Email announcements to centreview@connectionnewspapers.com. Photos welcome.
Sundays/Dec. 2 and 9
Santa Paws. The annual Fair Oaks Mall “Santa Paws” will be offered on Sunday, Nov. 25 from 8-9 p.m.; Dec. 2 from 7:30-9 a.m. and 8-9 p.m.; and Dec. 9 from 8-9:30 p.m. Owners with their dogs and cats will be able to access Fair Oaks Mall during “Santa Paws” hours only from the lower level south east entrance adjacent to Todai Japanese Seafood Buffet. All pets must be on a leash or in a lightweight cage or pet carrier with a harness. Dogs and cats must be up-to-date with their shots and owners will be responsible for their pets at all times.
ASL Signing Santa and Mrs. Claus
In celebration of the Ice Age: Continental Drift Blu-ray featuring first-time sign-language interpretation of a feature film, Fair Oaks will host ASL Signing Santa Day on Thursday, Dec. 6 from 10-11 a.m. Special-guest children who are deaf and/or hard-of-hearing will be welcomed for a walk through the multi-sensory Ice Palace, Ice Age treats and souvenirs, signed dance performances by Hulala, performances by members of the Washington, D.C. deaf community, a visit with Signing Santa and Signing Mrs. Claus and complimentary Santa photos. The event will be signed by a guest interpreter.
ASL Signing Santa and Signing Mrs. Claus will remain in the Ice Palace throughout the day Thursday, Dec. 6 through 9:30 p.m. to welcome all shoppers. Free and open to the public. Visit http://www.ShopFair…">www.ShopFairOaksMal… or call 703-279-2708.
Saturday/Dec. 1
Decorating with Holiday Greens. 10 a.m. Learn how to bring the beauty and fragrance of the holiday season indoors with fresh cut pine, holly, cedar, boxwood, magnolia and other plants. Peg Bier will share her ideas and displays. At Merrifield Gardens at Fair Oaks, 12101 Lee Hwy. Visit www.merrifieldgardencenter.com.
Toys for Tots Event. The Ed Lang Team and Re/Max Premier will be hosting their Annual Toys for Tots Charity Movie Event at the Centreville Multiplex theatres. The event is free to local residents with the donation of at least one unwrapped new toy per guest. This charity event has brought in more than 10,000 gifts for the Toys for Tots Foundation over the past 15+ years. Some of the past sponsors and participants include the Marines, Girl Scout Troops, Rocky Run Middle School Band and Choir, St. Timothy’s Conquest Boys Clubs, and many local community member volunteers.
Through Dec. 5
Yogurt Lid Collection. Western Fairfax Alumnae of Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity are collecting pink Yoplait yogurt lids. For each lid collected 10 cents will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Community drop off location is Centreville United Methodist Church, 6400 Old Centreville Road, Centreville. Call 703-631-8238.
Friday-Saturday/Dec. 7-8
Holiday Used Book Sale. The Friends of the Centreville Library will be holding a used book sale: Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the lobby of the Centreville Regional Library, 14220 St. Germain Drive, Centreville. Books for all ages in like-new condition will be offered at bargain prices. Proceeds from the book sale benefit Centreville Regional Library and its patrons by helping to fund educational programs for young readers and by supporting maintenance of the library itself. Call 703-830-2223 or visit Friendsofcentrevillelibrary.blogspot.com.
Sweeney Todd at TJ. 7 p.m. For a bloody good time, attend Stephen Sondheim’s classic tale of “Sweeney Todd - the Demon Barber of Fleet Street” about a vengeful London barber and his landlady’s scrumptious but mysterious meat pies as performed by the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology’s student choir along with the TJ faculty, parent and alumni choirs. Tickets are $10 and are available at the door on performance days at the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology at 6560 Braddock Road in Alexandria. Visit www.tjchoir.org.
