December Event Calendar

On going: November 23 - December 30

Christmas at Oatlands

Visitors to Oatlands will be able to view holiday decorations that will be displayed throughout the mansion and surrounding gardens. During the holiday season, Oatlands also offers a unique shopping experience at the Carriage House and Potting Shed Gift Shops. Stocked with a variety of holiday gift items, the “shops” have become a destination for many shoppers in the region

Telephone: (703) 777-3174

Website: www.oatlands.org

On going: November 27, 2009 - January 06, 2010

Christmas at Mount Vernon

After last year's successful new event, Mount Vernon is again joyfully decking the halls for Christmas at Mount Vernon, a special daytime program offered from Thanksgiving Day weekend through the Twelve Days of Christmas (November 28 – January 6). Themed decorations (including 12 Christmas trees), a gingerbread Mount Vernon by former White House pastry chef Roland Mesnier, historical chocolate-making demonstrations, and 18th-century dancing will be offered.

Location : South end George Washington Parkway Mount Vernon, VA 22121
9:00 AM-4:00 PM
Admission Fee: $15/adult; $7/child
Telephone: (703) 780-2000

Email: info@mountvernon.org
Website: Visit.MountVernon.org

December 01 - December 30

23rd Annual Gingerbread House Contest & Exhibit

Enjoy the creativity and delicious aromas of this year's 23rd annual Gingerbread House Contest & Exhibit. The theme for this year's contest is "George Washington Slept Here." The finished houses will be on display during the month of December. Become part of the excitement by entering your own Jingerbread house.

Location : 268 King's Highway Fredericksburg, VA 22405
10:00 AM-4:00 PM
Admission Fee: $5/adult, $3/child
Telephone: (540) 370-0732

Website: www.ferryfarm.org

December 4,11 and 18

Christmas in Historic Warrenton

Hayrides, entertainment, food, Santa and his elves in the special Christmas shop for children only. A family affair. Every Friday night in December before the Big Day.

Location : Downtown Warrenton
Opens: 5:30 PM
Telephone: (540) 349-8606

Email: amy@partnershipforwarrenton.org
Website: http://www.virginia.org/site/description.asp?AttrID=21116

December 05

City of Fairfax Festival of Lights & Carols

Magical day of holiday cheer and festivities in the beautiful winter wonderland of Kitty Pozer Garden. Enjoy a wonderful day full of holiday cheer and festivities in the winter wonderland. Lunch with Santa, s'more's by the yule log, ice sculpting, hot cider, face painting, pictures with Santa, lighting of the tree and caroling.

Location : Historic Downtown Fairfax
11:30 AM-7:00 PM

Website: www.fairfaxva.gov

December 05-06

City of Falls Church Holiday Arts and Crafts Show

See more than 60 crafters who sell unique handmade items and baked goods. Children's activities available both days, including a craft corner, face painting, breakfast with Santa! Come to the Falls Church Community Center. Admission is free for children under 12, and 50 cents for children 12 and older and $1 for adults.

Location: City of Falls Church Community Center. 223 Little Falls Street Falls Church, VA 22046
Date/Hours: Saturday, December 05, 2009 (9:00 AM-4:00 PM)
Sunday, December 06, 2009 (11:00 AM-4:00 PM)

December 09

Read, See, Do! Alexander the Old Town Mouse at the Carlyle House

Come participate in this special program at the Carlyle Historic House in downtown Alexandria for children ages 3-6 years old and their caregiver. During the program children will read a book, have an age friendly look at the house, and complete a craft activity. The program starts at 1pm and lasts one hour, reservations required. $8 per child, caregivers are free!

Location : Carlyle House Historic Park. 121 N. Fairfax St Alexandria, VA 22314
1:00 PM-2:00 PM
Telephone: (703) 549-2997

Website: www.carlylehouse.org

December 11

George Winston - “Winter”

George Winston has been described as the “Father of New Age Music,” but he eschews the term. Winston prefers to call his dulcet style “rural folk piano”, and is probably best known for his seasonal piano recordings—"Autumn" "Winter Into Spring," "December," and "Summer." Usually appearing on stage dressed in jeans and a casual shirt, he is often in his stocking feet, which he says quiets his “heart beat pounding” left foot. Though best known as a pianist, Winston also often includes guitar and harmonica music in his performances. For this holiday performance, Mr. Winston will donate 100% of the artist's proceeds from his CD sales to a local Washington area food bank.

