The Connection

Fairfax — Christmas in the City of Fairfax is always special. And a full slate of activities from Dec. 3-19 is sure to make holiday spirits bright.

Plays and Bazaar

• The FX Players of Fairfax High present the musical, “Avenue Q,” Dec. 1-4. This PG-13 show is about a college grad and his new friends as they struggle to find jobs, dates and their purpose in life. Filled with puppets and humor, it takes the stage at the high school Thursday-Friday, Dec. 1-2, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 3, at 2 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 4, at 2 p.m. For tickets, go to www.fxplayers.org or email fairfaxhstheatre@gmail.com.

• From Dec. 1-4, journey to the magical world of Narnia via the City of Fairfax Theatre Co.’s production of “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” It’ll be presented at Truro Anglican Church, 10520 Main St. For show times and to buy tickets, go to http://www.fairfaxcitytheatre.org/the-lion-the-witch-and-the-wardrobe.html.

• A Norwegian Festival and Bazaar will be held at Christ Lutheran Church, 3810 Meredith Drive. It runs Friday, Dec. 2, from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; and Saturday, Dec. 3, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., and features a café, cooking and craft demonstrations, Nordic sweaters, imported food, gifts, books and live music.

• From Dec. 2 - 18, the Hub Theatre will present the love story/concert, “The MAGI,” by Helen Murray Pafumi, with music by Eli Pafumi. Performances are at the New School of Northern Virginia, 9431 Silver King Court, and the story explores the sacrifices people make for those they cherish. For more information, go to www.thehubtheatre.org.

Dec. 3, Lights and Carols

The official, City of Fairfax celebration, the annual Festival of Lights and Carols, is set for Saturday, Dec. 3. There will be a visit from Santa on location, holiday music, tasty treats and the lighting of the City’s official Christmas tree. This event is sponsored by the Fairfax’s Department of Parks and Recreation.

• From 8 - 11 a.m., the firefighters of Station 3 at 4081 University Drive will hold a pancake breakfast with Santa. Cost is $5, adults; $3, children 3 - 12; free, ages 3 and under. Proceeds benefit the Fairfax Volunteer Fire Department.

• In addition, children ages 10 and under may enjoy lunch with Santa at Old Town Hall, 3999 University Drive. Two seatings, 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., will be offered. Tickets ($6/child) are available at the Parks and Recreation office at City Hall, 10455 Armstrong St.; the Green Acres Center, 4401 Sideburn Road; the Sherwood Community Center, 3740 Old Lee Hwy., or online. (Limit 10 tickets/person).

Pre-registration is required. Children 1 and under are free, but must still be registered; parents do not need to purchase tickets. Everyone’s welcome – both Fairfax City residents and non-Fairfax City residents.

Tickets for the 11:30 a.m. seating may be purchased at

https://apm.activecommunities.com/fairfaxcityrecdept/Activity_Search/9853.

For tickets for the 12:30 p.m. seating, go to https://apm.activecommunities.com/fairfaxcityrecdept/Activity_Search/9854.

• From 3 - 5 p.m., the Lanier Middle School band, chorus and orchestra will perform in Old Town Hall.

• Holiday festivities at Old Town Square, at the corner of University Drive and North Street, will run from noon - 7 p.m. They include live Christmas music, s’mores, hot cider, a petting zoo and a giant slide. Visits with Santa are from 3-5 p.m. Caroling and the lighting of the Christmas tree there are set for 5:30 p.m., culminating in the arrival of Santa Claus via the City of Fairfax Fire Department.

• Old Town Square entertainment schedule: Noon, Daniels Run Elementary Singers; 1 p.m., Fairfax United Methodist Children’s Choirs; 1:30 p.m., Girl Scout Service Unit 55-6; 2 p.m., Vienna-Falls Chorus; 3 p.m., Mantua Music Makers; 4 p.m., Patriot Pitches from George Mason; 5 p.m., GMU’s Mason Some Noise; and 5:30 p.m., Caroling with the Jubil-Aires.

Throughout the holiday season, Old Town Square will be transformed into a winter wonderland.

• Also on Dec. 3, from 6-7 p.m., the Ratcliffe-Allison House at 10386 Main St., will offer free, candlelight tours of the 1812 and 1927 sections of this house. Call 703-385-8414.

Sunday, Dec. 4, Events

• On Sunday, Dec. 4, from noon - 4 p.m., is Christmas in Camp. Visitors will learn about Civil War Camp life and holiday customs with Company D, 17th Virginia Infantry, the “Fairfax Rifles.” It’ll be at the Civil War Interpretive Center at Historic Blenheim, 3610 Old Lee Hwy. There’ll be Victorian crafts, music and camp drills. For C.S.A. group/Scout reservations, call 703-591-6728.

• At 3 and 5 p.m., Mason Opera presents a Christmas opera for the whole family, “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” at Old Town Hall. A young, crippled boy encounters the Three Kings on their way to Bethlehem. Tickets are $12, $8 and $5 via www.cfa.gmu.edu.

• At 4 p.m., Lanier Middle School, 3801 Jermantown Road, will host “Home for the Holidays,” a music program of seasonal favorites presented by the Main Street Community Band. Bring a nonperishable food item for Food for Others to help Northern Virginia families in need. Visit fairfaxband.org for more information.

Tickets are free, but reserve them early for this perennial, capacity-crowd event. Mail ticket requests to The MSCB Holiday Concert Tickets, P.O. Box 1306, Fairfax, VA 22038-1306. Include a stamped, self-addressed, return envelope. Call, 571-336-2322 or email CFBA. Ticket holders will be admitted starting at 6:15 p.m. After 6:45 p.m., non-ticket holders may take unclaimed seats.

Music, Postcards and Puppets

• On Friday, Dec. 9, at 8 p.m., the Bonita Lestina Old Town Hall Performance Series presents “Cathedral Brass - A Christmas Celebration,” at Old Town Hall.

Sponsored by the City of Fairfax Commission on the Arts, it’s free and open to the public, on a first-come, first-served basis. Directed by L. Thomas Vining, the Cathedral Brass performs sacred and secular music from all eras.

• On Sunday, Dec. 11, at 2 p.m. will be a book talk and signing with GMU’s Daniel Gifford who’ll discuss the uses and meanings of holiday cards in the early 20th century. Come to the Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center, 10209 Main St.

• On Sunday, Dec. 11, at 3 p.m., the Northern Virginia Youth Winds and Junior Winds will give their season-opening concert at Robinson Secondary School, 5035 Sideburn Road. It’s free; no tickets are needed.

• On Saturday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m., the City of Fairfax Band and The Fairfax Choral Society Adult Chorus present “Christmas, Candles and a Chorus at Fairfax High School, 3501 Rebel Run. This annual concert of sacred and secular music traditionally receives capacity crowds. So although it’s free, tickets are required – and they go quickly.

Reserve them early by mailing ticket requests to: The CFB Holiday Concert Tickets, P.O. Box 1306, Fairfax, VA 22038-1306. Include a stamped, self-addressed, return envelope. Ticket holders will be admitted starting at 6:15 p.m. After 6:45 p.m., non-ticket holders may take unclaimed seats. Before the concert, children may give Santa Claus their last-minute Christmas lists. Visit fairfaxband.org for more information.

• On Monday, Dec. 19, at 10:30 a.m. is the Bob Brown Puppets Holiday Show at Old Town Hall.

For more information, call 703-385-7858 or go to www.fairfaxva.gov/specialevents.