Christmas and holiday events in Old Town Alexandria

Old Town Alexandria is full of holiday spirit. Honestly, there is just so much to see and do during the Christmas season in this city it really warranted its own post. On a more personal side, I love, love Old Town during the holidays. So pretty and festive.

So without further ado, here are a number of the family fun things to do in Old Town this year:

See a tree lighting

This is a great event the city throws every year. It includes live entertainment, caroling, a community sing-along and a visit from Santa. The last time I attended, Santa stuck around for a while and visited with the kids. Great event, we had a blast. This year's event takes place on Fri., Nov. 28 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Market Square in Old Town. Admission is free. 

Hangout with Santa & Mrs. Claus

Prior to the big night, visitors to Old Town can meet Santa & Mrs. Claus at the Union Street Public House (located at 121 South Union St.) from 1 to 5:30 p.m. There will be storytelling and magic tricks at 4 p.m. At 5:30 Santa will head on over to the tree lighting playing his bagpipes in a festive parade. Union Street Public House is also offering cookies, cocoa and coffee for sale (along with a full menu if you want to stop and eat).

Shopping

Old Town is pretty well known for its shopping. With many chic, quaint and fabulous boutiques and shops, there is plenty of selection. On Nov. 28, to coincide with other city events, the city will host its Black Friday sales starting at 6 a.m. If you're one who likes to support local, this is the perfect event! Discounts start at 30 percent off, but do drop throughout the day. The official website offers more details on these specials. The shops are usually nicely decked out and are pretty to look at.

Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend 

A great event that happens every year during the first weekend in December. This year's event is scheduled for December 5 - 6 with the parade taking place at 11 a.m. on Saturday. For more information about this parade, please see my earlier post about local Christmas parades.

Boat Parade of Lights

Now in its 15th year, the Annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights will take place on Dec. 6 at 5:30 p.m. at the Alexandria Marina (right behind the Torpedo Factory). See more than 50 boats all festively lit up for the holidays cruise the Potomac River. Admission is free.

A Soldier's Christmas at Carlyle House

Another annual event, this year's presentation at the Carlyle House museum takes place on Sat., Dec. 6 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Come learn about how soldiers celebrated the holidays during the Revolutionary War. Admission is free. Carlyle House is located at 121 N. Fairfax St. in Old Town. 

Waterskiing Santa

Santa swings by for another visit to Old Town on Dec. 24 to get in some waterskiing before his big night. He is accompanied by Frosty, the Grinch, his flying elves and kneeboarding reindeer. Showtime is at 1 p.m. (pre-show at 12:45 p.m.) at Alexandria's waterfront between King St. and Oronoco St. Show is free, and happens rain, snow or shine! More information: http://www.waterskiingsanta.com/

These are a few of the big events happening, but honestly, there is just so much going on. There are many theatre performances, live music, special candlelight tours of the city's historic museums and more. You can peruse the city's website to learn more about other specially scheduled events.

Related post: Christmas and holiday-themed events in Northern Virginia

Christmas parades in Northern Virginia

There are really a lot of fun things to see and do during the holidays in both Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia. Between all the festivals, visits from Santa, special tours and gorgeous decorations located throughout the D.C. region, there are truly many family-fun outings. 

In addition to these, there are also a number of annual Christmas parades scheduled for added fun. Many of these events coincide with other fun activities and events.

Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend 

A great event that happens every year during the first weekend in December with the parade taking place at 11 a.m. on Saturday. The parade features more than 100 marching units and is loads of fun. 2017 marks the parade's 47th year. It is sponsored by the Campagna Center (partnering with in partnership with The Scottish Government, The Saint Andrew's Society of Washington, D.C. and the City of Alexandria) and proceeds go to benefit its six educational programs. See the official website for more information on what else is happening over the weekend. 

Santa has lots of talents, but also plays the bagpipes!

Greater Manassas Christmas Parade

For more than 70 years, the Greater Manassas Christmas Parade takes place every December. The parade traditionally takes place the first weekend of December in the morning.  I haven't been to this Christmas parade yet (definitely on my list of things to see), but have attended a number of other parades and holiday events in Manassas. Good stuff! Information is not available yet, but as we get closer check out the parade route to see where to park and/or view the parade.

