Best Christmas Lights and Events in Loudoun

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The weather is changing, there are holiday festivities happening, and our neighborhoods and businesses are decorating with the holiday spirit. For many of us in Loudoun County, finding the very best holiday light displays is an annual tradition.

We’ve put together this list of our favorite holiday lights as well as events in Loudoun County, including a few outside the county as well that we think are worth a visit! This is a dynamic list that we intend to add to often so if we’ve missed any of your favorites, please drop us a note so we can add it. Thanks. Happy Holidays!

​​​​​​​Due to COVID, many of the Loudoun County events and traditions we know and love look a bit different this year, and others may be cancelled. However, I am excited to share that several of the events that were cancelled last year, like the parades in Leesburg and Middleburg are back and ready for community enjoyment!

A Leesburg tradition, this year’s Christmas Parade will be held on December 11, beginning at 6 PM. The parade will bring Santa and friends down King Street through the Leesburg Historic District. The parade will begin at Ida Lee Drive and end at Fairview Street.

Middleburg celebrates in their own unique way as the “hunt country capital” with a full day of festivities starting on Saturday morning December 4. At 11 AM the Middleburg Hunt and Hounds Review begins with horses and hounds down main street followed by the Christmas Parade with Santa at 2pm.

Starting Nov 20th and running daily from 4pm to 10pm, the focus of the village is a HUGE 52 foot, 5 story tall Christmas Tree. The tree is adorned with over 15,000 lights that perform daily music and light shows.

Located in the Edwards Landing neighborhood in Leesburg, this family has been creating incredible light shows set to music. They typically set up the Christmas lights within the first couple of weeks of December and allow them to run through the end of the month. Once they are up, tune in to 98.1 to see the 16,000 lights synchronized to music. Here is a video from a few years ago.

This event does not happen in Loudoun County, but I think it’s worth the drive. Turn your headlights off and follow the magical glow of 2.5 miles of illuminated light displays from the comfort of your own car. The festival is located in Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville. The festival is open now until Jan 2, 2022. Hours are 5:30pm to 9:30pm and there is a cost of admission per car. Tickets can be purchased here.

Another light display sponsored by NOVA Parks and similar to Bull Run. The Winter Walk of Lights is located in the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna and as the title implies, is a walking tour instead of driving. After the tour, sip hot chocolate or cider while the kids roast marshmallows at the open fire pit. The Winter Walk of Lights is open nightly now through Dec 9th from 5:30pm to 10pm, and 5pm to 10pm beginning Dec 10th through Jan 2nd. Here is some video of the park taken a couple of years ago. You can purchase tickets here.

This is a self guided tour hosted by the Purcellville Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Follow the map to see an array of extravagant holiday lights and decorations around the community. The map will be released on December 11 and can be accessed here once available.

Santa's famed helicopter landing in Leesburg is a decades-old tradition that has been revived by Brian Cullen, owner of Virginia Village. The event kicks off with Santa's dramatic entrance into the Village parking lot in Leesburg, followed by a Santa meet-and-greet with tons of treats, crafts for the kids, and a food truck with food available to purchase. An elf, a balloon twister and Mrs. Claus are also usually in attendance. There is no cost to visit Santa or enjoy the treats, crafts and entertainment. Unfortunately, due to COVID, last year's event was cancelled and it is likely the event will be cancelled again this year. But, I still think it is a notable mention and I hope this popular tradition will be brought back next year!

Grab a seat at the table and enjoy an evening filled with great wine, community, and holiday cheer at the Bluemont Vineyard in Loudoun County. Hosted at The Stable, Bluemont Vineyard's private special events venue, guests are invited to sip on featured tastings and continuous libations from Bluemont Vineyard and enjoy a four-course dinner prepared by Chef Karli. Then, step outside and watch the grand illumination as 10,000 vines magically come to life under the night’s sky.