Holiday Celebrations and Events Across Loudoun, 2022 Edition

Loudoun County has a ton of events and festivities lined up for the month of December, if you are looking to get out and celebrate the season locally. From parades and festivals to tree lightings and neighborhoods full of festive decorations, Loudoun always goes big for the holidays. Our favorite tradition is popping by to gift our clients and friends with a little something sweet for the holidays, but we’ll be out and about to shop and celebrate local too. Here’s some of the events and celebrations that we think you might enjoy checking out this season:

Parades

While the Middleburg parade was last weekend, there’s still plenty of fun lined up on Saturday, December 10th as Leesburg and Purcellville will both hold their parades that day. Leesburg’s holiday parade starts at 6 pm, beginning at Ida Lee Park and finishing at Fairfax Street. The parade typically features floats, live music, and Santa. If the weather isn’t cooperating, the rain date is set for December 11th. Check back on that link as we get closer for a route map.

Purcellville’s holiday celebrations truly kick off on December 10th. The Parade begins at noon, starting and ending at Blue Ridge Middle School, and this year’s theme is Winter Wonderland. Afterwards, the holiday market and LEGO train display open up at the Bush Tabernacle on Nursery Avenue from 1-6 pm. Meanwhile, at the Purcellville train station from 2 to 5 pm, you can participate in an ornament workshop and take pictures with Santa. Purcellville also has a Facebook page with updated information.

Christmas Tree Farms

Looking to chop down your Christmas Tree this year? There are multiple options within Loudoun that can make your search special. Visit Loudoun wrote a guide last year that covers some of the locations, and also lists out places you can buy a pre-cut tree and/or greenery. In addition to the farms listed there, you can also visit Blue Ridge Tree and Berry Farm, and Buttonwood. Loudoun Farms just published a helpful map here.

Holiday Lights

We love driving around Loudoun to see all of the holiday decorations. When our kids were little, we knew of a few neighborhoods that we could count on to be dazzling. Now, you can use LoudounChristmasLights.com to plan what homes you want to see. The website has maps with different homes and neighborhoods with notable displays, and their Facebook community is fun to follow as they post photos of different homes.

Bluemont Vineyard‘s The Lighting of the Vines runs from November 25 through January 1, with 15,000 holiday lights strung through and lighting their 10,000 grape vines each Thursday through Sunday beginning at 5:30 p.m. Definitely worth it to make the drive out, and perhaps stop in at the tasting room or the restaurant while you are there.

Franklin Park Arts Center in Purcellville hosts a Winter Lights Walk through their display of lights, including a butterfly forest and a candy cane tunnel toward a gingerbread house. Spend 30 minutes to enjoy this between December 9th and December 23rd. (And it’s free!)

In Sterling, Claude Moore Park’s Lighted Nights allows you to stroll through the glow and twinkle of holiday lights. Open from 5 to 7 pm daily, and on Friday and Saturday nights, there will be a campfire complete with marshmallows and hot chocolate. 

The Hillsboro Preservation Foundation hosts their holiday homes walking tour on December 11th from 12-4, with guided tours leaving the Old Stone School every 20 minutes. You can reserve tickets online or buy them Saturday and Sunday at the Hillsboro Holiday Market located in the Old Stone school.

Purcellville has a Holiday Lights Tour Map available starting on December 10th, as they kick off their festivities. You can drive along that route at any point during the holidays. And the much anticipated Santa Rides Through Town, when Purcellville Fire loads Santa up onto their fire truck and brings him through the neighborhoods, is December 16th and 17th starting at 6 pm each night. Our kids have loved this tradition since we moved to Purcellville in 2004! The map of the Santa Run is here.

Bull Run Festival of Lights isn’t technically in Loudoun, as it’s just beyond the county line in Centreville, but we always share the details because the 2.5 mile long lights display is just amazing. This year, it’s open Monday through Thursday, 5:30 to 9:30, and weekends and holidays from 5:30 to 10 pm. The admission is per vehicle, $30 online or $40 at the door, but there are several promo codes on their website.

And one of my most favorite holiday lights traditions is Hamilton‘s Christmas Eve luminaries. More than a thousand luminaries light the way along Colonial Highway on Christmas Eve, and it’s as beautiful as you could imagine. This was a tradition in the historic district I grew up in, so driving through the display gives me all the warm Christmas fuzzies. Don’t miss it!

Holiday Markets and Events

There’s no shortage of holiday markets and events at various locations around Loudoun. We’ve tried to find something in each of the towns for you- let us know what we might have missed, and which ones you enjoy:

The Hamilton Mercantile is hosting an after-hours Family Holiday Market on December 11th at 5 pm. Their ‘elves’ are ready to help the kids in attendance shop for family and friends, the fire pit area will be warm and cozy, and the coffee window will stay open late. Kids can participate in a craft workshop with Alika from Wild Wonder Creators that will make a handmade gift for the holidays. Admission is $15 and includes a hot chocolate bar and complimentary gift wrapping, with a percentage of ticket sales donated to Mobile Hope Loudoun. Registration and more info can be found here.

