Photo Courtesy of DeeDee Hubbard
With a plethora of Christmas parades this Saturday (Dec. 7) offering jolly St. Nicks, horses, even bagpipes, it might be difficult to simply choose one. Not only that, but there are tree lightings, Christmas markets and visits from Santa all weekend long. Lucky for you, we have the breakdown on the festivities so you can make an educated decision on the best route for you and your family to enjoy.
CHRISTMAS IN MIDDLEBURG
This iconic and beautifully classic Christmas parade is more than just a parade, it is a town-wide day of holiday merriment with a parade for good measure. The official Christmas parade is at 2 p.m. but definitely make it a whole day event, as the Middleburg Hunt and Hounds Review will march down the main street in town at 11 am. Or start your day with a breakfast with Santa Claus and a silent auction from 8-10:30 a.m.
There will also be a craft fair, wine crawl, hayrides and hot chocolate among other enticing venues. For a full list of the days festivities, check here.
SCOTTISH WALK PARADE
For a little taste, nay a big taste of Scotland combined with Christmas delight, come to the 43rd Annual Campagna Center Scottish Walk Parade in Old Town Alexandria. The Campagna Center, a not-for-profit helping children and families thrive in the community, partners with the city of Alexandria, the Scottish government and The St. Andrews Society of Washington, D.C. to salute Alexandria’s Scottish heritage and celebrate the holidays. Over 100 Scottish clans, pipe and drum bands, dancers, re-enactors, Scottie dogs and dignitaries will march through the streets of Old Town. Naturally, Santa Claus will be in attendance as well.
The parade starts at 11 a.m. at Wilkes and South Saint Asaph Streets, and ends at Market Square with a band performance. After the parade check out the Holiday Home Tours and explore local historic homes decked out for the holidays. Tickets are $35 and the tours run from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Alexandria will also be offering additional events Friday, Dec. 6 with a Christmas Marketplace and a Taste of Scotland where you can enjoy Scotch, beer, wine and hors d’oeuvres. For the complete list of events check here.
MERRY OLD TOWN CELEBRATION
Old Town Manassas celebrates Christmas with their parade including: a visit from Santa, balloons, floats, performances, marching bands and more this Saturday at 10 a.m. After the parade bring the children to hear Christmas stories at the train depot from 2-5 p.m.
Gingerbread houses will be on display for the annual gingerbread house contest. To enjoy Christmas activities all weekend long, come Friday to see Santa arrive at the train depot via the VRE at 6 p.m., followed by live music, the tree lighting, free hayrides and greetings from Old St. Nick himself. On Sunday, enjoy carolers, ice skating and carriage rides through town. For more details on Manassas Christmas events this weekend, check here.
TREE LIGHTING CELEBRATION
The Downtown One Loudoun community will kick off the holiday season with its first Holiday Tree Lighting this Saturday, from 5-8 p.m. at One Loudoun’s Plaza (located at the intersection of Loudoun County Parkway and Thorndike St. in Ashburn).
To make sure you are feeling very merry and bright, music and performances will be provided by Ashburn’s Creative Dance Center Performance Troupe, Ashby Ponds choir group and the Broad Run High School Jazz Band. There will also be food, beverages, a laser light show and high-tech Santa atop a firetruck. Santa will also pose for free photos after helping decorate the tree from 6:30-8 p.m. For more information on the celebration check here.