Weekend in Fairfax County: Holiday Concerts, Santa Photos, Ice-Skating + More

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- Looking to get out and about and enjoy a fun holiday weekend? Fairfax County Weekender has you covered:

Friday, Dec. 16: Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Winter Walk of Lights: Every year from mid-November until just after New Year’s Day, the garden is transformed into a half-mile, animated walk of lights. Revisit perennial favorites such as the Lakeside Lights, the Fountain of Lights and the Holiday Nature Walk — and look for new displays. Put on your walking shoes and bring the family. Round out your visit by roasting marshmallows and sipping on hot beverages by the fire (available for purchase at Light Refreshments). Timed tickets available for the walk between 5:30 to 10 p.m. at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. $13/adult and $8/child (ages 3 to 12). Buy tickets online. For information, call 703-255-3631.

Also on Friday:

Festive Sully: Experience the main house decorated for an 18th-century season of celebration. Relive the 1885 holiday memories of a young Sully visitor seeing the tree decorated in Victorian splendor. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (also Saturday and Sunday) at Sully Historic Site. $7/adult, $6/student and $5/senior or child; pay at site (groups of 15 or more must call to make a reservation). For information, call 703-437-1794.

Saturday, Dec. 17: Making Spirits Bright

John Eaton’s Holiday Songbook: Jazz pianist and musicologist, John Eaton’s first Holiday Songbook was such a hit last year that he’s back. From 2 to 3:30 p.m. at The Alden Theatre, McLean Community Center. $35/person. Buy tickets online. For information, call 703-790-0123.

Also on Saturday:

Holiday Express at Clemyjontri: Come meet Santa, take a ride on the train or carousel, and color your own holiday picture. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Clemyjontri Park. $5 per family, includes photo with Santa, carousel rides and crafts. Train ride is $5. No reservations required. Note: Park is closed for snow, ice or other extreme weather. For information, call 703-388-2807.

Holiday Ice Skating Show: Get ready to chill out and have some fun when the popular Holiday Ice Show returns. Featured are group routines performed by students of all ages and abilities who are enrolled in the ice arena’s group lessons, as well as solo skate routines by other rink skaters. Also an appearance by a very special guest. Performances run from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Mount Vernon RECenter. Admission to the show is free; no registration required. For information, call 703-768-3224.

Teen Holiday DIY: Looking for holiday gift ideas? Make a holiday greeting card and recipe in a jar gift for someone special in your life. From 2:30 to 4 p.m. at Burke Centre Library. Ages 13 to 18. Free; register online. For information, call 703-249-1520.

Victorian Candlelight Tour: Enjoy Victorian-era traditions, meet Santa, hear a reading of “A Visit from St. Nicholas” and see the Christmas tree decorated according to an 1885 memory. Make a tree decoration based on a Victorian original. House tour is 45 minutes with start times every 15 minutes, 4:45 to 7 p.m. at Sully Historic Site. Outdoor festivities available until 8 p.m. Ages 5 and up. $10/person. Register online. For information, call 703-437-1794.

Ballroom Social Dance: Bring a friend, a date or a group to enjoy a casual, fun night out. All skill levels welcome. Mini-lesson on the waltz, 7:30 to 8 p.m. Social dance led by a professional ballroom instructor from 8 to 10:30 p.m. in the McGuireWoods Gallery (second floor of W-16), Workhouse Arts Center. $10/person (Ballroom Social) and $5/person (mini-lesson). Mini-lesson tickets sold only at the door. Ballroom Social Dance tickets may be purchased online, by phone or at the door. For information, call 703-584-2900.

Cabaret Series – Holiday Hijinks: Hop into the sleigh and enjoy the ride as talented cabaret singers present some of the most memorable songs from the holiday season. Featuring music from favorite holiday films and those December television perennials, with a jazz-inspired twist, the cabaret cast will start the holiday season on the right note. From 8 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday and 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday in W16 (Vulcan Muse) of the Workhouse Arts Center. $25/adult, $20/senior, military or student with ID. Buy tickets online. For information, call 703-584-2900.

Sunday, Dec. 18: Laughing All the Way

Happy Vaudeville Holidays! Take a break from all that shopping and gift wrapping and join Mr. Vaudeville and Friends for yet another adventure filled with music, mayhem and laughter in this hilarious afternoon of spirited fun. Better than a hot cup of wassail or a spoonful of figgy pudding (the fruit cakes will be on stage), Happy Vaudeville Holidays! is just the right recipe to spice up your holiday season! From 3 to 4:30 p.m.at The CenterStage, Reston Community Center – Hunters Woods. $10/person. Buy tickets online. For information, call 703-390-6167.

Also on Sunday:

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star: Learn about the stars and more in the night sky and get tips on how to enjoy stargazing at night. Through a short presentation, story, song and craft, share the wonder of the night sky with your child. From 2 to 2:45 p.m. at Hidden Oaks Nature Center. Ages 2 to 5. Children must be accompanied by an adult. $6/child. Register online. For information, call 703-941-1065.

NOTE: Due to the Christmas holiday next weekend, there will be no Weekender for Dec. 23-25. It will resume with limited activities for Dec. 30-Jan. 1.