The following holiday events are taking place in locally during November and December.
<b>Thursday, Nov. 19
</b>Turkey Tales. 10:30 a.m. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. Thanksgiving story time. Age 2-5 with adult. 703-249-1520.
P Is for Pilgrims and Pumpkin Pie. 10:30 a.m. Richard Byrd Library, 6315 Backlick Road, Springfield. Stories and activities. Age 2-5 with adult. 703-451-8055.
<b>Friday/Nov. 20
</b>Newington Forest Holiday Bazaar, at Newington Forest Elementary, 8001 Newington Forest Ave., Springfield. Havefamily portraits done by a professional photographer (www.provinepictures.com) for half the price of local studios, from 3:30-6 p.m., then enjoy some holiday shopping opportunities (6:30-8:30 p.m.) with community vendors, Kid's Santa Shop and Bingo with prizes from the vendors and gift cards for your thanksgiving turkey.
<b>Saturday/Nov. 21
</b>Annual Craft/Gift Fair. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Thomas Jefferson High School, 6560 Braddock Road, Alexandria. Proceeds benefit arts/crafts community and TJ Crew team. www.tjgiftshow.com or tjgiftshow@gmail.com.
Burke Civic Ballet presents "The Nutcracker.” 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Ernst Community Cultural Center Theater, Northern Virginia Community College Annandale Campus. www.buffas.com.
The Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia’s 29th Annual Fall Gala. 7:30 p.m. at Westfields Marriott, 14750 Conference Center Drive, Chantilly. Casino night, art auction, dancing and entertainment, dinner buffet stations, desserts and open bar. Tickets start at $180 per individual/$360 per couple, sponsorships begin at $550. Proceeds benefit the JCCNV’s Special Needs program. www.jccnv.org or Sara Moore, 703-537-3024 or SaraM@jccnv.org.
<b>Sunday/Nov. 22
</b>Northern Virginia Mineral Club 18th Annual Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Student Union II Building, George Mason University, Fairfax. Sponsored by GMU's Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Earth Sciences. $4 for adults, $3 for senior citizens and age 13-18. Age 12 and under, Scouts in uniform and GMU students with ID free. Over 20 gem, mineral and fossil dealers with specimens for sale, demonstrations, exhibits, door prizes and a silent auction. Children’s area with mineral related activities, quizzes and puzzles, mini-mines and a Miocene fossil dig. rockcllctr@aol.com.
Burke Civic Ballet presents "The Nutcracker.” 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Ernst Community Cultural Center Theater, Northern Virginia Community College Annandale Campus. www.buffas.com.
<b>Wednesday/Nov. 25
</b>Workhouse Works Show. The Workhouse Works Show will feature original works of art no larger than 8 x 10 created especially for this exhibition by Workhouse Artists. The exhibition, which runs through Dec. 24, will be in Gallery W-16. The Workhouse Arts Center is located at 9601 Ox Road, Lorton. For more information, call 703-495-0001 or visit www.workhousearts.org.
26th Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service. Join members of Congregation Adat Reyim, Burke Presbyterian Church and St. Mary of Sorrows Roman Catholic Church 7:30 p.m., at Burke Presbyterian, 5690 Oak Leather Drive, Burke.
<b>Saturday, Nov. 28
</b>A Chanticleer Christmas. 8 p.m. at the George Mason University Concert Hall, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. Tickets $24-$48. Pre-Performance discussion 45 minutes prior to the performance. 888-945-2468 or www.gmu.edu/cfa.
<b>Monday/Dec. 1
</b>Tiny Tots Concert. 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. at Robert E. Lee High School, 6540 Franconia Road, Springfield. Featuring holiday music and costumed characters from animated movies and cartoons. Tickets $2. Reservations required for matinee. 703-956-0447.
West Springfield High School Tiny Tots Concert. 10 a.m. Familiar nursery and show tunes for 4-5 year olds. Some of their favorite costumed characters will be there to add to the enjoyment. Tickets available at the door. ladesio@verizon.net.
