Now that Turkey Day, Black Friday and all the Cyber Monday madness is over, it's officially the countdown to Christmas! Here are our top 21 picks of things to do in the DC/Virginia area this weekend:
1.) Christmas in Middleburg Celebration
The beautiful town of Middleburg is kicking off its Christmas celebrations on Friday evening with its tree lighting ceremony. The weekend activities continue on Saturday and Sunday: Breakfast with Santa, the Christmas parade, shopping, caroling, wine crawl, tree top zip tours at Salamander Resort, hayrides and much more! Visit their site for more information on schedule of events:
www.christmasinmiddleburg.com
2.) One Loudoun Tree Lighting
The 3rd Annual Tree Lighting at One Loudoun is Saturday evening. It kicks off at 5pm with an evening of entertainment, food and drinks, s'mores, hot chocolate, music, kids crafts, photos with Santa, the Tree Lighting at 5:50pm and finishes with a spectacular fireworks display! If your kids are anything like ours and obsessed with Frozen, they are going to love the Frozen characters in attendance who will be greeting guests. For more information, visit:
www.oneloudoun.com
3.) For The Workout Enthusiast
If you want to get in the holiday spirit while working out this weekend, you have some great options. SoulCycle Charity Ride on Saturday at 1:30pm is in conjunction with Whitman Walker Health. Proceeds from the one hour ride at SoulCycle Mount Vernon will benefit HIV and AIDS treatment and prevention. For more information visit:
www.whitman-walker.org
If your a runner, head out to Reston Town Center's Potomac River Running Store for the Run With Santa 5K. There is a costume contest for those who choose to run in Christmas themed gear. Starts at 8:30am. For more information visit:
www.prraces.com/runwithsanta/
4.) Zoolights at The National Zoo, Washington, DC
Zoolights at the National Zoo in Washington, DC is a winter holiday event that is fun for the whole family and runs until January 2nd. The National Zoo presents a display of thousands of sparkling lights featuring sculptures of many of the Zoo's most popular animals. You will enjoy winter themed activities, a laser light show, musical performances, train rides, tubing and animal exhibits as well. For more information on event times and tickets, visit:
https://nationalzoo.si.edu
5.) Motown the Musical
Playing at The National Theatre until January 3, the musical features nearly 60 of Motown Records greatest hits. For tickets and show schedule, visit:
www.thenationaldc.org
6.) The Grand Illumination in Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg marks its official start to the holiday season on Sunday with the Grand Illumination. The Revolutionary City lights up with fireworks, bonfires and candles. Enjoy live music, entertainment for kids, guided tours, shopping, and the fireworks display later in the evening! For more information and schedule of events, visit:
www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/holidays
7.) ICE! at The Gaylord National Harbor
ICE! is an indoor winter wonderland featuring two million pounds of hand-carved ice sculptures kept at a chilly 9 degrees. It showcases five ice slides, seven individual rooms depicting the story of 'Santa Claus is Comin' to Town,' and the Frostbite Factory which is a live carving zone. It runs until January 3rd. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit:
www.nationalharbor.com
8.) Meadowlark's Winter Walk of Lights
See this beautiful 95 acre botanical garden complex twinkle with over 500,000 lights until January 3. The walk through light show is breathtaking at night. Dress for the weather and have on comfy shoes for this outing! Visit their site for ticket purchases and more information:
www.winterwalkoflights.com
9.) Mount Vernon by Candlelight Tours
Join this beautiful estate for candlelit character guided tours of the first and second floors of this historic Mansion. They will showcase 18th century dancing, fireside caroling, hot chocolate and at the final stop of the tour, guests will hear about Washington's holiday cooking and see a reproduction of Martha's Great Cake. For more information on event times and to purchase tickets, visit:
www.mountvernon.org
10.) Night out in DC: Check out DC's "Pop-Up Christmas Bar" called Miracle on Seventh Street
From Naughty Elves to 'nog shots,' if your a lover of all things Christmas, this is your kind of spot. Drink master Derek Brown has taken over the Mockingbird Hill in Shaw and now until December 24, you can enjoy a speciality holiday cocktail list, a daily lineup of festivities from free cookies to 'Bad Santa Happy Hours,' and a singing chorus. For more information, visit:
www.miracleon7thst.com
11.) Frying Pan Farm's Christmas at The Farm
For a wintery 'down on the farm' feel, visit Frying Pan Farm on Sunday Decemeber 6 for special wagon rides with Santa through the park, cookie decorating, holiday crafts, puppet shows and more! For more information, visit:
