Loads of Holiday Events Across Fairfax County This Weekend

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- Ready to get out and have some fun this weekend in Fairfax County? There's plenty going on. Here's a look, courtesy of the County's Weekender:

Friday, Dec. 9: Bright Lights, Pretty Sights

Bull Run Festival of Lights: Until just after New Year’s Day, you can experience 2.5 miles illuminated by holiday light displays. Drive the festival route from the comfort of your car; turn off your headlights and follow the magical glow. After viewing the lights, bring your family and friends to the holiday village to enjoy rides, refreshments and of course, photos with Santa Claus. From 5:30 to 10 p.m. at Bull Run Regional Park. $20/car on Friday and Sunday, $25/car on Saturday, $30/commercial van or $55/bus; pay at site. For information, call 703-631-0550.

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.

Rockhounders : A hands-on approach to geology including rock/mineral classification, plate tectonics, fossils and collecting for ages 6 to 13. From 5 to 6 p.m. at Hidden Pond Nature Center. Topics vary each week. $7/child each session. Register online. For information, call 703-451-9588.

Saturday, Dec. 10: Winter Welcome

Family Fun – Winter Solstice Workshop : Come learn how people in the past celebrated the winter solstice. Create an evergreen centerpiece, complete with a beeswax candle, to welcome friends and family to your table. From 1 to 2 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens. Ages 5 and up. $10/person. Register online. For information, call 703-642-5173.

Also on Saturday:

Winter Wonderland at Burke Lake Park: Holiday fun for the whole family. Hop aboard the Holiday Express Train, Snowman’s Wagon Ride or U.S.S. Rudolph Boat. Take a spin on the Caroler’s Carousel or play a round of Gingerbread Man’s Golf. Visit with Santa to let him know how good you’ve been this year. Warm up with a cup of hot chocolate and roast s’mores by the fire. Admission passes are $15/person in advance; $20/person the day of the event. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult registered for the same ride package. Children under 2 ride free but must pay for other activities. Limited activity tickets will be available the day of the event at the park. Help others this holiday season by bringing a new toy or canned food item for donation. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (also Sunday) at Burke Lake Park. Register online. For information, call 703-323-6600.

3-D Printing Open House: Curious about the world of 3-D printing? Stop for an ongoing demonstration of a MakerBot Replicator Mini 3-D printer. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Patrick Henry Library. Free; no registration required. For information, call 703-938-0405.

“Little Red and the Gingerbread Man”: Join Little Red as she pursues a mischievous Gingerbread Man through the woods to Grandma’s house in this show by Barefoot Puppet Theatre. From 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Centreville Regional Library. Ages 2 and up. Free; register online. For information, call 703-830-2223.

“Crooning with the Critters”: Sing along about animals from near and far with GoodLife Theater. From 11 a.m. to noon at Woodrow Wilson Library. All ages. Free; register online. For information, call 703-820-8774.

Holiday Horse-Drawn Hayrides : Enjoy holiday music and merriment. Warm up with seasonal treats available for purchase. No charge to visit Santa for hayride ticket holders. Feel free to take photos. Dress for the weather and plan on a brisk walk from the parking lot. Register for ride times starting at noon and ending at 2:40 p.m. at Lake Accotink Park. $12/person; ages 2 and younger free. Register online. For information, call 703-569-3464.

Holidays at Walney Farm : Celebrate the winter holidays with the Machen family. Learn about the gifts and foods of an 1850 Virginia farm, create a historic holiday ornament, take a wagon ride through the trails, and enjoy hot apple cider and treats around a campfire. From 1 to 4 p.m. at E.C. Lawrence Park. Ages 2 and up. $10/person. Register online. For information, call 703-631-0013.

Santa at the Mill: Enjoy old-fashioned holiday fun. Visit Santa and see the Christmas tree trimmed with Victorian decorations. Join the costumed 49th Virginia Volunteer Infantry caroling around a bonfire. Roast marshmallows and make a family craft. From 3 to 6 p.m. at Colvin Run Mill. Ages 3 and up. $5/person. Reservations not required; pay at site. For information, call 703-759-2771.

Civil War by Candlelight : Experience a Civil War Christmas as Confederate soldiers cook dinner in the field and fire the Christmas guns. Enjoy music, make a 19th century holiday decoration and sample hot cider and homemade cookies. The house tour is 45 minutes with start times every 15 minutes from 4:45 to 7 p.m. at Sully Historic Site. Outdoor festivities are available until 8 p.m. Ages 5 and up. $10/person. Register online. For information, call 703-437-1794.

Astronomy Festival : Enjoy activities including guided stargazing, looking through a telescope and listening to ancient stories about the constellations around the campfire. Other activities and games will be going on throughout the evening. Hot chocolate and snacks available for purchase. From 5 to 6 p.m.at Riverbend Park. Canceled in the event of rain or snow. Ages 3 and up. $6/person in advance or $7/person at the door. Register online. For information, call 703-759-9018.

Boardwalk Astronomy :What’s new in the night sky? Join naturalists on a tour of constellations, comets and other happenings in the heavens above. From 6 to 8 p.m. at Huntley Meadows Park. Canceled in the event of rain or other severe weather. Ages 12 and up. $8/person. Register online. For information, call 703-768-2525.

Second Saturday Art Walk: Tour seven unique studio buildings to see the work of talented visual artists while enjoying light refreshments and music. From 6 to 9 p.m. at the Workhouse Arts Center. Free. For information, call 703-584-2900.

Sunday, Dec. 11: Seasonal Sights and Sounds

Squirrel’s Nutcracker Tea Party : Savor the sounds of the season as your family enjoys a puppet show starring a gray squirrel that dreams of a nutcracker. Enjoy learning a few fun facts about this most common and curious creature as you sip sugarplum tea and munch gingerbread treats at the sit-down tea. From 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Hidden Oaks Nature Center. Ages 4 and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult registered in the program. $15/person. Register online. For information, call 703-941-1065.

Also on Sunday:

Christmas at the Farm : Enjoy a special holiday visit and take a wagon ride through the woods and fields with Santa. Activities include a holiday craft, cookie decorating and puppet show. Register for an hour-long time slot at 1:30 or 3 p.m. at Frying Pan Farm Park. Dress for the weather. Ages 2 and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult registered in the program. $8/person. Register online. For information, call 703-437-9101.

Sunday Afternoon Dance: Dancers of all skill levels are welcome to foxtrot, swing, cha-cha and waltz. Music selection ranges from golden oldies to today’s more modern dance selections. Door prizes and light refreshments add to the fun; partners not required. From 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Reston Community Center – Hunters Woods. Ages 18 and up. $10/person. Pay at door. For information, call 703-390-6157.

PHOTO of Bull Run Festival of Lights courtesy of NOVA Parks