Photos on Friday: Christmas in Northern Virginia

I can't believe it's already mid-December already! While Christmas is almost upon us, there are still a lot of wonderful events, parades, Christmas markets and other happenings taking place in Northern Virginia in the upcoming weeks.  

Today's Photos on Friday highlights some of this festivity. Here are a few Christmas trees I've spotted in Northern Virginia over the years.  

A Victorian Christmas at Sully Historic Site

Tree lighting in Old Town Alexandria (always a fun evening!)

Mount Vernon has a number of beautifully (themed) decorated Christmas trees each year

It was raining heavily on my trip, but it was clear Old Town Winchester gets all dressed up for the holidays.

Exploring Winchester: Old Courthouse Civil War Museum

Old Courthouse in Winchester

In the northwest area of Virginia is the historic City of Winchester. Until recently, I'd only casually driven this city, usually on my way to other destinations. This past weekend, however, we did drive west and explore Winchester. One of our stops was the Old Courthouse Civil War Museum.

The structure was built in 1840 and not only served as a courthouse, but also a prison and hospital during the Civil War. 

Due to its location, the building had been under both Confederate and Union control at various times during the war. According to the museum, Winchester changed hands more than 70 times in those years. 

Photos on Friday: Garden Railway model train exhibit at USBG

This week's Photos on Friday revisits the holiday festivities taking place at the United States Botanic Garden. I'd written a more detailed post in recent weeks on what you'll see at the conservatory during the holidays. Today I wanted to share a few more photos from my last visit, focusing on the Garden Railway model train exhibit. 

A train comes zooming by at the Garden Railway model train exhibit

Percy (I think that's this train's name?) takes a turn around the Zebra Zone

Looking up at one of the train overpasses

Have a great weekend everyone!

Family holiday fun in D.C.: ICE! 2014

Photo credit: dbking on Flickr taken in 2010

In mid-November the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center kicked off its annual ice extravaganza at the Marriott hotel at the National Harbor. 

Every year the center has its ice show, this year's theme is "Frosty the Snowman". Frosty wasn't brought to life with an old top hat. 

According to the official website, he  brought to life through careful sculpting of over 2 million pounds of ice.

This year also features a live carving zone where visitors can see the artisans, who hail from Northeast China, at work.

This is a pretty popular event and one I've always wanted to go to. Last year some of my family took a trip down to the National Harbor, but we were unable to accompany them. My family came back saying how beautiful it was and how much they loved it.  Hoping to be able to go myself this year. I was reading up on how it's all put together and it sounds spectacular. If I get down there, I'll be sure and post a review, along with some pics.

This year's prices vary depending on the day of your visit (peak vs. non-peak). Check the official website for more information. There are also some discounts available if you qualify.

The Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center is located at 201 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, Md. Just a hop, skip and a jump from downtown.

Photo credit: dbking on Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/bootbearwdc/4253873188/sizes/z/in/photostream/ taken in 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today's post will be short and sweet, featuring an image of some of the turkeys living out at Claude Moore Colonial Farm. We visited back in July and Tom was quite vocal that day!

Holiday craft and Christmas markets in Washington D.C.

The holiday shopping season is officially kicking off. While malls and other shopping centers are an option, often I find it fun to poke around holiday craft and Christmas markets to find unique items. Many local and national artisans participate in events in this region every year offering handmade items. Yesterday I wrote about holiday markets in Northern Virginia, and today I want to focus on events happening downtown in Washington.

Downtown Holiday Market

Every year the Downtown Holiday Market starts about a month before Christmas. For more than 10 years it has become one of the largest holiday markets in the area. In years' past, this event kicks off on Black Friday. From this point, the market runs daily until Dec. 23 from noon to 8 p.m. It features more than 150 exhibitors selling diverse items, food and drink, along with live musical entertainment. The market takes place at 8th and F Streets, Washington, D.C.(in front of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery between 7th and 9th Streets NW).

SWEA Washington DC Holiday Bazaar

Located downtown in Georgetown, this Christmas Bazaar features Swedish Christmas traditions at the House of Sweden. It highlights Swedish arts and crafts, live Christmas caroling, and Swedish food and treats. The event is customarily held on the 1st Saturday of December and is located at 2900 K St NW. Admission is free.

