Send announcements, which are open to the public at no or minimal cost, to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is Friday, two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. For more information, call Matthew Razak at 703-917-6457. For additional listings, visit www.connectionnewspapers.com.
<cal1>Thursday/Nov. 23
<cal2>Thanksgiving Buffet. Lansdowne Resort, 44050 Woodridge Parkway, Leesburg. Time to be determined. Adults, $54.95; children 6-12 $27.95; children 5 and under $6.75, Call 703-729-8400 or visit www.lansdowneresort.com.
<cal1>Friday/Nov. 24
<cal2>Holiday Jazz. At Tarara Winery. Includes live music, holiday treats, wine and gift shop specials. The winery is open, from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., the music plays, from 12-4 p.m. 13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg, 703-771-7100 or www.tarara.com.
Christmas Play. "A Christmas Carol,” produced by Pickwick Players, at 7:30 p.m. Adults $10, children and seniors, $8. All performances at Harper Park Middle School Theater, 701 Potomac Station Drive, Leesburg. Advance tickets at 540-454-6320 or pickwickplayers@mail.com.
Benefit Performance. The musical political satire group, The Capitol Steps, performs at 8 p.m., at Lansdowne Resort, to benefit Loudoun Habitat for Humanity. Tickets $35. Visit www.loudounhabitat.org or call 540-751-2244.
<cal1>Saturday/Nov. 25
<cal2>Holiday Jazz. At Tarara Winery. Includes live music, holiday treats, wine and gift shop specials. The winery is open, from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., the music plays, from 12-4 p.m. 13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg, 703-771-7100 or www.tarara.com.
Christmas Play. "A Christmas Carol,” produced by Pickwick Players, at 7:30 p.m. Adults $10, children and seniors, $8. Family matinee, at 2 p.m. All family tickets $30. All performances at Harper Park Middle School Theater, 701 Potomac Station Drive, Leesburg. Advance tickets at 540-454-6320 or pickwickplayers@mail.com.
<cal1>Sunday/Nov. 26
<cal2>Holiday Jazz. At Tarara Winery. Includes live music, holiday treats, wine and gift shop specials. The winery is open, from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., the music plays, from 12-4 p.m. 13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg, 703-771-7100 or www.tarara.com.
<cal1>Monday/Nov. 27
<cal2>Loudoun MADD Tie One on for Safety kickoff event, 9:30 a.m., at the Loudoun County Government Building, 1 Harrison St., Leesburg. Help promote safe and sober driving during the holidays. RSVP at Loudoun MADD voicemail at 703-771-8127 or send an e-mail to maddloudoun@aol.com.
<cal1>Tuesday/Nov. 28
<cal2>Ancient Voices: Native American Animal Legends. Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls, 4 p.m. Experience the Native American legends of some of the native animals of Virginia. Hear stories from tribes across the nation, with live animals such as an owl, opossum and a snake in this interactive puppet show. All ages.
<cal1>Wednesday/Nov. 29
<cal2>Senior Jeopardy. Test your knowledge and win prizes. 11 a.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Free. Call 703-430-2397.
Native American Fun. Dressed in traditional Native American clothing, Joseph Stands With Many presents a combination of traditional and interactive storytelling, Cherokee drumming and singing. Rust Library, 4 p.m. All ages.
<cal1>Friday/Dec. 1
<cal2>Christmas Play. "A Christmas Carol,” produced by Pickwick Players, at 7:30 p.m. Adults $10, children and seniors, $8. All performances at Harper Park Middle School Theater, 701 Potomac Station Drive, Leesburg. Advance tickets at 540-454-6320 or pickwickplayers@mail.com.
Museum Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery or visit the Spy Museum own on for $15. Lunch on own. Price $8 per member, $10 nonmembers and includes transportation and free admission to art museum. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
First Friday. Leesburg's First Friday invites the public to visit art galleries, specialty stores and antiques shops in downtown historic Leesburg during extended business hours. 6-9 p.m. Finish the evening with dinner at one of Leesburg's downtown restaurants. Call 703-777-7838 or visit http://www.leesburgfirstfriday.com.
<cal1>Saturday/Dec. 2
<cal2>Holiday Jazz. At Tarara Winery. Includes live music, holiday treats, wine and gift shop specials. The winery is open, from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., the music plays, from 12-4 p.m. 13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg, 703-771-7100 or www.tarara.com.
