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Community Corner

Weekend Planner: Holiday Shows, Cultural Celebrations and More

Friday, Dec. 7 through Sunday, Dec. 9

The holiday season is in full swing with a variety of local events happening this Friday through Sunday.

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  • Where: Toll House Park, Annandale
  • When: Friday, Dec. 7 at 5 p.m.
  • Why Go: Caroling and a candlelight ceremony will be followed by refreshments at Burke and Herbert Bank on Annandale Road.  Gently used coats will be collected for donation to the Salvation Army.
  • Price: FREE

 

Del Ray Holiday Tree Lighting and Luminaries

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  • Where: Corner of Mount Vernon and East Oxford avenues, Alexandria
  • When: Friday, Dec. 7 at 6 p.m.
  • Why Go: Enjoy hot chocolate, live music and a visit from Santa Claus.  Donations will be accepted for the Carpenter’s Shelter.  Please see website for a list of requested items.
  • Price: FREE

 

Rockapella: A Rockapella Holiday 

  • Where: GMU Center for the Arts, Fairfax
  • When: Friday, Dec. 7 at 8 p.m.
  • Why Go: The acclaimed a cappella ensemble will perform holiday tunes celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.
  • Price: Tickets range from $24 - $48

 

Drumming with Dishes: The Holiday Edition

  • Where: Workhouse Arts Center, Lorton
  • When: Friday, Dec. 7 at 10:30 a.m.; Saturday, Dec. 8 at 9:45 and 11:15 a.m.; Sunday, Dec. 9 at 11 a.m.
  • Why Go: This production, geared toward children ages 2 – 6, explores friendship and the musicality of household objects.
  • Price: $8 per person

 

Celtic Christmas 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run

  • Where: Burke Lake Park, Fairfax Station
  • When: Saturday, Dec. 8 beginning at 8:30 a.m.
  • Why Go: Awards will be presented to the top finishers of the 5K race.  Live Irish music will be played along the course, and Irish dancing will be performed by the Boyle School of Irish Dance. 
  • Price: (Day of Race) 5K: $30; Fun Run: $15

 

Super Science Saturday

  • Where: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Chantilly
  • When: Saturday, Dec. 8 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Why Go: Learn about the Wright Brothers through demonstrations and hands-on activities for visitors of all ages.
  • Price: Admission is FREE – parking is $15 per vehicle

 

Holiday Ice Show

  • Where: Mount Vernon RECenter Ice Arena, Alexandria
  • When: Saturday, Dec. 8 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
  • Why Go: The RECenter’s talented skaters will perform their skills in front of an audience.
  • Price: Admission is FREE

 

Plantation Christmas

  • Where: Gunston Hall, Lorton
  • When: Saturday, Dec. 8 from 3 – 8 p.m.
  • Price: Adults: $15; Kids 6 – 18: $8; Kids 2 – 5: $2
  • Why Go: Celebrate an 18th century-style Christmas with carriage rides, warm cider and food prepared in the hearth kitchen. 

 

Punjabi Masti 2012

  • Where: West Springfield High School, Springfield
  • When: Saturday, Dec. 8 from 7 – 10 p.m.
  • Why Go: The Sikh Foundation of Virginia invites you to celebrate Punjabi culture with Indian food, youth dance performances and comedy routines.
  • Price: $10 per person

 

Jane Austen’s Regency Christmas

  • Where: Green Spring Gardens, Annandale
  • When: Saturday, Dec. 8 and Sunday, Dec. 9 from 1 – 3 p.m.
  • Why Go: Enjoy a traditional English tea as you imagine yourself at home with the Elliots, Bingleys or Bennets at Christmastime.  For ages 13 and up.
  • Price: $27 per person – Reservations Required

 

All I Want for Christmas

  • Where: Ernst Community Cultural Center, Annandale
  • When: Saturday, Dec. 8 at 1, 4 and 8 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 9 at 1 and 4 p.m.
  • Why Go: Encore Theatrical Arts Project presents this holiday-themed song and dance show for all ages.
  • Price: Adults: $22; Senior, Child, Military: $18

 

Historic Alexandria Candlelight Tours

  • Where: Various locations in Old Town, Alexandria
  • When: Saturday, Dec. 8 from 6 – 9 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 9 from 3 – 6 p.m.
  • Why Go: Tour the Carlyle House, Gadsby’s Tavern and Museum, the Lee-Fendall House and the historic Bank of Alexandria building while enjoying live music, holiday décor and delicious chocolate.
  • Price: Adults: $20; Seniors: $15; Kids 6 – 17: $5

 

Mason Symphony Orchestra and Choruses: Handel’s Messiah Sing-Along!