Location : George Mason University Center for the Arts
Date/Hours: Friday, December 11, 2009 (Opens: 8:00 PM)
Telephone: (888) 945-2468

Website: www.gmu.edu/cfa

December 12-13

Historic Candlelight Tours

One weekend only! Take a break from the fast pace of the season and experience the unique charm and history at Old Town Alexandria with this holiday event. Tour Carlyle House, Gadsby's Tavern Museum, the Lee-Fendall House and a special guest site by candlelight and enjoy seasonal decorations, entertainment and light refreshments. Sunday's tour is kid-friendly with special activity! $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and $5 for children ages 6-17. Reservations recommended.

Date/Hours: Saturday, December 12, 2009 (6:00 PM-9:00 PM), Sunday, December 13, 2009 (3:00 PM-6:00 PM)
Telephone: (703) 838-4242

Website: www.GadsbysTavern.org

December 12

Santa Visits the National Museum of the Marine Corps

Bring the kids to the Museum to visit with Santa and enjoy holiday themed puppet shows. FREE.

From 11am-3pm learn about the different ways Americans in the past have celebrated holidays in times of war at Family Day – Holidays on the Homefront. FREE.

Location: National Museum of the Marine Corps
9:00 AM-5:00 PM

December 15

Toddler Tuesday Series

Children ages 2-5 and their caregivers can enjoy music, crafts and stories related to a theme.

Location : Manassas Museum
10:00 AM-11:00 AM
Admission Fee: $10.00
Telephone: (703) 368-1873

December 19-20

Great Country Farms Holiday Open House and Choose & Cut Christmas Trees

Warm hospitality and Christmas cheer abound during the four weekends of our Holiday Open House. Choose and cut your own Christmas tree, or choose from a selection of freshly cut Fraser Firs, handmade wreaths, and roping. Chase the chill in our country store with complimentary cookies, hot tea, and coffee and browse the wonderful selection of custom gift baskets filled with items from the farm shop. Soup, chili, hot chocolate, and mulled cider will be available for purchase.

Location : 18780 Foggy Bottom Road Bluemont, VA 20135
10:00 AM-4:00 PM
Telephone: (540) 554-2073

Website: www.greatcountryfarms.com

December 19-20

The Nutcracker

Manassas Ballet Theatre presents The Nutcracker, a traditional Christmas ballet with the Manassas Ballet Theatre Orchestra. Stonewall Jackson Senior High School.;

Location : Stonewall Jackson Highschool. 8860 Rixlew Lane Manassas, VA 20110
Date/Hours:
Saturday, December 19, 2009 (3:00 PM-5:00 PM)
Saturday, December 19, 2009 (7:00 PM-9:00 PM)
Sunday, December 20, 2009 (3:00 PM-5:00 PM)
Admission Fee: $28ad/$18chld/sr

December 26-29

Virginia Ballet Company Nutcracker

VIRGINIA BALLET COMPANY AND SCHOOL will celebrate its 60th anniversary with the classic NUTCRACKER ballet on December 27, 28 and 29, 2009. The performances are at 2PM & 7PM each day at the NVCC Annandale Campus in the Ernst Community Cultural Center Theater.

Location : NVCC Annandale Campus Ernst Cultural Center Theater
Date/Hours:
Saturday, December 26, 2009 (6:30 PM-9:00 PM)
Sunday, December 27, 2009 - Tuesday, December 29, 2009 (2:00 PM-4:00 PM)
Sunday, December 27, 2009 - Tuesday, December 29, 2009 (7:00 PM-9:00 PM)
Admission Fee: $30 adult, $20 other

Website: www.virginiaballetcompany.org

December 31

First Night Alexandria

New Year's Eve celebration with music, dance, performing arts for all ages throughout Old Town. All performances indoors except finale & fireworks at midnight. (Venues are alcohol free.)

Location : Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites 625 First St Alexandria, VA 22314
6:00 PM-12:00 PM

Website: www.VisitAlexandriaVA.com

December 31

Watch Night, The City of Falls Church's Celebration of New Year's Eve

Celebrate New Year's in the City! Looking for a fun, family friendly way to celebrate the New Year? Think about being in Falls Church City with lots of attractions, musical performances of all types and genres, karaoke, working artists, singers and choral performances, fun games and activities for the kids, magic shows and lots more

Location : Downtown Falls Church - on and off Broad Street
7:00 PM-12:30 AM

Telephone: 703-248-5077