Every year, there are always a large number of Northern Virginia Christmas events.
Whether you are interested in perennial concert favorites like The Nutcracker or Handel’s Messiah, dazzling light displays, historic presentations, or Christmas Tree lighting ceremonies, the area has something to offer for just about everyone!
Below are some of my top recommendations for Christmas events in the Northern Virginia area in 2025!
2025 Northern Virginia Christmas Events
| Event | Event Type | Dates | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Washington Ballet Presents The Nutcracker | Theater | November 29 – December 28, 2025 | Tickets can be purchased here. |
| Manassas Ballet Theatre Presents The Nutcracker | Theater | December 17 – 23, 2025 | Tickets can be purchased here. |
| Cincinnati Ballet: George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker | Theater | November 26 – 30, 2025 | Tickets can be purchased here. |
| Home Alone in Concert (NSO) | Concert | November 28 – 30, 2025 | Tickets can be purchased here. |
| A Holiday Pops! with Special Guest Melinda Doolittle | Concert | December 11 – 13, 2025 | Tickets can be purchased here. |
| Handel’s Messiah at the National Cathedral | Concert | December 5 – 7, 2025 | Tickets can be purchased here. |
| The National Symphony Orchestra Presents Handel’s Messiah | Concert | December 18 – 21, 2025 | Tickets can be purchased here. |
| A Christmas Carol – 2025 | Theater | November 20 – December 31, 2025 | Tickets can be purchased here. |
| Meadowlark Winter Walk of Lights | Lighting Displays | November 7, 2025 – January 4, 2026 | Tickets can be purchased here. |
| Bull Run Festival of Lights | Lighting Displays | November 14, 2025 – January 4, 2026 | Tickets can be purchased here. |
| Fairfax Christmas Lights | Lighting Displays | Throughout the Holiday Season | Not Applicable |
| National Christmas Tree Lighting 2025 | Tree Lighting Ceremony | December 4, 2025 (TV broadcast December 5, 2025) | Lottery details here. |
| National Harbor Tree Lighting | Tree Lighting Ceremony | Holiday kickoff November 7, 2025; nightly tree shows begin November 8 | Not Applicable |
| Tysons Corner Tree Lighting | Tree Lighting Ceremony | November 14, 2025 | Not Applicable |
| ICE! at Gaylord National Harbor | Winter Activities | November 14, 2025 – January 4, 2026 | Tickets can be purchased here. |
| Mount Vernon by Candlelight | Historic Sites | Nov 28–29; Dec 12–13, 19, 22–23, 2025 | Tickets can be purchased here. |
Concerts
The Washington Ballet Presents The Nutcracker
Location: Warner Theatre, Washington, D.C.
Dates: November 29 – December 28, 2025
Tickets: Tickets can be purchased here.
The Washington Ballet hosts an annual performance of Tchaikovsky’s timeless, whimsical classic, The Nutcracker. Their version features a Washington, D.C.-inspired take on the tale.
Manassas Ballet Theatre Presents The Nutcracker
Location: Hylton Performing Arts Center, Manassas, VA
Dates: December 17 – 23, 2025
Tickets: Tickets can be purchased here.
Closer to Northern Virginia, the Manassas Ballet Theatre also presents The Nutcracker at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas, VA.
Cincinnati Ballet: George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
Location: The Kennedy Center Opera House, Washington, D.C.
Dates: November 26 – 30, 2025
Tickets: Tickets can be purchased here.
For a limited engagement, Cincinnati Ballet brings the classic George Balanchine production to the Kennedy Center for the 2025 holiday season.
Home Alone in Concert (National Symphony Orchestra)
Location: Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington, D.C.
Dates: November 28 – 30, 2025
Tickets: Tickets can be purchased here.
The holiday film favorite is presented on a big screen, with a live orchestra playing the soundtrack. A fun, festive outing for families and movie lovers!
A Holiday Pops! with Special Guest Melinda Doolittle
Location: The Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington, D.C.
Dates: December 11 – 13, 2025
Tickets: Tickets can be purchased here.
The annual Holiday Pops concert is always a great family event to hear all of your favorite holiday songs, with Broadway and soul favorite Melinda Doolittle joining the NSO in 2025.
