Loudoun is lovely all year round, but the festive season is especially magical as craft fairs, seasonal concerts and other family-friendly holiday events abound, just an hour from Washington D.C. In downtown Leesburg, the giant Christmas tree and storefronts glitter with twinkling lights while over in Middleburg the annual Christmas in Middleburg parade turns the town into a winter wonderland. Throughout the county, the boutiques and antique shops of our bustling small towns and villages are open for holiday shopping, inviting you to Take Loudoun Home. Be sure to stop into one of the dozens of coffee shops to warm up with a hot beverage or a local restaurant for a festive meal. The magic of the holidays has arrived in DC’s Wine Country®.

Not-To-Miss Seasonal Highlights

Shopping for the Holidays

Interior of a cozy boutique called Twigs in Purcellville filled with shelves of beauty products, candles and floral arrangements. Soft lighting enhances the inviting atmosphere.

Make gift-giving a little more meaningful this year by shopping at local boutique stores in Loudoun. Not only will you find unique, one-of-a-kind treasures, but the shops help bring charm to our historic towns. From the trendy stores and galleries to custom gifts and holiday décor - there is something special for everyone on your list!

Christmas Markets and Tree Farms

A cozy holiday-themed room at Lucketts Antique Store, filled with decorated Christmas trees, festive lights, and seasonal decorations, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Two men in the Snickers Gap Christmas Tree Farm pulling a freshly cut Christmas tree through rows of evergreen trees under a cloudy sky.

Buy gifts early at the annual Leesburg Holiday Fine Arts & Craft Show at Ida Lee Park Recreation Center where more than 90 local artists, artisans and crafters display their work. Over in Lucketts, Lucketts Store hosts its annual Lucketts Holiday House on weekends in November and December. Browse or purchase antiques, vintage clothing and accessories from the main store or purchase a ticket online to the nearby Holiday Design House – a festively decorated 19th Century farmhouse in which all décor and items, from homeware to ornaments to furniture, are for sale. As for trees, instead of purchasing a pre-cut tree, take the family on a trip to a Loudoun tree farm to pick one out. In western Loudoun the Wolff family’s Snickers Gap Christmas Tree Farm on the slopes of the Blue Ridge has been growing and selling magnificent firs and spruces for more than 40 years. Visitors walk through the farm, apple cider or hot chocolate in hand, and choose the one they want Trees sell out fast so try to get yours by the end of November.

Parades and Tree Lightings

The Middleburg Hunt's hounds and horses lead the way down the town's streets for the Christmas in Middleburg celebration

The first weekend of December sees the wonderful Christmas in Middleburg tradition. Celebrations start on Friday, with the Oh Holy Night! Tree Lighting Ceremony and Carols. On Saturday there are two street parades: the Middleburg Hunt & Hounds Review at 11 a.m. and the Christmas Parade at 2 p.m. Downtown Leesburg turns into a glittering winter wonderland with a giant Christmas tree glowing on the Town Green and a Saturday evening parade the second week of December. The tree is lit a week earlier. Purcellville’s parade takes place at noon on the same date.

Santa Experiences

A child peeks out from a brightly lit train adorned with colorful holiday lights. The festive nighttime scene is part of Leesburg Animal Park’s Annual Christmas Village.

Leesburg Animal Park’s annual Christmas Village includes photos with Santa, animal encounters, holiday crafts, pony and train rides and thousands of decorative twinkling lights. For three weeks in December the grounds around the Franklin Park Arts Center transform into a winter light display featuring giant lollipops, candy canes, butterflies, gingerbread houses and Santa appearances. Bundle up and bring some hot cocoa.

Holiday Concerts, Shows & Light Displays

Bluemont Vineyard adorned with glowing lights at dusk, overlooking a patio with picnic tables and umbrellas, near a rustic building.
Dodona Manor adorned with festive lights, surrounded by decorated Christmas trees and visitors enjoying the evening ambiance.

From late November to early into the New Year, family-owned Bluemont Vineyard stages its annual Lighting of the Vines: more than 15,000 twinkling lights strung through 10,000 grape vines on the slopes of the Blue Ridge, a golden glow visible for miles around. At the same time, Dirt Farm Brewing next door hosts its Christmas Trail at Dirt Farm: an illuminated woodland walk, with festive displays, photo ops and Christmas magic, plus fireside s’mores and beers back at the brewery. In Leesburg, Dodona Manor’s Marshall Plan Tree Walk kicks off early December with an outdoor tree lighting ceremony followed by an immersive tree walk. Bundle up with hot chocolate and s’mores before sunset and then enjoy walking by 17 beautifully decorated trees on the grounds. For music fans Tally Ho Theater hosts the annual Jingle Jam concert over a weekend in mid-December featuring a dozen local bands and artists. Proceeds go to Loudoun charities.

Hanukkah & Menorah Lightings

Every year, mostly in December, One Loudoun hosts the annual Menorah Lighting to mark the Jewish festival of lights. Other menorah lightings will take place in different towns in Loudoun throughout the eight nights.

New Year’s Eve

Check out our New Year's Eve Blog for things to do on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

Holiday Events