Holiday in the Park. Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap, Sterling, 3:30-6 p.m. All ages. Includes hayrides, crafts, roasting marshmallows, candlelight tours of Lanesville House, hot cider, caroling. Donations of new mittens, scarves and/or hats requested for the "Winter Warmth Tree." Free. Call 703-444-1275.
Candy Cane Hunt and Lunch with Santa. Sterling Annex, 1115 W. Church Road, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Ages 2-10. Go on a candy cane hunt, have lunch and pictures with Santa, play games and win prizes. $10, $2 for parent lunch only. Call 703-430-6673.
Lunch with Santa. Lansdowne Resort, 44050 Woodridge Parkway, Leesburg. Have lunch at the Riverside Hearth and have your picture taken with Santa and his elf; enjoy Lansdowne's holiday decorations. Adults $32.95; children 6-12 $16.50; children 5 and under $6.75. Call 703-729-8400 or visit www.lansdowneresort.com.
Youth Orchestra Performance. The Loudoun Symphony Youth Orchestra gives a free performance, 4 p.m., at Harper Park Middle School, 701 Potomac Station Drive, N.E., Leesburg. Call 703-771-8287, fax 703-771-8211, or e-mail info@loudounsymphony.org.
House Concert. AtLantis House Concerts presents Jody Marshall & Friends, 7:30 p.m., in Broadlands. Suggested donation $15 per person. Reservations required, call 571-333-7222 or e-mail HouseConcerts@Lantis.us.
Story Time in Spanish. Join the Rust Library for a bilingual story time, 11 a.m. Stories, songs, finger plays and other activities in both English and Spanish. Recommended for ages 3-6 and their families. Visit http://www.lcpl.lib.va.us/.
Christmas in Middleburg. An old fashioned Christmas in Middleburg complete with breakfast with Santa, arts and crafts, parades and hayrides. The Middleburg Hunt's hounds and riders in full attire parading through town at 11 a.m. and Santa in a horse-drawn carriage completing the traditional parade at 3 p.m. Free. Call 540-687-8888 or visit http://www.middleburg.com.
Holiday Parade. Holiday Parade and Winter Festival in Historic Downtown Leesburg, 5-8 p.m., including carriage rides for fee, refreshments, live entertainment, visits with Santa and his friends, children's activities and parade beginning at 7 p.m.
Christmas Play. "A Christmas Carol,” produced by Pickwick Players, at 7:30 p.m. Adults $10, children and seniors, $8. All performances at Harper Park Middle School Theater, 701 Potomac Station Drive, Leesburg. Advance tickets at 540-454-6320 or pickwickplayers@mail.com.
Crafts Show. 16th Annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Show at Ida Lee Park, Leesburg, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Features more than 90 local and regional crafters. Free admission. Call 703-777-1368 or www.idalee.org.
Book Swap. Sterling Annex Community Center, 1115 W. Church Road, 10 a.m.-noon. Free. Trade books, books on tape, DVDs and VHS movies. Call 703-430-6673.
Bluegrass Concerts. Two bluegrass bands, Stoney Creek Bluegrass/Leon Morris and Associates will perform at Lucketts Community Center, 42361 Lucketts Road. Doors open at 6 p.m., music begins at 7 p.m. Cost $12 at the door. Refreshments available at the snack bar. Call 703-771-5281.
<cal1>Sunday/Dec. 3
<cal2>Author Talk and Book Signing. Carole Herrick will speak about her research for, and recent publication on, the War of 1812. The focus of this program is her publication, "August 24, 1814." 2-4 p.m., at the Thomas Balch Library, Leesburg. Register in advance by calling 703-737-7195. Copies of the book will be available for purchase.
Pancake Breakfast. The monthly pancake breakfast at Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, Ashburn Road, Ashburn. Santa will be at breakfast. Scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, hash browns, biscuits and gravy, juice and coffee. Adults $6, seniors $5 , children $4, under 3 free. Contact AVFRD 703-729-0006.
Crafts Show. 16th Annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Show at Ida Lee Park, Leesburg, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Features more than 90 local and regional crafters. Free admission. Call 703-777-1368 or www.idalee.org.
Musical Performance. 3 p.m. The Navy's Sea Chanters chorus performs at Community Lutheran Church, 21014 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Free. Call 202-433-2525 or visit www.navyband.navy.mil.
