Holiday Light Shows Around Northern Virginia

The holiday season is here. Ready to get out and see some holiday lights? You have several options in Northern Virginia:

Winter Walk of Lights 2016 Underway Now in Vienna

The Winter Walk of Lights at Meadowlark Gardens in Vienna will continue through Sunday, Jan. 8. The walk of lights runs daily from 5:30 to 10 p.m. (last tickets sold at 9:30 p.m.). Last year, the Winter Walk of Lights received 75,000 visitors. The park is located at 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna.

The lowest tickets prices can be found at novaparks.ticketfly.com. Online tickets are sold with specific entrance times so that the flow of visitors can be better managed and to provide ample (free) parking. For weekends, holidays and the last two weeks in December, it's a good idea to purchase tickets online well in advance to guarantee your admission. Some times and entire days may sell out both online and on site at Meadowlark.

Save even more using the promo code PRIME16 for $2 off online ticket purchases on Mondays through Thursdays, through Dec. 8.

Snowflake Shoppe: Festive light-up jewelry, hats, wands, and wings: That's a sampling of what you'll find at the Snowflake Shoppe in the Visitor Center, offering many fun ways to illuminate yourself for the light walk. Looking for a great gift idea? You can also purchase a gift of a Meadowlark Gardens membership along with a Winter Walk of Lights Ornament.

Light refreshments: Looking to warm up before or after your walk? Stop by Light Refreshments by the fire on the Garden Plaza at Meadowlark. Offering a variety of fireside favorites, Light Refreshments also accepts credit cards. Warm up with hot chocolate, coffee or hot cider. A winter walk favorite is the s'mores kit. Other items on the menu include popcorn, marshmallows, Gatorade, water and milk.

Dear Santa: The children’s area next to the Visitor Center fireplace is ready with notepaper, crayons, and a special mailbox that will make sure your holiday wishes get to Santa.

Bull Run Festival of Lights Show Underway in Northern Virginia

You can pile everyone in the car and take them to the Bull Run Festival of Lights, which kicked off the 2016 holiday season Wednesday, Nov. 23.

The 2.5-mile holiday light show is fun for all ages and continues through the holiday season until just after New Year’s Day. You can drive the festival route from the comfort of your car. After viewing the lights, you can bring your family and friends to the holiday village to enjoy rides, refreshments and of course, photos with Santa Claus. The festival happens annually at Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville. Want to avoid the crowds? Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays are the busiest nights. Bull Run Festival of Lights is open seven nights weekly, from Nov. 23, 2016 to Jan. 8.

Hours are:

• Monday - Thursday: 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
• Friday - Sunday and holidays: 5:30 to 10 p.m.

Admission fees are:

• Monday-Thursday: $15 per car or van; $25 per commercial van with 15 or more people; $50 per bus
• Friday-Sunday and holidays: $20 per car; $30 per commercial van with 15 or more people; $55 per bus
• Saturdays in December and holidays: $25 per car - Saturdays in December (Dec. 3, 10, 17, 24, 41) Holidays include: Nov. 24, Dec. 24, 25, 31, Jan. 1

Neighborhood holiday lights

Prefer to drive around and look at neighborhood holiday lights? Holly Zell is out again this year with her annual list. See Zell's entire list of light displays on her Web site and see a Google map she created of top holiday light displays.

PHOTO from Bull Run Festival of Lights/Northern Virginia Regional Parks