an ornament with AR Workshop Alexandria. At 3:30 p.m., Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive by fireboat at the at the Alexandria City Marina and make their way to the annual Holiday Festival at Torpedo Factory Art Center, which takes place from noon-6 p.m. At Canal Center from 3-9 p.m., browse the Canal Center Holiday Art Mart and stay warm with munchies and drinks from Chalkboard Wings & BBQ, Scuttlebutt Bakeshop, Port City Brewing and others. The weekend of festivities also includes the 52^nd annual Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade, sponsored by Wegmans from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The District’s Holiday Boat Parade

Dec. 2, 6-9 p.m.

More than 60 bulb-covered boats will make their way from Hains Point through the Washington Channel to The Wharf, where the party continues for landlubbers of all ages with ornament decorating, ice skating, karaoke, s’mores, live music, fireworks and Santa photo ops. New to this year’s programming will be holiday decor with a theme of “Peace, Love, and Joy,” including a life-size “Joy” sign in District Square. /// 101 District Square, SW, Washington, D.C.

The Nutcracker at Capital One Hall

Dec. 3, 4, 9 and 22

Calling all Nutcracker fans! Capital One Hall will be celebrating the season with multiple artistic interpretations of Tchaikovsky’s classic, complete with spinning sugarplums and an army of mincing mice. Catch performances by NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet!, featuring an international cast and Ukrainian principal artists; The Virginia National Ballet; and Ravel Dance. See website for show times and ticket prices. // 7750 Capital One Tower Road, Tysons

17th Annual Santa Railway Express Train

Dec. 4, 11, 15 and 18, 1:30-4:30 p.m.

A Virginia Railway Express (VRE) train will leave from Alexandria’s King Street Station and travel roundtrip to Old Town Manassas with Santa and Mrs. Claus onboard. In Manassas, you can disembark for about 75 minutes to enjoy hot chocolate and cookies. The train ride is presented by Whistle Stop Hobbies in Alexandria. Hooray for Books will host a story time in the station and Santa will field a Q&A on the platform. Tickets must be purchased in person at Whistle Stop. // 1719 Centre Plaza, Alexandria

Reindeer Games at Encore Stage & Studio

Dec. 8-17 (see website for times)

Pulling Santa and all the toys in that heavy sleigh is tough, and made even tougher when Dasher decides to retire. Coaches Kris and Carol Kringle decide to host the Reindeer Games to see who will replace him in this local production at Gunston Theatre Two by the kids’ theater troupe. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for children, students, military members and seniors. // 2700 S. Lang St., Arlington

Snow Maiden at Synetic Theater

Dec. 9-Jan. 6

The Russian fairy tale of a beautiful girl crafted from snow and her friendship with a human boy is an ode to friendship, mortality and ephemeral pleasures. Created and directed by Irina Tsikurishvili and performed by Maryam Najafzada and Vato Tsikurishvili, this 45-minute show is appropriate for all ages (no intermission). See website for ticket prices and performance times. // 1800 S. Bell St., Arlington (National Landing)

Santa’s Workshop Holiday Extravaganza

Dec. 9, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Swing by Santa’s Workshop in Boro Park to take pics with jolly old St. Nick from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Stick around to make some holiday crafts, find your groove at a DJ-hosted dance party and concoct your own cocoa at a specialty hot chocolate bar from Bluestone Lane. A calligrapher will be on hand to customize ornaments, too. In the event of rain or snow, this event will be postponed to Dec. 16. Weather delay or not, Santa will be back for another photo op that day. The events are free but registration via Eventbrite is encouraged. // 8350 Broad St., Tysons

Arlington Chorale: Of All the Kings

Dec. 9, 5 p.m.

