Tree Lighting Celebration Features Holiday Activities In Shirlington

ARLINGTON, VA — The annual Light Up the Village at Shirlington event on Thursday will give visitors a chance to enjoy musical performances, photos with Santa and the lighting of a Christmas tree.

The event runs from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday. Visitors are invited to bring a non-perishable food item or monetary donation for the Arlington Food Assistance Center.

Here’s the schedule for the Light Up the Village at Shirlington event:

• 6 p.m. Holiday Musical Performance by Signature Theatre
• 6:30 p.m. Tree Lighting celebration
• 6:40 p.m. Horse and Carriage Rides
• 7 p.m. Photos with Santa (located at Hardwood Artisans)

The event will also feature a seasonal makers market, live holiday music by Bishop O’Connell High School, free face painting and balloon twisting, strolling entertainment, and merchant specials and promotions.

Photos with Santa will end at 8:30 p.m. Families should line up early to ensure they get a photo with Santa.

The event is free and does not require a ticket. But visitors who RSVP get a chance to win a $150 gift card to a business of their choice at The Village at Shirlington.

The Arlington County Police Department will conduct the following road closures to accommodate the event:

• From noon to 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, Campbell Avenue, from Harris Teeter to S. Randolph Street will be closed.
• Beginning at 3:30 p.m., Campbell Avenue, from S. Arlington Mill Drive to S. Quincy Street will be closed, and S. Randolph Street, from S. Arlington Mill Drive to the alley behind the businesses on the South side of Campbell Avenue, will be closed.