If you are cooking, you can visit the:

• CDC's Food safety for the holidays.
• National Fire Protection Association's Thanksgiving.
• PWC Fire and Rescue's Make Cooking Safe.

Having little ones as guests, visit the National Safety Council Child Proofing your Home.

Saturday, November 25, is Small Business Saturday. PWC is home to 1000s of small businesses. Unfortunately, many small businesses have faced challenging times in the last few years, so this may be the perfect year to start holiday shopping at your local small businesses.  

Tuesday, November 28, is Giving Tuesday. Created in 2012, what started as a simple idea of a day where people are encouraged to do good, has grown into a global movement. Whether you give your voice, goods, time, or money, being generous is a way to help people in need. Be on the lookout for donation match opportunities from organizations and businesses. Learn ways to get involved here.  

The 2023 Wreaths Across America at Quantico National Cemetery will be Sunday, December 17. National Wreaths Across America's mission is to:

REMEMBER the Fallen. . . HONOR those who Serve. . . TEACH our children the value of Freedom.

You can support the event by:

• Sponsoring a wreath ($17 each)
• Volunteering to lay a wreath.

Please note, Quantico National Cemetery is giving the highest priority to those laying wreaths on the gravesites of their loved ones on Saturday, December 16. If you have a grave specific request, or any questions, please email [email protected].

Visit the virtual Remember Wall to read recent posts made by event supporters and wreath sponsors in honor of or in memory of an American hero.

Volunteer Prince William's Untrim-a-Tree program serves Prince William County, the City of Manassas and the City of Manassas Park. The annual program provides two gifts to local children valued at up to $75 total per child. Last year over 3,500 children received gifts! It also provides baskets for homebound seniors with things like card games, crossword puzzles, hand cream, warm socks, lap throws or wraps.

To get involved:

• Submit an Untrim a Tree Donor Form.
• Bring your donation to the Prince William Fairgrounds at 10624 Dumfries Road in Manassas on Sunday, December 10, from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm, Monday, December 11, or Tuesday, December 12, 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
• Make a monetary donation here.

The Quantico U. S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots is underway through Sunday, December 10. To participate drop off a new and unwrapped toy at:

• Any Fire Station in Prince William County, City of Manassas, or City of Manassas Park.
• Prince William County Public Safety Training Center in Nokesville
• The lobby at the McCoart Government Center in Woodbridge.

Clothes and used toys cannot be accepted. You can also donate monetarily to the local campaign here.

The Salvation Army of Prince William County provides much-needed emergency services to families every day. It has kicked off its holiday season and below you will find several different opportunities to get involved!

Saturday, November 25, through Sunday, December 10, Rooftop Productions is presenting Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. Based on the beloved, timeless film, this heartwarming musical adaptation features 17 Irving Berlin songs. Veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have a successful song-and-dance act after World War II. With romance in mind, the two follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be owned by their former army commander. 

Friday, December 1, from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm, Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center in Woodbridge is hosting its annual Tree Lighting. Activities for the whole family include selfies with Santa, face painting, activities, as well as performances by holiday carolers and Those Funny Little Peoples.

PWC Department of Parks and Recreation's 2nd annual Holiday Walk of Lights is back this year and brighter than ever! Experience the magic of the holiday season as you walk down a path of unique, hand-crafted light displays at Neabsco Regional Park. Bring family and friends and be prepared to be in awe of the dazzling lights that surround us! Free with no registration required

Hours of Operation

December 1 through 3, Friday to Sunday, 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm

December 8 through 10, Friday to Sunday, 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm

December 12,Tuesday, Sensory Friendly Event, 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm

December 15 through 17, Friday to Sunday, 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm

December 20 through 23, Wednesday to Saturday, 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm

Friday, December 1, at 5:15 pm, Santa Lights Manassas will take place in Old Town Manassas. The magic begins with holiday musical performances followed by Santa arriving shortly after 6 p.m. After the tree lighting, Santa and Mrs. Claus greet all the children and listen to their holiday wishes near the gazebo. Families can enjoy free wagon rides to get into the holiday spirit. The Harris Pavilion Ice Rink will be open for business as well as the downtown shops and restaurants. Find out all the details here.

Saturday, December 2, at 10:00 am, you won't want to miss the 77th annual Greater Manassas Christmas Parade, ‘Christmas in Toyland.' One of the largest holiday parades in Northern Virginia, the two-hour parade will have over 100 units including marching bands, floats, high-flying balloons, and more. There will be approximately 2,000 participants and over 300 volunteers. You can view the parade route and information on attending here.

Saturday, December 9, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, join the fun at PWC's first annual Family Gingerbread House Building Contest at Veterans Memorial Park. Each family will receive one gingerbread house kit to build and decorate to submit for judging. All family members participating must pre-register for this event here.

Saturday, December 9, and Tuesday, December 12, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, meet Santa, the jolliest elf in town, at the National Museum of the Marine Corps! Holiday-themed activities and crafts will be available while waiting to meet St. Nick. Photos with Santa are available on both dates. Guests must provide their own camera. All families must be in line by 3:00 pm to ensure a photo with Santa. This event is FREE and open to the public. Learn more here.

The Hylton Performing Arts Center has curated such a fantastic line-up of holiday performances this year, you are sure to find one (or more) must-see events! Use the links below to learn more about the performances, showtimes, and purchase tickets.

Hanukkah, the Jewish eight-day “festival of lights,” begins at nightfall on Thursday, December 7, and ends at nightfall, Friday, December 15. The Hebrew word Hanukkah means “dedication,” and celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, during which a one-day supply of oil for the Menorah lasted eight days.

The festival is observed by lighting the candles of a candelabrum with nine branches, called a menorah (or hanukkiah). One candle, called the shamash, is typically placed above or below the others. Each night, one additional candle is lit by the shamash until all eight candles are lit together on the final night of the festival. Other festivities include playing the game of dreidel and eating special foods.