Christmas, Holiday Events Near Del Ray: Parades, Tree Lightings, More

ALEXANDRIA, VA — There is no shortage of things to do near Del Ray to get the winter holiday season off to a rollicking good start.

Christmas and Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights, intersect this year, with Hanukkah running Dec. 18-26. Christmas, of course, is on Dec. 25, but you don’t have to wait to start taking in all the sights and sounds of the holidays.

Tree and menorah lightings near Del Ray include:

• Del Ray's tree lighting and Menorah lighting: Sunday, Dec. 4, 6 p.m.
• Melwood's Miracle on 23rd Street: Friday, Dec. 2, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Light up the Village at Shirlington: Thursday, Dec. 1, 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Rosslyn Cheer Tree Lighting: Thursday, Dec. 8, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• National Harbor's tree lighting: Nightly every half hour from sunset to 9 p.m.
• City of Falls Church Lighting of the Trees Celebration: Monday, Nov. 28 at 6 p.m.
• Vienna Church Street Holiday Stroll: Monday, Nov. 28 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Fairfax City Festival of Lights and Carols and Tree Lighting: Saturday, Dec. 3, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., tree lighting at 5 p.m.

Christmas parades — often complete with Santa Claus, festively decorated floats and marching bands — are a holiday tradition, both nationally and locally.

Several big parades are taking place this year, including the Mayor’s Annual Christmas Parade in Baltimore City, Maryland; and the Christmas Boat Parade in Newport Beach, California.

Parades in Northern Virginia may not be able to match those in size, but the heart behind them is just as big. Parades to catch here at home include:

• Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade, Alexandria: Saturday, Dec. 3, 11 a.m.
• Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights, Alexandria: Saturday, Dec. 3, activities starting at 2 p.m, parade at 5:30 p.m.
• Greater Manassas Christmas Parade, Manassas: Saturday, Dec. 3, 10 a.m.
• Leesburg Christmas and Holiday Parade, Leesburg: Saturday, Dec. 10, 6 p.m.

Holiday lighting displays are another holiday favorite. Some to catch near Del Ray are:

• Del Ray Holiday Decorating Contest, Alexandria: Visit nominees when announced on Dec. 10
• Ice & Lights, Alexandria: Friday, Nov. 18 to Jan. 1
• Zoo Lights at National Zoo, Washington, DC: Friday, Nov. 25 to Dec. 30
• Enchant Christmas, Washington, DC: Friday, Nov. 25 to Jan. 1
• Winter Lantern Festival, Tysons: Friday, Nov. 25 to Feb. 12
• Meadowlark's Winter Walk of Lights, Vienna: Friday, Nov. 11 to Jan. 8.
• Bull Run Festival of Lights, Centreville: Friday, Nov. 11 to Jan. 8

Other upcoming holiday events in Del Ray include:

• Del Ray Artisans Fine Art & Fine Craft Holiday Market: Dec. 2-4, 9-11, 16-18, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends
• Holiday Cocktail Class at Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap: Dec. 7 and 8, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Shops of Del Ray Holiday Sip & Shop: Thursday, Dec. 8, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Del Ray Holiday Pop-Up Market: Saturday, Dec. 10, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Del Ray Candy Cane Bar Crawl: Saturday, Dec. 10, 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market: Saturday, Dec. 10