  • Where: GMU Center for the Arts, Fairfax
  • When: Sunday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m.
  • Why Go: This seasonal favorite invites you to sing highlights from Handel’s Messiah along with the chorus.  Bring your own music, or purchase a score for $10 at the performance.
  • Price: General Admission: $10; Students, Faculty, Staff, Seniors and Groups: $5

 

Holiday Shops and Craft Fairs:

  • Holiday Bazaar and Craft Show at Centre Ridge Elementary School, Centreville.  Friday, Dec. 7 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
  • Sugarloaf Crafts Festival at Dulles Expo Center, Chantilly.  Friday, Dec. 7 and Saturday, Dec. 8 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Holiday Craft Fair at Chantilly High School, Chantilly.  Saturday, Dec. 8 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Bling and Things Holiday Shopping Exposé at Hampton Inn and Suites, Alexandria.  Saturday, Dec. 8 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Women, Art and Shopping Holiday Market at Charles Houston Recreation Center, Alexandria.  Sunday, Dec. 9 from 1 – 5 p.m.

 

Library Events:

  • Time for Tots: Toys, Toys, Toys! at Burke Centre Library, Burke.  Friday, Dec. 7 at 11 a.m.  FREE – Registration Required.
  • Bouncin’ Babies at Chantilly Regional Library, Chantilly.  Friday, Dec. 7 at 3 p.m. – Registration Required. 
  • Friends Library Holiday Book Sale at Centreville Regional Library, Centreville.  Friday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 8 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Friends Book Sale at Kingstowne Library, Alexandria.  Saturday, Dec. 8 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Holiday Open-House at Martha Washington Library, Alexandria.  Saturday, Dec. 8 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.  FREE.
  • Wag a Tale at Kingstowne Library, Alexandria.  Saturday, Dec. 8 beginning at 10:30 a.m.  For ages 5-12.  FREE – Registration Required.
  • Paws to Read at Lorton Library, Lorton.  Saturday, Dec. 8 beginning at 1 p.m.  For ages 6-12.  FREE – Registration Required.
  • Project Best: Science Workshop at Burke Centre Library, Burke.  Saturday, Dec. 8 at 1 p.m.  For ages 6-12.  FREE – Registration Required.
  • Holiday Gifts Jewelry at Beatley Central Library, Alexandria.  Saturday, Dec. 8 at 2 p.m.  Registration Required.
  • Paws for Reading at Chantilly Regional Library, Chantilly.  Saturday, Dec. 8 beginning at 3 p.m.  For ages 5-12.  FREE – Registration Required.
  • Holiday Handbell Concert at Beatley Central Library, Alexandria.  Sunday, Dec. 9 at 2 p.m.  FREE.

 

Nature Highlights:

  • Leaves that Sparkle at Green Spring Gardens, Annandale.  Saturday, Dec. 8 at 9:30 a.m.  For adults.  $25 - $27 per person – Registration Required.
  • Holiday Craft Sampler at Lake Accotink Park, Springfield.  Saturday, Dec. 8 at 10 a.m.  For ages 6 – 10.  $25 - $40 per person – Registration Required.
  • Christmas in Camp Open House at Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site, Alexandria.  Saturday, Dec. 8 from Noon – 4 p.m.  Suggested Donation – Adults: $2; Kids: $1
  • Holidays at Walney Farm at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, Chantilly.  Saturday, Dec. 8 at 1 p.m.  $6 - $8 per person – Registration Required.
  • Minerals Rock at Green Spring Gardens, Annandale.  Saturday, Dec. 8 at 2 p.m.  For ages 4 and up.  $6 - $8 per person – Registration Required.   
  • Winter Wonder Campfire at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, Chantilly.  Saturday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m.  $6 - $8 per person – Registration Required.
  • Astronomy Campfire at Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Annandale.  Saturday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m.  For ages 3 and up.  $6 - $8 per person – Registration Required.
  • Birding Belmont Bay at Mason Neck State Park, Lorton.  Saturday, Dec. 8 at 10 a.m. and Sunday, Dec. 9 at 10 a.m.  Weekend parking fee is $4 per vehicle.
  • Nature Craft at Mason Neck State Park, Lorton.  Saturday, Dec. 8 at 1 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 9 at 4 p.m.  Weekend parking fee is $4 per vehicle.
  • Mammals of Mason Neck at Mason Neck State Park, Lorton.  Saturday, Dec. 8 at 4 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 9 at 1 p.m.  Weekend parking fee is $4 per vehicle.
  • Flakey the (naked) Snowman at Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Annandale.  Sunday, Dec. 9 at 2 p.m.  For ages 2 – 13.  $7 - $9 per person – Registration Required.
  • Wild Things Puppet Show at Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Annandale.  Sunday, Dec. 9 at 3:45 p.m.  For ages 3 – 11.  $5 - $7 per person – Registration Required.
  • Elegant Evening: Sully Candlelight Tour at Sully Historic Site, Chantilly.  Sunday, Dec. 9 at 5 and 6 p.m.  For ages 16 and up.  $20 - $22 per person – Registration Required.
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