Create your festive itinerary in Fairfax with our guide. Discover all the best holiday events and activities. For those who live and breathe Fairfax and those just getting acquainted, this guide is your festive companion.
One enchanting highlight of the season is the Christmas in Middleburg celebration, where visitors can soak in picturesque streets adorned with twinkling lights and delightful holiday décor. For a magical evening, the Holiday Walk of Lights at Neabsco Creek offers a breathtaking display of illuminated pathways perfect for family strolls. And the City of Fairfax Holiday Market is something you definitely don’t want to miss, featuring local artisans and seasonal treats that bring the spirit of the season to life. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Fairfax
- Christmas in Middleburg (Middleburg)
- Holiday Walk of Lights at Neabsco Creek (Woodbridge)
- City of Fairfax Holiday Market
- McLean Holiday Art and Crafts Show (McLean)
- Norwegian Holiday Festival and Bazaar
- Holidays in Leesburg (Leesburg)
- Winter Wonderland, Burke Lake Park (Burke)
- National Harbor Tree Light Show (National Harbor)
- Festival of Lights and Carols
- Scottish Walk Open House at Carlyle House (Alexandria)
See these and even more events listed below!
Fairfax Holiday Light Displays
Holiday Walk of Lights at Neabsco Creek
What to Expect:
Sensory-friendly night with low lights and reduced music volume.
Description:
The Holiday Walk of Lights at Neabsco Regional Park features unique, hand-crafted light displays along a picturesque path. This stroller and wheelchair-friendly event is designed to delight all ages with its dazzling lights and festive atmosphere.
Where: Woodbridge | More Info: Holiday Walk of Lights at Neabsco Creek
Winter Wonderland, Burke Lake Park
What to Expect:
Holiday lights and festive activities.
Description:
A holiday evening at Burke Lake Park featuring a train ride and carousel ride amidst holiday lights.
Where: Burke | More Info: Winter Wonderland, Burke Lake Park
Festival of Lights and Carols
What to Expect:
Live holiday music and festive activities in Old Town Square.
Description:
The Festival of Lights and Carols in Old Town Square, Fairfax, VA, features live holiday music, s'mores, hot cider, and various activities. The event culminates in a Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5:30 PM.
Where: Fairfax | More Info: Festival of Lights and Carols
National Harbor Tree Light Show
What to Expect:
Spectacular RGB tree lighting show with holiday music.
Description:
The National Harbor Tree Light Show features a 60-foot RGB tree that comes to life nightly with a breathtaking light show dancing alongside a holiday medley recorded by the United States Air Force Band.
Where: National Harbor | More Info: National Harbor Tree Light Show
Fairfax Holiday Markets and Shopping
City of Fairfax Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Variety of local craft vendors and live entertainment.
Description:
The City of Fairfax Holiday Market features handmade, artisan crafts and gourmet food items, with live music and dance, held over two weekends in December.
Where: Fairfax | More Info: City of Fairfax Holiday Market
Norwegian Holiday Festival and Bazaar
What to Expect:
Unique blend of traditional Norwegian goods and culinary experiences.
Description:
The Norwegian Holiday Festival and Bazaar at Washington DC Lodge features a diverse array of Norwegian goods, including giftware, linens, books, cookware, Dale sweaters, and traditional foods like cheeses, Freia chocolates, fiskeballer, lefse, and Solo drinks. The outdoor Norwegian Cafe offers Lefse and krumkakker demos, fresh waffles, pea soup, Norwegian-style hotdogs, and baked goods.
Where: Fairfax | More Info: Norwegian Holiday Festival and Bazaar
McLean Holiday Art and Crafts Show
What to Expect:
Unique gifts from local artisans.
Description:
The McLean Holiday Art and Crafts Festival is a three-day indoor show featuring approximately 80 talented, regional artisans selling a variety of handmade items, including pottery, glass, jewelry, holiday decor, fashion accessories, wood, fine art, and artisanal foods. The event offers a delightful shopping experience with music and an onsite café.
Where: McLean | More Info: McLean Holiday Art and Crafts Show
Holidays in Leesburg
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebrations with local artisans and festive parades.
Description:
Leesburg's holiday events include a tree lighting ceremony at Town Green, a fine arts and crafts show featuring local artisans, and a Christmas holiday parade through Historic Downtown Leesburg.
Where: Leesburg | More Info: Holidays in Leesburg
Downtown Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Diverse local vendors and community activations.