Friday-Sunday/Dec. 7-9
Sugarloaf Craft Festival. Visitors can shop a variety of sculpture, glass, jewelry, fashion, wood, metal, furniture, accessories, photography and fine art – all hand-crafted by more than 300 artists who have been jury selected for this show. Craftspeople will demonstrate their creative processes in iron forging, papermaking, stone sculpting and other media. Live music, children’s entertainment and gourmet goodies from dozens of specialty food vendors will make the Festival a great destination for the entire family. Admission is $8 online, $10 at the door. Free for children under 12. Admissions are valid all three days. Visit www.sugarloafcrafts.com or call 800-210-9900. Free parking. At Dulles Expo Center, 4368 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly. Show hours: Friday, Dec. 7: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 8: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 9: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday/Dec. 8
Toy Train Show. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The Washington, Baltimore & Annapolis Chapter (WB&A) of the Train Collectors Association will be holding a Holiday Toy Train Show and Sale at the Shriner’s Kena Temple, located at 9001 Arlington Blvd., Fairfax. Attendees of all ages will get into the holiday spirit at the Holiday Show, which will include working layouts of model trains of all types and gauges. Model trains, track, and components will also be available for sale. Admission is $5, free for children under 12 and Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in uniform (when accompanied by an adult); active members of the military, National Guard, Coast Guard, and Reserves; and members of the WB&A. Call James or Colleen Hall at 540-497-1840 or email memberwba@gmail.com.
Snacks with Santa. 1-4 p.m. at Lord of Life Church, 13421 Twin Lakes Dr, Clifton. Snacks, Face painting, crafts, raffle prizes and time with Santa. Cash and non perishable donations appreciated. All donations will be used to adopt an elementary school filled with families in need. Sponsored by local Girl Scouts and The Dulles Airport Rotary Club. All are welcome.
Saturday/Dec. 15
Art Show and Sale. The Art Guild of Clifton will hold an art show and sale, featuring a variety of original art, hand-made by the member artists, including paintings, pastels, sculpture, jewelry, pottery, fiber art, and photography, some of which will also be demonstrated. Followed by a reception where the public can mingle and chat with the artists. Show and sale are noon-6 p.m., reception is 6-8 p.m. No entrance fee. At Clifton Town Hall, 12641 Chapel Road. Call 703-830-1480 or visit www.artguildofclifton.org.
Free Christmas Banquet & Concert. Dinner starts at 5 p.m., followed by a concert at 6 p.m. At Oakton Baptist Church located at 14001 Sullyfield Circle, Chantilly. Call 703 631-1799. Free. Bring a can of food to help support local ministry. A love offering will be taken.
Sunday-Monday/Dec. 16-17
Renaissance Dinner. 6:30 p.m. An evening of food, music, and entertainment set in the Renaissance period. Members of the adult choir will act as the Royal Court to the Lord and Lady of the manor. The evening will include a four-course, catered dinner and entertainment by a Madrigal Choir, harp, brass quartet, vocal soloists, and dramatic vignettes. Tickets are $30. At Centreville United Methodist Church, 6400 Old Centreville Road, Centreville. Call 703-830-2684, ext. 1869.
Through Dec. 24
Fair Oaks Enchanted Ice Palace Holiday Tradition. Open during all Fair Oaks regular and holiday hours. Fair Oaks' Ice Palace features a 30-foot ice dome with falling snow, interactive multi-sensory elements, larger-than-life snow globes, Ice Throne and light show beneath twinkling icicles descending from Fair Oaks' 65-foot Grand Court atrium. New this year will be showcases of the beloved prehistoric herd from the family film Ice Age: Continental Drift. The 1,200 square foot Ice Palace will culminate with a visit to Santa and a complimentary Ice Age gift. Fair Oaks will also celebrate the eight days of Hanukkah with a display adjacent to the Ice Palace featuring the history and significance of the dreidel (sevivonim). Free and open to the public. Visit www.ShopFairOaksMall.com or call 703-279-2708. Fair Oaks Grand Court, 11750 Fair Oaks Mall.
Through Jan. 6, 2013
Bull Run Festival of Lights. This event features more than two miles of holiday light displays, food, fire pits for marshmallow roasting, carnival rides, hay rides and Santa's Enchanted Lights. The light show is open Monday through Thursday, 5:30-9:30 p.m. and Friday through Sunday and holidays, 5:30-10 p.m. Admission is $15 per car Monday through Thursday; $20 per car Friday through Sunday and holidays. At Bull Run Regional Park located at 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville. Visit www.bullrunfestivaloflights.com or call 703-359-4633.