Weekend: Holiday Events at Fairfax County Parks

(Editor’s note: The following information is courtesy of Fairfax County Park Authority.)

Sunday, December 7, 14
Christmas at the Farm
Enjoy a special holiday visit to Frying Pan Farm Park and take a wagon ride with Santa through the woods and fields. Activities include a holiday craft, cookie decorating and puppet show. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Dress for the weather. One-hour programs are offered from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The cost is $8 per person. Register online. For information, call 703-437-9101.

Saturday, December 13
Garden Sprouts: Excellent Evergreens
Cedar, pine, hemlock and spruce are the evergreen trees that make Green Spring’s winter landscape beautiful. From 11 a.m. to noon children ages three to five listen to a story about winter’s landscape and make a miniature wreath with natural materials to give as a gift or to hang at home. The cost is $8 per child. Register online. For information, call 703-642-5173.

Saturday, December 13
Holiday Hayrides and Campfire
It’s holly jolly family fun at Lake Accotink Park from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.! Enjoy music and merriment on a horse-drawn wagon ride by the lake. If seats on the horse-drawn wagon are sold out, a tractor-drawn wagon will accommodate additional participants. Rides are 15 to 20 minutes long. Warm up with seasonal treats available for purchase at our snack bar. Gather ‘round a toasty campfire by the lake. Visit Santa at the Lakeside pavilion. If you wish, take photos so you can create your holiday family photo. Dress for the weather and plan on a brisk walk from the parking lot. The cost is $10 per person (ages two and under free) and includes all activities. Call 703-222-4664 to make a reservation or register online.

Saturday, December 13
Family Fun: Winter Solstice Workshop
Learn how people in the past celebrated the winter solstice at this Green Spring Gardens program from 1 to 2 p.m. Then create an evergreen centerpiece complete with beeswax candle to warm and welcome friends and family to your table. This family-friendly program is intended for children ages five and older with a registered adult. The cost is $10 per person. Register online. For information, call 703-642-5173.

Saturday, December 13
Santa at the Mill
Enjoy old-fashioned family holiday fun at Colvin Run Mill from 3 to 6 p.m. Visit Santa in the mill and see the Christmas tree trimmed with Victorian decorations. Join the costumed 49th Virginia Volunteer Infantry caroling around a bonfire. Roast marshmallows and make a family craft. The cost is $5 per person. For information, call 703-759-2771.

Saturday, December 13
Holidays at Walney Farm
Celebrate the winter holidays with the Machen family at Walney Farm. Learn about the gifts and foods of an 1850 Virginia farm at E.C. Lawrence Park from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Create your own historic holiday ornament. Enjoy hot apple cider and baked treats. The cost is $8 per person. Register online. For information, call 703-631-0013.

Saturday, December 13
Caroling Wagon Ride & Campfire
Oh Cedar Tree! Join us in song and exploration on a wagon ride through the cedars at E.C. Lawrence Park from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Evergreen trees have long been important to both winter holiday festivities and wildlife winter survival. Warm up and enjoy s’mores at the campfire. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. The cost is $7 per person. Register online. For information, call 703-631-0013.

Saturday, December 13
Winter Wonder Campfire
Bundle up and discover animal strategies for surviving winter at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Meet some exhibit animals and find out their strategies. Enjoy s‘mores. The cost is $6 per person. Register online. For information, call 703-631-0013.

Saturday, December 13
Flakey the (naked) Snowman
Snuggle up with snowman soup (hot cocoa) as you listen to this inspiring tale of friendship and charity as read by local author Amy Tubbs at Hidden Oaks Nature Center from1 to 2:15 p.m. Make a craft based on the story. The cost is $7. Register online. For information, call 703-941-1065.

Saturday, December 13
Civil War by Candlelight
Experience a Civil War Christmas as Confederate soldiers eat Christmas dinner in the field and share a gift box from home. Enjoy music by Evergreen Shade and make a 19th century holiday decoration. House tours start every 15 minutes starting at 4:45 p.m. The final tour begins at 7 p.m. Outside festivities are available until 8 p.m. The cost is $10 per person. Register online. For information, call 703-437-1794.

