As the holiday season kicks into high gear, Fairfax County Park Authority continues to offer many experiences to delight the entire family. From winter break camps to special events and activities that can easily become part of your own family traditions, the Park Authority offers a variety of experiences that include something for everyone.
Winter Break/Student Holiday Camps
(Dec. 18-22 and 26-29; Jan. 15 and 26; Feb. 19)
Ensure your child has the chance to take part in a fun camp this winter! Park Authority camps explore the arts, cooking, sports, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and even holiday themes. For example, kids interested in singing and dancing to their favorite holiday tunes can join the joining ACTion! Pop Star Jingle Jam Camp. Fans of the holiday ballet can join the Nutcracker Dance Camp to learn short versions of dances from the ballet, partake in crafts, hear magical stories and enjoy other themed activities.
Explore these and more winter camp opportunities by visiting the Camps website.
Festive Holiday Events for the Whole Family
Make Park Authority holiday events part of your family tradition. Space is still available at several events planned through the end of the year:
Holiday on the Farm (Dec. 15 and 16): Enjoy the lights of Frying Pan Farm Park. Celebrate the holidays with an evening of wagon rides, indoor activities, food, animal interactions, campfires and visits with Santa.
Ugly Sweater Family Skate and Dance Night (Dec. 16): Light up the night with your tackiest holiday sweater as you roller skate and groove to holiday classics and other sweet tunes at the Franconia Rec Center. Challenge your family and friends to see who can drum up the most holiday spirit with their loudest holiday sweater. The event features snacks, drinks, holiday decorations and promises an all-around jolly good time.
Candlelight Tour (Dec. 16): Take an enchanting tour of Sully Historic Site, the 18th century home of Richard Bland Lee, Northern Virginia’s first congressman. Tour by the glow of candlelight as it illuminates the house. Make a holiday craft and enjoy a hot beverage and cookies based upon a historical recipe.
Going Green for the Holidays – Ornament Workshop (Dec. 17): Visit Riverbend Park and participate in this workshop to discover new ways to reduce waste and stay sustainable this holiday season. Design your own mini-roll of gift wrap and create a bow from recycled magazines. Use natural and upcycled materials to craft a unique ornament to keep or give away.
Holiday Concert – IONA (Dec. 29): Come to the Sully Historic Site to watch IONA, one of the world’s top-rated pan-Celtic groups deliver high energy entertainment featuring Scottish fiddling, percussion, and vocals. Enjoy refreshments served in the 18th century kitchen.
Puppet Show (Dec. 29): Visit Frying Pan Farm Park to join Master Puppeteer Bob Brown in a jolly, fun-filled romp through a winter wonderland as his delightful, trick marionettes perform incredible feats of skill and daring that will leave your young audience shouting with laughter! Fun and fantasy – mirth and merriment, giggles and amazement all mixed together to the sound of your favorite holiday music.