NOW THROUGH JAN. 8
<cal2>Miracle of Lights, a holiday drive-through light show, is now opened and will run through Jan. 8, 2005 in Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville. The show will run from 5:30-10:30 p.m. every night (except New Year's Eve).
This year's show will feature: Planet Holiday, Victorian Virginia, Noah's Ark, Santa's Wood, The Angel's Playground and The Enchanted Woods. The show is located in Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville, and is hosted by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority. The show is sponsored by M.C. Dean, Hot 99.5, WASH FM 97.1, WMZQ 98.7, WBIG 100, Pennysaver, Comcast, Journal Newspapers, The Community PhoneBook and the Connection Newspapers. Cost is $12 per car (1-14 people), $25 per commercial van (15-34 people) and $50 per bus (35 people or more). Discount coupons are available in local papers and on the Miracle of Lights Web site www.miracleoflights.com. Call Miracle of Lights 703-709-KIDS (5437) or visit www.miracleoflights.com.
<cal1>THURSDAY/DEC. 9
<cal2>The Chantilly High School Fine Arts Department will present its annual Holiday Spectacular, on Thursday, Dec. 9 and Friday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. Reserved seats are $6 per ticket along with a donation of a can of non-perishable food, to be brought to the concert. Tickets may be purchased at Chantilly High School, from Dec. 6-8 from 11-1 p.m. in the cafeteria. Order forms are also available in the Chantilly High School front office. Tickets can be picked up at Will Call the night of the performance. Call 703-222-8181.
Santa Claus is coming to McDonald's. Bring your camera for a photo with Santa. Children can also make a Holiday craft. Free.
* McDonald's of Centreville, 5931 Fort Dr., Centreville on Thursday, Dec. 9 from 5-7 p.m.
<cal1>DEC. 10-12
<cal2>Encore Theatrical Arts Project presents "Jolly Follies Holiday," a Christmas show with a cast of 53 people featured in splashy song-and-dance numbers, with colorful costumes in imaginative settings. An eagerly awaited holiday tradition, each year, Encore's show has a brand-new storyline and is sure to entertain the entire family.
Performances are Friday, Dec. 10, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 11, at 1, 4 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 12, at 1 and 4 p.m. at the Annandale campus of NOVA in the Ernst Community Cultural Center. Tickets are $12 for students and senior citizens and $15 for adults; call 703-222-5511.
<cal1>Friday/Dec. 10
<cal2>Live Performance. George Mason University's Center for the Arts presents the Boys Choir of Harlem at 8 p.m., at the Concert Hall. Tickets are $22-$44, and can be purchased by calling 703-218-6500 or by visiting www.tickets.com. For more information, visit www.gmu.edu/cfa.
<cal1>SATURDAY/DEC. 11
<cal2>Fairfax Corner shopping center will be hosting the following holiday activities on Saturday, Dec. 11:
* Photos with Frosty, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Proceeds to benefit Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children).
* MIX 107.3 Toys for Tots Collection, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
* Free Horse and carriage rides, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
* Chantilly High School Carolers, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
* Saturday, Dec. 18 — Robinson Secondary School Singers, noon to 2 p.m.
<cal2>The Center for the Arts will host the Prince William Chorale in its festival of holiday music. "Sounds of Christmas," directed by Graham Clark, will be presented at the Kellar Theater at the Candy Factory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas on Saturday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. The concert is free to the public. Call 703-330-ARTS.
<cal2>The Fairfax Choral Society Youth Choruses will stage "A Child's Christmas" choral concert on Saturday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. at Fairfax United Methodist Church, 10300 Stratford Ave. in Fairfax. Featuring John Rutter's fable, "Brother Heinrich's Christmas," the youth choruses will present a variety of seasonal favorites with special appeal to the younger members of the family. Cost is $10. Visit www.tickets.com or call 703-218-6500.
