It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but also the busiest. Need a Christmas tree? Visit these local tree sales. Shopping for gifts? Swing by a holiday pop-up market. Need to burn off those Thanksgiving calories? Sign up for a holiday-themed run. And take the merriment up a notch with holiday shows, dress-up tea parties, Santa visits and lots more. Here’s what’s coming up this week:
Christmas Gathering with Santa at Tea with Mrs. B
For the 15th year running, Santa will make a stop at this Falls Church business Dec. 1-5, 4:30 and 6 p.m., and Dec. 6, 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Kids in their holiday finery can visit with the man in red, make a keepsake craft, nibble on sweets and take a professional portrait. A private photo shoot with Santa is also available and includes cookies and hot chocolate. Tickets to the gathering are $88; the mini photo shoot is $350. 136 W. Jefferson St., Falls Church
The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show
Hosted by drag queen superstars BenDeLaCreme and Jinkx Monsoon, this raucous holiday revue promises outrageous comedy and thrilling dance numbers. Tickets for the Dec. 1, 7 p.m., show start at $66.20. Capital One Hall, 7750 Capital One Tower Road, Tysons
Whistle Stop Toys and Hobbies’ Annual Santa Train Ride
All aboard the Santa Railway Express on Dec. 1, 8, 15 or 18 for a ride from Alexandria to Manassas and back. In Manassas, riders will disembark the train for about 75 minutes to sip hot chocolate and eat cookies. Story time takes place in the station, followed by a Q&A with Santa on the station platform. Tickets are $29.99. 1719 Centre Plaza, Alexandria
Find Cheerio in Rosslyn
Join the hunt for Rosslyn mascot Cheerio the Penguin on six dates between Dec. 2-18, 10-11 a.m. Find the jolly bird to win your own Cheerio plushie, plus a $50 gift card to restaurants such as Inca Social and Barley Mac. Look for Cheerio in a new spot and follow the Rosslyn BID on Instagram and Facebook for clues. To win, be the first to find him, snap a picture and post it on your Instagram or Facebook story. Tag @RosslynVA and have a public profile so the team can see your entry and confirm you as the winner.
Fall Church’s Winter Wonderland at Founders Row
Ready to get festive in The Little City? Head over to Founders Row on Dec. 2, 5:30-7:30 p.m., for live music, a Polar Express train ride, free hot chocolate and cookies, photos with none other than Santa Claus himself, kids crafts and balloon creations. 109 Founders Ave., Falls Church
Singing Tree Market
Ballston’s Singing Tree is a favorite holiday tradition. Listen to its festive tunes while browsing handcrafted gifts and sipping free hot cocoa and cider on Dec. 3, 2-6 p.m. The Arlington Children’s Chorus will perform 4:30-5:30 p.m., with the tree lighting immediately afterward. Welburn Square, 901 N. Taylor St., Arlington (Ballston)
MoCA on the Move: Handcrafted Holidays
Go DIY this holiday season with a little help from the experts at the The Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington’s Innovation Studio in National Landing. On Dec. 4, 11 and 18, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., crafters will be on hand to guide you in making supersize snowflakes, fragrant ornaments and garlands, and holiday cards. Take your creations home for free. 525 14th St., S., Arlington (National Landing)
Rosslyn Cheer: Light the Plaza
Ooh and aah as a 24-foot holiday tree lights up in Central Place Plaza on Dec. 4, 5-7 p.m. The free event also includes festive music, raffles and a cash bar. 1800 N. Lynn St., Arlington (Rosslyn)
1st Stage Presents Birthday Candles
What makes an ordinary life extraordinary? This poignant and funny play encapsulates the highs, heartbreaks and meaningful moments that make up one woman’s life. Performances at 1st Stage Theatre are Dec. 4-21, 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are $55 or $15 for students, educators and military service members. 1524 Spring Hill Road, Tysons
McLean Holiday Arts & Crafts Festival
Looking for unique gifts? The McLean Community Center will host a three-day indoor juried show featuring about 80 regional artisans. Find fashion accessories, pottery, glass, soaps and more. Admission is $5; free for children 12 and younger. The admission fee is good for all three days: Dec. 5 and 6, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Dec. 7, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean
Santa Paws Yappy Hour
Create the most epic holiday card or Instagram profile pic ever at this Rosslyn Cheer event on Dec. 5, 5-7 p.m. Pups can pose for photo ops with Santa and enjoy treats while pet parents sip adult beverages. Central Place Plaza, 1800 N. Lynn St., Arlington (Rosslyn)
Melwood’s Annual Miracle on 23rd Street
Kick off the holiday season with this free community event Dec. 5, 5-8 p.m., at Melwood Arlington, which supports children, youth and adults with disabilities. The celebration includes a tree lighting, photos with Santa, s’mores, a video gaming truck, a snowball fight and crafts. New this year is a holiday market featuring small businesses operated by people with disabilities and kids. Admission is free, but please bring a nonperishable donation for Melwood’s food drive. 750 23rd St., South, Arlington (Aurora Highlands)
Winterfest at Westpost
The outdoor ice rink at Westpost is open for the season! On Dec. 5, 5-8 p.m. bundle up and take a spin under twinkling lights to the beats of DJ Patrice McBride. This festive event also includes strolling entertainers, holiday craft-making and après skate specials from participating merchants. 1201 S. Joyce St., Arlington (Westpost)
Creative Cauldron Presents Madeline’s Christmas
