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. 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.
WINTER WONDERLAND. 3-9 p.m., 234 Markwood Drive, Potomac Falls. Tour a colonial home decked out in holiday décor. More than 70 themed trees are in the house. Donations will be given the ALS Association.
CHRISTMAS CONCERT. 7:30 p.m., Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 605 W. Market St., Leesburg. Bobby Jasinski and Friends will play carols and classical and jazz music. Cost: $10 in nonperishable food items. Call Dawn Dumas at 703-443-2481.
<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.
GINGERBREAD HOUSES. 9-10:30 a.m., 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or 1-2:30 p.m., Mills Center, 44025 Courtland Drive, Ashburn. Children can decorate gingerbread houses for the holidays. Sponsored by Word of Truth Ministries International. Visit www.wotmi.org.
WINTER WONDERLAND. 2-9 p.m., 234 Markwood Drive, Potomac Falls. See Dec. 12 item for more details.
GINGERBREAD WORKSHOP. 10:30-11:15a.m., Lansdowne Resort, 44050 Woodbridge Parkway, Lansdowne. Broad Run High School presents a "Gingerbread Workshop." Fees apply; call 703-729-8400, Ext. 2107 to register.
LUNCH WITH SANTA. 11:30-2 p.m., Lansdowne Resort, 44050 Woodbridge Parkway, Lansdowne. Loudoun High School presents a "Lunch with Santa." Fees apply; call 703-729-8400, Ext. 2107 to register.
HOLIDAY PERFORMANCES. 5-6 p.m., Lansdowne Resort, 44050 Woodbridge Parkway, Lansdowne. Heritage High School presents a performance in the resort’s main lobby. Free.
<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.
NUTCRACKER TEA PARTY. 1 p.m., Raspberry Falls Golf and Hunt Club, 41601 Raspberry Drive, Leesburg. Costumed characters from "The Nutcracker" will perform short dance segments. Cost: $35 adults, $25 children ages 3-12. Visit www.loudounballet.org/nutcrackerteaparty or call 540-751-2243 for reservations.
WINTER WONDERLAND. 2-6 p.m., 234 Markwood Drive, Potomac Falls. See Dec. 12 item for more details.
HOLIDAY PERFORMANCES. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Lansdowne Resort, 44050 Woodbridge Parkway, Lansdowne. Potomac Falls High School presents a "Sunday Brunch." Fees apply; call 703-729-8400, Ext. 2107 to register.
<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>Tuesday/Dec. 16
<cal2>ME AND MY WORLD. 4 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. Children ages 4-7 can craft and decorate a gingerbread house to take home. Register online at http://library.loudoun.gov or call 703-430-9500.
<cal1>Wednesday/Dec. 17
<cal2>HOLIDAY CONCERT. 7 p.m., Briar Woods High School, 22525 Belmont Ridge Road, Ashburn. The Briar Woods High School Symphonic Winds and Symphonic Band present its annual holiday concert in the auditorium. Attendees asked to bring an unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots.
<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.
GINGERBREAD WORKSHOP. 10:30-11:15a.m., Lansdowne Resort, 44050 Woodbridge Parkway, Lansdowne. Briar Woods High School presents a "Gingerbread Workshop." Fees apply; call 703-729-8400, Ext. 2107 to register.
<cal1>Sunday/Dec. 21
<cal2>"A CHRISTMAS CAROL." 6 p.m., Oatlands Carriage House Theater, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Drive, Leesburg. Oatlands Carriage House Theater presents Charles Dickens’ beloved story. Cost: $15 adults, $5 children 12 and under. Call 703-777-3174, Ext. 100 for tickets.
<cal1>Monday/Dec. 22
<cal2>"A CHRISTMAS CAROL." 6 p.m., Oatlands Carriage House Theater, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Drive, Leesburg. See Dec. 21 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.
"A CHRISTMAS CAROL." 6 p.m., Oatlands Carriage House Theater, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Drive, Leesburg. See Dec. 21 item for details.
<cal1>Wednesday/Dec. 24
<Cal2>COLONIAL CHRISTMAS. Noon-2 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Holiday luncheon with ham and turkey reminiscent of Colonial Williamsburg. Bring salad, side dish or dessert to share. Cost: $2 members, $4 nonmembers. Call 703-430-2397.
<cal1>Sunday/Dec. 28
<cal2> HOLIDAY PERFORMANCES. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Lansdowne Resort, 44050 Woodbridge Parkway, Lansdowne. River Bend Middle School presents a "Sunday Brunch." Fees apply; call 703-729-8400, Ext. 2107 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.