Explore the must-see festive events in McLean! Discover all the top holiday highlights with our guide. For lifelong locals and first-time visitors, our guide reveals the holiday magic of McLean.
Popular events like Ice Skating at the Sculpture Garden offer a delightful way to enjoy the season amidst beautiful art installations. With charming vendor booths and festive decorations, the Downtown Holiday Market is a picturesque spot for seasonal shopping and local treats. And the US Botanic Gardens Holiday Display and Trains is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing intricate train displays surrounded by stunning botanical arrangements. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around McLean
- Downtown Holiday Market (Washington DC)
- Ice Skating at the Sculpture Garden (Washington DC)
- Christmas at Gaylord + ICE (National Harbor)
- Ice and Lights Winter Village at Cameron Run (Alexandria)
- Meadowlark Winter Walk of Lights (Vienna)
- Bull Run Festival of Lights (Centreville)
- US Botanic Gardens Holiday Display and Trains (Washington DC)
- Christmas in Middleburg (Middleburg)
- Festival of Lights and Carols (Fairfax)
- Holiday Tree Lighting at One Loudoun (Ashburn)
See these and even more events listed below!
McLean Holiday Light Displays
Bull Run Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Unique drive-through holiday light experience with new displays added annually.
Description:
Drive through 2.5 miles of holiday light displays at Bull Run Regional Park, featuring a variety of festive and fairytale vignettes.
Where: Centreville | More Info: Bull Run Festival of Lights
Meadowlark Winter Walk of Lights
What to Expect:
Sparkling lights and interactive displays along a paved trail.
Description:
Meadowlark Winter Walk of Lights is a half-mile, wheelchair-accessible trail at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens featuring nature, winter, and holiday-themed light displays. Visitors can sip hot beverages, roast marshmallows, and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
Where: Vienna | More Info: Meadowlark Winter Walk of Lights
Ice and Lights Winter Village at Cameron Run
What to Expect:
Interactive light displays and outdoor ice skating.
Description:
Ice and Lights Winter Village at Cameron Run features beautifully lit outdoor displays, an ice rink, and festive activities for all ages.
Where: Alexandria | More Info: Ice and Lights Winter Village at Cameron Run
Holiday Tree Lighting at One Loudoun
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with public awareness.
Description:
The 11th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting at One Loudoun is a community event designed to engage the broader community and generate public awareness of One Loudoun and its merchants, restaurants, and partners. The event is free and open to the public, offering a night of holiday cheer.
Where: Ashburn | More Info: Holiday Tree Lighting at One Loudoun
National Harbor Tree Light Show
What to Expect:
Spectacular RGB tree light 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
McLean Holiday Markets and Shopping
Downtown Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Diverse local vendors and community activations.
Description:
The DowntownDC Holiday Market is a vibrant holiday marketplace in Penn Quarter-Chinatown, featuring over 100 local vendors, artisans, and community activations. Enjoy a diverse array of goods, food, and beverages, with upgraded vendor kiosks and a delectable food and beverage lineup.
Where: Washington DC | More Info: Downtown Holiday Market
Norwegian Holiday Festival and Bazaar
What to Expect:
Traditional Norwegian cuisine and cultural items.
Description:
The Norwegian Holiday Festival and Bazaar offers a diverse array of Norwegian goods, including giftware, linens, books, and traditional foods like cheeses, chocolates, and lefse. The event features indoor shopping with reservations required and an outdoor cafe offering demos and fresh waffles.
Where: Fairfax | More Info: Norwegian Holiday Festival and Bazaar
McLean Holiday Art and Crafts Show
What to Expect:
Unique blend of local artisans and festive atmosphere.
Description:
The McLean Holiday Art and Crafts Festival is a three-day indoor juried show featuring approximately 80 talented, regional artisans. It offers a wide variety of handmade items, including pottery, glass, jewelry, holiday decor, mixed media, fashion accessories, wood, fine art, artisanal foods, and soap. The event includes a Happy Hour with wine, beer, and hors d'oeuvres on Friday evening.
Where: McLean | More Info: McLean Holiday Art and Crafts Show
Holidays in Leesburg
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebrations with live music and local vendors.
Description:
Leesburg's holiday events include a tree lighting ceremony, fine arts and crafts show, and a Christmas holiday parade featuring local artisans and festive activities.
Where: Leesburg | More Info: Holidays in Leesburg
Mosaic District Holiday Village
What to Expect:
Unique gifts from local artisans.
Description:
Mosaic District Holiday Village features over 65 talented makers offering unique gifts for everyone on your list. Celebrate the season by supporting local artisans and wrapping up your holiday shopping in a carefully curated shopping center.
Where: Merrifield | More Info: Mosaic District Holiday Village
McLean Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas at Gaylord + ICE
What to Expect:
Interactive ice sculptures and thrilling frozen slides.
Description:
At Gaylord National, immerse yourself in a holiday spectacle featuring ICE with Charlie Brown Christmas, stunning ice sculptures, and thrilling frozen slides. Enjoy family-friendly activities like snow tubing and gingerbread decorating amidst extraordinary Christmas decorations.
