Christmas, Hanukkah Events In Reston: Tree Lightings, Parades, More

RESTON, VA — There is no shortage of things to do in Reston 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 Reston include:

• 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.
• Herndon Holiday Tree Lighting and Sing-Along: Saturday, Dec. 3 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Great Falls Tree Lighting: Sunday, Dec. 4, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., tree lighting at 5 p.m.
• South Lakes High School Winter Market, Reston: Sunday, Dec. 11, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
• JCC Community Menorah Lighting: Tuesday, Dec. 20, 5-6 p.m., at Strawberry Park in Merrifield.

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 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 shopping events and boutiques are great for getting in the spirit of the season while you search for a gift for that special someone. Some to catch near Reston are:

• Fairfax City Holiday Market, Fairfax City: Dec. 2-4 and Dec. 9-11; Fridays, 5-8 p.m., Saturdays, 12-6 p.m., Sundays, 12-5 p.m.
• Herndon Arts and Crafts Show, Herndon: Sunday, Dec. 4, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Getting Ready to Celebrate Chanukah Boutique, Reston: Sunday, Dec. 4, 9 a.m.
• German Christmasmarket, Reston: Thursday, Dec. 8, 4 p.m.
• Herndon Wintermarkt, Herndon: Saturday, Dec. 10, 12-7 p.m.

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

• Meadowlark's Winter Walk of Lights, Vienna: Friday, Nov. 11 to Jan. 8.
• Vienna Holiday Window Decorating Contest, Vienna: Visit nominees when announced on Dec. 2
• Winter Lantern Festival, Tysons: Friday, Nov. 25 to Feb. 12
• Bull Run Festival of Lights, Centreville: Friday, Nov. 11 to Jan. 8
• 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
• Northern Virginia Night of Lights, Leesburg: Sunday, Dec. 18, 5:30-7:30 p.m.