Annual Christmas and Holiday Parade 

Every year Leesburg holds its annual parade. This is a fun event. The last one I attended was during the day, but these days the parade is scheduled during the evening, so bundle up. For more information on the parade route and other events happening in town this December, please see Leesburg's dedicated page. I like walking around the historic district, the decorations and storefronts are usually beautiful and festive.

Santa arrives in Leesburg

Warrenton Christmas Parade

Historic Warrenton is an interesting place. I've been there a few times and especially enjoyed the tour of the 19th century jail and museum. This year I learned the town also holds an annual Christmas parade! For more information and updates, you can follow the official Facebook page.  

Parades are no longer limited to the summer as Northern Virginia has some wonderful winter parades. Stay tuned for more posts about other holiday events happening in the area.

Related posts: 

Why winter is a great time of the year to visit Washington, D.C.
Christmas and holiday-themed events in Northern Virginia 
Celebrate the holidays at Sully Historic Site in Chantilly, Va.

Why winter is a great time visit Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. is a fantastic place to visit any time of the year, but most people tend to visit during the spring and summer months. Although, despite the frigid days of winter, the U.S. Capital is also a great city to visit during the colder months.

In spite of the chilly temperatures, even the winter months offers plenty to do in the region. Some sites to visit are year-round attractions while others are seasonally specific. Traffic is a lot lighter and you won't have to battle crowds to see many of the popular sites. Here are a few great ideas to consider putting on your itinerary when you visit Washington, D.C.:

Museums

The museums are a terrific activity to consider in an itinerary for a winter visit. The District of Columbia is home to a multitude of museums. Popular attractions reside in places such as the Air and Space Museum, American History Museum, National Museum of Natural History, National Portrait Gallery, International Spy Museum and many more.

One of my favorite winter activities is to go to the National Museum of Natural History and spend some time in the Butterfly Pavilion

Most of the museums are open year-round. The best part about it is most of the museums are free; although, there are some exceptions such as the International Spy Museum and Newseum. It is recommended you plan these visits as early as possible because even though winter months are slower, tickets for specific tour times do occasionally sell out. The free museums are the ones which comprise the Smithsonian Institute and National Parks Service.

The winter is a great time to take in many of the fantastic exhibits because the lines and wait times are often significantly lower.

Theatre 

The Capital District is home to several wonderful theatres. Ford's Theatre is both a historic site and a working theatre. Reopened as a professional theatre in 1968, the restoration of Ford's Theatre is really something to see. The upper level is the theatre where each season several high-quality shows are run. The lower level is a museum dedicated to President Lincoln and contains many artifacts relating to President Lincoln and his assassination by John Wilkes Booth. 

Across the street lies the Petersen House where President Lincoln spent his final hours. Entry is free to these historical exhibits. The theatre season at Ford's usually begins in the fall season and runs through May. There are many holiday shows and other fantastic historical or politically-themed musicals to enjoy.

The Kennedy Center of the Arts is another wonderful place to take in a good show. Performances range from dance, music, and theatre and many good shows are offered in the winter months. You can purchase tickets for specific shows, or if budget is an issue, they do offer a free show every day at 6 p.m. as an initiative to give everyone a chance to attend; these shows take place on the popular Millennium Stage.

Stroll the sites 

Walking along the paths surrounding the National Mall is a great activity any time of the year. In the winter months, you'll likely need to bundle up a bit more, but you might get lucky and experience one of the warm days in the winter months the metro region is occasionally known to have.

A great time to stroll the sites and landmarks in D.C. is the week of Christmas because traffic within the boundaries of the District is extremely light. It is much easier to find parking during this time frame and finding a parking spot close up to the sites you want to see is highly likely. Visitors who come during this week should keep in mind, it normally is rather nippy in temperatures, so it is a good idea to dress warmly, just in case.

Throughout the month of December, you can also view the National Christmas Tree Lighting. There are annual seasonal displays at the base of the tree and run daily. If you have kids, this is a site they'll likely love. Another great stop is the United States Botanic Garden, which is always decorated beautifully during the holiday season with a special train display.