In this delightful musical adaptation of Ludwig Bemelmans’ picture books, little Madeline must save Christmas after illness prevents her classmates from traveling home for the holidays. Performances are Dec. 5-21, 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 4 p.m. Sundays. Tickets begin at $20; $18 for students. 127 E. Broad St., Falls Church
Encore Stage Presents Jingle Bell Jam: The Remix
This family-centric holiday show, suitable for ages 4 and up, returns for a second year, featuring student performers belting out classic holiday songs with a live band. The show runs Dec. 5-14, with an American Sign Language performance Dec. 13, 3 p.m. Check the website for dates and times. Tickets are $16 per adult and $13 per child. Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre, 125 S. Old Glebe Road, Arlington (Arlington Heights Historic District)
2025 Jingle Bell Run
Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell run at this Westpost race on Dec. 6, 9 a.m. Presented by the Arthritis Foundation, the run invites participants to wear their most festive gear while raising money for a cure. Registration for the timed race costs $50 before the event and $55 on race day. The untimed run is $45 in advance, or $50 the day of. A virtual race option is $45, and there’s a 100-meter dash for little ones. 1101 S. Joyce St., Arlington (National Landing)
Rosslyn Cheer 2025: Holiday Market
Central Place Plaza will transform into an outdoor holiday market packed with goodies from local small businesses and vendors on Dec. 6 and 7, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Check back for details on specific sellers. 1800 Central Place Plaza, Arlington (Rosslyn)
Winter Wonderland at The Boro
The Boro in Tysons is turning up the chill Dec. 6, noon-3 p.m. with a gingerbread-themed inflatable slide, stocking decorating, reindeer food bag making (for Santa’s team, obviously), crafts and Insta-worthy seasonal backdrops for portraits. We hear Santa will drop by, too. The rain date for this free event is Dec. 13, noon-3 p.m. 8350 Broad St., Tysons
The Lodge at National Landing
Feel like you’re at a ski resort, minus all the heavy gear. Admission is free to his event on Dec. 6, 1-7 p.m., which features holiday train rides until 5 p.m., a dog holiday sweater contest around 5 p.m. and an After Hours Holiday Karaoke party from 6-7 p.m. Throughout the afternoon, performers such as Vaughn Ambrose and Veronneau will take the stage, and a holiday market featuring local vendors will stretch out along South Elm Street. Other activities include selfies with Santa, making gingerbread chalets at the MoCA Arlington Innovation Studio and Ski Vacation Bingo. Bar Colline will be onsite serving an exclusive holiday menu. 1330 S. Fair St., Arlington (National Landing)
A Very Village Holiday
Modeled after traditional European holiday markets, this special event at The Village at Shirlington on Dec. 6, 4-7 p.m., will feature festive food, drink, seasonal decor, live music and performances by Signature Theatre, plus photos with Santa. Bring a donation for Toys for Tots. 2700 S. Quincy St., Arlington (Shirlington)
Wolf Trap Holiday Sing-A-Long
Warm up those vocal cords and get ready to belt out holiday songs with local choirs and vocal groups. One especially rousing edition of Jingle Bells is on deck during the “Jing-A-Long” at this show Dec. 6, 4 p.m. The musical lineup also includes “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band. This event is free, but registration is encouraged. Filene Center, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna
Rejoice by the Arlington Chorale
Listen to the story, through song, of Mary learning she will be the mother of God’s son at this performance on Dec. 6, 5 p.m. Tickets start at $25. Westover Baptist Church, 1125 Patrick Henry Drive, Arlington (Westover)
Kintz-Mejia Academy of Ballet: The Nutcracker
Prepare to be enchanted by the academy’s adaptation of E.T.A. Hoffman’s quintessential holiday story, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. Performances are Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m., and Dec. 7, 2 p.m., at Meridian High School. Tickets are $35. 121 Mustang Alley, Falls Church
McLean Winterfest Parade
Get prepped for the Dec. 7 parade with preview performances by local dance groups, then watch as marching bands, festive floats and dancers make their way through town. Stick around for a Winterfest Block Party with Santa, music, food and fun. Everything kicks off at 2:30 p.m.; the parade starts at 3:30 p.m. and the party is 4:45-7 p.m. See website for locations.
Del Ray Holiday Season Kick-Off
It’s a party for all on Dec. 7, 6 p.m., at the Pat Miller Neighborhood Square. Behold the Christmas tree and menorah lightings while admiring the hand-painted storefront windows along Mount Vernon Avenue. The event is free, but consider bringing a new, unwrapped toy for the Alexandria Sheriff Department’s Operation Elf or travel-size toiletries and non-perishable food donations for Carpenter’s Shelter. 2311 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria (Del Ray)
The Santa Express
Hosted by the Virginia Scenic Railway, this train ride is all about fun onboard. The immersive experience for families includes four options. The Coach Class and Upper Dome Seating experiences include a holiday cookie and a cup of hot chocolate, plus time with Santa as he makes his way down the aisle. The Table Seating Experience features table service, plated cookies, cocoa or coffee and, of course, Santa time. A few dates are for adults only, when alcohol will be served. Tickets are $51-$76. Check the website for dates through Dec. 28, times and departure locations.