Tree Lighting. The Lucketts Community Center, 42361 Lucketts Road, will hold a community tree lighting, 6-7:30 p.m. Includes a performance, indoors, by the Seraphim Bell Ringers, followed outdoors by caroling, bonfire, hot chocolate and tree lighting. Donation of gift cards and cash accepted to benefit the Loudoun Abused Women Shelter. Call 703-771-5281.
<cal2>Monday/Dec. 4
<cal2>Toddler One & Two. Stories, music and movement at the Rust Library, 11 a.m. Parachute play for toddlers on the go. Recommended for ages 12-24 months and parent/caregiver. Contact the Rust Library Youth Services Desk at 703-771-5624.
Are You Sleeping? Ages 3-5. Discover how animals spend the winter and search the woods for animals that are awake, try out a den to see if it will be warm. $10.50 per child. 9:30-11 a.m., 12:30-2 p.m. Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Road, Sterling. Call 703-444-1275.
<cal1>Tuesday/Dec. 5
<cal2>Tuesday Time Travelers. Travel through time and learn facts about people, places, inventions and discoveries, at Rust Library, 4 p.m. Medieval Treats: Many Centuries of Gingerbread. Call to reserve a place on the space shuttle at 703-771-5624. Recommended for ages 9-11.
Are You Sleeping? Ages 3-5. Discover how animals spend the winter and search the woods for animals that are awake, try out a den to see if it will be warm. $10.50 per child. 9:30-11 a.m., 12:30-2 p.m. Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Road, Sterling. Call 703-444-1275.
<cal1>Wednesday/Dec. 6
<cal2>Teen Craft. Red Scarf Drive with knitter LaDonna Snellbaker, 7 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. Make knitted scarves that will be donated to the Orphan Foundation of America's Red Scarf Project, which are sent to college-bound foster youth throughout the country. New to knitting, bring bamboo needles and worsted weight yarn, Lyon brand woolease. Bring red yard. Recommended for ages 12-18. Advance registration required, call 703-737-8100, Ext. 4.
Teddy Bear's Tea Party Ages 3-6. Bring teddy or another "friend" to visit historic Lanesville House, enjoy a story, play traditional games and have a sing along. $4 per child. 10-11:30 a.m., 12:30-2 p.m. Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Road, Sterling. Call 703-444-1275.
<cal1>Thursday/Dec. 7
<cal2>Author Discussion. Lois Lowry, author of "The Giver," will be at the Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls, 7 p.m. Call 703-444-3228.
Board Game Night. Pick a favorite game and spend a few hours playing while listening to music and munching on snacks provided by the library, Ashburn Library, 7 p.m. Recommended for ages 12-18. Call 703-737-8100, Ext. 4.
<cal1>Friday/Dec. 8
<cal2>Christmas Play. "A Christmas Carol,” produced by Pickwick Players, at 7:30 p.m. Adults $10, children and seniors, $8. All performances at Harper Park Middle School Theater, 701 Potomac Station Drive, Leesburg. Advance tickets at 540-454-6320 or pickwickplayers@mail.com.
Santa's Workshop. All ages. Douglass Community Center, 407 E. Market St., Leesburg, 5-6 p.m. Create gifts and ornaments; bring camera for photos with Santa. Supplies and refreshments provided. Register by Dec. 1, call 703-771-5913. Cost $6.
Shopping Boutique. 6-9 p.m. Holiday shopping boutique at Kirkpatrick Farms Clubhouse, 25520 Sumerall Drive. Includes a variety of local vendors, refreshments and door prizes. Free admission. Contact elaine@stripling.com or www.shopdulles.info.
Park Pals. Ages 2-4. 9:30-10:30 a.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling. Discover the outdoors with a grown-up friend. Look for tracks, listen for bird calls, look under logs and more, while focusing on monthly themes. No unregistered siblings. Cost $7 per child. Call 703-444-1275.
Toddler Treks. Ages 1-2. 11-11:45 a.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling. Join other parents and their little ones on a hike to discover birds, squirrels, trees and more. No unregistered siblings. Call 703-444-1275 to register. Cost $4 per child. Call 703-444-1275.
<cal1>Saturday/Dec. 9
<cal2>Santa Ride. Santa will ride through Ashburn on a fire truck, 6-9 p.m. Contact Dan Davidson at 703-729-0006.
Holiday Jazz. At Tarara Winery. Includes live music, holiday treats, wine and gift shop specials. The winery is open, from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., the music plays, from 12-4 p.m. 13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg, 703-771-7100 or www.tarara.com.
