Embrace the festive spirit of South Riding with our ultimate holiday guide. Whether you're a South Riding expert or a newcomer, this guide will enhance your holiday experience.
Popular events include Ice Skating at the Sculpture Garden, where gliding on ice amidst beautiful sculptures becomes a cherished winter pastime. The Downtown Holiday Market features local artisans and festive treats, creating a vibrant shopping atmosphere. And the Christmas in Middleburg is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering traditional charm and seasonal joy. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around South Riding
- Downtown Holiday Market (Washington DC)
- Ice Skating at the Sculpture Garden (Washington DC)
- Christmas in Middleburg (Middleburg)
- Scottish Christmas Walk Parade (Alexandria)
- Festival of Lights and Carols (Fairfax)
- Christmas at Gaylord + ICE (National Harbor)
- Ice and Lights Winter Village at Cameron Run (Alexandria)
- Bull Run Festival of Lights (Centreville)
- Dickens Christmas (Middleburg)
- Christmas Village at Leesburg Animal Park (Leesburg)
See these and even more events listed below!
South Riding Holiday Light Displays
Festival of Lights and Carols
What to Expect:
Live holiday music and tree lighting ceremony.
Description:
Join us at Old Town Square in Fairfax, VA, for the Festival of Lights and Carols. Enjoy live holiday music, s'mores, and hot cider while participating in various activities. The highlight of the event is the Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5:30 PM.
Where: Fairfax | More Info: Festival of Lights and Carols
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 Festival of Lights, featuring a variety of holiday and fairytale vignettes.
Where: Centreville | More Info: Bull Run Festival of Lights
Ice and Lights Winter Village at Cameron Run
What to Expect:
Interactive light displays and outdoor ice skating.
Description:
The Ice & Lights Winter Village at Cameron Run offers a festive outdoor experience with unique light displays, family-friendly activities, and an ice rink. Guests can enjoy hot beverages, snacks, and holiday shopping while taking in the beautifully lit scenery.
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 free public attendance.
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 features a festive atmosphere with holiday cheer, making it a wonderful way to celebrate the season.
Where: Ashburn | More Info: Holiday Tree Lighting at One Loudoun
Meadowlark Winter Walk of Lights
What to Expect:
Sparkling light displays in a botanical garden setting.
Description:
Meadowlark Winter Walk of Lights features a half-mile paved trail through Meadowlark Botanical Gardens adorned with thousands of sparkling lights, showcasing nature, winter, and holiday themes. The trail is wheelchair and stroller accessible, offering a serene evening stroll with hot beverages and marshmallow roasting.
Where: Vienna | More Info: Meadowlark Winter Walk of Lights
South Riding Holiday Markets and Shopping
Downtown Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Enhanced vendor experience with reduced costs for local businesses.
Description:
The DowntownDC Holiday Market is a vibrant holiday market in the Penn Quarter-Chinatown neighborhood, celebrating its 20th anniversary. It features upgraded vendor kiosks, a diverse array of artisans, community activations, and a delectable food and beverage lineup.
Where: Washington DC | More Info: Downtown Holiday Market
Lucketts Holiday Open House
What to Expect:
Unique holiday decor in a 100-year-old farmhouse setting.
Description:
Lucketts Holiday Open House features a 100-year-old farmhouse transformed into a holiday spectacle with unique murals, photo vignettes, and beautifully curated holiday decor. Each room is a work of art, with every item available for purchase. The event includes a Vanish Brewery wine garden for relaxation.
Where: Leesburg | More Info: Lucketts Holiday Open House
South Riding Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas at Gaylord + ICE
What to Expect:
Interactive ice sculptures and thrilling frozen slides.
Description:
At Christmas at Gaylord National, immerse yourself in a holiday showplace featuring larger-than-life ice sculptures, thrilling frozen slides, and awe-inspiring tunnels. Enjoy activities like gingerbread decorating, ice tubing, and photos with Santa amidst spectacular light displays and extraordinary decorations.
Where: National Harbor | More Info: Christmas at Gaylord + ICE
South Riding Other Holiday Activities
Ice Skating at the Sculpture Garden
What to Expect:
Unique blend of art and winter activity.
Description:
Ice skating amidst modern and contemporary sculptures on the National Mall, offering scenic views and a variety of skating sessions.