This multigenerational chorus composed of members from across the DMV will perform Of All the Kings, created in collaboration with the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington. Bop along to familiar holiday tunes such as Nat King Cole’s The Christmas Song and get to know Margaret Bonds’ The Ballad of the Brown King, a rarely performed 1954 work with libretto by Langston Hughes that tells the story of Balthazar, one of the Three Wise Men. // Westover Baptist Church, 1125 Patrick Henry Drive, Arlington (Westover)

VRE’s Santa Train

Dec. 9 (see schedule for departure locations and times)

A popular annual event that sells out quickly, the Santa Train is also VRE’s way of reminding passengers of the importance of rail safety based on the Operation Lifesaver “Look, Listen and Live” campaign. Of course, the best lessons are disguised as fun, so Santa’s helpers will distribute candy canes, and guests will get to meet the big guy himself. VRE also partners with the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program, so consider bringing a new, unwrapped toy to donate. Tickets go on sale Nov. 27 at 10 a.m. at designated vendors and online through Eventbrite. Check the website for the link and locations.

Light Up Arlington

Dec. 10, 5 p.m.

Celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights with the lighting of a giant, 9-foot menorah in Clarendon. Hosted by Chabad Lubavitch of Alexandria-Arlington, this event also includes traditional music, dreidel spinning, latkes, hot cocoa, chocolate gelt and other treats. Admission is free, but registration required. // 1307 N. Highland St., Arlington (Clarendon)

Holiday Tea at Cherry Hill Farmhouse

December 9, 2-4 p.m. (Dec. 10 tea times are booked)

Hosted by the Friends of Cherry Hill Foundation, these afternoon teas held at the historic Cherry Hill Farmhouse include tea sandwiches, holiday sweets, warm scones and a bottomless cup of tea, plus a talk by the 1858 mistress of the house, Eirene Blaisdell. The landmark home will be decorated in mid-19th century period décor. Registration required. //312 Park Ave., Falls Church

The Nutcracker

Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 10, 2 p.m.

Presented by the Kintz-Mejia Academy of Ballet, this performance is adapted from E.T.A. Hoffman’s The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. When Clara receives a nutcracker doll for Christmas, she dreams that night that it has come to life. After battling the evil mouse king, the doll whisks Clara off to a magical sweets-filled kingdom. Tickets are on sale now for $35. // Meridian High School, 121 Mustang Alley, Falls Church

Menorah Lighting in Mosaic

Dec. 14, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

The Pozez Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia presents a community menorah lighting with sing-alongs, entertainment, dreidels and other Hanukkah fun at Strawberry Park in the Mosaic District. Admission is free. 2910 District Ave., Fairfax

National Chamber Ensemble’s Holiday Cheer Concert

Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m.

Enjoy an evening of classical holiday music with Tchaikovsky Competition winner Dylana Jenson as the featured violinist. Jenson joins NCE artistic director and violinist Leo Sushansky to perform “Concerto for Two Violins” by J.S. Bach and also “Introduction” and “Rondo Capriccioso” by Camille Saint-Saens. The concert features winners of the 2023 NCE Young Artist Competition performing on piano, too. Tickets are $40; $20 for students. // Unitarian Universalist Church, 4444 Arlington Blvd., Arlington

A John Waters Christmas at The Birchmere

Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m.

Baltimore’s favorite auteur director John Waters (Pink Flamingos, Hairspray) returns to The Birchmere with his ribald holiday show full of mirth, joy, wit and raunchy humor. Tickets are $59.50. //3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria

National Philharmonic Presents Handel’s Messiah

Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m.

From the triumphant “Hallelujah” chorus to the hauntingly beautiful “He Shall Feed His Flock,” this timeless oratorio has captivated audiences for over 250 years. NatPhil reimagines Handel’s masterpiece, drawing on the storytelling of all-star soloists soprano Aundi Marie Moore, mezzo soprano Lucia Bradford, tenor Norman Shankle and baritone Jorell Williams, under the direction of Maestro Piotr Gajewski. Tickets start at $23. // 7750 Capital One Tower Road, Tysons

“The Voices” Motown Christmas at The Birchmere

Dec. 22, 7:30 p.m.

Tarsha Fitzgerald Productions presents this all-star musical tribute concert to Motown greats, including The Temptations, Four Tops, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson 5, The Supremes and others, with Mr. C of the Original Time Tunnel as host. Grab a seat at the Birchmere music hall for $35. // 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria

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