Check out our events guide for the best in and around the Northern Virginia and metro DC area. MEADOWLARK’S WINTER WALK OF LIGHTS Nov. 18, 2016 to Jan. 8, 2017 5:30–9:30 pm Meadowlark Botanical Gardens 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court Vienna, VA 22182 Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights is one of the most amazing light displays in the area. The botanical garden is transformed into a winter wonderland for the season. Light displays include a two-story animated fountain, a blue flowing stream of lights complete with jumping fish, and the park’s beautiful trees elaborately wrapped in hundreds of lights. Be sure to check before you purchase tickets because some nights include special activities such as facepainting and holiday performances. Open 5:30–9:30 pm daily, timed tickets are required. Cost: $7–14 per person. Visit for tickets and more information. ICE!® FEATURING CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD Nov. 19, 2016 to Jan. 1, 2017. Closed Dec. 5–7 Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center 201 Waterfront Street National Harbor, Maryland 20745 Enjoy more than 2 MILLION pounds of hand-carved, colorful ice sculptures as you celebrate holiday traditions from the United Kingdom, Germany, and more! Experience two-story ice slides, an enchanting parade of toys, and larger-than-life ornaments. Visitors can also travel to the North Pole, sit inside Santa’s sleigh, and see artisans from Harbin, China carve live inside the Frostbite Factory. Conclude your experience with the majesty of a full Nativity scene in stunning, crystal-clear ice. Cost: $21–36 per person. Visit ChristmasOnThePotomac.com for tickets and information. ZOOLIGHTS Nov. 25, 2016 to Jan. 1, 2017 Closed Dec. 24, 25, and 31 5–9 pm Smithsonian National Zoological Park 3001 Connecticut Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20008 More than 500,000 lights transform the zoo into a winter wonderland. Special events include snow-tubing; a trackless train for children; live music performances; free photo opportunities with Panda Claws, the official ZooLights ambassador; and toy trains in the visitor center that run through a land of Legos and an alphabet countryside. Visit nationalzoo.si.edu for information. NATIONAL CHRISTMAS TREE Dec. 1, 2016 President’s Park (White House) 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20500 The lighting of the national Christmas tree has been an American tradition for 93 years. Every year, one-of-akind ornaments representing each US state are created by people across America and displayed on smaller trees surrounding the national Christmas tree. Children are invited to stop by and visit Santa in his workshop on select nights. Musical acts from Washington, DC and across the country perform holiday music throughout the season. Be sure to check nps.gov to apply for the online lottery to receive free tickets for the national Christmas tree lighting ceremony and a chance to see the president and the first family on Dec. 1, 2016. Visit thenationaltree.org for more information. THE WASHINGTON BALLET, SEPTIME WEBRE’S THE NUTCRACKER Dec. 1–24, 2016 Warner Theatre 513 13th Street, NW Washington, DC 20004 Enjoy this Washington, DC holiday tradition ballet production of the journey of a young girl on Christmas Eve with heroic toy soldiers, sword-fighting mice, the glittering dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, and crowd-pleasing waltzes. Cost: $36–120. Visit warnertheatredc.com for tickets or more information. MCLEAN HOLIDAY CRAFTS SHOW Dec. 2–4, 2016 11 am 1234 Ingleside Avenue McLean, VA 22101 Come see this holiday craft show with more than 50 fine artisans from across the country. This highly regarded, juried show features fiber arts, wood, ceramics, pottery, jewelry, glass, holiday decor, fashion, items for children, gourmet foods, paper art, photography, sculpture, paintings, and more! Stay for lunch at the café. Cost: $5. Visit mcleancenter.org for more information. WOLF TRAP HOLIDAY SING-A-LONG Dec. 3, 2016 4 pm Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, Filene Center 1645 Trap Road Vienna, VA 22182 Kick off the holiday season at Wolf Trap’s 2016 Holiday Sing-A-Long! This free community event will have Christmas carols and Hanukkah music by local choirs and vocal groups from the metro Washington area, featuring The President’s Own United States Marine Band. Wolf Trap invites patrons to bring bells to participate during the singing of “Jingle Bells” and a battery-operated candle to join in the Wolf Trap tradition of exiting in a candlelit procession while singing “Silent Night.” Wolf Trap will also host Toys for Tots collection at the entrance of the park. Patrons may bring new, unwrapped toys, which will be donated to children in the greater Washington area. Visit wolftrap.org for more information. CITY OF FAIRFAX FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS AND CAROLS Dec. 3, 2016 12–7 pm Old Town Square 10415 North Street, Fairfax, VA 22030 Listen to holiday music from local entertainment throughout the day; enjoy a petting zoo, s’mores, and hot cider; and bring your camera for a picture with Santa. Tree lighting at dusk. Free event. Register ahead for tickets to lunch with Santa at Old Town Hall. Cost: $6 per child. Visit fairfaxva.gov for more information. HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDES Dec. 3, 10, and 17, 2016 4–9 pm Reston Town Center 11900 Market Street, Reston, VA 20190 Enjoy a ride with friends and family through the lights of Reston Town Center in a horsedrawn carriage. First-come-first-served pickup is in front of Talbots on Market Street. Cost: $5 donation per person; all proceeds benefit local charities (children 5 and under ride free). Visit restontowncenter.com for more information. CHRISTMAS VILLAGE AT THE LEESBURG ANIMAL PARK Dec. