Virginia - Winter Festivals, Special Events and Holiday Celebrations

The Commonwealth of Virginia, with its beautiful mountains, valleys and beaches is a great destination in any season for fun festivals, special events, and holiday celebrations. The following selected events include some of Virginia's most popular choices to chase away the winter blues.

• GardenFest of Lights 2007

November 23, 2007 - January 7, 2008 in Richmond, Virginia
This holiday tradition at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden features more than a half million lights arranged in botanical themes throughout the Garden.


• Wolf Trap Holiday Sing-A-Long

December 2, 2007 in Vienna, Virginia
The popular annual Wolf Trap Holiday Sing-A-Long in Northern Virginia is a musical celebration with Christmas carols and Hanukkah songs, performed by the U.S. Marine Band and vocal groups from the greater Washington, D.C. area.


• First Night Alexandria

December 31, 2007
First Night Alexandria is the largest, family-focused New Year's Eve celebration in Northern Virginia, featuring 65 acts on 45 indoor stages, fireworks at midnight, free parking, and free shuttles throughout Old Town and Del Ray.


• Enchanted Eve in Vinton, Virginia

December 31, 2007
Spend a family-friendly alcohol-free New Year’s Eve celebration in Roanoke County, where a range of community-based events offer activities and entertainment for all ages.


• Virginia Restaurant Weeks

Various Dates in January and Early February 2008
Several Restaurant Weeks in Virginia, including Restaurant Weeks in Northern Virginia, Williamsburg, Norfolk and Virginia Beach offer an array of opportunities to explore Virginia's diverse cuisine at participating restaurants for special fixed prices.


• Chocolate Lovers Festival

Saturday, February 2 - Sunday, February 3, 2008
Downtown historic Fairfax, Virginia celebrates the yumminess of chocolate at this annual event for chocolate lovers.


• Colonial Williamsburg Antiques Forum

Sunday, February 3 - Thursday, February 7, 2008
The 60th annual Colonial Williamsburg Antiques Forum From North to South: Regionalism in American Decorative Arts will explore the remarkable furniture, silver, ceramics, textiles, paintings produced in America before 1830.


• Presidents' Day Weekend Celebrations

Presidents' Day - Monday February 18, 2008
Virginia, brimming with history, is a wonderful destination for a Presidents' Day weekend getaway. Three standout Presidents' Day celebrations, including events in Old Town Alexandria, Mount Vernon and Colonial Williamsburg, offer interactive living history fun for families and tours of important historic sites for history buffs. All three celebrations are situated in picturesque and charming settings, adding a touch of romance for couples.