<cal1>DEC. 11-12
<cal2>Candlelight Tours. Glowing candles illuminate the house and grounds at Sully Historic Site on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 11 and 12. Tours begin at 5 p.m. each night with the last tour at 8:15 Saturday, and 7:15 Sunday. Hear memories of a Victorian Christmas while gathered around the tree festooned with toys, angels and popcorn. Stroll the lighted path to the slave quarter to find out how enslaved African Americans might have spent the holidays. Join in caroling on the lawn and celebrate with Civil War reenactors as they fire the Christmas guns. Cookies and warm cider will be served. Prepaid reservations are required. The cost is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and children. Call 703-437-1794.
The Sully Historic Site seeks volunteers to help during the Candlelight Tours at Sully from 5-8:30 p.m. Help is needed in candle and fire watching, with refreshments, parking and outside activities. Participants must be 16 or older to participate. For more information, call Rob Orrison at 703-437-1794.
<cal1>THURSDAY/DEC. 16
<cal2>Paul VI Catholic High School will hold its Annual Christmas Concert Thursday, Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the school auditorium. The chorus and instrumental students will combine to present traditional Christmas selections. Admission is $2 per adult, $1 per student, or $5 per family. The school is located at 10675 Lee Highway, Fairfax. Call 703-352-0925 ext. 471 or 332.
<cal1>DEC. 20-22
<cal2>The Chantilly High School Drama Department revives its dramatic adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic, "A Christmas Carol," on Dec. 20, 21, and 22. The cast includes 22 students ranging from freshmen to seniors.
This faithful version of "A Christmas Carol" follows the transformation of a cruel and merciless businessman, Ebenezer Scrooge (Faqir Qarghah, senior), on one fateful Christmas Eve. Scrooge, upon finishing a day's work with his assistant, Bob Cratchit (Brian McDonald, senior), heads to his home where he is haunted by the ghost of his former partner, Jacob Marley (Jae Laroya, senior). Marley warns of the coming visits from three ghosts of Christmas that will help Scrooge to see the error of his ways. When the clock strikes 1 o'clock, the Ghost of Christmas Past (Melissa Klein, senior) appears to lead Scrooge through shadows of his life. At the stroke of 2, the Ghost of Christmas Present (Mike Deveney, senior) takes Scrooge to the home of his assistant, Bob Cratchit, where he sees the rest of the Cratchit household: Mrs. Cratchit (Meredith Lynch, senior), Martha (Juliette Delp, junior), Beth (April Glick, junior), and Tiny Tim (Chloe West, sophomore).
Shows begin at 7 p.m. in the Chantilly High School auditorium. Seating is reserved for each performance. Tickets are $4 and are available in advance and at the door. Call 703-222-8182.
<cal1>Dec. 20-22
<cal2>* The Chantilly High drama department will present "A Christmas Carol," Dec. 20, 21 and 22, at 7 p.m. each night in the school theater. This is Chantilly's Cappie entry, so it's sure to be extra-special. And the timeless story of Ebenezer Scrooge, the three ghosts, Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim is always perfect for the holidays.
<cal1>Dec. 21-22
<cal2>* Westfield High will offer two children's holiday shows, Tuesday-Wednesday, Dec. 21-22, at 10 a.m. in the school auditorium. Tickets are $3 at the door. Always a crowd-pleaser, this year's show will feature excerpts from "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" and "A Charlie Brown Christmas." Students will also perform an original piece called "Hanukkah Harry."
<cal1>WEDNESDAY/DEC. 29
<cal2>Sully Holiday Concert at 1, 2, and 3 p.m. This popular Celtic group combines powerful vocals, compelling flute and whistle and unique harp to bring the music of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall and France, blending songs, dance tunes and aires into a rich and stunning tapestry. House tour included. Refreshments served in the original 18th century kitchen. Prepaid reservations required. Limited seating. $8/seat. Call 703-437-1794.
<cal1>THURSDAY/DEC. 30
<cal2>Sully Holiday Concert at 2 and 3 p.m. Enjoy vocal and instrumental music on period and reproduction 18th century instruments featuring selections that bring America's music heritage to live with beauty and accuracy. David Hildebrand's music has been featured in movies and on television, such as the PBS-TV series "Liberty." House tour of Sully Historic Site included. Refreshments served in the original 18th century kitchen. Prepaid reservations required. Limited seating. $8/seat. Call 703-437-1794.