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, and 18, 2016 6–9 pm 19270 James Monroe Highway, Leesburg, VA 20175 Celebrate the holidays with your favorite animal friends. Leesburg Animal Park decorates its new indoor facility with beautiful holiday décor, and the outdoor area is decorated with thousands of lights. Enjoy the indoor play zone, taking holiday pictures with the animals, making arts and crafts, roasting marshmallows at a bonfire, feeding the animals, and much more. Cost: $7.95 per person. Visit leesburganimalpark.com for more information. JINGLE JAM CONCERTS Dec. 10, 2016 2:30 pm and 8:30 pm Tally Ho Theatre 19 West Market Street, Leesburg, VA 20176 This holiday rock concert features many local and regional artists playing traditional holiday tunes—with a little edge. Proceeds benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Tickets go on sale Nov. 14, 2016 at Ida Lee Park Recreation Center (in-person sales only, with a fiveticket limit). Matinee and evening tickets are $25. A Junior Jam concert for younger children will be held at 11:30 am, and tickets are $5. Visit leesburgva.gov for more information. VIENNA BOYS’ CHOIR Dec. 18, 2016 4 pm George Mason University Center for the Arts Concert Hall 4373 Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030 Celebrate the holidays with these extraordinarily talented young Austrian choristers as they perform sacred hymns, holiday pop favorites, and Christmas carols. Cost: $33–55. Visit cfa.gmu.edu for tickets and more information. FAMILY NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION Dec. 31, 2016 7–9 pm Franklin Park Arts Center 36441 Blueridge View Lane, Purcellville, VA 20132 All ages can ring in the New Year with a family-friendly celebration featuring entertainment by Fizzical Fairy Tales and Magic by Ryan, party favors for everyone, refreshments, simple party crafts, a photo booth, and more! There will be a countdown to “midnight” at the end of the party. Cost: $10. Visit franklinparkartscenter.org for more information, or call to reserve tickets. FIRST NIGHT ALEXANDRIA Dec. 31, 2016 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 First Night Alexandria is a celebration of the New Year through the performing arts. Coffee shops, retail stores, hotels, museums and public buildings are turned into performance venues to showcase incredible local and regional talent. Face painting, moon bounces, carnival games, and scavenger hunts for children. Spectacular fireworks display at midnight. Cost: $30 for adults, 12 and under FREE. Visit firstnightalexandria.org for tickets or information. RESTON TOWN CENTER CARTOON SKATE Jan. 7, 2017 11 am to 1 pm Reston Town Center 1818 Discovery Street, Reston, VA 20190 The Reston Town Center Pavilion floor is transformed into a gleaming ice rink from November until March. Enjoy skating with characters such as Scooby-Doo or Cat in the Hat on Saturday mornings. Ice skates and other supplies are available for rent inside the information center at the skate shop, directly beside the pavilion. Cost: $10 per adult, $9 per child. Skate rentals are an additional $6 per person. Visit restontowncenter.com for more information. WOOD CARVING DEMONSTRATIONS Jan. 15, 2017 12–4 pm Colvin Run Mill 10017 Colvin Run Road, Great Falls, Virginia 22066 The Northern Virginia Carvers group lends their tools and expertise to uncover your hidden artistic talent as they help you create a creature from a block of wood. Free lessons. Nominal fee for wood block. 12 years and older. Visit fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/colvinrunmill for more information. MAGICAL DAY CAMP Jan. 16, 2016 9 am to 4 pm Wholesome Campus 14101 Sullyfield Circle, #100, Chantilly, VA 20151 Register for a day of fun at Wholesome Campus. Kids will enjoy an active day filled with cooking classes, art, fitness, and games! Registration for the camp is required. Full-day and half-day available. Camp is for children ages 5 and up. Cost: $60 per day (half-day camps are available for $30). Visit holesomecampus.com to register or for more information. LINE DANCING LESSONS Jan. 21, 2016 8–9:30 pm Bunker Sports Café 510 E Market Street, Leesburg, VA 20176 LineDance4You, LLC provides free line dance lessons at Bunker Sports Café the first and third Saturday of every month. Lessons are primarily focused toward beginners and intermediate dancers. Each dance lesson lasts 15–20 minutes. An open dance with a DJ follows lessons so that participants can practice the dances they’ve learned. Visit linedance4you.com for more information. FLAMENCO VIVO/CARLOTA SANTANA Jan. 28, 2017 8 pm The Alden 1234 Ingleside Avenue, McLean, VA 22101 You’ll forget all about the winter weather when Flamenco Vivo/Carlota Santana heats up The Alden. Flamenco Vivo brings an exciting evening of flamenco to the stage, featuring accomplished artists from the US and Spain. Cost: $35. Visit mcleancenter.org for tickets or more information. Always confirm information prior to attending an activity. Events can be submitted to events@poshseven.me. Please submit 12 weeks in advance of the issue in which you wish to be included. To include photographs with your event, please submit high-resolution images in at least 300 dpi with an accompanying photo credit.
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