Not surprisingly,
Virginia continues the tradition to this day combining modern
holiday razzle-dazzle in places like Richmond, Busch Gardens, and Virginia Beach,
with celebrations of a glorious Christmas past in Mount Vernon and Colonial Williamsburg
...
DID YOU KNOW? Virginia Christmas fun facts
Virginia: Over the top for the holidays.
• Fairfax, VA resident Holly Zell has been collecting a list of the most over-the-top Christmas displays in Northern Virginia for more than 15 years at Holly's Tacky Christmas Lights. Today, the website includes her Top Ten in-your-face holiday light displays and Honorable Mentions plus viewing tips, photos, and directions.
• Often voted one of the 10 Best holiday parades in the USA, the Reston Holiday Parade in Reston, VA has been wowing audiences since 1991 with huge Macy's-style balloons, parade floats, marching bands and a big finale featuring Santa's arrival on a horse-drawn carriage.
• And speaking of parade floats, head to the waterfront in Yorktown, VA for the annual Yorktown Lighted Boat Parade where festively decorated sail and power boats compete for “Best in Show” each year to the delight of crowds standing on shore. Landlubbers can also enjoy a roaring beach bonfire, live musical performances, and hot cider for the asking. And it's all free.
More information about Christmas in Virginia around the Web:
Merry Christmas from Busch Gardens
Winter in Virginia - From the official VA tourism portal, this guide includes holiday happenings throughout the state.
The
Holidays at Mount Vernon - Tour the mansion, learn how
George and Martha Washington celebrated the holidays, and take
home Martha's own "Great Cake" recipe.
Celebrate the Holiday Season
in Alexandria - Browse December events for the full schedule
of Christmas happenings around town including annual Candlelight
Tours and New Year's Eve First Night celebrations.
One
Hundred Miles of Lights - One-stop browsing for what's
happening this Christmas from Richmond to Virginia Beach, with
additional links to Williamsburg, Norfolk, Newport News, Hampton
and Portsmouth seasonal events.
Richmond
Christmas Parade
- The capitol city annual event featuring giant helium balloons,
floats, marching bands and, of course, the arrival of Santa. Check out the official route map, this year's line-up, and best viewing tips.
Richmond Boat Parade of Lights - Local boaters decorate
vessels for the annual dazzler starting in Richmond and traveling
onto Henricus Historical Park.
Christmas
in Williamsburg - A feast of holiday events at Colonial
Williamsburg includes the annual fireworks tradition in December to celebrate the holidays, and lots more.
Christmas Town Busch Gardens - The official site offers a complete guide to hours and admission prices, shows, attractions, rides and more, with online ticket purchase, directions and an interactive map.
Virginia Beach - Holiday
Lights at the Beach - Blocks of festive displays - illuminated
by thousands of lights along the Virginia Beach boardwalk - feature festive fish, jumping dolphins, Santa & his reindeer, a Nativity
scene, and lots more stretching from 2nd to 33rd Street.
Hampton
Holly Days Parade - Elaborate floats, marching bands,
classic antique cars plus Santa and his reindeer parading from
City Hall to Darling Stadium.