You've discovered the perfect holiday guide for Lake Ridge! Let us lead you to the best festive activities and events. Whether you call Lake Ridge home or are just passing through, this guide will make your holidays special.
Popular events during this season in Lake Ridge include the Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade, where vibrant bagpipers and lively floats create a charming atmosphere. The Mount Vernon by Candlelight transforms the historic estate into a winter wonderland, showcasing the beauty of the holiday in an enchanting setting. And the Christmas Market & Holiday Craft Show is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring local artisans and unique gifts. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Lake Ridge
- Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade (Alexandria)
- Mount Vernon by Candlelight (Mount Vernon)
- Illuminights Winter Walk of Lights (Roanoke)
- Dickens of a Christmas - Christmas Parade (Roanoke)
- Dickens of a Christmas - Tree Lighting (Roanoke)
- Historic Leesburg's Holiday & Christmas Parade (Leesburg)
- Reston Town Center Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting (Reston)
- Christmas Market & Holiday Craft Show (Alexandria)
- Tweetsie Christmas (Blowing Rock)
- Magical Christmas Village & Market Place (Mountain Lake Lodge)
See these and even more events listed below!
Lake Ridge Holiday Light Displays
Santa Lights Manassas
What to Expect:
Tree lighting ceremony with Santa Claus and festive activities.
Description:
Santa Lights Manassas is a long-standing community event where Santa Claus lights the city's Christmas tree, accompanied by holiday musical performances and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus. The event includes free wagon rides and ice skating at the Harris Pavilion.
Where: Manassas | More Info: Santa Lights Manassas
Illuminights Winter Walk of Lights
What to Expect:
Dazzling display of over 650,000 lights in a wooded path setting.
Description:
Explore a dazzling world of over 650,000 lights at Illuminights Winter Walk of Lights. Travel down a half-mile wooded path to experience 50,000 new lights, new displays, and trail enhancements. Enjoy family activities, shop artisan crafts, and roast marshmallows around the campfire.
Where: Roanoke | More Info: Illuminights Winter Walk of Lights
Tweetsie Christmas
What to Expect:
Historic steam locomotive train ride through dazzling Christmas lights.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Tweetsie Railroad with a 20-minute nighttime train ride through over 1 million Christmas lights, a heartwarming live Christmas variety show, kid-friendly amusement rides, and meetings with Santa in his Gingerbread House.
Where: Blowing Rock | More Info: Tweetsie Christmas
Lake Ridge Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christmas Market & Holiday Craft Show
What to Expect:
Local artisans and vendors selling handmade items and seasonal treats.
Description:
The Old Town Alexandria Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show at John Carlyle Square offers a day filled with local artisans, delicious food and desserts, and heartwarming holiday activities. Explore handcrafted delights, indulge in culinary treats, and enjoy Christmas music and festive vibes. Visit Santa's Corner and craft your own Christmas ornaments at the Kids Corner.
Where: Alexandria | More Info: Christmas Market & Holiday Craft Show
City of Fairfax’s Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Variety of local artisans and gourmet food vendors.
Description:
The City of Fairfax’s Holiday Market is a two-weekend event featuring handmade crafts, gourmet food items, and live music. Vendors will vary each weekend, offering a diverse selection of artisanal goods.
Where: Fairfax | More Info: City of Fairfax’s Holiday Market
Magical Christmas Village & Market Place
What to Expect:
Twinkling lights and cozy shops with handcrafted gifts.
Description:
Mountain Lake Lodge's Magical Christmas Village & Marketplace offers a holiday experience with twinkling lights, charming village shops, ice skating, and seasonal activities, creating unforgettable holiday memories.
Where: Mountain Lake Lodge | More Info: Magical Christmas Village & Market Place
Lake Ridge Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Holiday Teatime
What to Expect:
Elegant tea service with live piano entertainment.
Description:
Indulge in an exceptional Afternoon Tea experience at The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner, featuring canapés, a variety of desserts, tea selection, and piano entertainment.
Where: McLean | More Info: Holiday Teatime
Dickens of a Christmas - Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Live stage performances accompany the tree lighting.
Description:
The City of Roanoke Christmas Tree Lighting is a festive event where a beautifully decorated tree is illuminated in the Plaza behind the Market Building. The ceremony begins at 5:30 pm with live stage performances, culminating in the tree lighting at 6:20 pm. The event is broadcast live on WDBJ7.
Where: Roanoke | More Info: Dickens of a Christmas - Tree Lighting
Dickens of a Christmas - Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Live stage performances and pet costume contest.
Description:
The Roanoke Valley's largest holiday celebration, Delta Dental Dickens of a Christmas, features a Christmas Tree Lighting on Salem Avenue, a City of Roanoke Christmas Parade, and the Roanoke Valley SPCA Pet Costume Contest. Each night includes live stage performances, a Kids Zone with inflatables and games, and carriage rides available for a fee.
Where: Roanoke | More Info: Dickens of a Christmas - Christmas Parade
A Christmas Carol
What to Expect:
Tim Burton-inspired adaptation of Dickens' classic.
