Christmas, Holiday Events In Leesburg: Parades, Tree Lightings, More

LEESBURG, VA — There is no shortage of things to do in Leesburg 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 lightings in the Leesburg area include:

• Holiday Tree Lighting at One Loudoun
  • Saturday, Dec. 3 at 5 p.m.
• Dulles Town Center Tree Lighting
  • Friday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m.
• Lights of Love Tree Lighting Ceremony At Inova Loudoun
  • Sunday, Dec. 4 at 5 p.m.
• Middleburg Tree Lighting
  • Friday, Dec. 2 at 5 p.m.
• Leesburg Tree Lighting Ceremony
  • Friday, Dec. 2 at 6 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 Loudoun County 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:

• Christmas in Middleburg Parade
  • Saturday, Dec. 3
• Leesburg Christmas Parade
  • Saturday, Dec. 10 at 6 p.m.
• Christmas in Purcellville Parade
  • Saturday, Dec. 10 at 12 p.m.

Holiday lighting displays are another holiday favorite. Some to catch in our area include:

• Dodona Manor hosts a holiday tree walk in Leesburg.
• Bluemont Vineyard's 10,000 grapevines are lit up for the holidays through the end of the year.
• The Village at Leesburg's Wish Tree includes an hourly light show beginning at 4 p.m. each evening.
• The National Zoo in D.C. is hosting its annual ZooLights events through Dec. 30.
• The Bull Run Festival of Lights will feature thousands of holiday lights synced with music through the new year.
• Enchant is a light display that will run at Nationals Park in D.C.