Holiday Lights in Fairfax County & Northern Virginia 2025

Each year Fairfax County, Virginia welcomes in the wintery holiday season with fantastic light shows, and decorations and displays that families from all over the region have made a part of their Christmas and winter holiday traditions. So whether you want to walk, ride, drive, or sit to take it all in - be sure to check out Fairfax County's light shows because they will surely light up your life with holiday joy.

Bull Run Festival of Lights & Holiday Village

A Spectacular Winter Light Festival

Open: November 14, 2025 through January 4, 2026
Cost: $30 per vehicle (online), $40 per vehicle (at the door)
Monday-Thursday: 5:30pm-9:30pm
Friday-Sunday: 5:30pm-10:00pm

Every year from November until just after New Year’s Day, you can experience the Bull Run Festival of Lights, 2.5 miles illuminated by holiday light displays. Drive the festival route from the comfort of your car; turn off your headlights and just follow the magical glow.

Follow your drive through the lights with a walk through the Christmas Village and Carnival at the end of your lighted journey through the park or go ice skating! Food and beverage is available, as well as a firepit to cozy up and roast some marshmallows for s’mores.

Note: Vehicles with 15 passengers or more cost extra. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and the week before and after Christmas are the busiest times. Promo codes for discounts are available on select weeknights throughout the duration of the light show.

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PROMOTIONAL NIGHTS

November 14-26, 2025

Save $10 off admission with promo code EARLY25.

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November 28-December 4, 2025

Save $5 off admission with promo code LIGHTS25.

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Meadowlark's Winter Walk of Lights

Walk Through Christmas Lights

Open: November 7, 2025 - January 4, 2026
Cost: Under 2 - Free, Ages 2 & older - $18 online, $22 at the door
Monday-Sunday: 5:30pm-10:00pm

Please purchase your tickets in advance for the best price and to ensure your admission.

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Meadowlark's Winter Walk of Lights is the perfect activity for a date night or family-friendly fun. This winter wonderland is also wheelchair accessible and pet friendly (on specific dates).

The half-mile walk through the enchanting Meadowlark Botanical Gardens (Vienna, VA) features lighted nature themes and animated displays along a paved wheelchair and stroller-accessible trail. Stay warm by sipping on a hot beverage (with or without spirits) as you walk and finish the evening with some tasty s’mores by the fire pit. Plus, treat your pup to their favorite walk of the year on specific dates!

Note: Capacity is limited; reservations are required to ensure access on a specific date.

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DMV Winter Lantern Festival (Tysons)

November 20, 2025 through January 20, 2026

5:00pm - 9:00pm

Brighten up your evenings with Winter Lantern Festival! This limited-time outdoor experience is a beautiful celebration of Chinese culture, packed with fun for all ages. Stroll through a stunning display of larger-than-life lanterns, watch jaw-dropping live performances from award-winning Chinese acrobats, treat yourself to delicious food and drink from local vendors, and bask in the magic of the season. Whether you’re looking for the perfect date, a fun family outing, or a peaceful evening escape, Winter Lantern Festival is Virginia’s number one destination for festive fun this fall. Get your tickets for Winter Lantern Festival in Tysons, VA!

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Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon

Celebrate the Season with The Christmas Light Show at Mount Vernon

Open: December 20-21, 2025
Time: 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Cost: $58 per adult (12+), $36 per child. 20% discount for Mount Vernon members. 5 and under FREE.

Join George Washington's Mount Vernon for a family-friendly celebration of the holiday season with an enchanted evening of Christmas Illuminations. Illuminated historic spaces throughout the estate create a festive atmosphere that delights guests of all ages! Watch a spectacular holiday fireworks show, choreographed to music, over the Potomac River. The fireworks program begins at approximately 8 p.m. Take a tour of the Mansion to Washington's home illuminated in the evening. Enjoy a special holiday greeting from General Washington on the east lawn. Visit with artisan sutlers who produce hand-crafted 18th-century wares, available for purchase at the Winter Market. Warm up with food, including s'mores kits and holiday drinks from the Mount Vernon Inn Food Truck. Learn about past holiday traditions of the colonial era in the Ford Orientation Center. Listen to people from Washington’s world speak about what preparing for twelfth night was like in the Interpretative Center. Play games in a tavern-style tent on the west end of the bowling green. Dance to 18th-century music in the greenhouse (last dance called at 7:45 p.m.). You can also meet Aladdin the Camel, talk to Revolutionary War Soldiers, explore a straw bale maze and more!

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Explore Other Holiday Activities in Fairfax County

Out of oodles of holiday traditions associated with this time of year, none may be as beloved as loading the family into the car in search of the best neighborhood light displays and shows. We spoke with local expert Holly Zell, the owner of the resourceful website, Holly’s Tacky Christmas Lights, to get her take on the best of the best in Fairfax County.

Read our blog for the Best "Tacky" Christmas Lights in Fairfax County. We can even help you plan the best holiday light show tour from your car - check out our video for some pointers! Check back every mid-November for an updated list of home decorations!

Viewing Christmas and holiday lights is the perfect way to stay in the holiday spirit after a day full of winter activities in Fairfax, like ice skating or sledding. If you’re on a winter trip to Fairfax County, make sure to check out all of the outdoor and indoor winter activities to get the full experience this holiday season!