2024 Northern Virginia Christmas Events

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 2024!

2024 Northern Virginia Christmas Events

Concerts

The Washington Ballet Presents The Nutcracker

Location

Warner Theatre

Dates

November 30 – December 29, 2024

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 18 – December 23, 2024

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. 

Philadelphia Ballet: George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker

Location

The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C.

Dates

November 27 – December 1, 2024

Tickets

Tickets can be purchased here.

Description

For a limited engagement, the Philadelphia Ballet will present the classic George Balanchine version of the Nutcracker. This production hasn’t been done in the D.C. area in over 10 years!

It features gorgeous costumes, exquisite choreography, and of course the incredible, magical music of Tchaikovsky!

Elf In Concert: Film with Live Orchestra

Location

The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C.

Dates

November 29 – December 1, 2024

Tickets

Tickets can be purchased here.

Description

The holiday film favorite will be presented on a big screen, with a live orchestra playing the soundtrack! This is one of my favorite Christmas films. It’s funny and sweet, and great for the whole family!

A Holiday Pops! with Special Guest Jessica Vosk

Location

The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C.

Dates

December 6 and 7, 2024

Tickets

Tickets can be purchased here.

Description

The annual Holiday Pops concert is always a great family event to hear all of your favorite holiday songs!

Broadway star Jessica Vosk and the Heritage Signature Chorale will be joining the festivities. There will also be a reading of The Night Before Christmas.

NPR’s a Jazz Piano Christmas

Location

The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C.

Dates

December 7, 2024

Tickets

Tickets can be purchased 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 Kris Davis, Jahari Stampley, and Roberto Fonseca.

A Winter Gathering with Kathy Mattea: Good News and Other Favorites

Location

The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C.

Dates

December 6, 2024

Tickets

Tickets can be purchased here.

Description

Grammy award winner Kathy Mattea performs original songs and holiday classics in this lovely acoustic program that gives audiences a different take on beloved Christmas favorites.

Celtic Woman White Christmas Symphony Tour

Location

The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C.

Dates

December 13 and 14, 2024

Tickets

Tickets can be purchased here.

Description

This unique all-female vocal ensemble from Ireland will perform such classic favorites as “Silent Night,” “Carol of the Bells,” “Sleigh Ride,” “Deck the Halls,” “Danny Boy,” “Amazing Grace,” and “You Raise Me Up.”

Handel’s Messiah at the National Cathedral

Location

The Washington Cathedral, Washington, D.C.

Dates

December 6 – 8, 2024

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 19 – 22, 2024

Tickets

Tickets can be purchased here. 

Description

The National Symphony Orchestra also presents a performance of Handel’s Messiah. This year’s production will be conducted by Masaaki Suzuki and it will feature the University of Maryland Concert Choir.

A Christmas Carol – 2024

Location

Ford’s Theater, Washington, D.C.

Dates

November 21 to December 31, 2024

Tickets

Tickets can be purchased here.

Description

The classic Christmas tale by Charles Dickens is modernized and infused with music in this exciting production at Ford’s Theater! It’s an annual tradition filled with ghosts, humor, and wonder that is sure to delight the whole family!

Lighting Displays

Meadowlark

Location

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna, VA

Dates

November 8, 2024 – January 5, 2025

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 15, 2024 – January 5, 2025

Tickets

Tickets can be purchased online here. 

Description

Bull Run Regional Park features 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 2024

Location

15th St NW &, E St NW, Washington, DC 20500

Dates

December 5, 2024 (TV Broadcast on December 20, 2024)

Tickets

There is a lottery to get tickets to see the live tree lighting ceremony.

Description

The National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony by the White House will be taking place on December 5, 2024. It will also be aired on CBS on December 20.

Performers for the event include Adam Blackstone, Stephen Sanchez, James Taylor, Muni Long, Trombone Shorty, The War And Treaty, and Trisha Yearwood. 

National Harbor Tree Lighting

Location

National Harbor, Maryland

Dates

November 23, 2024

Tickets

Not Applicable

Description

The tree lighting ceremony will take place on November 23, 2024.

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 9 – December 28 the show will begin at 5:30 pm and feature fireworks.

Tysons Corner Tree Lighting

Location

Tysons Corner Shopping Center, McLean, VA

Date

November 15, 2024

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 15 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Winter Activities

Ice at Gaylord National Harbor

Location

Gaylord National Resort, National Habor, Maryland

Dates

November 21 – December 28, 2024

Tickets

Tickets can be purchased 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 Charlie Brown Christmas”!

Note that it is quite cold (as you can imagine) so definitely bring warm clothes, including a coat, hat, and gloves!

Historic Sites

Mount Vernon

Location

Mount Vernon, Virginia

Dates

• November 29 – 30
• December 15 – 19
• December 23

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 lights, candles, garlands, trees, and ribbons for the holidays.

Other special events for the season include caroling and dancing on select nights, plus s’mores and holiday food and drink. You can also say “hi” to Aladdin the camel!

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