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 2022.
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Top photo by Svetozar Cenisev on Unsplash.
Virginia Gift Buying Guide
Check out some awesome holiday gift recommendations inspired by Virginia!
| Item | Price |
| Assorted Virginia Peanuts | Click for Price |
| Virginia Cutting Board | Click for Price |
| Virginia Wine Glass | Click for Price |
| Virginia Wine Tumbler | Click for Price |
| Where to Stay in Washington, D.C. |
| The River Inn Located right near the Kennedy Center, with a fitness center and kitchenette * * * Hotel Hive Chic micro hotel near the Kennedy Center |
2022 Northern Virginia Christmas Events
| Event | Event Type | Dates | Tickets |
| The Washington Ballet Presents The Nutcracker | Concert | November 25 – December 30, 2022 | Tickets can be purchased here |
| Manassas Ballet Theatre Presents The Nutcracker | Concert | December 16 – December 23, 2022 | Tickets can be purchased here |
| Kansas City Ballet Presents The Nutcracker | Concert | November 23 – November 27, 2022 | Tickets can be purchased here |
| NSO Pops: Frozen in Concert | Concert | November 25 – 26, 2022 | Tickets can be purchased here |
| NPR’s A Jazz Piano Christmas | Concert | December 3, 2022 | Tickets can be purchased here |
| Wicked | Concert | December 8, 2022 – January 22, 2023 | Tickets can be purchased here |
| A Holiday Pops with Laura Benanti | Concert | December 9 – 10, 2022 | Tickets can be purchased here |
| A Magical Cirque Christmas | Concert | December 16 – 18, 2022 | Tickets can be purchased here |
| Handel’s Messiah at the National Cathedral | Concert | December 2 – 4, 2022 | Tickets can be purchased here |
| The National Symphony Orchestra Presents Handel’s Messiah | Concert | December 15 – 18, 2022 | Tickets can be purchased here |
| Meadowlark | Lighting Displays | November 11, 2022 – January 8, 2023 | Tickets can be purchased here |
| Bull Run Festival of Lights | Lighting Displays | November 11, 2022 – January 8, 2023 | Tickets can be purchased here |
| Fairfax Christmas Lights | Lighting Displays | Throughout the Holiday Season | Not Applicable |
| National Christmas Tree Lighting 2022 | Tree Lighting Ceremonies | November 30, 2022 | Not Applicable |
| National Harbor Tree Lighting | Tree Lighting Ceremonies | November 12 – December 31, 2022 | Not Applicable |
| Tysons Corner Tree Lighting | Tree Lighting Ceremonies | November 18, 2022 | Not Applicable |
| Ice at Gaylord National Harbor | Winter Activities | November 20 – December 31, 2022 | Tickets can be purchased here |
| Mount Vernon | Historic Sites | November 25 – 26, December 2 – 3, December 9 – 10, December 18, 2022 | Tickets can be purchased here |
Concerts
The Washington Ballet Presents The Nutcracker
Location
The Warner Theatre, Washington, D.C.
Dates
November 25 – December 30, 2022
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased here.
Description
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 16 – December 23, 2022
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased here.
Description
Closer to Northern Virginia, the Manassas Ballet Theatre also presents The Nutcracker at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas, VA.
Kansas City Ballet Presents The Nutcracker
Location
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C.
Dates
November 23 – November 27, 2022
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased here.
Description
For a limited engagement, the Kansas City Ballet will be presenting The Nutcracker as part of the Kennedy Center’s annual tradition of showcasing the best Nutcracker’s from all over the country.
The Kansas City Ballet’s production features fancy scenery and costumes to bring the holiday classic to life.
NSO Pops: Frozen in Concert
Location
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C.
Dates
November 25 – 26, 2022
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased here.
Description
Music from the blockbuster animated film Frozen comes to life in a special concert that is sure to help get you in the Christmas spirit!
The National Symphony Orchestra will be performing all of the great songs from the movie, including “Let it Go”, “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?”, and “First Time in Forever”.
NPR’s A Jazz Piano Christmas
Location
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C.
Dates
December 3, 2022
Tickets
You can purchase tickets here.
Description
For Jazz lovers out there, the Kennedy Center will be hosting a trio of fantastic jazz pianist performing holiday classics. This year’s event features Hiromi, Bob Thompson, and José André Montaño.
Wicked
Location
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C.
Dates
December 8, 2022 – January 22, 2023
Tickets
You can purchase tickets here.
Description
The blockbuster Broadway musical is not specifically Christmas-themed, but it is a magical delight for the whole family to enjoy during the holiday season. The musical tells the story of the witches from the Wizard of Oz.
The popular show will be running for most of December and even most of January. However, make sure to reserve tickets in advance, as the show often sells out.
A Holiday Pops with Laura Benanti
Location
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C.
