Send announcements or events, which are open to the public at no or minimal cost, to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102 or e-mail <a href="mailto:loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com">loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com</a>. Deadline is Friday, two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. For more information, call 703-917-6454.
<cal1>Thursday/Dec. 4
<cal2>HOLIDAY CRAFTS. 4 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. Library staff will help children ages 6-11 make holiday crafts. Register at library.loudoun.gov or 703-430-9500.
<cal1>Friday/Dec. 5
<cal2>TREE LIGHTING. 6-7 p.m., Leesburg Town Green. Includes local choirs and tree illumination. Call the Leesburg Parks & Recreation Department at 703-777-1368 or visit www.idalee.org. For inclement weather cancellations during the events, call the Inclement Weather Line at 703-737-7166.
CARD WORKSHOP. 5:30-6:30 p.m., Douglass Community Center, 405 E. Market St., Leesburg. Children create holiday cards. Includes 10 greeting cards with personalized signature from your child. Ages 3-13. Cost: $40 per child. Advance registration required; call 703-771-5913.
CHARITABLE GIFT FAIR. 5-9 p.m., SonaBank at 1 E. Market St., Leesburg. St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church annual alternative gift fair. Includes ways to donate to local charities, live music and a visit from Santa or shop online through Dec. 31, www.SaintGabriels.net.
<cal1>Saturday/Dec. 6
<cal2>HOLIDAY PARADE. 5-8 p.m., Historic downtown Leesburg. Holiday Parade and Winter Festival, includes horse-drawn carriages, Santa, Frosty and Rudolph will pose for pictures, children’s hands-on games and art activities, local school choirs, ice sculpting demonstration, holiday merchandise and refreshments will be available for purchase. To register to be part of the parade, visit http://www.idalee.org/parks/events/holidays. For inclement weather cancellations during the events, call the Inclement Weather Line at 703-737-7166.
ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW. 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Ida Lee Park Recreation Center, 60 Ida Lee Drive, N.W., Leesburg. Includes handcrafted items from more than 90 local and regional artisans. Admission is free. Call the Leesburg Parks & Recreation Department at 703-777-1368 or visit www.idalee.org. For inclement weather cancellations during the events, call the Inclement Weather Line at 703-737-7166.
HOLIDAY IN THE PARK. 3:30-6 p.m., Claude Moore Park/Lanesville Heritage Area, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling. Includes candlelight tour of the Lanesville House, crafts, a hayride through the park, roasting marshmallows and caroling. Free, donations of new mittens, scarves and/or hats are requested for the Winter Warmth Tree. Call 571-258-3700.
ALTERNATIVE GIFT FAIR. 12-4 p.m., Unitarian Universalists of Sterling Church, 22135 Davis Road, Sterling. Gifts can be purchased for $10-$15 and are donated to local charities and purchasers are given a holiday card to present to the recipient. Call 703-406-3068.
ADVENT FAIR. 2-4 p.m., Sterling United Methodist Church, 304 E. Church Road, Sterling. Make crafts and ornaments, trim a gingerbread house and take pictures with Santa. Recommended for the family. Free admission. Call 703-430-6455 or visit www.sterlingumc.org.
NUTCRACKER BRUNCH. 12:30 p.m., Lansdowne Resort Grand Ballroom, 44050 Woodbridge Parkway, Lansdowne. Ravel Dance Studio of Reston presents this holiday classic. Cost: $55 adults, $35 children, includes brunch. Call 703-437-9664 or e-mail Rhall1006@aol.com for tickets.
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA. 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Arcola-Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Department, 24757 Evergreen Mills Road, Sterling. Bring the family for breakfast and a visit with Santa. Cost: $9 adults, $7 seniors, $5 children age 3-8, children under 3 free. Bring a toy or canned good for donation. Call 703-327-2222 and leave a voice mail in box 29.
NUTCRACKER PERFORMANCE. 7:30 p.m., Heritage High School, 520 Evergreen Mill Road, Leesburg. The Northern Virginia Performing Arts Company presents this classic ballet. Cost: $15 adults, $12 seniors and children 3-12, free for children under 3. Call 703-443-1093.
CHARITABLE GIFT FAIR. Noon-8 p.m., SonaBank at 1 E. Market St., Leesburg. See Dec. 5 item for details.
NUTCRACKER BALLET. 2 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. Celebrate the holiday season with a performance of "The Nutcracker" by Ashburn Academy of Ballet. All ages. Visit http://library.loudoun.gov.
WINTER BAZAAR. 8 a.m.-noon, Countryside Elementary, 20624 Countryside Blvd., Sterling. Annual Winter Breakfast & Bazaar featuring silent auction, Scholastic Book Fair, prewrapped gifts in the Kids Only Secret Shoppe, musical performance, food and photos with a "special visitor."
