Weekend Planner: Carriage Rides, Light Displays, and Ebenezer Scrooge

Looking for fun things to do with family and friends this holiday weekend?  Here are some of our favorite events happening in the area this Friday through Sunday. 

George Mason University Men’s Basketball

• Where: , Fairfax
• When: Friday, Dec. 23 at 7 p.m.
• Why Go: Cheer for the Patriots as they take on the Manhattan Jaspers this Friday night.
• Price: $16 adult; $8 youth 18 and under; $9 senior citizen (ticket prices increase $2 on day of game) 

Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides

• Where: , Reston
• When: Saturday, Dec. 24 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Why Go:  Enjoy a relaxing ride in a horse-drawn carriage while supporting a local charity.  All proceeds to benefit the Volunteer Fairfax organization.  The riders’ pick-up location is on Market Street next to Talbots.
• Price: $5 per person; children under 5 ride for free 

The Ice Palace

• Where: , Fairfax
• When: Friday, Dec. 23 from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 24 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
• Why Go: Follow the Ice Princess through this “magical” palace with its 22-foot dome, light show, and BBC Earth film footage of playful polar animals.  Visit with Santa Claus and have your photo taken on the Ice Throne while you’re inside.
• Price: Admission is FREE; photos with Santa and on the Ice Throne cost extra.

Festival of Lights

• Where: , Centreville
• When: Friday, Dec. 23 through Sunday, Dec. 25 from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Why Go: Bring the family along for the 2 ½ mile drive through this very popular holiday display, which includes several colorful light shows set to music.
• Price: $20 for cars/vans with 1-14 people; $30 for vans with 15-34 people; $55 for buses with 35 or more people 

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol

• Where: , Lorton
• When: Friday, Dec. 23 doors open at 6 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 25 doors open at 3 p.m.
• Why Go: Enjoy cocktails and a dinner buffet, followed by a stage production of Charles Dickens’ timeless classic in which Ebenezer Scrooge takes a memorable journey through the past, present, and future on Christmas Eve.
• Price: $41.95 per person for ages 16 and up; $35 for youth ages 11-15; $25 for children 10 and under 

13th Annual Gingerbread Village

• Where: , Reston
• When: On display through Sunday, Dec. 25
• Why Go: Visit the hotel lobby and take in the delicious aroma of gingerbread as you view these intricate works of edible art.  Donations will be accepted to benefit Reston Interfaith, which is a non-profit organization that serves local families in need.
• Price: Admission is FREE.