Winter Activities
Christmas: jingle bells, naughty and nice, gingerbread cookies...these are all signs that Santa is on the way. Check out all the neat things to do in and around our area to celebrate. More info
Cut Your Own Christmas Tree... be green and make it a family tradition! There are lots of tree farms in Virgina, visit Virginia Christmas Tree Growers Association to search for farms near you!
The National Christmas Tree is located in President's Park, just behind the White House in DC. The tree lighting ceremony by the President is the 1st Thursday in December and the tree remains lit until January 1st. Along the path to the tree are 56 smaller trees decorated by the 50 staes, 5 territories and DC itself. Musical entertainment is provided almnost nightly, as well as a yule log and a giant train set running around the base of the tree. The ligts are on from dusk until 11:00pm nightly during this time period.
Reston Town Center's Pavilion is transformed into a gleaming ice covering skating rink from late October through the second week in March. Ice skates and other supplies are available inside of the Skate Shop (between Clyde's and Wrap Works) directly beside the Pavilion.
The Nutcraker (performed by Chicago's world-renowned The Joffrey Ballet) is a Kennedy Center annual winter tradition to cherish, whether you're six or ninety-six.
Santa's Paradise Express: Recapture the magic of the holiday season. Potbelly stoves gently warm the passenger cars as you travel with Santa. Sing Christmas carols along with musicians as they stroll from car to car. If you listen carefully, you may even hear the sounds of ringing bells. (Day trip - in Strasburg, PA)
ICE!: is a 15,000-square-foot attraction--a unique, interactive indoor wonderland created entirely of ice by dozens of artisans who will migrate to the D.C. area from Harbin, China to craft this elaborate attraction out of nearly 2 million pounds of ice. It takes them nearly an entire month of 12-hour shifts to transform the refrigerated tent where the exhibit is held into a remarkable icy wonderland. Visitors will marvel at the striking detail and beautiful, theatrical renderings of beloved Christmas icons and memorable holiday scenes, all housed in a custom-built structure maintained at a temperature of nine degrees… Winter coats will be provided!
Virginia Holiday Lightfest: Situated in beautiful Patriot Park in Spotsylvania County, the Virginia Holiday Lightfest is the area's most radiant holiday light show with millions of sparkling, flickering and twinkling lights that crown the holiday season with glory and majesty. The Virginia Holiday Lightfest has attracted over 22,000 visitors since opening in 2009 and has become one of the main attractions of the greater Fredericksburg area's holiday tradition and draws crowds from Stafford, Caroline, Prince William and other counties across central Virginia. This holiday season, discover why the Virginia Holday Lightfest is as essential to your holiday as "The Charlie Brown Christmas Special." Get your ticket now!
The Annual Gingerbread Exhibit and Contest : will once again fill the visitor center at George Washington's Boyhood Home at Ferry Farm. Fun for all ages. Entry forms and contest rules will be posted on the website in October. Fun for the whole family.