CANDY CANE HUNT. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Claude Moore Community Center, 46111 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling. Ages 2-10. Go on a candy cane hunt, have lunch with Santa and play games. Bring camera for a picture with Santa. Cost: $10, $3 for parent lunch. Preregistration required, call 571-258-3500.
CRAFT BAZAAR. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Grace Fellowship Church, 25350 Poland Road, Chantilly. Includes shopping, food and music. Benefits Imagination Station Preschool, a mission of Grace Fellowship Church.
NUTCRACKER CLUB. 7 p.m.., The Waddell Theater, Loudoun Northern Virginia Community College campus, 1000 Harry Byrd Highway, Sterling. The School of Theatrical Dance performs "Christmas Eve at the Nutcracker Club," based on Duke Ellington's "Nutcracker Suite," takes place at a Christmas Party in a 1940's USO Hall. Performance will benefit the Autism Pathway Foundation. Cost: $20 general admission, $10 seniors. Call 703-759-5652 or visit www.theatricaldance.com.
<cal1>Sunday/Dec. 7
<cal2>ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Ida Lee Park Recreation Center. See Dec. 6 item for details.
NUTCRACKER PERFORMANCE. 3 p.m., Heritage High School, 520 Evergreen Mill Road, Leesburg. See Dec. 6 item for details.
LANESVILLE HOLIDAY Open House. 1-3 p.m., 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling. All ages. Candlelight tours of the holiday decorated Lanesville house will highlight a Lane family Christmas of the 1780s in one parlor and the 1870s in the second parlor. An adult must accompany children. Free.
HOLIDAY CELEBRATION. 5:30-7:30 p.m., Brambleton Town Center. Includes tree lighting, menorah lighting, Hanukkah singers, holiday dancers and light refreshments. Visit www.brambleton.com or call 703-542-2925.
LIGHTS OF LOVE. 5 p.m., in the lobby atrium at the Lansdowne hospital campus. The Ladies Board of Inova Loudoun Hospital will celebrate the gift of loved ones at the annual Lights of Love tree-lighting ceremony. Includes live entertainment and refreshments. All donations to Lights of Love go toward nursing scholarships. For more information on making a donation in honor of a loved one, call 703-771-2985 or visit www.LadiesBoard.org.
NUTCRACKER CLUB. 1 p.m.., The Waddell Theater, Loudoun Northern Virginia Community College campus, 1000 Harry Byrd Highway, Sterling. See Dec. 6 item for details.
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA. 8 a.m.-noon, Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company, 20688 Ashburn Road. Breakfast of pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, gravy and biscuits, hash browns, coffee and juices. Santa and Frosty will be there to celebrate. Cost: adults $6, ages 3-8 $4, under 3 free and seniors $5. Call 703-729-0006.
<cal1>Monday/Dec. 8
<cal2>SCIENCE SHOW. 4 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. HolidaZe Spectacular Science Show presented by Mad Science of Washington. Ages 5 and up. Visit http://library.loudoun.gov.
<cal1>Tuesday/Dec. 9
<cal2>HOLIDAY CRAFTS. 4 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. For ages 5-7, make holiday crafts. Register online at http://library.loudoun.gov or phone 703-444-3228.
OPEN HOUSE. 5-7 p.m., Loudoun Habitat office, 109 Harrison St. N.E., Leesburg. Loudoun Habitat for Humanity is holding a holiday open house for its new location. Meet the board, learn more about the mission as well as share in some holiday treats and refreshments. Contact 703-737-6772.
<cal1>Thursday/Dec. 11
<cal2>LUNCH WITH SANTA. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Douglass Community Center, 405 E. Market St., Leesburg. All ages. Have lunch with Santa and create holiday art. Bring a camera. Cost: $5. Advance registration required, call 703-771-5913.
<cal1>Friday/Dec. 12
<cal2>HOLIDAY CAROLS CONCERT. 8 p.m., Our Saviors Way Lutheran Church, Broadlands. Pickwick Players present "Christmas Chocolate Carols," a holiday concert of music and scenes from stage and film musicals, enjoyed by candlelight as a dessert buffet is served. Tickets available online via PayPal at thepickwickplayers.org; cost: adults $12, children/seniors $10, $1 discount Pickwick members. Tickets must be purchased or reserved by Dec. 8.
<cal1>Saturday/Dec. 13
<cal2>ALDERSGATE CHOIR. 7 p.m., Sterling United Methodist Church, 304 E. Church Road, Sterling. The Aldersgate Choir is holding its annual Christmas Music Event. The choir will perform John Rutter's Lessons and Carols with a live orchestra. Tickets not required. Call 703-430-6455 or visit www.sterlingumc.org.