Description:
The DowntownDC Holiday Market is a vibrant holiday market in the Penn Quarter-Chinatown neighborhood, celebrating its 20th anniversary. Managed by Makers Show, it features upgraded vendor kiosks, diverse artisans, community activations, and a delectable food and beverage lineup.
Where: Washington | More Info: Downtown Holiday Market
Holiday Maker Market
What to Expect:
Local artisans and gourmet food vendors.
Description:
The Holiday Market in Old Town Square, Fairfax, VA, features handmade artisan crafts and gourmet food items. Enjoy live music and a variety of vendors each weekend, supporting local artists during the holiday season.
Where: Fairfax | More Info: Holiday Maker Market
Fairfax Other Holiday Activities
Christmas in Middleburg
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday celebration with unique activities and events.
Description:
Christmas in Middleburg is a festive event featuring activities like the Tree Lighting Ceremony, Breakfast with Santa, the Middleburg Hunt Review, and a mile-long Christmas parade. Enjoy great eats, shopping, and spirits in this charming town.
Where: Middleburg | More Info: Christmas in Middleburg
Scottish Walk Open House at Carlyle House
What to Expect:
Historic mansion tour with 18th-century garden exploration.
Description:
Explore the historic Carlyle House during the Scottish Walk Open House, where you can delve into the 18th-century architecture and gardens, learning about the life and legacy of John Carlyle.
Where: Alexandria | More Info: Scottish Walk Open House at Carlyle House
Mount Vernon by Candlelight
What to Expect:
18th-century holiday experience with costumed interpreters.
Description:
Join Mount Vernon for a candlelit tour of the historic area, interacting with costumed 18th-century Virginians who share their stories and perspectives on the holiday season.
Where: Mount Vernon | More Info: Mount Vernon by Candlelight
Jingle on Lake Anne Holiday Event
What to Expect:
Christmas crafts and Letters to Santa station.
Description:
Join Restoration Church at Lake Anne Plaza for Jingle on the Lake, featuring Christmas crafts for kids and a Letters to Santa station where all letters will be answered. Enjoy activities before and after Santa's arrival by barge at noon.
Where: Reston | More Info: Jingle on Lake Anne Holiday Event
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Oakton (2 miles)
- Burke (4 miles)
- Annandale (6 miles)
- West Falls Church (7 miles)
- Centreville (7 miles)
- West Springfield (7 miles)
- Chantilly (7 miles)
- Oak Hill (8 miles)
- Springfield (8 miles)
- Reston (9 miles)
- Lincolnia (9 miles)
- McLean (9 miles)
- Baileys Crossroads (10 miles)
- Herndon (10 miles)
- Lake Ridge (11 miles)
- Arlington (11 miles)
- Rose Hill (11 miles)
- Manassas (11 miles)
- South Riding (12 miles)
- Sterling (13 miles)
- Woodlawn (13 miles)
- Potomac (13 miles)
- Alexandria (14 miles)
- Dale City (14 miles)
- Bethesda (14 miles)
- Washington (15 miles)
- Linton Hall (16 miles)
- North Potomac (17 miles)
- Ashburn (17 miles)
- North Bethesda (17 miles)
- Fort Washington (18 miles)
- Silver Spring (18 miles)
- Oxon Hill-Glassmanor (18 miles)
- Rockville (18 miles)
- Chillum (19 miles)
- Wheaton (19 miles)
- Aspen Hill (20 miles)
- Suitland-Silver Hill (20 miles)
- Suitland (21 miles)
- Gaithersburg (21 miles)
- College Park (22 miles)
- Clinton (23 miles)
- Landover (23 miles)
- Leesburg (23 miles)
- Montgomery Village (24 miles)
- Fairland (25 miles)
- Olney (25 miles)
- Waldorf (25 miles)
- Greenbelt (26 miles)
- Saint Charles (26 miles)
- St. Charles (26 miles)
- South Laurel (29 miles)
- Scaggsville (30 miles)
- Laurel (30 miles)
- Bowie (32 miles)
- Crofton (35 miles)
- Odenton (36 miles)
- Columbia (37 miles)
- Severn (38 miles)
- Fredericksburg (38 miles)
- Hanover (39 miles)
- Frederick (40 miles)
- West Elkridge (40 miles)
- Ellicott City (40 miles)
- Ilchester (40 miles)
- South Gate (41 miles)
- Catonsville (43 miles)
- Glen Burnie (43 miles)
- Eldersburg (43 miles)
- Arbutus (43 miles)
- Severna Park (44 miles)
- Pasadena (44 miles)
- Annapolis (45 miles)