As the weather begins to turn and our minds begin to fill with thoughts of the upcoming holiday season, it’s time for families to find things to do. If you’re interested in taking in the beauty of Arlington, there are several events and activities for everyone to enjoy. The following locations, filled with sights of snow mixed with holiday decorations, are sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face.
Ice Skating
Bring your friends and family to the rink at Pentagon Row, whether you are lacing up your skates for the first time or following an annual tradition. You can take the metro to Pentagon City, but ensure you cover your blades for the ride. You’ll find this rink at 1201 S. Joyce St. in Arlington. Make sure you bundle up to spend time on this outdoor rink.
Decorated with festive holiday decor, the rink’s ready to host skaters of all ages and abilities. You can even rent skates before enjoying the rink seven days a week. As you rest between sessions on the ice, gather around the large stone fireplace to warm up and loosen tired muscles. Once rested, spend some more time on northern Virginia’s largest outdoor skating rink.
Tree Lighting Ceremonies
Now, days after Thanksgiving, it’s time to start lighting Christmas trees in the area. On Dec. 1 at 6:30 p.m., the Village at Shirlington shopping complex invites the public to a free celebration. This event will include cartridge rides, selfies with Santa, music, and entertainment. There will also be a chance to find unique Christmas presents at a Maker’s Market.
A week later, on Dec. 8, the lights turn on in Roslyn with a free celebration from 5 to 8 p.m. This event will include music and various prize opportunities. There will also be beer, wine, and spirit sales for the adults attending the festivities. If you can’t make the event in person, it will be live-streamed on the internet. The following few days will give you time to enjoy the celebration at the Central Place Plaza located at 1800 N. Lynn St.
Make Your New Wreath
Slow down and enjoy holiday music while gathering with friends and family to make brand-new Christmas decorations. On Saturday, Dec. 10, there’s a wreath-making workshop scheduled at the Long Branch Nature Center. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A $40 registration fee lets the participants enjoy the festivities while getting basic instructions on creating some festive laurel. You’ll have all your materials provided, enough to allow each person to bring home two wreaths at the end of the day. Feel free to bring personal decorations for the wreaths and a pair of wire cutters.
Family Memories with Santa
The big man from the North Pole makes several stops in and around the Arlington area throughout December. If you want to shop before or after meeting Santa, head to the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City. Santa is making his southern home there from Nov. 28 to Dec. 11. If you have a family member with special needs, Santa is looking forward to meeting them. He’s set aside a special day to show his even softer side on Sunday, Dec. 4.
Sunday, Dec. 11, is the time to bring your furry family to meet Santa Paws for pet photos. Bring your smiles and unique outfits, as this will be an excellent time to take the ultimate Christmas card picture. You can make a reservation so all your family members are comfortable meeting him in a quieter, calmer area than the regular meet and greet.
Bring Your Singing Voices
Gather your friends and family in Arlington on Saturday, Dec. 10, to enjoy a sing-along with the National Chamber Ensemble. The concert is at the Unitarian Universalist Church at 4444 Arlington Blvd. and starts at 7:30 p.m. The performance space’s acoustics means you will hear every note from anywhere in the building. While you’ll need tickets for the event, you’ll also be going home with a recorded copy of the night to enjoy for years to come at home.
Just across the river in Washington, DC, the DAR Constitution Hall is hosting the US Navy Band’s annual Christmas concert at 1776 D St. NW. Remember that you’ll need tickets for this event, but you can buy them online before the show. There’ll be three shows scheduled for everyone to enjoy. On Saturday, Dec. 17, the shows are at 3 and 8 p.m. Not to worry if Saturday’s busy; there’s a final performance scheduled for 3 p.m. on Sunday.
These memorable shows were created for families to enjoy with special guests such as Santa. Concertgoers may also want to watch the sky for the special flyover scheduled during the weekend.
Wreaths Across America
One of the most somber holiday events in Arlington occurs each year at Arlington National Cemetery. On Saturday, Dec. 17, soldiers, scouts, and family members will gather to adorn the cemetery. Community Volunteers are also welcome to help lay wreaths. The event is free but does require registration through the Wreaths Across America Website. It begins between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m.
If you plan to participate in the event, you can drive and park at the cemetery. If you hold a DOD military ID card, you can park on Joint Base Myers, but limited parking will be available. To avoid parking headaches, you should consider getting there by metro; there are three stops in the area. You can use the Arlington National Cemetery stop but prepare for the crowds if you do.
To avoid the bottleneck, you can get off at either the Pentagon or Roslyn stops and walk across Memorial Bridge. Check your gate registration for the best metro option. Once you arrive, remember that you’ll need to enter the grounds through the gate you registered from.
Whether you are honoring those who fell in defense of our nation or singing along with classic songs, the Arlington area has something for everyone during the holiday season. Our team at Koons Tysons Toyota has gladly highlighted these events for you, and we genuinely wish you and yours a magical holiday season.
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