Photo by Carol Jean Stalin for Visit Alexandria
Holiday Magic 9964
Holiday magic in Old Town Alexandria.
The holiday season can be hectic, but with a little planning, you and your friends and family are sure to enjoy the magic of the season. Here's a look at some of the events coming up in Alexandria and the surrounding area to add to your calendar. Click on the links for dates, times and more information.
The Little Theatre of Alexandria's "A Christmas Carol" directed by Michael Page will be running from Dec. 5-20. Get your tickets today, and find more information here.
Holiday shopping
Fifth Annual St. Nicholas Market (Dec. 7, Alexandria) The Market is held mostly outdoors and will feature over 40 local Catholic artists and makers selling their creations for the Christmas season at Saint Rita Catholic Church.
Del Ray Artisans Holiday Market (Dec. 5-21; first three weekends in December, Alexandria) The 30th annual market offers unique handmade fine arts and fine crafts from local artists.
McLean Holiday Art & Crafts Festival (Dec. 5-7, McLean): This three-day indoor show at the McLean Community Center features regional artisans selling a variety of handmade items, including pottery, jewelry, and holiday decor.
Old Town Alexandria Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show (Dec. 13, Alexandria): This large holiday market at John Carlyle Square features local artisans, holiday music, and seasonal food and drinks.
Mosaic Holiday Village (Nov. 22-23; Dec. 13-14, Fairfax): Enjoy shopping at the Holiday Market, which features local artisans, and participate in other festivities in the Mosaic District.
Farmer John's Holiday Market (Dec. 6-7, Leesburg): Get into the spirit at this festive market with Christmas trees, wreaths, handmade crafts, and hot cider.
Holiday Shopping Village at The Barn (Nov. 14, Ashburn): Part of the annual Festival of Trees, this village offers a special holiday shopping experience.
Holiday Lights & Parades
54th Annual Scottish Christmas Walk Parade (Dec. 6, Old Town Alexandria): For more than 50 years, Campagna Center has celebrated Alexandria’s Scottish heritage during the holiday season with both the Taste of Scotland and the annual Scottish Christmas Walk parade.
Ice & Lights: The Winter Village at Cameron Run (Began Nov. 15, Alexandria): Ice & Lights provides a fun, outdoor family experience to explore new, dazzling light displays, take family pictures or selfies with a variety of festive scenes, enjoy a hot beverage and snack, and take a spin on the ice rink under the stars.
Bull Run Festival of Lights (Began Nov. 14, Centreville): Drive through this popular park to see a spectacular festival of lights.
Christmas Illuminations (Dec. 20-21, Mount Vernon): George Washington's Mount Vernon hosts an evening with fireworks over the Potomac, a historic winter encampment, and tours of the illuminated mansion.
Meadowlark's Winter Walk of Lights (Began Nov. 7, Vienna): This popular seasonal event features a half-mile walk through decorated gardens.
Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights (Dec. 6, Alexandria): Watch decorated boats light up the waterfront in the 25th annual parade.
Greater Manassas Christmas Parade (Manassas): A long-running tradition held on the first Saturday in December, featuring floats and performers.
Santa Lights Manassas (Dec. 5, Dec. 6 Manassas): On the first Friday of December, join the annual tree lighting ceremony to welcome Santa to Historic Manassas. The 79th annual parade takes place the next day.
39th Annual Santa's Wonderland Parade and Winter Festival (Dec. 6, Colonial Beach): A winter festival kicks off with a parade of decorated floats and vehicles.
More Holiday Events
- Alexandria Jingle Bell Jam (Dec. 7, 8-11 a.m.): A Santa breakfast, DJ and holiday magic show are all part of the fun at the Heritage Ballroom at Hotel Heron! Get your tickets now. Brought to you by Alexandria Living Magazine, thanks to our wonderful event sponsors Babs Beckwith of Corcoran McEnearney, United States Senate Federal Credit Union and Thrivent financial services organization.)
- Holidays with a Twist, Alexandria Symphony Orchestra (Dec. 20-21, Alexandria): Alexandria’s favorite holiday musical tradition returns featuring stirring choruses from Handel’s Messiah. Dancers from BalletNova perform the greatest moments from The Nutcracker. Plus carols, classics and other sparkling favorites of the season.
- Concerts at Christ Church: Celtic Music for Christmas (Dec. 8, Alexandria): Ensemble Gut, Wind, and Wire presents a holiday program of Celtic and English early music, ‘Drive the Cold Winter Wind Away’.
- National Christmas Tree Lighting (Dec. 4, Presidents Park, DC): A lottery for tickets to this event ends on Nov. 5 at 3 p.m.
- A Christmas Carol (Dec. 5-20, Alexandria): at the Little Theatre of Alexandria (tickets go on sale Nov. 6!)
- Del Ray Holiday Season Kick-Off (Dec. 7, Alexandria): Join the Del Ray community for holiday cheer at the Del Ray Holiday Kick-Off on Sunday, Dec. 7.
- The Nutcracker (Nov. 28-Dec. 23, Manassas): The Manassas Ballet presents the classic holiday ballet at the Hylton Performing Arts Center.
- Santa Train Rides (Dec. 1, 8, 15 and 18, Alexandria): The Virginia Railway Express (VRE) runs special holiday trains perfect for families, roundtrip from Alexandria to Manassas.
- Aladdin the Camel (Nov. 26-Jan. 6, Mount Vernon): Meet the Christmas camel at George Washington's Mount Vernon, a nod to a real event from 1787.
- Holidays Through the Ages (Dec. 5-29, Woodbridge): Step back in time at the Rippon Lodge Historic Site to see how holidays were celebrated in different centuries.
- Santa Stampede 2025 (Dec. 6, Alexandria): Get some exercise at this fun, festive run held in John Carlyle Square.
