Stafford County is gearing up for a magical evening to kick off the holiday season with its annual Tree Lighting Event, scheduled for Friday, December 6, 2024, at the Stafford County Government Center, 1300 Courthouse Road. Beginning at 6 p.m., the event promises various performances, activities, and surprises for the whole family.

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Virginia State Parks offer a variety of holiday events, including light displays, educational programs, crafts, and guided hikes, at locations across the state. Many activities are free or included with park admission, with details and reservations available online.

Press release:

Virginia State Parks invites visitors of all ages to experience the magic of the holidays with various festive events across the state. From historic educational programs to enchanting light displays, many parks offer unique ways to create memories and celebrate the holidays amidst Virginia’s breathtaking natural landscapes.

Here’s a glimpse of what guests can look forward to this holiday season:

Holiday lights

• Southwest Virginia Museum: Festival of Trees, Nov. 10-Dec. 31
• Natural Bridge: Festival of Trees, Nov. 22-Dec. 31, and Luminary Nights, Dec. 13-15 and Dec. 20-22
• Wilderness Road: Karlan Christmas: Parade of Trees, Nov. 29-Dec. 1, Dec. 6-8, Dec. 13-15 and Dec. 20-22
• Bear Creek: Lights at the Lake, Dec. 6-8 and Dec. 13-14
• Staunton River Battlefield: Lighting of the Bridge, Dec. 6-8 and Dec. 13-15
• Natural Tunnel: Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel, Nov. 29-30, Dec. 6-7, Dec. 13-14 and Dec. 20-21
• Caledon: Night Before Christmas Wagon Ride: Dec. 6, Dec. 8, Dec. 13-15, Dec. 20-22

Educational programs

• Mason Neck: Ranger at the Refuge: Tundra Swans, Dec. 7, Dec. 8, Dec. 21 and Dec. 22
• Machicomoco: Christmas at Timberneck, Dec. 14
• Powhatan: Winter Birding, Dec. 14
• Southwest Virginia Museum: Birding in the Gap, Dec. 14
• Wilderness Road: A Frontier Christmas, Dec. 14
• Sweet Run: Christmas Bird Count, Dec. 15
• High Bridge: Christmas in the Camps, Dec. 21
• Sailor’s Creek Battlefield: The Science Behind the Star of Bethlehem, Nov. 30 and Dec. 21

Crafts

• Pocahontas: Winter Wreath Workshop, Nov. 30, Dec. 1 and Dec. 7, and Handmade Holidays, Dec. 1, Dec. 8, Dec. 15, Dec. 22 and Dec. 29
• Widewater: Deck the Halls, Dec. 1, Dec. 8, Dec. 15, Dec. 22 and Dec. 29
  Claytor Lake: Holiday Cheer Celebration, Dec. 7
• False Cape: Tree Cookies and Cocoa Ornament Workshop, Dec. 7

Guided walks/hikes

• First Landing: Season’s Greetings Nature Walk, Nov. 23
• Sky Meadows: A Winter Tree-mendous Hike, Dec. 7
• Belle Isle: A Walk on the Wild Side: Nature in Winter, Dec. 12
• Pocahontas: Winter Solstice Rambles, Dec. 21

Some events are free with standard park admission, while others may require pre-registration or additional fees. Learn more and find other upcoming events at virginiastateparks.gov/events.

Depending on the park, overnight accommodations, including cabins, family lodges or campsites may still be available. Go to reservevaparks.com for more information.

December is going to be a festive month around Prince William County and Manassas with several events and activities scheduled. Take a look at some highlighted events. Monday (Dec. 2)

• Board of County Supervisors Joint Legislative Meeting, 9 a.m. (Woodbridge)
• Holiday Gift Bringers Scavenger Hunt, All day through the month (Bull Run Library)
• Festival of Trees, All day through the month (Haymarket Gainesville Library)
• Ornament Take & Make, All day while supplies last (Independent Hill Library)
• Manassas City Council Meeting, 5:30 p.m. (Manassas City)

Tuesday (Dec. 3)

• Cardboard Gingerbread House Contest, through Dec. 8 (Manassas Park City Library)

Friday (Dec. 6)

• Holiday Through the Ages, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Woodbridge)
• Santa Lights Manassas and Tree Lighting Ceremony, 5:15 to 7 p.m. (Manassas City)
• Holiday Walk of Lights, 5:30 to 9 p.m. until Dec. 22 (Woodbridge)
• Kids Night Out, 6 to 9 p.m. (Woodbridge)

Saturday (Dec. 7)

• West County Household Hazardous Waste Disposal, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Manassas)
• Holiday Market, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Woodbridge)
• Greater Manassas Christmas Parade, 10 a.m. to noon (Manassas City)
• Elementary School Strings Holiday Performance, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Haymarket Gainesville Library)
• Craft & Create: Coffee Filter Snowflakes, 2 to 3 p.m. (Manassas Park)

Sunday (Dec. 8)

• Holiday Carriage Rides, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday until Dec. 15 (Manassas City)

Dec. 9

• Chinn Park Library reopens (Woodbridge)
• Woven Wall Hangings Take and Make, All day (Dumfries Library)
• Manassas City Council Meeting, 5:30 p.m. (Manassas City)

Dec. 10

• Homeschool Hangout, 1 to 3 p.m. (Chinn Park Library)
• Board of County Supervisors Meeting, 2 p.m. (Woodbridge)
• Busy Hands Social Club, 6 to 7:30 p.m. (Central Library)