<b>Wednesday/Dec. 2
</b>‘A Christmas Carol’ opens at the Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre, Route 1 at Furnace Road in Woodbridge. The show will run through Dec. 30, with matinees on selected dates. Call 703-494-6311 or visit www.lazysusan.com for showtimes and ticket prices.
Tiny Tots Concert. 10 a.m. at Robert E. Lee High School, 6540 Franconia Road, Springfield. Featuring holiday music and costumed characters from animated movies and cartoons. Tickets $2. Reservations required. 703-956-0447.
West Springfield High School Tiny Tots Concert. 10 a.m. Familiar nursery and show tunes for 4-5 year olds. Tickets available at the door. ladesio@verizon.net.
<b>Friday/Dec. 4
</b>Opera Recital: “Amahl and the Night Visitors.” 8 p.m., at the Harris Theater, George Mason University’s Fairfax campus. Purchase tickets at tickets.com or at 888-945-2468.
<b>Saturday/Dec. 5
</b>Welcome the Holidays in Historic Clifton. Holiday Horseback Parade and Contest, 2-2:30 p.m.; visit shops in Historic Town of Clifton and take photos with Santa, 2:30-4:30 p.m.; Town of Clifton Candlelight Homes Tour, featuring live music and strolling Dickens Carolers, 4:30-7:30 p.m.; Caroling, refreshments and Christmas Tree Lighting in Ayre Square, 7:30-8 p.m. Tickets before Dec. 5: $20 for adults; $5 for children under 12; after Dec. 5, $25 for adults; $10 for children under 12. Purchase tickets at Clifton Café, Cottage Art, T&K Treasures and a Flower Blooms in Clifton; Picket Fence in Burke and Banner’s in Centreville. For more, e-mail Jennifer Chesley at townofclifton@aol.com or Lynne Garvey Hodge, lghassoc@erols.com.
20th Annual Model Train Display. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., at the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum, 11200 Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station. Many different gauge model trains will be running in the main building, caboose and on the grounds surrounding the station. Come enjoy some hot chocolate and a gingerbread man while you admire the trains. Admission is $5 for adults and $1 for children. 703-425-9225.
Opera Recital: “Amahl and the Night Visitors.” 8 p.m., at the Harris Theater, George Mason University’s Fairfax campus. Purchase tickets at tickets.com or at 888-945-2468.
<b>Sunday/Dec. 6
</b>20th Annual Model Train Display. 12-4 p.m., at the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum, 11200 Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station. Many different gauge model trains will be running in the main building, caboose and on the grounds surrounding the station. Come enjoy some hot chocolate and a gingerbread man while you admire the trains. Admission is $5 for adults and $1 for children. 703-425-9225.
Christmas Market. Ravensworth Baptist Church, 5100 Ravensworth Road, Annandale, will sponsor a Christmas Market on 9:30-10:45 a.m. Honor loved ones with a gift that will benefit local or international charitable organizations. 703-941-4113; www.rbc-va.org.
<b>Wednesday/Dec. 9
</b>DC101 Festivus with Weezer, Jack’s Mannequin and Motion City Soundtrack. 7 p.m. at the George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. $49.50. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com or 703-573-SEAT. www.dc101.com or www.patriotcenter.com.
<b>Thursday/Dec. 10
</b>Tiny Tots Holiday Concert. 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. at South County Secondary School, 8501 Silverbrook Road, Lorton. $3 per person. 571-332 5920 or redroc26@aol.com.
<b>Friday/Dec. 11
</b>Pianist George Winston's "The Winter Show." 8 p.m. at George Mason University Center for the Arts Concert Hall, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. Adults $21-$42. Youth through grade 12, half price when accompanied by an adult. Charge by phone at 888-945-2468 or www.gmu.edu/cfa. www.georgewinston.com.
