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>Wednesday/Nov. 19
<cal2>BE A TURKEY. 4:30-5:30 p.m., Claude Moore Community Center, 46111 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling. Turkey-related fun. For ages 4-10. Call 571-258-3500.
<cal1>Thursday/Nov. 20
<cal2>THANKSGIVING DINNER. Sterling Community Center, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. All ages. Sterling Advisory Board is sponsoring our a Thanksgiving dinner. Call 703-430-9480 for details.
<cal1>Friday/Nov. 21
<cal2>TURKEY TALES. 3:30 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. A seasonal story time for children ages 3-7. Register at library.loudoun.gov or 703-737-8100.
<cal1>Saturday/Nov. 22
<cal2>CARD WORKSHOP. 10-11 a.m., Claude Moore Community Center, 46111 Loudoun Park Lane. Holiday card workshop taught by Abrakadoodle. Each child will make 10 cards with a personalized signature from your child. Cost: $40 and includes all materials and supplies. Call 571-258-3500.
<cal1>Monday/Nov. 24
<cal2>T IS FOR TURKEY. 9:30-11 a.m. or 12:30-2 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. Sing a turkey song, play a turkey game and hike through the forest looking for turkeys. Ages 3-6; cost: $10.50 per child. Call 571-258-3700.
<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.
<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.
<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.
<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.
<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.
<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>Friday/Dec. 19
<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>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.