Though fall leaves are still clinging to many trees, wintry events have already started to take over the calendar in Fairfax County.
In addition to Tysons Corner Center’s previously reported holiday lineup, the coming weeks will bring the return of ice skating to Reston Town Center, an expanded McLean Winterfest Parade, multiple Santa photo opportunities and other festive attractions for both Christmas devotees and agnostics.
Friday, Nov. 7
Reston Town Center Ice Skating (1818 Discovery Street)
Reston Town Center will once again transform its pavilion into an ice skating rink available for both general admission and private rentals. Operating hours will be:
- Monday-Thursday: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Friday & Saturday: 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Sunday: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights (9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court)
NOVA Parks will illuminate Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Wolf Trap for a 14th season starting at 5:30 p.m. today. In addition to strolling through lighted trees and displays, visitors can partake in both hot drinks and a chilled Amaretto Snow Globe, roast marshmallows for s’mores and pick up a limited-edition holiday ornament.
Tickets can be purchased through the park’s website. Hours are 5:30-10 p.m. until Dec. 4, after which they expand to 5-10 p.m. for the remainder of the season through Jan. 4, 2026.
Nightmare Before Christmas Live Concert (7750 Capital One Tower Road)
In a late addition to its 2025-2026 season, the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra will perform composer Danny Elfman’s score live to accompany a screening of the stop-motion animated classic “The Nightmare Before Christmas” at Capital One Hall in Tysons. As of press time, tickets are still available for the concert tonight, which will begin at 7:30 p.m. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 14
Santa Photos at Springfield Town Center (6500 Springfield Mall)
Santa will be available for photos in Springfield Town Center’s grand court starting at 2 p.m. next Friday through Dec. 24. Pet photos can be booked every Monday from Nov. 17 through Dec. 15.
A celebration to welcome Santa will be held on Saturday, Nov. 15 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The man in red will be escorted into the mall by the Greater Springfield Volunteer Fire Department, with Mickey and Minnie Mouse in tow. Face painting, balloons, holiday crafts, games and other activities are planned as well.
Santa’s Arrival at Fair Oaks Mall (11750 Fair Oaks Mall)
Santa is also pulling into Fair Oaks Mall on this day, making his “grand entrance” at center court around 5 p.m. The festivities will continue until 9 p.m. with free light-up wands for kids, an artisan and crafter market, live music, photo opportunities, treats and more.
The mall will have photo sessions with Santa through Dec. 24, along with story times on Dec. 13 and 17. Sensory and pet-friendly sessions are available, and Black Santa will make “special” appearances on Dec. 6 and 8.
Friday, Nov. 21
Photos with Santa at Tysons Galleria (2001 International Drive)
Santa will have a photo station set up on the Tysons mall’s first floor near Lucky Strike through Dec. 24. Pet nights are planned on Mondays and Tuesdays from Nov. 24 through Dec. 16 at 4-7 p.m., and a sensory-friendly event with a visit from the Fairfax County Police Department’s K-9 units will be held from 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Dec. 7.
Tysons Galleria is also bringing back its volunteer-run gift wrapping station from Dec. 13-24 as part of a decade-long partnership with Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic. To commemorate the collaboration’s 10-year anniversary, shoppers will receive an exclusive set of holiday cards designed by a local artist if they donate above a certain amount. The station has a 10-gift limit, and items must be purchased from a retailer in the mall.
“We’re honored to celebrate 10 years of partnership with Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic,” Tysons Galleria General Manager Rich Dinning said in a press release. “This tradition brings our community together in a meaningful way and reminds us what the season of giving is truly about.”
Friday, Nov. 28
Mosaic Holiday Tree Lighting and Santa Truck Parade (2911 District Avenue)
The day after Thanksgiving, the Mosaic District in Merrifield will usher in the winter holidays with a tree lighting ceremony in Strawberry Park, live entertainment and a parade led by Santa Claus in a fire truck. Santa will be stationed in the Target lobby for a meet-and-greet after the parade.
