Holidays are a Time for Parades in Northern Virginia

By Micaela Williamson

Photo courtesy of fotorutkowscy/Shutterstock.com

Take a break from shopping and holiday stress to spend some quality family time at one of these upcoming spectacular holiday parades in Northern Virginia.

Dec. 7

Christmas in Middleburg

• Enjoy country holiday fun with a parade in our region’s hunt capital during Christmas in Middleburg. The specular parade kicks off at 2 p.m. and will feature local businesses, school groups. floats, community leaders, music, and more. Other daily Christmas in Middleburg events include children’s activities throughout the town, food and drink specials, a greens show, craft fair, retail specials, hayrides, and wine tastings. 

Christmas in Middleburg

Middleburg (downtown area)

www.christmasinmiddleburg.org

 Campagna Center Scottish Christmas Walk

• Break out the plaid and listen to the glorious bagpipes at the 43rd annual Campagna Center’s Scottish Christmas Walk parade in Old Town Alexandria. The parade will present over 100 Scottish clans, talented pipe and drum bands, Scottish dancers, re-enactment groups, Scottie dog groups, dignitaries, and of course, Santa Claus will march down the streets of Old Town.  Local merchants will be featuring specials and a Heather and Greens sale will take place in Campagna Center parking lot.

Campagna Center Scottish Christmas Walk

Old Town Alexandria

http://www.campagnacenter.org/events/scottish-christmas-walk-weekend

Holiday Boat Parade of Lights 

• Old Town Alexandria celebrates again later in the day with the 14th annual Holiday Boat Parade of Lights. Music and entertainment fill the docks, and Santa arrives by boat at 4:15 p.m. for pictures with the kids (and the dogs too!) Then at 5:00 p.m. the boat parade starts on the Alexandria Waterfront complete with dozens of colorfully lit boats competing for prizes. The parade is led by Alexandria’s fireboat Vigilant and Washington, D.C.’s fireboat John Glenn.

Holiday Boat Parade of Lights

Old Town Alexandria Waterfront

http://www.visitalexandriava.com/events/14th-Annual-Alexandria-Holiday-Boat-Parade-of-Lights/2856/

Greater Manassas Christmas Parade  

• With the theme of “Miracle on Center Street,” the City of Manassas will come alive at the 68th Annual Greater Manassas Christmas Parade. Enjoy floats, balloons, characters, dancers, musical entertainment, community groups and leaders, old-fashioned cars and much more.

Greater Manassas Christmas Parade

City of Manassas

http://www.gmchristmasparade.org

Dec. 14

The Town of Leesburg Holiday Parade 

• The Town of Leesburg Holiday Parade is a fun celebration with businesses, floats, teams, performers, community groups and more. Plus, Santa and friends will make an appearance too.

The Town of Leesburg Holiday Parade

Downtown Leesburg

http://www.leesburgva.gov/index.aspx?page=572

Christmas in Purcellville

• Always picturesque and family-friendly, Purcellville celebrates the holiday in style.  The parade is part of a larger downtown Christmas in Purcellville celebration that includes bake sales, ornament making, story times, a Lego train display, musical entertainment, pictures with Santa, and a grand tree lighting.

Christmas in Purcellville

Purcellville

http://www.christmasinpurcellville.blogspot.com

Micaela Williamson is a co-author of local travel guide, Kid Trips Northern Virginia, an extraordinary resource that provides descriptions, useful information and insider tips for hundreds of local destinations. Micaela is also an award winning blogger who enjoys supporting area businesses and scouting out family-friendly venues with her two young sons.