The Connection

Ongoing

Inaugural Workhouse Glass National 2015. Through Jan. 17. W-16, Vulcan Gallery, Workhouse Arts Center, 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton. Join for the family-friendly exhibitions of glass art and the opening reception on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 6-8 p.m. workhousearts.org, 703-585-2900.

Children’s Theatre: “The Nutcracker.” 1-2:15 p.m. & 3-4:15 p.m. Saturdays. Dec. 12, 19, 26. W-3 Theatre, Workhouse Arts Center, 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton. Presented by Mestey Films Productions. Playwright Vianlix Mestey produces an original re-telling of the favorite holiday story in play form. Running time 75 minutes with one intermission, appropriate for all ages. $9-$13. workhousearts.org. 703-585-2900.

Iconic Images from the American Civil War. Through Dec. 31. Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Civil War Interpretive Center at Historic Blenheim, 3610 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax. The exhibition, Between the States: Photographs of the American Civil War, features a selection of 110 historical photographs of the Civil War by photographers (including renown photographers George Barnard, Mathew Brady, and Alexander Gardner from the George Eastman House Collection in Rochester, N.Y. 703-691-0560.

Thursday/Dec. 10

High School Orchestras. 7 p.m. Robinson Secondary School, 5035 Sideburn Road, Fairfax. Featuring the music of Mozart, Rimsky-Korsakoff, Brahms, Tchaikovsky and Beethoven. Canned food drive to benefit families of FCPS bus drivers. Free. 703-426-2143.

What Sherlock Holmes Drank-Victorian Drinking Customs. 7 p.m. Kings Park Library, 9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke. Spend a festive evening with author Charles A. Mills, who will entertain and inform you with his research into the drinking customs of the Victorians. Books available for sale and signing. Adults and teens. 703-978-5600.

Friday-Saturday/Dec. 11-12

Popular Christmas Drama. Call for times. Harvester Presbyterian Church, 7800 Rolling Road, Springfield. "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" play by Barbara Robinson. Show suitable for all ages. $6-$20. 703-455-7800.

Friday-Sunday/Dec. 11-13

Sesame Street Live “Make a New Friend.” Check for times. Eagle Bank Arena, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. No matter where you’re from or where you’ve been, everyone is special - so join in! Elmo, Grover, Abby Cadabby, and their Sesame Street friends welcome Chamki, Grover’s friend from India, to Sesame Street. www.eaglebankarena.com/. 703-993-3000.

Saturday/Dec. 12

Holiday and Petition Party. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Irving Middle School, 8100 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield. Begin with the line dance class with Cathy Byon followed by performances by outstanding senior dance teams, accompanied by potluck delicacies, including kim-chi and lumpia. We will discuss petition for annex to Pohick Regional Library. Family and Friends are welcome to join our celebration. corazonfoley@yahoo.com.

Operation Lifesaver Santa Trains. Burke Centre Station, 10399 Premier Court, Burke. Ride the train with Santa but don’t forget to bring a toy. Burke Centre will become a drop off site for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaigns. Tickets may still be available at vendor locations. Address locations of ticket vendors can be found on the individual ticket pages: http://www.vrespecialevents.org/Seasonal_Santa_Trains/availability.html.

Breakfast with St. Nick. 8 a.m.-noon. Burke Presbyterian Church, 5630 Oak Leather Drive, Burke. Children and families gather to hear the story of Saint Nicholas, the saint who captured the spirit of giving and began the Santa Claus tradition. The morning includes special time with St. Nick (to include photos), a visit to the "Little Shoppe" where children can do Christmas shopping for family members (all proceeds go to support a mission project of the church), Christmas crafts, and a light breakfast and carol singing. All are welcome. http://www.burkepreschurch.org/saint-nick.

The Cathedral Bass. 5:30-6:30 p.m. Living Savior Lutheran Church, 5500 Ox Road, Fairfax Station. The Cathedral Brass will celebrate Christmas with a musical holiday journey featuring Anthony DiLorenzo's “The Toymaker,” Vince Guaraldi's “Christmas Time is Here,” Clay Aiken's “Mary Did You Know?,” jazz settings of traditional Christmas carols, including “We Three Kings,” “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” “Greensleeves” and a medley of favorites from popular holiday cartoons. livingsaviorlutheran.org. 703-352-1421.

Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season. 8 p.m. George Mason University Center for the Arts, 4373 Pond Drive, Fairfax. Under the baton of Maestro Anthony Maiello, the talented musicians of the American Festival Pops Orchestra perform a festive program of the season’s most popular songs, including cherished Christmas carols and holiday favorites. $32-$54. cfa.gmu.edu. 888-945-2468.

Saturday Art Walk. 6-9 p.m. Worhouse Arts Center, 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton. Workhouse Arts Center will partner with Occoquan River Communities during Occoquan’s WinterFest holiday celebration. Free shuttle between Occoquan and the Workhouse. http://www.workhousearts.org/event/2nd-saturday-art-walk-3/.