- 6 p.m.: Emcee Tommy McFly kicks off the evening
- 6:30 p.m.: Santa’s parade starts at Penny Park
- 6:50 p.m.: GMU Band performing at the Christmas tree
- 7 p.m.: Tree lighting
- 7:10-8:30 p.m.: Selfies with Santa
- 7:10-7:30 p.m.: Vienna Singing Princesses
- 7:30-8 p.m.: The Metropolitan Follies
- 8-9 p.m.: Izis de La Enfermera de la salsa performs
Springfield Holiday Pop-Up Market (6500 Springfield Mall)
Springfield Town Center will host a holiday pop-up market featuring local vendors, artisans and small businesses on Black Friday weekend (Nov. 28-30) as well as every weekend in December through Dec. 19.
Monday, Dec. 1
Church Street Holiday Stroll (131 Church Street NE)
From 6-8:30 p.m., historic Church Street in Vienna will be turned into a lively festival with visits by Santa, a tree lighting led by newly reelected Mayor Linda Colbert, firepits for roasting marshmallows and promotional deals from some local businesses.
Attendees who participate in gingerbread ornament decorating stations along the street can submit their creations to the Explore Vienna VA tent (across from the Freeman Store) by 6:50 p.m. for judging. Winners will be announced by Colbert at 7 p.m. and receive prize packs of gift cards to local businesses.
Thursday, Dec. 4
Reston Winterfest (1525 Brown’s Chapel Road)
Reston Association says the 2025 Winterfest celebration, returning to Brown’s Chapel Park for a third consecutive year, will be “bigger, brighter, and more magical than ever before.”
This year’s event will feature a return of the Enchanted Forest with trees sponsored and decorated by local residents and community groups, an illuminated walk-through trail, free photos with Santa, a vendor village for shoppers, fire pits, a Grinch’s Village and more.
“Winterfest has quickly become a cherished tradition for our community,” RA Director of Recreation Services Laura Kowalski said in a press release. “Each year we aim to bring more lights, more joy, and more opportunities for neighbors to come together and celebrate the season.”
Tickets went on sale on Oct. 20 for the three-day event, which will take place from 5-9 p.m. through Saturday, Dec. 6. Admission is free for RA members but costs $20 for adults and $10 for children aged 3-17 for non-members.
Saturday, Dec. 6
Winter Wonderland at The Boro (8350 Broad Street)
Boro Park in Tysons will host an afternoon of holiday festivities from noon to 3 p.m. Visitors can enjoy a holiday-themed inflatable slide, photos with Santa, a hot chocolate bar, a “seasonal backdrop” with roaming characters, holiday tunes from a DJ, giveaways and kid-friendly crafts, including stocking decorating.
Sunday, Dec. 7
Herndon Holiday Arts and Crafts Show (814 Ferndale Avenue)
More than 80 vendors will assemble at the Herndon Community Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to offer their wares, including handmade goods, art, seasonal decor and potential gifts. Admission and parking are both free.
The Town of Herndon will also usher in Christmas with a Santa Social on Dec. 14 from 2-4 p.m. Pre-registration and a $15 fee per child are required to attend the event, where kids can meet Santa while indulging in hot cocoa, cookies, holiday crafts, games and other activities.
McLean Winterfest Parade (1398 Chain Bridge Road)
Revived in 2024 after a six-year hiatus, the McLean Winterfest Parade is not only returning for 2025, but it will be expanded with a post-parade block party at the Langley Shopping Center.
Organized by the McLean Revitalization Corporation (MRC), festivities will kick off at 2:30 p.m. with some pre-parade entertainment, courtesy of local dance groups and performing arts, before the parade itself marches down Old Chain Bridge Road starting at 3:30 p.m.
The block party will follow immediately afterwards around 5 p.m. and continue until 7:30 p.m., offering an appearance by Santa, live entertainment, food vendors, art and other activities.
“The McLean Winterfest Parade is a cherished tradition for many in our community,” MRC President Tom Gilmore said in a press release. “By adding the post-parade block party, we are extending the joy and creating a full day of community celebration as downtown McLean lights up with holiday spirit.”