Where: Washington DC | More Info: Ice Skating at the Sculpture Garden
Christmas in Middleburg
What to Expect:
Traditional holiday events in a charming horse country village setting.
Description:
Christmas in Middleburg is a festive celebration featuring a tree lighting ceremony, Middleburg Hunt Review, a mile-long Christmas parade, and various shopping and dining activities throughout the town.
Where: Middleburg | More Info: Christmas in Middleburg
Scottish Christmas Walk Parade
What to Expect:
Celebration of Scottish heritage with traditional attire and music.
Description:
The Scottish Christmas Walk Parade in Alexandria celebrates the city's Scottish heritage with a parade of Scottish clans, pipe and drum bands, and community groups, showcasing colorful tartans and festive attire.
Where: Alexandria | More Info: Scottish Christmas Walk Parade
Christmas Village at Leesburg Animal Park
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting with live animal encounters.
Description:
Celebrate Christmas with critters at Leesburg Animal Park, featuring photos with Santa, Grinch visits, giant hill slides, and thousands of outdoor holiday lights.
Where: Leesburg | More Info: Christmas Village at Leesburg Animal Park
Dickens Christmas
What to Expect:
Traditional nativity story with live animals and music.
Description:
Middleburg transforms into a charming holiday setting with tree lighting, caroling, and a mile-long Christmas parade. Enjoy festive food, wine tastings, and shopping in historic shops and restaurants. The event features the famous Middleburg Hunt Review and a Christmas pageant with live animals and music.
Where: Middleburg | More Info: Dickens Christmas
Holidays Through the Ages
What to Expect:
Historical holiday decorations and festivities.
Description:
Explore the rich history of holiday celebrations at Rippon Lodge Historic Site, where interiors and exteriors are beautifully decorated for the season. Guests can enjoy a deep exploration of seasonal festivities over centuries, with tours available from 11 AM to 2 PM.
Where: Woodbridge | More Info: Holidays Through the Ages
Grand Menorah Lighting at One Loudoun
What to Expect:
Traditional menorah lighting ceremony with community participation.
Description:
The Grand Menorah Lighting at One Loudoun is a significant Jewish holiday event where a large menorah is lit, symbolizing the miracle of the oil during Hanukkah. The ceremony is accompanied by music, speeches, and community celebration.
Where: Ashburn | More Info: Grand Menorah Lighting at One Loudoun
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Chantilly (4 miles)
- Oak Hill (6 miles)
- Centreville (7 miles)
- Sterling (7 miles)
- Herndon (7 miles)
- Ashburn (9 miles)
- Reston (9 miles)
- Oakton (11 miles)
- Linton Hall (12 miles)
- Fairfax (12 miles)
- Manassas (12 miles)
- Leesburg (14 miles)
- Burke (15 miles)
- North Potomac (17 miles)
- Potomac (17 miles)
- West Falls Church (17 miles)
- McLean (18 miles)
- Annandale (18 miles)
- West Springfield (18 miles)
- Springfield (19 miles)
- Lake Ridge (20 miles)
- Lincolnia (21 miles)
- Baileys Crossroads (21 miles)
- Arlington (22 miles)
- Rockville (22 miles)
- Bethesda (22 miles)
- Dale City (22 miles)
- Gaithersburg (22 miles)
- North Bethesda (22 miles)
- Rose Hill (23 miles)
- Montgomery Village (24 miles)
- Woodlawn (24 miles)
- Washington (25 miles)
- Wheaton (25 miles)
- Aspen Hill (26 miles)
- Alexandria (26 miles)
- Silver Spring (26 miles)
- Chillum (28 miles)
- Olney (28 miles)
- Oxon Hill-Glassmanor (30 miles)
- Fort Washington (30 miles)
- College Park (31 miles)
- Fairland (31 miles)
- Suitland-Silver Hill (32 miles)
- Suitland (32 miles)
- Landover (33 miles)
- Greenbelt (34 miles)
- Clinton (34 miles)
- Frederick (34 miles)
- Scaggsville (36 miles)
- South Laurel (37 miles)
- Waldorf (37 miles)
- Laurel (37 miles)
- Saint Charles (38 miles)
- St. Charles (38 miles)
- Winchester (40 miles)
- Bowie (42 miles)
- Columbia (42 miles)
- Fredericksburg (43 miles)
- Crofton (44 miles)
- Odenton (45 miles)
- Eldersburg (45 miles)
- Ellicott City (45 miles)