Community Irish Ceili and Set Dance. 6:30-10 p.m. Frying Pan Park Visitors Center, 2739 West Ox Road, Herndon. Call for directions, 703-437-9101. Wear flat, comfortable shoes and lightweight clothing. Holiday headgear for a chance at an extra door prize ticket. $15. 703-631-9179.

Pet Pictures with Santa. 11 a.m.-noon. Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield. Santa loves dogs and cats the same as he loves the kids! From 11 a.m. to noon, bring your furry companion to the Large Pavilion for a photo with Santa. Use your camera, or we’ll use ours and send you the photo. Fee is $6 per animal, no charge for adults in same grouping. For more information, please call 703-569-3464.

Holiday Horse Drawn Hayrides and Lakeside Campfire. Noon-3 p.m. Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield. Enjoy holiday music and merriment on a horse-drawn wagon ride beside the lake. Warm up with seasonal treats available for purchase at our snack bar, and settle in to share stories around a toasty campfire. Visit Santa in the pavilion and tell him what’s on your wish list. Registration information at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/lake-accotink/. 703-569-3464.

Fun Flicks. 6:45 p.m. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. Tis the season to gather together and watch a holiday movie with friends and family! Featured film is “Polar Express.” Light Refreshments. All ages. 703-249-1520.

Crooning with Critters Holiday Puppet Show. 11 a.m.-noon. Kings Park Library, 9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke. Kick off our winter reading program with the Goodlife Theater presenting this interactive musical puppet show. Cosponsored by Friends of the Kings Park Library. All ages. 703-978-5600.

Saturdays/Dec. 12, 19

Donuts with Santa. 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. W-16, Vulcan Gallery, Workhouse Arts Center, 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton. Santa is returning for a wonderful family event just in time for the holidays! Join Santa and his helpers for a special experience at Donuts With Santa. Each ticket holder will enjoy two doughnuts and a choice of juice or coffee while Santa and his Elves read a classic Christmas story and lead a fun-filled family sing-a-long. $20. workhousearts.org. 703-585-2900.

Saturdays/Dec. 12, 19, 26

Children’s Theatre: “The Nutcracker.” 1-2:15 p.m. 3-4:15 p.m. W-3 Theatre, Workhouse Arts Center, 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton. Presented by Mestey Films Productions. LIVE onstage! Playwright Vianlix Mestey produces an original re-telling of the favorite holiday story in play form! Running time 75 minutes with one intermission, appropriate for all ages. $9-$13. workhousearts.org. 703-585-2900.

Saturday-Sunday/Dec. 12-13

Stand up for Santa! Saturday. 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. 12641 Chapel Road, Clifton. Santa needs your help! The Board of Directors, convinced no one believes in the jolly old elf any more, is planning to cancel the holiday. Everyone needs to pitch in to save the day in “Stand Up For Santa”, an original new musical from StageCoach Theatre for Young Audiences. Free-$10. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stand-up-for-santa-tickets-19392178528?aff=ebrowse

Saturday/Dec. 12 and 19

Brunch with Santa at the Pub. 9-11:30 a.m. The Pub by Wegmans, 7905 Hilltop Village Center Drive, Alexandria. Santa’s coming to town and he’ll be at The Pub! Join us for brunch specials in addition to our full Pub menu. You can take pictures with Santa too. Reserve at Call (571) 527-2465 or use OpenTable.

Sunday/Dec. 13

First Holiday Half at Burke Lake Park. 9 a.m. Burke Lake Park, 7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station. Runners can expect a premium experience starting with pre-race entertainment, a winter and holiday themed decorated course, scoring and awards, and an incredible post-race celebration including the awards ceremony, post-race breakfast buffet, and vendor expo. http://www.metrorunwalkspringfield.com/holiday-half-home.

Railroading PaintFest. 1-4 p.m. Fairfax Railroad Museum, 11200 Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station. Local artists will lead a special railroad theme painting workshop. All materials provided. Ages 8 and above. Space limited. Register in advance. Free-$4. www.fairfax-station.org. jhill5712@aol.com. 703-425-9225.

Free Concert. 7-8:30 p.m. St. Bernadette Church, 7600 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield. Enjoy a free concert of Lessons and Carols. Open to the community. mdurea@stbernpar.org. 703-451-8576.

Israeli Folk Dancing. 2 p.m. Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax. Bring your dancing shoes and join us at the J for an afternoon of performance and participation with Yesodot and Kesem. Free. www.jccnv.org. 703-537-3075.

Light Up the Night Community Menorah Lighting. 4-5 p.m. Mosaic District, 2901 District Ave., Fairfax. Enjoy the holiday spirit together by lighting the menorah candles, singing songs, enjoying live entertainment, eating sufganiyot (donuts) and spinning the dreidel (top)! Free admission and parking. www.jccnv.org.

Annual Clifton Children’s Christmas Party. 5-7:30 p.m. The Town Hall, 12640 Chapel Road Clifton. Visit from Santa, holiday-themed crafts, games and activities, pizza, beverage and chocolate fondue. Collecting nonperishable food items for donation. RSVP to Amanda Aohencken at aohencken@yahoo.com by Dec. 10.