TOY FOR TOTS CONCERT. 7:30 p.m., Stone Hill Middle School, 23415 Evergreen Ridge Drive, Ashburn. The Loudoun Symphonic Winds will celebrate the season with a holiday concert benefiting the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. Program highlights include popular holiday tunes, a carols sing-along and a special introduction of the LSW just for children. Admission is a new, unwrapped toy. Visit www.LCBandinc.org or phone 703-777-7985.
MAKE IT AND TAKE IT Holiday Crafts. 2 p.m., Rust Library, 34D Catoctin Circle, Leesburg. Make amazing holiday crafts, materials will be provided. For ages 7-10. Register online at http://library.loudoun.gov or phone 703-777-0323.
HOLIDAY FESTIVAL CONCERT. 8 p.m., at Stone Bridge High School in Ashburn. Loudoun Symphony’s holiday festival concert features guest soloist, soprano Courtney Ross. Saturday only: free preconcert performance at 7: 30 p.m., by the string workshop. Cost: adult tickets are $18 at the door and $15 in advance, senior tickets are $15 at the door and $12 in advance, admission is free for youth 18 and under. Visit www.loudounsymphony.org, call 703-771-8287 or e-mail info@loudounsymphony.org.
SANTA PARADE. 5 p.m., Ashburn. Annual Ashburn Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department Santa parade through Ashburn. To see the exact route Santa will take, visit www.ashburnfirerescue.org.
HOLIDAY CAROLS CONCERT. 8 p.m., Our Saviors Way Lutheran Church, Broadlands. See Dec. 12 item for details.
<cal1>Sunday/Dec. 14
<cal2>THEATER TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Columbia, Md., to Toby's Dinner Theatre for the production of "A Christmas Carol." Cost: $58 for members, $60 for nonmembers, includes transportation, show, champagne brunch and tip. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
NATURE CRAFTS. 2-3:30 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling. All ages. Make holiday nature crafts as gifts or decorations. Limit three crafts per person. Adult must accompany children. Cost: $4. Call 571-258-3700 to register.
SING-A-LONG. 7:30 p.m., 21015 Claiborne Parkway, Ashburn. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be presenting Handel's "Messiah" sing-a-long concert. Free admission; features a 60-voice choir, orchestra and featured soloists. Anyone with a Messiah score is welcomed to bring it. Call 703-728-9830.
HOLIDAY FESTIVAL CONCERT. 3 p.m., at Loudoun Valley High School in Purcellville. See Dec. 13 item for details.
<cal1>Monday/Dec. 15
<cal2>HOLIDAY LIGHTS TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Washington, D.C., for dinner on own at Union Station, viewing of Pageant of Peace and visit to Mormon Temple Grounds and Visitors Center, including live Nativity scene. Cost: $23 for members, $25 for nonmembers, includes transportation with free admission. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
<cal1>Thursday/Dec. 18
<cal2>THEATER TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Columbia, Md., to Toby's Dinner Theatre for the production of "A Christmas Carol." Cost: $58 for members, $60 for nonmembers, includes transportation, show, champagne brunch and tip. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
<cal1>Friday/Dec. 19
<cal2>NUTCRACKER. 7:30 p.m., Heritage High School, 520 Evergreen Mill Road, S.E., Leesburg. The Loudoun Ballet Company performs "The Nutcracker." Cost: advance tickets $20 for adult reserved seating, $15 for children 12 under and for seniors 60 above, premium reserved seats are $25; at the door are $25. Call the LBC box office at 703-771-8074 or visit www.loudounballet.org.
FIRESIDE CHRISTMAS. 7 p.m., Sterling United Methodist Church, 304 E. Church Road, Sterling. Fireside Christmas is a family evening of seasonal songs, skits, inspirational readings and other live entertainment. Free. Call 703-430-6455 or visit www.sterlingumc.org.
<cal1>Saturday/Dec. 20
<cal2>NUTCRACKER. 1 p.m. and 5:30, Heritage High School, 520 Evergreen Mill Road, S.E., Leesburg. See Dec. 19 item for details.
<cal1>Tuesday/Dec. 23
<cal2>GRINCH WHOBILATION. 1:30-3 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling. Ages 6-10. What is a Grinch? The Grinch is lurking in the park, can you find him? Cost: $4. Call 571-258-3700 to register.
<cal1>Thursday/Dec. 31
<cal2>NEW YEAR’S EVE DANCE. 1-4 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. Music by disc jockey Sky Dantinne, includes light snacks and refreshments and transportation afterwards. Cost: $5 for members in advance; $7 for nonmembers and day of event. Call 703-430-2397.