If there’s one thing Virginia celebrates well, it’s the seasons. And Northern Virginia is full of winter festivals that offer ice skating, twinkling lights, lanterns, and delicious food and drink. Here are six options to put on your calendar to help you celebrate the winter season.
Bull Run Festival of Lights
Through January 4, 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. weekdays, 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. weekends and holidays
The Bull Run Festival of Lights is 2.5 miles of sparkling festive lights illuminating the winter sky. While the festival is drive-through style, the end of the route includes a holiday shopping village, carnival, and petting zoo. To avoid crowds, NOVA Parks recommends visiting Monday through Thursday. On January 3 and 4, the holiday village, carnival and petting zoo are closed, but the festival of lights will remain open. 7700 Bull Run Dr., Centreville; $30 per vehicle online or $40 at the door
Tysons Winter Lantern Festival
Thursdays through Sundays through January 18, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Take an evening walk inspired by traditional Chinese lantern festivals. This version at Lerner Town Square at Tysons includes hundreds of elaborate lanterns, live acrobatic shows, and plenty of local food and drinks. Pay close attention, as each lantern tells a unique story. The festival takes approximately one hour to walk through, and children ages 3 and under are free. 8025 Galleria Dr., Tysons; $25.99 for adults, $18.99 for children 4–12
Ice & Lights: The Winter Village at Cameron Run
December 20 to January 4, daily from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., weekends only January 10 to February 28 (daytime ice skating runs noon to 4 p.m.)
This family-friendly event is a great reason to get outdoors this winter. There are fun light displays, festive scenes perfect for your next family photo, hot beverages to warm up, plenty of snacks, and a skating rink, too. Keep in mind, this is a rain or shine event and tickets are nonrefundable. 4001 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria; $10.30 for village general admission, $22.80 for village admission and ice skating
First Night Alexandria
December 31, noon to midnight
For more than 30 years, First Night Alexandria has been delighting families with live music, performances, and fireworks displays. The block party-style festivities begin at noon with performances for children and a New Year’s Eve Day party. At 4:30 p.m., the Carlyle Community hosts a block party with live entertainment and there will be two separate fireworks displays at 7 p.m. (for families with little ones) and midnight (to officially welcome 2026). Various indoor and outdoor venues around Old Town; $10, free for ages 2 and under
Winter Block Party at the McLean Community Center
January 3, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The fifth annual event brings out firepits and s’mores, hot chocolate, and ice carving demos. It includes a children’s businesses fair, opportunities for craft making, plenty of food, and additional entertainment. 1234 Ingleside Dr., McLean, free
Eden Try Winery’s Mulled Wine Festival
January 17 and 18, noon to 5 p.m.
Nothing says a cozy winter afternoon like some mulled wine. Eden Try Winery’s festival includes wine snack pairing add-ons, s’mores kits, a spice blending bar to create your own custom mulled spice blend, and more. Be sure to snap a pic and the photo ops with wine barrels lit by twinkling lights and backdrops that read “Sip Happens, Stay Cozy.” 6818 River Rd., Fredericksburg; free
Feature image of Ice & Lights: The Winter Village at Cameron Run courtesy NOVA Parks
