The 2024 holiday season has arrived with a flurry of activities, from a Chinese lantern festival and snapshots with Santa to winter pop-up bars and local makers’ markets.) Here’s what’s on tap Nov. 25-Dec. 1.
Movies at Angelika Film Center
Nov. 25 & 30
Dec. 1, 2 & 4
Catch classic flicks—holiday-themed and otherwise—at this upscale movie theater in the Mosaic District . First up is Charade, a suspenseful romance starring Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn and Walter Matthau, on Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. The PG-rated Arthur Christmas will show on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 at 10 a.m., Spaceballs on Dec. 2 at 4 and 7 p.m., and Elf, starring Will Ferrell, on Dec. 4, 14 and 15. (If you want to see a new release, Moana 2 hits the screen Nov. 27.) // 2911 District Ave., Fairfax (Mosaic District)
Thanksgiving Kids: Learning Traditional Recipes
Nov. 27, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Your sous chef might be right under your nose—with a little training. This class at Cookology at Ballston Quarter dubs itself a mini boot camp for all things chopping, mixing and baking. Kids ages 8-17 will learn how to make turkey legs, gravy, mashed and sweet potatoes and a 9-inch pumpkin pie to take home. // 4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston)
Arlington Turkey Trot and 5K Fun Run & Walk
Nov. 28. 8 a.m.
Start your Thanksgiving by running or walking a 5K (turkey attire optional) to benefit a variety of local charities. Now entering its 19th year, this beloved event attracts more than 4,000 participants with the shared goal of helping neighbors in need. Bundle and lace up for the starting line at the Lyon Park Community Center and earn those calories as you make your way toward the finish line at the Virginia Square Metro station. Proceeds support 18 local nonprofits, including The Clothesline for Arlington Kids, Borromeo Housing and Arlington Thrive, among others. Registration is $50 for adults or $25 for kids ages 6-17. Want more? Check our list of other holiday races and fun runs. // 414 N. Fillmore St., Arlington (Lyon Park)
Santa Cares at Ballston Quarter
Nov. 29
Kiddos with sensory sensitivities can meet Jolly Old St. Nick at a sensory-friendly meet-and-greet at Ballston Quarter. The event is free, but advance registration is required to limit crowds and wait times. Photo packages will be available for purchase. If you can’t make it that day, the Santa Cares team will bring Father Christmas to the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City and Tysons Corner Center on Nov. 30 and Tysons Galleria on Nov. 22. Traveling? No problem. Check the website for the full list of Santa stops. // 4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston)
Holiday Tree Lighting & Santa Firetruck Parade
Nov. 29, 5-9 p.m.
Mosaic District rings in the holiday season with the lighting of a massive tree in Strawberry Park and a parade featuring Santa on a firetruck. (The man in red will also be available for photos afterward and throughout the holiday season at these times.) Tommy McFly will emcee the event, which includes performances by Benjamin Gates and Izis De La Enfermera. // 2910 District Ave., Fairfax (Mosaic District)
Winter Glow at George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Nov. 29-Dec. 23
The first president’s old stomping grounds are getting festive. Stroll the estate with a hot drink or a treat from the on-site food truck, play 18th-century tavern games and search for “General George Washington” hidden throughout the property. Aladdin, a camel that visits the mansion during the holiday season, will be on hand to greet guests. Tickets ($25-$54) are available for three evening entry times. Note that this is an outdoor-only event. // 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon
Small Business Weekend Passport 2024
Nov. 30 & Dec. 1
Support the area’s many small businesses by shopping local on Nov. 30, the official Small Business Saturday. Or go a step further with One More Page Books‘ two-day passport program. Ask for a passport at any of 22 participating Arlington and Falls Church stores and restaurants, including Botanologica, Cafe Kindred, Covet, The Italian Store and Trade Roots. Collect at least eight stamps from participating retailers and you can enter to win a prize gift basket packed with treats. (The drawing will happen Dec. 4 at 3 p.m. at the bookstore.) Find a list and map of the participants here. Need gift ideas? Check out our holiday gift guide. // 2200 N. Westmoreland St., Arlington
A Very Victorian Christmas
Nov. 30, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
The Cherry Hill Farmhouse turns back time with a holiday celebration befitting the 1860s. Costumed interpreters will welcome visitors to enjoy music, holiday stories and children’s activities. // 312 Park Ave., Falls Church
Made in ALX Holiday Maker’s Market
Nov. 30, 12-5 p.m.
Head to Port City Brewing Co. on Small Business Saturday to shop for goods by local makers. The party also includes a craft beer tasting and live music. The kid- and pet-friendly event is free to attend. ICYMI, here’s a rundown of other upcoming holiday markets in the area. // 3950 Wheeler Ave., Alexandria
Performances at Capital One Hall
Nov. 30 & Dec. 1
Home to two performing arts theaters, several restaurants and an 11-story-high sky park, Capital One Center offers plenty of fun for the whole family. Over Thanksgiving weekend, take the littles to Sesame Street Live! Say Hello on Nov. 30 at 2 or 6 p.m. Then return Dec. 1 for Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet. Tickets for both shows start at $35. // 7750 Capital One Tower Road, Tysons
Lego Discovery Center Holiday Bricktacular
Nov. 30-Dec. 30
This creative event is all new this year with a theme of “Build to Give.” For every Lego heart that visitors build and tag on social media with #BuildToGive, Lego will donate a set to a child in need. Other special activities include a mini-world Winter Wonderland with iconic holiday scenes, decorating a Lego ornament, writing letters to the store’s Master Model Builder, and meet-and-greets with a Lego gingerbread character. // 6563 Springfield Mall, Springfield
Pup Pics with Santa
Dec. 1, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Stop by Caboose Commons in th eMosaic District to snap a photo of your fur baby with the big man himself. Sponsored by Phi Beta Psi Sorority, the event is free, but donations are welcome and will go toward cancer research. // 2918 Eskridge Road, Fairfax (Mosaic District)
Winter Lantern Festival
Through Jan. 12
This sprawling display returns to light up Tysons every Thursday through Sunday through Jan. 12, with performances by the Zigong Acrobatic Troupe. This year’s theme is an homage to the giant pandas—Bao Li and Qing Bao—that recently took up residence at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park. Made of hand-painted silk cloth draped over a frame filled with LED lights, the lanterns are inspired by Chinese myths, legends and zodiacs. Other attractions will include a bounce house, sugar paintings, dino ride, interactive light swings, seesaws, tunnels and many majestic creatures. Tickets are $16.99-$26.99. // 8025 Galleria Drive, Tysons
Colada Shop Holiday Bar
Through Dec. 31
The Clarendon location of this Cuban eatery is making the season bright with a pop-up bar serving festive drinks. Treat yourself to a Coquito Shooter (rum, evaporated and condensed milk, coconut and spices), Churro Manhattan (bourbon, sweet vermouth, spiced syrup and a churro palmerita cookie), Mo-Ho-Ho-Ho-ito (rum, mint, lime, pomegranate seeds and sparkling wine), or the Candy Cane Colada (a piña swirled with cranberry and Campari). // 2811 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Outdoor Skating at Westpost
Now open for the season, this 7,200-square-foot rink in Westpost (formerly Pentagon Row) is the largest outdoor rink in Northern Virginia and the second largest in the state. Tickets for a 2-hour session cost $10-$13 and skate rentals are $6. // 1201 S. Joyce St., Arlington (National Landing)