Saturday, Dec. 13 & Sunday, Dec. 14
Ride the Holiday Train
Take a break from the rush of the holiday season and take a ride around Lake Fairfax Park on Engine #62 of the Resources Railroad. Santa will be stopping by the park to visit with you. From noon to 6 p.m. see the lighted Christmas tree and inflatable seasonal decorations; make a holiday project to take home; gather round the campfire and hear holiday music; and enjoy warm drinks and treats from the food vendor. The cost is $10 per person. Register online. For information, call 703-471-5415.

Sunday, December 14
World War II Christmas at Home
Soldiers on leave spent the holidays with family and friends dancing to big band music, singing carols and enjoying home cooking. Get in the spirit of a 1940s Christmas as you make an ornament to take home, learn about cooking with substitutions, and hear the latest war news. House tours start every 15 minutes starting at 4:45 p.m. The final tour begins at 7 p.m. Outside festivities are available until 8 p.m. The cost is $10 per person. Register online. For information, call 703-437-1794.

Sunday, December 14
Making Nature Gifts Workshop
Parents can enjoy shopping at the mall while their young ones (ages 5 to 10) make gifts and wrap them for their families at Hidden Oaks Nature Center from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Enjoy a range of activities from meeting live animals to watching 16mm movies, to seeing a puppet show. Bring a snack. The cost is $15 per child. Register online. For information, call 703-941-1065.

Sunday, December 14
Gifts of Nature: Wrap and Wreaths
Make your own seasonal vine and straw wreaths with naturalist Clara Ailes at Hidden Pond Nature Center from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Decorate your wreath with greens, cones, dried flowers and ribbons. Then personalize your own nature-themed wrapping paper for gifts. The cost is $15 per family and reservations are required. Register online. For information, call 703-451-9588.

Friday, December 19
Campfire Friday: Wintertime Warmth
Join naturalists for outdoor adventure and nature studies about how animals stay warm throughout the winter. Cozy up to the campfire and enjoy the glow at Hidden Pond Nature Center from 7 to 8:30 p.m. S’mores are provided. Child must be accompanied by a registered adult. The cost is $7 per person. Register online. For information, call 703-451-9588.

Saturday, December 20
19th Century Christmas by Candlelight
Holiday customs have evolved from elegant balls in the time of Jane Austen to family traditions of the Victorian era. See Regency period dancers and be inspired by Sully’s 1885 Christmas tree. Make a tree decoration based on a Victorian original. Enjoy hot cider and homemade cookies. House tours start every 15 minutes starting at 4:45 p.m. The final tour begins at 7 p.m. Outside festivities are available until 8 p.m. The cost is $10 per person. Register online. For information, call 703-437-1794.

Saturdays, December 20 & 27 and Sundays, 21 & 28
Holiday Model Train Display
Fun for all ages! Watch G-gauge trains wend their way through a miniature western town in the Colvin Run Barn from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission. For information, call 703-759-2771.

Sunday, December 21
Winter Solstice Celebration
It’s the shortest day of the year and cozy warmth is on the schedule at Hidden Pond Nature Center from 4 to 6 p.m. Enjoy stories by the campfire, a guided hike through wintry wilds and more. The cost is $4 per person. Register online. For information, call 703-451-9588.

Tuesday, December 23
Magic Toy Shop Puppet Show
Bring your holiday guests and join master puppeteer Bob Brown in a holiday production of the Magic Toy Shop at Frying Pan Farm Park. Join the lively marionettes as they frolic in a magic shop full of toys. Shows will be offered at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. and the cost is $5 per person. After the show visit the animals or shop at the Country Store. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Register online. For information, call 703-437-9101.

Monday, December 29
Holiday Concerts at Sully
In their annual holiday visit to Sully, IONA treats its audience to traditional Celtic music blending songs, dance turns and aires in a lively entertaining presentation. The performance features multiple fiddling styles, dynamic dancing, driving percussion, and strong vocals from all the Celtic nations, including America. A house tour is included in the cost of $12 per person. Refreshments are served in the 18th century kitchen. One-hour performances begin at 1 and 2 p.m. Limited seating is available. Register online. For information, call 703-437-1794.