https://park takes.fairfaxcounty.gov
12.) A Christmas Carol at Fords Theatre
Get in the Christmas spirit and go see the timeless musical playing now until December 31 at Fords Theatre. For more information and tickets, visit:
www.fords.org
13.) Ice Skating at Local Ice Rinks
What would the holidays be without some ice skating! Whether your a beginner or an advanced skater, ice skating is a great way to burn off your extra holiday calories! There are many local options to visit. Here are some of our favorites:
*Reston Town Center Ice Rink
*Tysons Corner Ice Rink {located in Tysons Corner Center}
*Pentagon Row Ice Skating Plaza {Largest in Northern, VA}
*Washington Harbour Ice Rink {This Georgetown rink is DC's largest}
*Sculpture Garden Ice Rink {Located in The National Gallery of Art's Sculpture Garden}
14.) Washington Ballet Presents, The Nutcracker
A holiday must see, critically acclaimed The Nutcracker, transports the audience back to historic Washington, DC and stars George Washington as the heroic Nutcracker. The production features The Washington Ballet's international roster of dancers. You can catch this magical production at the Warner Theatre. For more information on show times and to purchase tickets, visit:
www.washingtonballet.org
15.) BullRun Festival Of Lights
The Bull Run Festival of Lights is a 2.5 mile drive through holiday light show at Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville, VA. It features penguins, snowmen, candy canes, jumping deer, Santa's workshop, Frosty the Snowman, tin soldiers, elves and more. The seasonal event includes more than 40,000 animated lights set to music and runs through January 3. After viewing the lights, you can visit the Winter Wonderland Holiday Village which includes amusement rides, an ice skating rink, entertainment, shopping, contests, food and more. For more information on hours and tickets, visit:
www.bullrunfestivaloflights.com
16.) Visit the National Christmas Tree
A tradition for most Washingtonian's, visiting the National Christmas Tree and the Pathway of Peace {which represents all 50 states, five territories and the District of Columbia} which surround the National Christmas Tree is quite the magical experience. Musicial performances will be held nightly 5pm-8:30pm throughout December from volunteer choirs, bands, and dancers. Did we mention the backdrop: The White House. Visiting is free of charge.
17.) The Smithsonian Holiday Festival
The special two day festival will take place this Saturday and Sunday, from 10am-5:30pm each day at several of the museums on the National Mall. Features include family friendly entertainment, seasonal films, holiday photo opportunities, book signings, trunk shows and more! Admission is free. Participating museums include the following:
*African Art Museum
*American History Museum
*Natural History Museum
*National Air and Space Museum
*American Indian Museum
*Freer and Sackler Galleries
For more information, visit: www.si.edu/events
18.) Burke Lake Park Winter Wonderland
The park transforms into a 'Winter Wonderland' on Saturday and Sunday from 10am-4pm each day. Take a ride on the 'Holiday Express' for a train trip through the park, take a wagon ride, play 'Gingerbread Man's' golf, set sail on the 'USS Rudolph,' ride the carousel, visit Santa, sip on hot chocolate, and enjoy s'mores by the fire. For more information and to purchase tickets in advance, visit:
https://parktakes.fairfaxcounty.gov
19.) Pentagon Row Frost Fest
The Pentagon Row outdoor ice rink will be hosting the Frost Fest on Saturday from 5pm-9pm. The rink was recently renovated, making it the largest ice rink in Northern VA at 6,840 sq ft and has a dual-sided fireplace to lounge during skating breaks. This will make for an amazing on ice fireworks display this year! There will also be ice sculptures, fire performers, a smores station, and a $1,000 shopping spree giveaway to one lucky winner. For more information, visit:
www.pentagonrowskating.com
20.) Parcel Market at Canal Park
This holiday market captures DC's distinctive styles and flavors. For the second year in a row, Parcel Market will turn Canal Park into a winter wonderland on Saturday and Sunday. The park's 10,000 sq ft ice rink will be home to food pavilions with popular local vendors, live music, fire pits, interactive art installations, and festival tents featuring the work of local chefs, artists, designers and creatives. Admission is free and runs from 12pm-6pm each day. For more information, visit:
www.parcelmarketdc.com
21.) Georgetown Men's Basketball vs. Syracuse
Calling all college basketball fans {and sports junkies alike}, don't miss this game on Saturday at 1pm at the Verizon Center. The longstanding rivalry between the two is sure to make this a great game to see live! Visit your preferred ticket site to purchase seats.
