The Vienna area has never suffered for a lack of holiday spirit and activities. Even before the Thanksgiving leftovers have been polished off, holiday-oriented activities are underway. Vienna's annual Church Street Stroll, sponsored by the town and by Historic Vienna Inc., and the Tysons Corner Chanukah Wonderland, sponsored by Chabad at Tysons, have come to be two of the biggest draws in the area.
The Church Street Stroll has been kicking off the holiday season in Vienna for over 10 years and will be held this year on Monday, Nov. 27. From 6 to 9 p.m., the westernmost blocks of Church Street, in the historic area, will be closed down to vehicular traffic, with the exception of Santa's antique fire engine. Strollers can shop in the stores along the street, many of which will stay open late and offer discounts and door prizes, and enjoy a variety of other attractions.
Festivities will begin with a half-hour performance by the Work in Progress band starting at 6:15 on a stage set up across from the Freeman House and Historic Museum. Santa will arrive at 6:30. Shortly thereafter, he will help Mayor Jane Seeman to light the Holiday Tree in front of the Freeman House and then will take his seat on the Freeman front porch to find out what the area children would like for Christmas.
Paul Snodgrass, who chairs the event for Historic Vienna Inc., said he is expecting 200 to 300 children to turn out for a moment at Santa's ear.
There will also be performances by the Town of Vienna Band and the Wolf Trap Elementary Singers, and the Vienna-Falls Sweet Adelines will roam the streets in singing quartets. Bonfires will be stationed along the street for marshmallow-roasting, hot cider will be served, and a petting zoo will be set up near the Old Caboose. The caboose will also be open to visitors.
New last year were free horse and carriage rides, which will be offered again this year.
THE CHANUKAH WONDERLAND will be held Dec. 10-24, and Rabbi Levi Deitsch, who helps run the event, said this year's Wonderland will be "bigger and better" than the last.
The Wonderland — billed as "5,000 square feet of Judaic activity and entertainment" — includes such attractions as Chanukah computer games, a Chanukah Store, a Chanukah Room that presents the history of the holiday, a mountain of Legos, arts and crafts, and various entertainers from musicians to magicians. There will also be an olive oil press, latke-making, candle-making and more. This year, said Deitsch, there will be a separate room full of Chanukah board games. There will also be an outdoor Menorah lighting.
The Wonderland will be held at 2095 Chain Bridge Road, just south of Old Courthouse Road. Admission is free, and hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, except for Fridays, when the Wonderland will close at noon. The entertainment schedule has not yet been finalized. To find out more, call the Wonderland Hotline at 703-356-3451.
SEVERAL OTHER holiday activities are scheduled during December.
Santa will be hand-writing responses to children's wish lists, which must be received at the Community Center, 120 Cherry St., S.E., by Dec. 1. Santa will also be hosting a lunch at the Community Center on Dec. 9, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 9. The lunch will also feature a magician. Tickets cost $4.50, and will be on sale from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 18 for town residents and go on sale for the general public Nov. 20. Also on Dec. 9, there will be a free holiday concert by the Nighthawks at the Community Center at 1:30 p.m.
A silhouette artist will be at the Freeman House on Dec. 2 from 12:15 to 3:30 p.m. Anyone interested can call 703-938-5187 to make an appointment.
Santa, relentlessly busy during December, will also be visiting the Freeman House on Sunday, Dec. 3 from 2 to 4 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 9 from 1-3 p.m. He will also be cruising every street and cul-de-sac in and around the town of Vienna on his antique fire truck, blasting holiday music while his helpers hand out candy canes, between Dec. 16-23. Check www.vvfd.org to find out when he will be visiting each neighborhood.