Dec. 11

• Coffee with a Cop, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. (Gainesville)
• Pajama Story Time, 7 to 7:30 p.m. (Haymarket Gainesville Library)

Dec. 12

• Holiday Illustrated Poems, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Dumfries Library)
• Teens Create: Holiday Picture Frames, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (Manassas Park)

Dec. 13

• Kids Create: Play-Doh Snowmen, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (Manassas Park)

Dec. 14

• Santa Trains 2024, various times and locations
• Family Gingerbread House Building Contest, 10 a.m. to noon (Woodbridge)
• Mistletoe Holiday Craft Festival, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Montclair Library)
• Building Emergency Kits for a Safer Tomorrow, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Potomac Library)
• Yuletide Yoga, Noon to 1:30 p.m. (Woodbridge)
• Teddy Bear Picnic, 2 to 3 p.m. (Bull Run Library)

Dec. 16

• Ribbon Rendezvous, 4 to 7:30 p.m. (Chinn Park Library)
• Teen Gingerbread Challenge, 6 to 7:30 p.m. (Haymarket Gainesville Library)
• Recording in Progress, 6 to 7:30 p.m. (Bull Run Library)

Dec. 17

• Board of County Supervisors Meeting, 2 p.m. (Woodbridge)
• Adults Create: Clothespin Snowflake Ornament, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (Manassas Park)
• Winter Snowflake Making, 6 to 7 p.m. (Haymarket Gainesville Library)

Dec. 18

• AARP Smart Driver Course, 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (Haymarket Gainesville Library)
• Crochet and Coffee, 11 a.m. to noon (Nokesville Library)

Dec. 20

• Memory Café with Comfort Keepers of Greater Prince William, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Haymarket Gainesville Library)
• Taverns & TTRPGs, 6 to 9 p.m. (Great Mane Brewery)

Dec. 21

• BRAVA Handbells Holiday Concert, 2 to 4 p.m. (Haymarket Gainesville Library)

Dec. 22

• Bad Art, 3 to 5 p.m. (Great Mane Brewery)

Dec. 23

• Bad Art Night, 6 to 7:30 p.m. (Chinn Park Library)

Dec. 30

• Brit Lit Book Club, 1 to 2:30 p.m. (Potomac Library)

Dec. 31

• New Year's Eve Pre-Party Palooza, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Central Library)
• Countdown to Noon, 11:45 a.m. (Bull Run Library)

The latest: We’re working on bringing you more details on a person who was struck by a train at the Fredericksburg station.

Kick Off December with Holiday Cheer: December is here, and the holiday spirit is in full swing. Start the month with these exciting local events happening on December 1, 2024.

Winter Reading Kick-Off
Prince William Ice Center
5180 Dale Blvd, Woodbridge, VA 22193
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Dive into winter reading with fun activities for the whole family. Grab your library card and get ready to enjoy a frosty afternoon at the rink.

A Chanticleer Christmas
Hylton Performing Arts Center
10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas, VA 20110
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Experience the magic of the holiday season with the Grammy-winning Chanticleer ensemble. This breathtaking performance will feature classic carols and timeless Christmas melodies.

Heritage Brewing Company Winter Market
Heritage Brewing Co.
9436 Center Point Lane, Manassas, VA
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Browse over 20 local vendors offering handcrafted gifts and enjoy festive treats like mulled wine, hot chocolate, and Duck Donuts. Don’t forget to sip on your favorite Heritage beer while soaking in the holiday cheer.

The Kitchen of Don Alfredo Food Truck
The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm
15850 Sunshine Ridge Ln, Gainesville, VA
7:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Start your day with a delicious breakfast or brunch from The Kitchen of Don Alfredo. Enjoy the stunning vineyard views while indulging in comforting dishes.

Gingerbread House Contest and Exhibit
George Washington’s Ferry Farm
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Enjoy the whimsical sights and delicious smells of gingerbread creations at the 38th Annual Gingerbread House Contest and Exhibit. This year’s theme is Holidays: Past, Present, and Future. Categories include children, families, and professionals. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children ages 6 to 17. Children under 5 are free.

Post your events FREE to our calendar.

Prince William County Parks and Recreation is hosting the 3rd annual Holiday Walk of Lights at Neabsco Regional Park, featuring hand-crafted light displays, holiday characters, carolers, and a holiday market on select nights. The event runs from December 6–27 with a special sensory-friendly evening on December 10, and shuttle services are provided from designated parking areas.

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The National Museum of the Marine Corps is celebrating the holiday season with events including a holiday film series, craft activities, and visits from Santa Claus. Admission, parking, and select activities are free, with full event details available on the Museum’s website at marineheritage.org.

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Stafford County is gearing up for a magical evening to kick off the holiday season with its annual Tree Lighting Event, scheduled for Friday, December 6, 2024, at the Stafford County Government Center, 1300 Courthouse Road. Beginning at 6 p.m., the event promises various performances, activities, and surprises for the whole family.

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Looking for something fun, educational, or relaxing to do today? Whether you're in the mood for art, a good mystery, or a little gratitude with your drink, we've got you covered. Check out these exciting events happening in our area.

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Looking for fun activities to enjoy this weekend? From author talks to festive holiday experiences, there’s something for everyone. Check out these events happening from Thursday through Sunday. If you’re planning an event or know of one the community should check out, submit it to our event calendar—it’s easy and free.

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