Compiled  by Leigha Pecher

Light Shows

Bull Run Festival of Lights. Through Jan. 10.  Enjoy a 2.5-mile drive-through of festive lights! More info HERE. Where:  Centreville, VA

Christmas at Maple Tree Farm. Fri. – Sun. nights.  Christmas at Maple Tree Farm is a holiday light trail, that covers more than ½ mile around our 9-acre fun field. Safely enjoy the lights, light to music shows, see the holiday characters, catch the puppet show, rest a minute by a campfire and get into the Christmas Spirit. Get tickets HERE.  Where:  Warrenton, VA

Concert in Lights. Nightly, through Dec. 24.  Come to the big Christmas tree at the center of The Village at The Spotsy Towne Centre to enjoy our special holiday light show!

Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights. Nightly through Jan. 10. A holiday tradition featuring lights, decorations, outdoor model trains, dinners, hot chocolate & more!  All displays are outdoors with safety measures in place.  Tickets must be purchased in advance HERE.  Where:  Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, Richmond

Ice & Lights. Daily through Jan. 3.  Glide across the ice at Ice & Lights: The Winter Village at Cameron Run in Alexandria, Virginia. The waterpark is transformed mid-November through February into a winter wonderland with an ice rink, beautifully lit photo ops, music and more! Grab a slice of pizza, enjoy yummy donuts and enjoy the winter village. More info HERE.  

Illuminate Light Show.  Through Jan. 3.  Central Virginia’s Largest Drive-Thru Christmas Light Show!  As you drive through the park you will be dazzled by nearly a million LED lights synchronized to music from your car radio.  Where:  Doswell, VA.  More info HERE.

Nightly Holiday Tree Light Show. Through Jan. 3.  ignite your holiday spirit with the nightly lighting of the 56-foot tree and two million twinkling lights in the National Harbor Waterfront District. The tree light show takes place nightly, every half hour from sundown to 9 p.m.  On weekends there will be snowfall over the tree during the light show.  More info HERE.

Winter Walk of Lights.  Through Jan. 3.  Bring your family and friends to be dazzled by the magical Winter Walk of Lights at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, Virginia!  More info HERE.

 

Outdoor Festive Fun

 Window Wonderland. Throughout December.  Head Downtown and put your riddling skills to the test. Stop by the Visitor Center (706 Caroline St) to pick up an entry form or print the entry form HERE

50^th Annual Candlelight Tour. Throughout December.  Take a picturesque stroll or a relaxing drive down the historic streets of Fredericksburg. Enjoy holiday decorations & an audio tour, featuring specific houses and neighborhoods, using your mobile device.  Go HERE to pay and get more info.

Annual Gingerbread Exhibit. Dec. 11, 12, 18 & 19.  Everyone will enjoy the sights and smells of the festive creations displayed at Ferry Farm. This year’s theme is Fairy Tales. This year’s exhibit will be outdoors, weather permitting.  More info HERE.

Drive In Holiday Movie Series. Dec. 17 – 20.  Join us at Old Mill Park for a free Drive-In Movie along with free hot chocolate! A food truck will be on site for dinner. Gates open at 5pm and the movie starts at 6pm. Check out the schedule HERE.

 

Arts & Crafts-Holiday Style

24 Days of Merry Making~Virtual.  Join Michael’s Kids Club for 24 Days of Merry Making.  Crafts designed for ages 3+.  Free!  Sign up HERE.

Letters to Santa.  For 3 weeks a mysterious wonder occurs!  A red/blue mailbox bearing the image of Santa Claus will appear in downtown FXBG. Legend has it that children who deposit a letter to Santa in it will receive a letter directly from the North Pole. Don’t forget to include your return address! More info HERE.

 

Visits with Santa

Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops. Throughout December.  Enjoy the magic of Christmas with a safe visit with Santa!  Get a free photo!  Registration required HERE.

Photos with Santa at the LOVE Sign: Various dates in Dec.  Professional pictures with Santa at The Spotsy Visitors Center.  Register HERE.

Spotsy Volunteer Fire Department Santa Run!  Santa is coming to town!  The Spotsy Volunteer Fire Dept will visit Spotsy neighborhoods over the next few weeks.  And now they have added Santa Engine real-time tracking this year! You can follow Santa through your mobile devices HERE.

Visit with Mrs. Claus at The North Pole~Virtual.  Mrs. Claus will be joining us every Monday through Dec 20 to talk with children about updates from the North Pole and share fun recipes and crats.

Stafford Volunteer Fire Department Santa Run!  Dec. 7 – Dec. 11.  Every year Santa visits Stafford with the assistance of the Stafford Volunteer Fire Department. Check the schedule HERE and see Santa on a fire truck!

 

Indoor Holiday Fun

Merry Trees Exhibit. Throughout December.  Fredericksburg Area Museum’s gallery spaces will be filled with trees decorated by Hugh Mercer Elementary School students. Each tree is inspired by a book the students have read in the classroom.  This exhibition is a celebration of art, literature, the holiday season, and Fredericksburg’s elementary students.  Read more HERE.

A Riverside Family Christmas: Saturday Matinee Special. Saturdays in December.  Experience the warmth, traditions, values and messages of Christmas in a show packed with charm, inspiration, and the good will of the season. A brunch box is included with your ticket. Go HERE to buy tickets.