Christmas, Hanukkah Events In Fairfax: Tree Lightings, Music and More

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — There are plenty of things going on around Fairfax to celebrate the 2023 winter holidays.

Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights, starts at sundown on Dec. 7, and ends at nightfall on Dec. 15. 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 season.

Here are some of the holiday-related activities going on in and around Fairfax City:

• Holiday Market: Dec. 1-3 and Dec. 8-10; Fridays, 5-8 p.m.; Saturdays, 12-6 p.m.; and Sundays: 12-5 p.m., at Old Town Square, 10415 North St. Photos with Santa, Paws with Claus.
• A Holly Jolly Bronze Holiday Concert: Dec. 1, 8 p.m., at Sherwood Community Center, 3740 Blenheim Blvd. Enjoy a lovely selection of holiday music in a wide variety of styles, including traditional Christmas pieces arranged specifically for hand bells. The program will include beloved holiday classics. Cost: $15 general admission; tickets are available at the door or online.
• The Nutcracker will be presented by the Festival Ballet Friday, Dec. 1 and Saturday, Dec. 2 at at the Richard J. Ernst Cultural Center, Fairfax.
• Pancake Breakfast with Santa: Saturday, Dec. 2, 8-11 a.m., at Fire Station 3, 4081 University Drive. Santa and his helpers will be serving pancakes and sausages. Cost: $12 for ages 11 and older, $10 for military and public safety personnel, $6 for ages 4-10, free for ages 3 and younger Info: FVFD Facebook calendar event, 703-385-7878.
• Festival of Lights and Carols: Saturday, Dec. 2, 12-6 p.m., at Old Town Square. Come listen to live holiday music and enjoy s’mores and hot cider. From 12-4 p.m., build a gingerbread house with the Historic Resources Office to donate to a local family shelter. Enjoy caroling and lighting of the Christmas Tree at 5:30 p.m. in Old Town Square.
• A Victorian Christmas with Santa: Sunday, Dec. 3, 12-4 p.m., at the Civil War Interpretive Center at Historic Blenheim, 3610 Blenheim Blvd. Free.
• Main Street Community Band Home for the Holidays Concert: Sunday, Dec. 3, 4-5 p.m., at Katherine Johnson Middle School, 3801 Jermantown Road. Free, but tickets required.
• The Main Street Chanukah Celebration. Thursday, Dec. 7, 4:30 p.m., at Old Town Square. Free. The Main Street Chanukah Celebration, hosted by Chabad of Northern Virginia, includes the lighting of the menorah, the famous gelt drop, latkes, donuts, hot chocolate, fire truck rides, and more.
• Bonita Lestina Old Town Hall Performance Series -Marcolivia: Friday, Dec. 8, 8-9:30 p.m., at Old Town Hall. Free.
• Fairfax Art League Holiday Party: Saturday, Dec. 9, 7-9 p.m., Old Town Hall 3999 University Drive. Free.
• Holiday-Focused Guided Tours of the Ratcliffe-Allison-Pozer House: Sunday, Dec. 10, 12-3 p.m., 10386 Main St. Free. Then shop for special holiday gifts at Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center, 10209 Main St., open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily (excluding holidays).
• City of Fairfax Band Christmas in Fairfax Concert: Saturday, Dec. 16, 7-9 p.m., at Fairfax High School, 3501 Lion Run. Free, but tickets required.
• 11th Annual Lunch with Santa: Sunday, Dec. 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at PJ Skidoo's, 9908 Fairfax Blvd. All-you-can-eat bunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with regular menu available at 12 p.m. Call for reservation availability at 703-591-4515.

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