MAIN Christmas USA Christmas in Virginia

Although Christmas in Massachusetts was a dull affair during the early Puritan days, things were quite different during a colonial Virginia Christmas, where they really knew how to party during the holidays!

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:

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.

also see in Travel -> Virginia Tourist Attractions

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