The Old Stone School in Hillsboro’s annual holiday market is open Saturday December 10th from 10 to 5, and Sunday the 11th from 1 to 5 pm. Local artists and crafters will have holiday merchandise for sale, and there will also be holiday themed refreshments available for purchase.

In Ashburn, Lost Rhino Brewing Company’s Holiday Street Market is December 10th from 11- 5. Not only will there be local artists and crafters, you can take photos with santa, enjoy seasonal food and drinks (including the just released Coco Caliente Chocolate Chili Stout) and jam to some live music.

Wheatland Spring Farm and Brewery in Waterford is hosting The Lager Days of Christmas on December 10th from 11-5. This annual craft and farm produce market is in the historic bank barn. Lager beers, Gluhwein, and holiday foods plus a silent auction and raffle will help raise money for Inova Children’s Hospital.

Crooked Run Fermentation’s Holiday Market is on December 10th and 11th from 12 to 5. They are combining forces with Nectar Cocktail Bar, Daybreak Biscuit Co, and Makers Farmers and Brewers. The market will have vendors including farms, bakeries, apparel jewelry, candles, and more. There will be face painting, gift wrapping for charity, and live music in the evening on Saturday. Puppies are welcome outside!

Old Lucketts Store’s legendary holiday open house is open every Thursday through Sunday from November 10th through December the 11th. Each year, the 3000 square foot farmhouse turns into a holiday wonderland. While this year’s event is already sold out, mark your calendar now to buy tickets when they open up again next September.

The Loudoun B&B Guild is having a Holiday Bubbles and Brunch open house event on Sunday, December 11th from 1 to 5. The self guided tour includes 10 B&Bs and vacation rentals across Loudoun County. Each property has a different theme, with small tastes of fine cuisine and local beverages. Tickets are $35 per person, and proceeds from the event support the Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter (LAWS) and Tree of Life Ministries.

The Village at Leesburg‘s holiday celebrations are highlighted by their interactive Wish Tree, featuring a light show at the top of every hour from 5 to 9. Once someone makes an online donation of $10 or more, they receive a digital token to take to the tree where they can make a wish and activate the Wish Tree light show. All donations go to Mobile Hope. Santa will be at the tree for photos between 4 and 6 pm on December 10th and 24th. Mrs Claus will be there for storytime on December 18th from 10-12.

Head to Bluemont on Christmas Eve to celebrate with Dirt Farm Brewing. From 11-4, they will have farm fresh craft beer and lunch, along with swag and assorted merchandise, in case you need some last minute gifts or just want to celebrate the season with friends. 

Goose Creek Players of Purcellville is doing a production of A Christmas Story at Trillium Gathering place. Showtimes on December 9th at 7:30, 10th at 2 pm and 7:30 pm, and 11th at 2 pm. This family-friendly stage production incorporates some of the most memorable scenes from the movie. Tickets and more information here.

The Dance Academy of Loudoun’s annual performance of The Nutcracker Ballet has two perfomances on December 11th, at 1 and 4:30. The shows are at Briar Woods High School, and tickets can be purchased at the door or on the website.

Coach’s Corner in Purcellville is hosting a Breakfast with Santa on December 17th from 9 to 1. Bring your camera for that perfect photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus!

Looking for more? Dulles Moms has a massive guide to all of the holiday markets in northern Virginia, DC, and Maryland, updated daily, that you can find here.

Chanukah Celebrations

One Loudoun is hosing a Grand Chanukah Celebration on December 18th from 4:30 to 5:45 pm, with their 5th annual Community Menorah Lighting. The event features hot latkes, delicious donuts, a chocolate gelt drop from a fire engine, and entertainment that includes the African High Flyers from America’s Got Talent. On Thursday December 22nd, you can join Chabad of Loudoun for a Unity Car Menorah Parade from 4:30 to 5 pm, ending at Altitude Trampoline Park in Leesburg. There will be a pizza party, donuts, and menorah lighting there as well. Ticket prices, registration, and more info can be found here.

The Village at Leesburg will host the Northern Virginia Night of Lights, a community-wide candle–lighting event on Sunday the 18th from 5:30 to 7.. Enjoy latkes, dreidel playing, doughnuts, crafts and music.

Outside of Loudoun County, there are more options in our area, including the National Menorah lighting on the Ellipse on December 18th. Washingtonian Magazine has put together a list of events in DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

No matter how you choose to celebrate, the LoCo Real Estate Team would like to wish you happy holidays, and hope you have the most joyful of new years.

Cheers,
Heather and Mike