Dates
December 9 – 10, 2022
Tickets
You can purchase tickets here.
Description
Tony Award®–winning actress and singer Laura Benanti joins the National Symphony Orchestra for the annual holiday concert, which features sing-alongs and classic carols.
A Magical Cirque Christmas
Location
The National Theatre, Washington, D.C.
Dates
December 16 – 18, 2022
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased here.
Description
A Magical Cirque Christmas combines the magic of the Christmas season with acrobatics and other incredible acts. It is not Cirque du Soleil but it has many similarities with the famous troupe. It is a great option for the whole family.
Handel’s Messiah at the National Cathedral
Location
The Washington Cathedral, Washington, D.C.
Dates
December 2 – 4, 2022
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased here.
Description
Set against the spectacular backdrop of the National Cathedral, the Washington National Cathedral Choir and Washington National Cathedral Baroque Orchestra present Handel’s glorious Messiah. The performance also features world-class soloists.
The National Symphony Orchestra Presents Handel’s Messiah
Location
The Kennedy Center, Washington, D.C.
Dates
December 15 – 18, 2022
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased here.
Description
The National Symphony Orchestra also presents a performance of Handel’s Messiah. The production will be done in a more intimate style inspired by the way it was premiered in Dublin in 1741, which makes this a unique experience of a holiday favorite.
Lighting Displays
Meadowlark
Location
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna, VA
Dates
November 11, 2022 – January 8, 2023
Tickets
I recommend reserving tickets ahead of time, as the event can sell out.
Description
Every holiday season, Meadowlark Park, located in Vienna, VA, hosts the Winter Walk of Lights. I have attended numerous years in a row with my family, and we thoroughly enjoy it.
The event features a half-mile walking path outside among dazzling Christmas light displays, and the exhibits feature music, fountains, automated animals, and much more.
There is also a gift shop, plus hot cider, hot chocolate, and other snacks for purchase.
Bull Run Festival of Lights
Location
Bull Run Regional Park, Centreville, VA
Dates
November 11, 2022 – January 8, 2023
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased online here.
Description
Bull Run Regional Park offers a 2.5-mile drive-through holiday light display, similar to the display at Meadowlark, only note Meadowlark is a walking light tour, while Bull Run is a driving light tour.
Fairfax Christmas Lights
Holly’s Tacky Christmas Lights is a fun resource for all of the best local holiday light displays in Northern Virginia. You can use this guide to find the closest displays to your home, or create your own custom-made driving routes to check out the best local displays. This could be a fun evening and weekend activity for the family!
The website also includes other local holiday events. The site is updated daily in December each year.
Tree Lighting Ceremonies
National Christmas Tree Lighting 2022
Location
15th St NW &, E St NW, Washington, DC 20500
Dates
November 30, 2022
Tickets
Not Applicable
Description
The National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony by the White House will be taking place on November 30, 2022. It will also be aired live on CBS.
Performers for the event include LL Cool J, Shania Twain, The Estefans, Andy Grammer, Joss Stone, and more.
National Harbor Tree Lighting
In addition, there will be a fireworks show every Saturday.
Location
National Harbor, Maryland
Dates
November 12, 2022 to December 31, 2022
Description
The 54-foot tree will be on display and will feature a light show every half hour from sunset to 9 pm.
On Saturday nights from November 12 – December 17 the show will begin at 5:30 pm and feature fireworks.
Tysons Corner Tree Lighting
Location
Tysons Corner Shopping Center, McLean, VA
Date
November 18, 2022: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Tickets
Not Applicable
Description
Tysons Corner Shopping Center will be hosting a tree-lighting event in late November. The event will take place on November 18, 2022 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Winter Activities
Ice at Gaylord National Harbor
Location
Gaylord National Resort, National Habor, Maryland
Dates
November 20 – December 31, 2022
Tickets
You can purchase tickets here.
Description
Ice at Gaylord National Harbor is a really fun event that transforms a large section of the hotel into a winter wonderland of ice. It is a bit like walking through an amusement park ride at Disney World that is made of ice.
You can walk through the incredible ice sculptures, statues, and buildings. This year the ice sculptures are inspired by A Christmas Story.
Note that it is quite cold (as you can imagine) so definitely bring warm clothes.
Historic Sites
Mount Vernon
Location
Mount Vernon, Virginia
Dates
- November 25 – 26
- December 2 – 3
- December 9 – 10
- December 18, 2022
Tickets
You can purchase tickets here.
Description
The historic home of George Washington hosts a fabulous Christmas tradition every holiday season. The home is decorated with candles, garlands, trees, and ribbons for the holidays.
You can take a 45-minute special guided candlelit tours and learn more about Christmas traditions back in the colonial era. It is a magical and memorable way to experience the historic site.
The festivities feature fireworks on December 16 and 17, 2022.
Learn more about great activities and events in Northern Virginia!