Football Playoffs, Tree Lightings and the Fairfax Symphony

Ready for Some Prep Football? The number one ranked Centreville High School Wildcats will host the number 16 South Lakes High School Seahawks on Friday in the first round of varsity football playoffs.  Number 13 Westfield High School is also in the playoffs. They will host number 14 Hayfield High School. Both games start at 7:30 p.m. Go here for more prep playoff news.  

Tree Lighting in Fairfax. Head over to the Fairfax Corner plaza on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. for the annual tree lighting. All the great holiday characters, including Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will be there. 

The Fairfax Symphony will perform at 8 p.m. on Friday at the George Mason Center for the Arts in Fairfax. The show includes a special presentation of pieces by Sergei Rachmaninov and Edvard Grieg, as well as the D.C. and Virginia premiere of American composer Larry Alan Smith's Saxophone Concerto.

Pets Bring Joy, an animal advocate nonprofit, will be at the new PetSmart on Saturday for a pet adoption.  The adoption is from 10 to 1 p.m. at the store located at 9528 Main St. in Fairfax. 

Sensory Friendly Santa Visit for Children with Autism-The Real Housewives of Northern Virginia blog is hosting its annual sensory-friendly Santa visit from 8 to 9:45 a.m. Saturday at Fair Oaks Mall. Tickets to the free event are now sold out, but this is a reminder for ticket holders to attend the event. 
 
Textbooks Africa-Textbooks Africa's Books and Notes Tailgate Festival is Sunday at noon at the Bull Run Winery in Centreville. Textbooks Africa is a 501c3 non-profit organization that collects and ships textbooks, library books and supplies to school children and teachers in Africa.

The event is hosted with former Washington Redskins player Clinton Portis and features music by the Gregg Byrd Band. A ticket for the event includes a barbecue dinner from Bad to the Bone and a beverage, a silent auction and a meet and greet with Portis. VIP tickets are $100, patron tickets are $40 and children's tickets are $20.  Purchase at textbooksafrica.org/events/

Miles for Maddie. Join the Manassas Park High School cheerleaders and the band from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the high school track for the Miles for Maddie, a fundraiser to help a young girl fight cancer. Registration requires a $15 donations while registration for children is just $10. Can't make it? You can donate to Maddie's cause here on the website Give Forward.  

Cornucopia. Swing by the Arts and Crafts Cornucopia in Manassas Park for some unique gifts and do-dads on Saturday from 9 to 2 p.m. at the Manassas Park Community Center.