Where: National Harbor | More Info: Christmas at Gaylord + ICE
Festival of Lights and Carols
What to Expect:
Live holiday music and tree lighting ceremony.
Description:
The Festival of Lights and Carols in Old Town Square features live holiday music, s'mores, hot cider, and various activities, culminating in a Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
Where: Fairfax | More Info: Festival of Lights and Carols
McLean Other Holiday Activities
Ice Skating at the Sculpture Garden
What to Expect:
Ice skating surrounded by modern and contemporary sculptures.
Description:
Ice skating at the Sculpture Garden offers a unique winter experience surrounded by modern and contemporary sculptures on the National Mall. The rink is open daily, with extended hours on weekends, and features a Pavilion Café for refreshments. Skating sessions begin on the hour, and tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
Where: Washington DC | More Info: Ice Skating at the Sculpture Garden
US Botanic Gardens Holiday Display and Trains
What to Expect:
Unique holiday display with model trains and pollinator sculptures.
Description:
The US Botanic Gardens' holiday display features model trains running through pollinator sculptures made from plant parts, along with festive lights, poinsettias, and DC landmarks crafted from various plant materials.
Where: Washington DC | More Info: US Botanic Gardens Holiday Display and Trains
Christmas in Middleburg
What to Expect:
Historic town celebration with horse hunt review and mile-long Christmas parade.
Description:
Christmas in Middleburg is a festive holiday celebration featuring a tree lighting ceremony, Breakfast with Santa, the Middleburg Hunt Review, and a mile-long Christmas parade. The event includes progressive food and wine tastings, caroling, and shopping in historic Middleburg. It is a family-friendly event with activities for all ages.
Where: Middleburg | More Info: Christmas in Middleburg
Dickens Christmas
What to Expect:
Dickens-themed events with horse-drawn carriage rides and festive decorations.
Description:
Middleburg transforms into a Charles Dickens novel setting with carriage rides, decorated storefronts, street performers, carolers, and hot chocolate. The town is filled with Christmas tree displays and festive activities every weekend through December 24.
Where: Middleburg | More Info: Dickens Christmas
Scottish Walk Open House at Carlyle House
What to Expect:
Historical home tour with period-specific decorations and activities.
Description:
Explore the historic Carlyle House during the Scottish Walk Open House, featuring period-specific decorations and activities that highlight the home's colonial past.
Where: Alexandria | More Info: Scottish Walk Open House at Carlyle House
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- West Falls Church (5 miles)
- Bethesda (5 miles)
- Arlington (5 miles)
- Potomac (6 miles)
- Baileys Crossroads (6 miles)
- Annandale (7 miles)
- Oakton (8 miles)
- Washington (8 miles)
- Lincolnia (8 miles)
- North Bethesda (8 miles)
- Silver Spring (9 miles)
- Reston (9 miles)
- Fairfax (9 miles)
- Wheaton (10 miles)
- Springfield (10 miles)
- Chillum (10 miles)
- Rockville (10 miles)
- Rose Hill (11 miles)
- Burke (11 miles)
- North Potomac (11 miles)
- Alexandria (11 miles)
- West Springfield (11 miles)
- Herndon (11 miles)
- Aspen Hill (11 miles)
- Oak Hill (12 miles)
- College Park (13 miles)
- Chantilly (14 miles)
- Sterling (14 miles)
- Oxon Hill-Glassmanor (14 miles)
- Gaithersburg (15 miles)
- Suitland-Silver Hill (15 miles)
- Suitland (15 miles)
- Centreville (15 miles)
- Landover (15 miles)
- Woodlawn (15 miles)
- Fairland (15 miles)
- Olney (16 miles)
- Montgomery Village (17 miles)
- Greenbelt (17 miles)
- South Riding (18 miles)
- Fort Washington (18 miles)
- Lake Ridge (18 miles)
- Ashburn (18 miles)
- Clinton (19 miles)
- South Laurel (20 miles)
- Manassas (20 miles)
- Scaggsville (21 miles)
- Laurel (21 miles)
- Dale City (22 miles)
- Bowie (24 miles)
- Leesburg (24 miles)
- Linton Hall (25 miles)
- Waldorf (25 miles)
- Saint Charles (26 miles)
- St. Charles (26 miles)
- Crofton (27 miles)
- Odenton (28 miles)
- Columbia (28 miles)
- Severn (29 miles)
- Hanover (30 miles)
- West Elkridge (31 miles)
- Ellicott City (31 miles)
- Ilchester (31 miles)
- South Gate (33 miles)
- Catonsville (33 miles)
- Glen Burnie (34 miles)
- Arbutus (34 miles)
- Eldersburg (35 miles)
- Pasadena (35 miles)
- Severna Park (35 miles)
- Frederick (35 miles)
- Milford Mill (36 miles)
- Woodlawn (36 miles)
- Randallstown (36 miles)
- Arnold (37 miles)
- Annapolis (37 miles)
- Lochearn (37 miles)
- Gwynn Oak (38 miles)
- Pikesville (39 miles)
- Baltimore (39 miles)
- Owings Mills (40 miles)
- Reisterstown (41 miles)
- Dundalk (41 miles)
- Towson (45 miles)