Mount Vernon 

Located just due south of the District, but in the boundaries of Northern Virginia, sits Mount Vernon, the majestic home of George and Martha Washington. This site is open year round and the holiday season is a wonderful time to visit. The lines to view the inside of the main house are much shorter than the rest of the year.

All of the Christmas trees at Mount Vernon are "themed". This one is about the General himself.

The mansion is decorated to reflect early American history of how homes were decorated in the colonial era and as a bonus, the rarely seen third floor is opened up to the public because crowds are lighter and the home's structure can handle tours. It's a bit of a squeeze up there, but it is something to see if you get the opportunity. Activities during the Christmas months include caroling, a chocolate demonstration and more.

In addition, the Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center located on the grounds is a terrific way to spend many hours during the cold winter months since everything to see is indoors. The center opened in 2006 and offers plenty to see and do. There are also a couple of theatres which offer educational viewings of history.

Old Town Alexandria 

Just across the Potomac River from D.C. proper sits the historical City of Alexandria in Virginia. This city holds a lot of early American history, famous landmarks, and there is overall much to see and do. During the holidays Old Town is decked out wonderfully with a simple elegance which is amazing to see in itself. There is also a fun annual Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend, which includes a parade. 

There are also plenty of chic restaurants and shops to visit and you can also explore the shore of the Potomac River from here. The Torpedo Factory Art Center is another great place to visit while you are down by the riverside.

Notwithstanding the frigid days of winter when traveling to Washington, D.C. is a great time to visit. Even though the air may contain a bit of a chill, the atmosphere, especially during the holidays, is wonderful. The flurry of activity will warm you up in no time!

Photos on Friday: Presidential Pardoned Turkeys at Mount Vernon

Turkeys have been gifted to the White House since the late 19th century. However, sometime during the 20th century, the tradition of presidential pardoned Turkeys began. President Obama has been pardoning turkeys throughout his administration and the turkeys have gone to Mount Vernon to live out their days. 

Today's Photos on Friday highlights images of the 2013 pardoned turkey.

Celebrate the holidays at Sully Historic Site in Chantilly, Va.

Out in western Fairfax County (not too far from the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Chantilly) is Sully Historic Site. Throughout the year the property offers many family-friendly events and Christmas is no exception. 

During the days (from Dec. 3 to Dec. 28) visitors can experience an 18th century Christmas holiday. The Sully home is decorated Victorian style and visitors will "relive" the memories of a visitor to the home in 1885.

The site also offers a few specially themed evening tours. On Sat., Dec. 13 is Civil War by Candlelight. On this date you can visit with Confederate soldiers as they cook dinner in the field and fire the Christmas guns. They'll also be music, a craft, hot cider and homemade cookies. A house tour is also included with admission. I haven't been to this one yet.

On Sun., Dec. 14 is World War II Christmas at home. We went to this event a couple of years ago and it was a nice evening. Visitors to Sully will get to experience Christmas in the 1940s with soldiers on leave. Learn about rationing foods and alternate ways to cook. Listen and dance to big band music. Sing holiday carols and make a Christmas ornament. Hot cider and homemade cookies will complete the evening.

A 19th century Christmas comes to Sully on Sat. Dec. 20 when the property is transformed into a Victorian-style Christmas at night. Visitors can see Regency period dancers and make a Victorian-style Christmas ornament. The Christmas tree will truly transport you back in time. As with the other events, cookies and cider is offered.

On all of these special tours, admission includes a tour of the historic home. The outside festivities end at 8 p.m. There will also be a special nutcracker display from Nov. 22, 2014 to Jan. 31, 2015. 

When we went to the Victorian and WWII candlelight tours, we did register ahead of time (I know reservations are recommended as we had a set time slot, not sure if they are required).  

More information can be found on Sully Historic Site's website.

Related post: Christmas and holiday-themed events in Northern Virginia 

Thank you to our Veterans

Today's post is dedicated to all of our Veterans. On this day, let us please remember to take a moment to honor those self-sacrificing individuals who have served and do currently serve in the military. 