Lunch with Santa. Lansdowne Resort, 44050 Woodridge Parkway, Leesburg. Have lunch at the Riverside Hearth and have your picture taken with Santa and his elf; enjoy Lansdowne's holiday decorations. Adults $32.95; children 6-12 $16.50; children 5 and under $6.75. Call 703-729-8400 or visit www.lansdowneresort.com.
Gingerbread House Decorating. Lansdowne Resort, 44050 Woodbridge parkway, Leesburg. Assemble a gingerbread house and decorate it to take home. Decorations provided. Tickets $68 per house per two people, $10 per extra guest. Time to be determined. Call 703-729-8400 or visit www.lansdowneresort.com.
Yuletide Fun Day. Loudoun Museum, 16 Loudoun St., S.W., Leesburg, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Hear music, create ornaments, decorate special wrapping paper and bags, and help decorate the annual nature tree in the garden. Learn about customs, foods and stories from the past. Free admission. Call 703-777-7427 or visit www.loudounmuseum.org.
Master Singers. The Master Singers of Virginia perform "A Ceremony of Carols," at St. James Episcopal Church, 14 Crowell St., Leesburg, 8 p.m. Includes performance by candlelight, special poetry readings of Longfellow and Maya Angelou. $18 for adults, $12 for seniors/children. Call 703-655-7809 or visit www.msva.org.
Nutcracker in a Shell-All Jazzed Up. A shortened version of the Nutcracker, includes jazz, lyrical dance, tap and ballet and will be performed by children for children. At 3 p.m., at Freedom High School, 25450 Riding Center Drive, South Riding. Tickets adults $10, children ages 3-10, $6, seniors 55 and older $6, with children 2 and under free. Tickets on the Web site or at the Ashburn and Chantilly Creative Dance Center Studios. Contact Margaret Otto at 703-724-4900 or Ginny Frye at 703-378-1800 or visit www.cdcdance.com.
Knitting. The Red Scarf Project will be collecting handmade scarves to send away in Valentines Day care packages that will be going to foster youth attending college. Sign up to learn how to knit or crochet, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls, and then create a scarf at home. Needles and yarn will be provided to practice on. Recommended for ages 12-18.
Story Time. Fun with stories, music and activities at Sterling Library, 11 a.m. The story time is recommended for ages 2-5. Taste of the Holidays. Celebrate the holidays and the cold of winter with Windham Winery's homemade holiday treats and wines, 12-6 p.m., at Windham Winery, 14727 Mountain Road, Hillsboro. call 540-668-6464, Ext. 201 or visit http://www.WindhamWinery.com.
Christmas to Remember. Celebration begins with "Breakfast with Santa," 7 a.m., followed by the "Dog, Horse, Carriages & Kids" Parade in Historic Downtown Purcellville. The event also features holiday entertainment and children's activities. The day ends with the tree lighting, 6 p.m., at the "Teardrop." Call 540-338-7421 or visit http://www.purcellvilleva.com.
Loudoun Chorale. Performing Handel's Messiah, with brass accompaniment and professional soloists from Shenandoah University Conservatory, 7:30 p.m., St. David Episcopal Church, 43600 Russell Branch Parkway, Ashburn. Admission $10, seniors $8, youth $5, under age 12 free. Visit www.loudounchorale.org.
The Nutcracker. The Loudoun Ballet Company's 17th annual holiday classic "The Nutcracker" at Dominion High School in Sterling. Advanced reserved seating is $16 per adults, $12 per children 12 and under and seniors 60+. All premium reserved seating is $20. All tickets at the door are $20. Call the ticket office at 703-771-8074 or visit www.loudounballet.org.
Christmas Play. "A Christmas Carol,” produced by Pickwick Players, at 7:30 p.m. Costume matinee, at 2 p.m., and those wishing to wear Dicken’s period costumes receive free refreshments. Adults $10, children and seniors, $8. All performances at Harper Park Middle School Theater, 701 Potomac Station Drive, Leesburg. Advance tickets at 540-454-6320 or pickwickplayers@mail.com.
Dance Open House. All ages. Sterling Annex, 1115 W. Church Road, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Middle Eastern dance performances by beginner to advanced dancers. Free. 703-430-6673.
Sing a Song of Science and Nature. Ages 6-10. 10-11:30 a.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling. Exploring nature is fun, but it's even more fun when it's put to music. Learn some simple interactive songs about science and nature then do some hands-on activities. Theme: Habitats. Cost $10.50 per child. Call 703-444-1275.