Eastern Market

A very popular and well-known year-round local market, this festival appears to also spice things up for the holiday season. Find unique and handmade custom gifts from approximately 200 vendors. Live music and it appears to be kid-friendly. Thanks to KidFriendlyDC.com for the tip. For more details, see the market's official website.

There are a number of things to see and do in D.C. during the holidays. Don't forget to stop in at the Smithsonian museums, lots of festivity going on there too on Dec. 6 and Dec. 7.

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy shopping!

Holiday and craft shows in Northern Virginia

As Thanksgiving arrives, even though these days retailers seem to be promoting seasonal gifts and other promotions earlier and earlier each year, Friday has traditionally kicked off the holiday shopping season.

For the most part, this holds true with seasonal holiday and craft shows in Northern Virginia. There are a variety of specially scheduled events to shop at over the next few weeks.

Vienna Art and Craft Show

Sponsored by the Northern Virginia Handcrafter's Guild, the show has been running for over 30 years. The craft shows traditionally take place in November with the big event on Thanksgiving weekend, features dozens and dozens of artisans. For directions and more information, see the official website.

Alexandria 

Alexandria’s Holiday Market annual event takes place in Old Town, it is designed to be similar to a European Festival, much like those in France or Germany. There will be a variety of vendors and live entertainment. This event is recurring throughout the season. For more information please see the official website. There is literally tons to see and do in Old Town, one of my favorite places to go this time of year, as I noted in a post last week.

Also in Alexandria, in the Del Ray District, will be the 19th Annual Del Ray Artisans Fine Art & Fine Craft Holiday Market. This event features a number of local artisans sharing their handmade products. It all takes place at the Del Ray Artisans gallery, located at the Nicholas A. Colasanto Center, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria. Admission is free.

Tysons Corner Center Holiday Market

A newer event, this German-themed market takes place at the Tysons Corner Center. I haven't been here yet and I'm not sure if it's going to become an annual event but it has been held at least a couple of times. Past promotions indicated the market is an outdoor event and features more than 20 exhibitor booths. There has been a lot of revamping done (presumably coinciding with the phase 1 of the Silver Line Metro opening in the summer of 2014) and the new space includes an ice skating rink, outdoor seating, fire pits, and live entertainment. There has also been a beer garden and other fun events.

McLean Holiday Crafts Show

For over 30 years, this holiday craft show features over 70 artisans with various specialties from across the United States. This event has previously taken place the first weekend in December. The McLean Community Center is located at 1234 Ingleside Ave. McLean, Virginia.

Dulles Expo Center: Sugarloaf Craft Festival

Over in western Fairfax the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival is taking place at the Dulles Expo Center. An annual event that now features over 300 exhibitors, I've found it to be very kid-friendly. Exhibitors typically include local and nationally known artists, many provide live demos. There is also food available and live music, along with entertainment for the kids. There is usually an admission fee associated with this event. See official website for more details.

Holiday Fine Arts and Craft Show (Leesburg)

This annual event takes place in early December at the Ida Lee Park Recreation Center. Featuring more than 90 local and regional artisans, there will be a variety of wares. Saturday's hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday's from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

The rec center is located at 60 Ida Lee Dr. NW in Leesburg. Historic Leesburg is a fun place to visit during the holidays, there are a lot of events going on with much to see and do throughout the season, including a parade.

Falls Church Annual Holiday Gift & Craft Show 

Also taking place the 1st weekend in December is the Falls Church Annual Holiday Gift & Craft Show. Featuring over 50 exhibitors selling handmade items, baked goods and more. Past events have taken place at the Falls Church Community Center, located at 223 Little Falls Street. There is a fee of $1 per person (all weekend shopping pass), kids under 12 are free. There is also lunch with Santa available, but you'll need reservations.

These are a few events going on in the region this year, if I come across more, I'll continue to post them. Tomorrow I will be posting about Washington D.C.'s seasonal markets.

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy shopping!