The media is often quick to pick up on negative stories, but it is rarer we hear about the kindness and altruistic acts offered by military members. This is something to reflect upon. 

Thank you to all the individuals who have selflessly served their country with courage.  

Taken at the National World War II Memorial

Christmas and holiday-themed family-friendly events in Northern Virginia

One of my favorite times of the year living in Northern Virginia is during the holidays. Living close to so many historic properties, I love to go tour the homes or attend specially scheduled Christmas and holiday events. Additionally, there are a couple of great parades.

If you're looking for a family fun day (or evening), there are some great events happening this year in NoVa.

Mount Vernon - Once again the Mount Vernon Ladies Association presents "Christmas at Mount Vernon". The site offers special candlelight tours throughout a number of days (see their calendar for specific dates). Other fun happenings include dancing, music, fireside caroling, hot cider and ginger cookies. Aladdin the Christmas Camel also makes his annual appearance. Usually, Mount Vernon will open up its rarely seen 3rd floor for visitors during the holiday season (although this may have changed in 2017).

Oatlands - Every year the property offers a few specially scheduled candlelight tours. Visitors can see this the home decorated with twinkling lights and old-fashioned decorations. Due to so many great things happening in the area, I haven't been able to get out to Oatlands yet during December (although I have gone during the warmer months a number of times).

Gunston Hall - Not too far from Mount Vernon, Gunston Hall, the home of George Mason, will offer its Christmas event. The theme for 2017 is "Christmastide". Visitors will have the opportunity to ride in a horse-drawn carriage, sit by the fire and sip warm cider, try 18th-century food prepared in the hearth kitchen. Costumed characters will be present to greet visitors and chat. Santa will also be making an appearance.  

Sully Historic Site - Out in western Fairfax County (not too far from the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Chantilly) is Sully Historic Site. Throughout the year the property offers many events and Christmas is no exception. During the of December visitors can experience the Christmas holiday through living history. One popular theme is when the site does its Victorian Christmas where visitors can "relive" the memories of a visitor to the home in 1885. The site also offers a few specially themed evening tours. See their official site for their schedule as the themes are sometimes varied from year to year. 

A Victorian Christmas at Sully. (Note on the mantle the toys made of potatoes!)

Bull Run Park - Every year the park, located out in western Fairfax County, offers its Festival of Lights event. Take a 2.5-mile ride in the comfort of your car and see the lights. Every year this event brings thousands+ of visitors. The Bull Run Park has been actively setting up this event for a long time now. Visitors to the park or driving east on Route 66 have probably noticed all of the activity going on since October. Well, the time is almost here! See the festival's website for more information on admission, discounts and more. 

Leesburg - Every year Leesburg has a number of festive community events taking place. There is a parade, Christmas tree lighting ceremony, a craft show and more.

Santa's arrival in 2012

Manassas - Every year Manassas puts on a number of family-friendly events, including during the Christmas holiday. This year's holiday festivities take place in the historic district and include Christmas tree lighting, live entertainment, hay wagon rides, caroling, a gingerbread contest and more. Santa makes his appearance at the Train Depot to light this year's Christmas tree (located on the lawn of the Manassas Museum).  The first Saturday morning of December also brings the Greater Manassas Christmas Parade, which has been running more than 70 years!

Old Town Alexandria - As I may have mentioned a few times, I am totally in love with Old Town and am going to dedicate a separate post in itself to the events taking place over the holidays later this week. There are so many wonderful things to see and do during the holidays. There will be a Christmas tree lighting, music, caroling, the Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend parade,   special museum events and more. 

City of Fairfax Festival of Lights & Carols - Historic downtown Fairfax plans its day of celebration in early December at the Sherwood Community Center. Visitors that day can have lunch with Santa (3 seating times, see website for details), enjoy s'more's by the yule log, participate in ice sculpting, caroling, drink hot cider and more. The Christmas Tree will also be lit.

So much to do! Honestly, this is just a handful. Over the next week or two, I'll be posting more about specific events and also holiday craft fairs and markets. 

Related posts:
Christmas Parades in Northern Virginia