Fairfax City Girl Scouts sing Christmas carols and Chanukah songs during a past Festival of Lights and Carols.
Cathedral Brass Christmas Music
Featuring classical, jazz and popular-music favorites by Gabrieli, Harry Connick Jr., Vince Guaraldi, Karen Carpenter and more, the Cathedral Brass will present “Home for the Holidays,” Friday, Dec. 3, at 8 p.m. The performance will be held in the Sherwood Community Center, 3740 Old Lee Hwy. in Fairfax. Sponsoring this event is the City of Fairfax Commission on the Arts.
People roasting marshmallows for s’mores at a previous holiday festival.
Festival of Lights and Carols
This annual event is set for Saturday, Dec. 4, from noon-6 p.m., in Old Town Square, 10415 North St. There’ll be live, holiday music performed by several groups, plus s’mores and beverages. The Kiwanis Club will be serving hot apple cider, Air O’Dynamic Art will give out special balloons, and vendors will offer holiday crafts. The festivities will also include caroling and the lighting of the Christmas tree there at 5:30 p.m. Fair City Mall is the event sponsor.
Twins Ace Hardware 10th Anniversary
Founded by brothers Craig and Jeff Smith, Twins Ace Hardware at 10310B Main St. is an independently owned and operated store that’s been in the heart of Fairfax City since 2011. And in celebration of its 10th anniversary, it’ll host a three-day event from Friday, Dec. 3, through Sunday, Dec. 5, with a celebratory board cutting set for Saturday, Dec. 4, at noon.
The fun includes giveaways, special pricing, product demos, food tastings, children’s activities and a special appearance by Santa Claus. In addition, throughout the weekend, customers will have the chance to win prizes from brands such as Craftsman, Weber and Milwaukee.
On Saturday, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Chef Jason Morse and Team Traeger will be grilling, there’ll be a live deejay, goodie bags (while supplies last), Santa and an opportunity to win a Traeger Grill, with proceeds benefiting Children’s National Medical Center.
City Police Collecting Toys
Between now and Dec. 12, people may drop off new, unwrapped toys, games, books and gifts to the Fairfax City Police Department to benefit children in the local community. Toy collection boxes are in the lobby of the station at 3730 Old Lee Hwy. in Fairfax.
Holiday Market
The fourth annual City of Fairfax Holiday Market will be held in Old Town Square, both weekends, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from Dec. 3 through Dec. 12. (The trees there are already decorated in twinkling, holiday lights). A wide variety of craft vendors will sell their wares, including gourmet food, holiday décor, jewelry, pet treats, wood, personal-care and needlework items, with different vendors scheduled each weekend.
Dates and times for the Holiday Market are: Weekend One – Friday, Dec. 3, from 5-8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 4, from noon-6 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 5, from noon-5 p.m. Weekend Two – Friday, Dec. 10, from 5-8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 11, from noon-6 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 12, from noon-5 p.m.
The fun will include music, hot drinks and refreshments. And children and pets can have their pictures taken with Santa. The schedule is Sunday, Dec. 5, from 1-3 p.m., children/family photos; and Sunday, Dec. 12, from 3-5 p.m., pet photos.
The vendors are as follows:
*Weekend One
All That Yazz
Amaryllis Press
Bradshaw Sauce Co.
Cafeto Espresso
Colonial Kettle Corn
Doughboy Creamery
Early Bird Cheesecakes
Earth Essentials by Erica
Front Porch Art LLC
Goody Paws Bakery Treats
Gordon’s Grill
I Spy Artisan Jewelry
Khadija Brand
Memo Designs
Nash’s Fine Woodworking
Native Buffalo Spirit
Orange Peel Apparel LLC
Scrummy Gorgeous
Studio Ralla
Trinity Gifts
Tyson’s Web Solutions LLC
Uniquely Sea Glass LLC
Vienna Volunteer Fire Department
Viva Sol – Café & Bake Shop
Ward of the Wood
*Weekend Two
Altyn Clark Stained Glass
Belle Jar Co.
Betty Jane’s Sweet Delights Inc.
Castein Apothecary
Cindy’s Special Gift
Circuit Breaker Labs
Colonial Kettle Corn
Fairfax Library Foundation
Fera’s Loft
Green Papaya LLC
Paddingtons Backyard LLC
Raising Kane Design LLC
Samsara Upcycled Art & More LLC
Shiloh Church Artisans
Smell of Love Candles LLC
Stallard Road Farm & Botanicals
SweezEats LLC
TOKIYA JAPAN
Valley of Gems
Wanderlust Art by Sharon
Whole Grain Goods
Xtraordinary Evoked Photography
Lunch with Santa
Children will enjoy crafts, lunch and holiday characters in costume, Saturday, Dec. 11, at Old Town Hall, 3999 University Drive. There’ll be three seatings – at 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m. Purchase tickets at City Hall, 10455 Armstrong St.; Green Acres, 4401 Sideburn Road and the Sherwood Center, 3740 Old Lee Hwy., or via https://www.fairfaxva.gov/government/parks-recreation/special-events/lunch-with-santa.