Carriage Rides, Light Displays, and Ebenezer Scrooge

A selection of events to enjoy with family and friends this holiday weekend.

George Mason University Men’s Basketball

• Where: , Fairfax
• When: 7:00 p.m.
• Price:$16 adult; $8 youth 18 and under; $9 senior citizen (ticket prices increase $2 on day of game) 

Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides

• Where: , Reston
• When: Saturday, Dec. 24 from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m.
• Why Go: Enjoy a relaxing ride in a horse-drawn carriage while supporting a local charity. All proceeds to benefit the Volunteer Fairfax organization. The riders’ pick-up location is on Market Street next to Talbots.
• Price: $5 per person; children under 5 ride for free

The Ice Palace

• Where: , Fairfax
• When: Friday, Dec. 23 from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 24 from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
• Why Go: Follow the Ice Princess through this “magical” palace with its 22-foot dome, light show, and BBC Earth film footage of playful polar animals. Visit with Santa Claus and have your photo taken on the Ice Throne while you’re inside.
• Price: Admission is FREE; photos with Santa and on the Ice Throne cost extra.

Festival of Lights

• Where: , Centreville
• When: Friday, Dec. 23 through Sunday, Dec. 25 from 5:30 – 10:00 p.m.
• Why Go: Bring the family along for the 2 ½ mile drive through this very popular holiday display, which includes several colorful light shows set to music.
• Price: $20 for cars/vans with 1-14 people; $30 for vans with 15-34 people; $55 for buses with 35 or more people

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol

• Where: , Lorton
• When: Friday, Dec. 23 doors open at 6:00 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 25 doors open at 3:00 p.m.
• Why Go: Enjoy cocktails and a dinner buffet, followed by a stage production of Charles Dickens’ timeless classic in which Ebenezer Scrooge takes a memorable journey through the past, present, and future on Christmas Eve.
• Price: $41.95 per person for ages 16 and up; $35 for youth ages 11-15; $25 for children 10 and under

13th Annual Gingerbread Village

• Where: , Reston
• When: On display through Sunday, Dec. 25
• Why Go: Visit the hotel lobby and take in the delicious aroma of gingerbread as you view these intricate works of edible art. Donations will be accepted to benefit Reston Interfaith, which is a non-profit organization that serves local families in need.
• Price: Admission is FREE.

Dec. 22, 6 to 7:30 p.m. 

Gather with the community at Lake Anne and take part in the lighting of a giant ice menorah by Reston founder Robert E. Simon.

The celebration will continue at  for family entertainment, prize drawings, Hanukkah donuts, latkes, chocolate gelt, a family Hanikkah film and fun. Free admission.

Dec. 23, 6:45 pm.  Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation, 1441 Wiehle Avenue, Reston.

Hanukkah Festival in Alexandria

Dec. 25, 6 p.m. Crown Plaza Hotel, 901 N Fairfax St., Alexandria. Chabad Lubavitch of Alexandria-Arlington sponsors a Menorah Lighting, dreidels, latkes and donuts. (703) 370-2774. 

Hands on Hanukkah at the JCC
Dec. 25,  11 a.m - 3 p.m. Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax. The event includes arts and crafts, games and activities, moon bounce, face painting, balloon artist and more.  (703) 323-0880.