Greater Alexandria Christmas, Hanukkah Events: Parades, Tree Lightings

MOUNT VERNON, VA — There are plenty of things going on around greater Alexandria to celebrate the 2023 winter holidays.

Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights, starts at sundown on Dec. 7, and ends at nightfall on Dec. 15. Christmas, of course, is on Dec. 25, but you don’t have to wait to start taking in all the sights and sounds of the season.

Major Hanukkah events near greater Alexandria are:

• Del Ray Holiday Tree & Menorah Lighting: Sunday, Dec. 3
• Chanukah Festival - Old Town Alexandria: Thursday, Dec. 7
• National Menorah Lighting: Thursday, Dec. 7
• Light Up Arlington - Clarendon Menorah Lighting: Sunday, Dec. 10

Christmas tree lightings nearby include:

• National Christmas Tree Lighting: Thursday, Nov. 30
• Light Up The Village at The Village at Shirlington: Thursday, Nov. 30
• Fort Belvoir Winterfest and Tree Lighting Ceremony: Sunday, Dec. 2 (access to Fort Belvoir limited)
• Del Ray Holiday Tree & Menorah Lighting: Sunday, Dec. 3
• Rosslyn Cheer: Light the Plaza: Thursday, Dec. 7

Holiday lighting displays are another holiday favorite. Some to catch near greater Alexandria are:

• Ice & Lights: The Winter Village at Cameron Run: Through Jan. 1
• Meadowlark Winter Walk of Lights: Through Jan. 7
• Bull Run Festival of Lights: Through Jan. 7
• Winter Lantern Festival: Through Feb. 18

Other holiday events include:

• Holiday Tours at Pope-Leighey House: Friday, Dec. 1
• Mount Vernon by Candlelight: Dec. 1-2, 8-9 and 17
• 52nd Annual Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade Sponsored by Wegmans: Saturday, Dec. 2
• 23rd Annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights Sponsored by Amazon: Saturday, Dec. 2
• Tall Ship Providence Holiday Boat Parade of Lights Viewing Party: Saturday, Dec. 2
• Christmastide at Gunston Hall: Saturday, Dec. 2
• Four Mile Run Holiday Makers' Market: Sunday, Dec. 3
• A Christmas Carol: One-Man Show: Dec. 2-3
• The Lodge - National Landing: Dec. 1-3
• The Little Theatre of Alexandria’s “A Christmas Carol”: Dec. 2-16
• Shops of Del Ray Holiday Sip & Shop: Thursday, Dec. 7
• Miracle on 23rd Street: Friday, Dec. 8
• Christmas Market & Holiday Craft Show at John Carlyle Square: Dec. 9
• How to Celebrate Kwanzaa Workshop: Dec. 9
• Holiday Markets at Old Town North: Dec. 3, 5, 10, 12, 17 and 19
• River Farm Holiday Open House: Thursday, Dec. 14
• Christmas Tea at the Harrisons: Friday, Dec. 15
• Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon: Dec. 15-16
• A Very Merry ALX Jazz Fest: Saturday, Dec. 16
• Christmas Illuminations at George Washington’s Mount Vernon: Dec. 15 and 16
• A Very Mason Christmas at Historic Huntley: Sunday, Dec. 17
• Waterskiing Santa: Dec. 24
• 29th Annual First Night Alexandria: Dec. 31

RELATED:

• Where To Find A Christmas Tree In Greater Alexandria In 2023
• Where To See Santa In Greater Alexandria In The 2023 Christmas Season