Plantation Christmas. 6-9:30 p.m. Ride in a horse-drawn carriage, sip warm cider by the bonfire, and sample period recipes in the hearth kitchen at Gunston Hall. Enjoy live holiday music, candlelight mansion tours, and costumed characters engaged in seasonal merriment. Admission to “Plantation Christmas” is $15 for adults, $8 for ages 6-18, and $2 for ages 2-5. Reservations are not required.
Plantation Christmas Yuletide Dinner. This delicious meal features a generous selection of traditional fare and includes admission to Plantation Christmas at Gunston Hall. The Yuletide Dinner is $49.95 for adults and ages 11 and older, $24.95 for ages 6-10, and $9.95 for ages 2-5. Call 703/550-9220 for reservations. Gunston Hall is located at 10709 Gunston Road, Mason Neck. For information, call 703-550-9220 or visit www.GunstonHall.org.
Living Nativity. See the angels, shepherds, wise men, Mary, Joseph and live animals as they reenact the night Jesus was born at Harvest Church, 7401 Beulah St., Kingstowne. Performances are 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Hot chocolate and cookies will be provided at each performance. Free. Call 703-971-7070 or check out www. harvestchurchag.org for more information.
<b>Saturday/Dec. 12
</b>Breakfast with Santa. 9 a.m. at West Springfield High School, 6100 Rolling Road, Springfield. Continental buffet breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Tickets are $8.50 at www.wshschorus.org.
Canadian Brass: A Canadian Brass Christmas. 8 p.m., at the George Mason University Concert Hall, Fairfax. Pre-performance discussion 7:15 p.m. Tickets: $48, $40, $24. Purchase tickets at tickets.com
Plantation Christmas and Yuletide Dinner. 6-9:30 p.m., at Gunston Hall, 10709 Gunston Road, Mason Neck. See Dec. 11 listing for details.
Living Nativity. See the angels, shepherds, wise men, Mary, Joseph and live animals as they reenact the night Jesus was born at Harvest Church, 7401 Beulah St., Kingstowne. Performances are 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Hot chocolate and cookies will be provided at each performance. Free. Call 703-971-7070 or check out www. harvestchurchag.org for more information.
<b>Sunday/Dec. 13
</b>Christmas Cantata: Morning Star. 11 a.m., at Franconia United Methodist Church. Franconia United Methodist Church is located at 6037 Franconia Road, Alexandria. The Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall are handicapped accessible. 703-971-5151 or www.franconiaumc.org.
George Mason University Symphony Orchestra and Choruses Holiday Concert. 7 p.m., at the George Mason University Concert Hall, Fairfax. $20. Purchase tickets at tickets.com.
Christmas Market. Ravensworth Baptist Church, 5100 Ravensworth Road, Annandale, will sponsor a Christmas Market 12-1 p.m. Honor loved ones with a gift that will benefit local or international charitable organizations. 703-941-4113; www.rbc-va.org.
<b>Tuesday/Dec. 15
</b>Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular. 7 p.m. at the George Mason University Patriot Center. www.ticketmaster.com.
<b>Wednesday/Dec. 16
</b>Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular. 7 p.m. at the George Mason University Patriot Center. www.ticketmaster.com.
<b>Friday/Dec. 18
</b>Natalie MacMaster: Christmas in Cape Breton. 8 p.m., at the George Mason University Concert Hall, Fairfax. $46, $38, $23. Purchase tickets at tickets.com. Pre-performance discussion 7:15 p.m.
<b>Saturday/Dec. 19
</b>Rockapella: A Rockapella Holiday. 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., at the George Mason University Concert Hall, Fairfax. $42, $34, $21. Purchase tickets at tickets.com. Pre-performance discussions at 1:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.
<b>Saturday/Dec. 20
</b>Christmas Market. Ravensworth Baptist Church, 5100 Ravensworth Road, Annandale, will sponsor a Christmas Market 12-1 p.m. Honor loved ones with a gift that will benefit local or international charitable organizations. 703-941-4113; www.rbc-va.org.
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