Description:
A Christmas Carol is an original adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic, featuring Ebenezer Scrooge and his three ghosts in a Tim Burton-inspired production. Directed by Dustin Williams, this show stars a talented cast and includes elaborate costumes and lighting design.
Where: Lynchburg | More Info: A Christmas Carol
Lake Ridge Other Holiday Activities
Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade
What to Expect:
Celebration of Scottish heritage with a parade of clans and bagpipe bands.
Description:
The Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade is a historic event celebrating the city's Scottish heritage. It features a parade of Scottish clans, bagpipe bands, and Scottie dogs through Old Town Alexandria, showcasing colorful tartans and festive attire.
Where: Alexandria | More Info: Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade
Santa’s Arrival Parade
What to Expect:
Parade of antique cars and holiday floats with community performances.
Description:
The Christmas on Green Street event features a parade of antique cars, holiday floats, marching bands, and community groups starting at the Gainesville Civic Center. It includes activities like open houses at historic homes, musical performances, strolling magicians, face painters, balloon artists, storytellers, jugglers, Santa Claus, and miniature train rides.
Where: Gainesville | More Info: Santa’s Arrival Parade
Reston Town Center Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Nationally ranked holiday parade with tree lighting and festive activities.
Description:
The Reston Town Center Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting is a nationally ranked event featuring a festive parade, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, horse-drawn carriage rides, ice skating, and great shopping opportunities.
Where: Reston | More Info: Reston Town Center Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting
Mount Vernon by Candlelight
What to Expect:
Intimate candlelit tour with historical interpreters.
Description:
Join us for a candlelit tour of the historic area, where you'll interact with costumed 18th-century Virginians and learn about their holiday traditions.
Where: Mount Vernon | More Info: Mount Vernon by Candlelight
Historic Leesburg's Holiday & Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Santa's procession through Historic Downtown Leesburg.
Description:
The Historic Leesburg's Holiday & Christmas Parade features Santa and his friends marching through Historic Downtown Leesburg, creating a lively and joyful atmosphere.
Where: Leesburg | More Info: Historic Leesburg's Holiday & Christmas Parade
Christmas Village
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with live animal encounters and festive lights.
Description:
Celebrate Christmas with critters at Leesburg Animal Park, featuring photos with Santa, Grinch visits, illuminated hill slides, and more festive activities.
Where: Leesburg Animal Park | More Info: Christmas Village
Christmas Festival
What to Expect:
Live nativity and petting zoo with festive entertainment.
Description:
The Christmas Festival at Community Lutheran Church features a live nativity, petting zoo, authentic festival rides, and delicious foods from local vendors. It includes live music, a Christmas train, face painting, and activities for all ages.
Where: Community Lutheran Church | More Info: Christmas Festival
Christmas Cookie Decorating
What to Expect:
Hands-on sugar cookie decorating with live instructors.
Description:
Learn the basics of sugar cookie decorating with our Christmas-themed class. You'll get royal icing and cookie recipes, and cover decorating techniques like piping and marbling. Perfect for beginners or those looking to have fun with family and friends.
Where: McLean | More Info: Christmas Cookie Decorating
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Dale City (4 miles)
- West Springfield (7 miles)
- Burke (7 miles)
- Woodlawn (9 miles)
- Springfield (9 miles)
- Manassas (11 miles)
- Fairfax (11 miles)
- Annandale (11 miles)
- Rose Hill (12 miles)
- Lincolnia (12 miles)
- Centreville (13 miles)
- Oakton (13 miles)
- West Falls Church (14 miles)
- Baileys Crossroads (14 miles)
- Fort Washington (15 miles)
- Alexandria (16 miles)
- Linton Hall (16 miles)
- Chantilly (16 miles)
- Arlington (17 miles)
- Oak Hill (17 miles)
- McLean (18 miles)
- Oxon Hill-Glassmanor (19 miles)
- Reston (20 miles)
- South Riding (20 miles)
- Waldorf (20 miles)
- Herndon (20 miles)
- Washington (20 miles)
- Saint Charles (20 miles)
- St. Charles (21 miles)
- Clinton (22 miles)
- Suitland-Silver Hill (23 miles)
- Bethesda (23 miles)
- Suitland (23 miles)
- Sterling (23 miles)
- Potomac (23 miles)
- Chillum (25 miles)
- Silver Spring (26 miles)
- North Bethesda (26 miles)
- Ashburn (27 miles)
- North Potomac (27 miles)
- Landover (27 miles)
- Wheaton (28 miles)
- Fredericksburg (28 miles)
- College Park (28 miles)
- Rockville (28 miles)
- Aspen Hill (30 miles)
- Greenbelt (32 miles)
- Gaithersburg (32 miles)
- Fairland (32 miles)
- Leesburg (33 miles)
- Montgomery Village (34 miles)
- Olney (34 miles)
- Bowie (35 miles)
- South Laurel (36 miles)
- Laurel (37 miles)
- Scaggsville (38 miles)
- Crofton (39 miles)
- Odenton (42 miles)
- Severn (45 miles)