O Night Divine! Christmas with Choral Arts
Location: The Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington, D.C.
Dates: December 15, 2025 (7pm) and December 24, 2025 (2pm)
Tickets: Tickets can be purchased here.
This gorgeous candlelight-style holiday concert by the Choral Arts Society is one of D.C.’s most beloved traditions.
A Family Christmas (Choral Arts Society)
Location: The Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington, D.C.
Dates: December 20, 2025 (11am) and December 24, 2025 (11am)
Tickets: Tickets can be purchased here.
A kid-friendly, one-hour holiday show that includes sing-alongs and special appearances from Santa and classic Christmas characters.
Handel’s Messiah at the National Cathedral
Location: Washington National Cathedral, Washington, D.C.
Dates: December 5 – 7, 2025
Tickets: Tickets can be purchased here.
Set against the spectacular backdrop of the National Cathedral, the Cathedral Choir and Baroque Orchestra perform Handel’s glorious Messiah.
The National Symphony Orchestra Presents Handel’s Messiah
Location: Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington, D.C.
Dates: December 18 – 21, 2025
Tickets: Tickets can be purchased here.
The NSO’s annual Messiah is one of the most powerful musical traditions of the season.
A Christmas Carol – 2025
Location: Ford’s Theatre, Washington, D.C.
Dates: November 20 – December 31, 2025
Tickets: Tickets can be purchased here.
The classic Christmas tale by Charles Dickens is modernized and infused with music in this exciting annual Ford’s Theatre tradition.
Lighting Displays
Meadowlark Winter Walk of Lights
Location: Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna, VA
Dates: November 7, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Tickets: I recommend reserving tickets ahead of time here, as the event can sell out.
Every holiday season, Meadowlark hosts a half-mile walking path among dazzling light displays, music, fountains, and animated exhibits. Hot cider and snacks are available for purchase.
Bull Run Festival of Lights
Location: Bull Run Regional Park, Centreville, VA
Dates: November 14, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Tickets: Tickets can be purchased online here.
Bull Run features a 2.5-mile drive-through holiday light display, plus a Holiday Village with rides, food, and bonfires.
Fairfax Christmas Lights
Holly’s Tacky Christmas Lights is a fun, always-updated resource for the best neighborhood holiday light displays across Northern Virginia.
Tree Lighting Ceremonies
National Christmas Tree Lighting 2025
Location: The Ellipse, White House, Washington, D.C.
Date: December 4, 2025 (TV Broadcast December 5, 2025)
Tickets: The live ceremony uses a lottery system. Details here.
The National Christmas Tree lighting is a beloved annual tradition marking the start of the holiday season in the nation’s capital.
National Harbor Tree Lighting
Location: National Harbor, Maryland
Dates: Holiday kickoff November 7, 2025. Nightly tree light shows run starting November 8, 2025 through late December. Fireworks follow the 5:30pm show on Saturdays through December 27.
Tickets: Not applicable
The massive waterfront tree features a musical light show every half hour from sunset to 9pm, plus fireworks on Saturday nights.
Tysons Corner Tree Lighting
Location: Tysons Corner Center, McLean, VA
Date: November 14, 2025
Tickets: Not applicable
Tysons Corner Center hosts its Holiday Kick-Off Celebration with fireworks, performances, and the official tree lighting.
Winter Activities
ICE! at Gaylord National Harbor
Location: Gaylord National Resort, National Harbor, Maryland
Dates: November 14, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Tickets: Tickets can be purchased here.
ICE! transforms a huge section of Gaylord into a frozen winter wonderland. In 2025, the theme is The Polar Express™. Dress warmly — it’s kept around 9 degrees inside!
Historic Sites
Mount Vernon by Candlelight
Location: Mount Vernon, Virginia
Dates:
- November 28 – 29, 2025
- December 12 – 13, 2025
- December 19, 2025
- December 22 – 23, 2025
Tickets: You can purchase tickets here.
The historic home of George Washington hosts a fabulous Christmas tradition every holiday season. Enjoy lantern-lit paths, holiday décor, music, and visits from 18th-century characters. (Mount Vernon also hosts Christmas Illuminations with fireworks on December 20–21, 2025.)