After seeing “A Christmas Carol” and the nearest winter light
show, go to a few family-friendly Christmas festivities hosted by Catholics
around the diocese. Check with your parish to see what other activities may be planned.
Baby Jesus Party
Pauline Books and Media
Saturday, Dec. 8, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
1025 King St., Alexandria
Go to Pauline.org or call 703/549-3806
Celebrate Jesus’ birthday early with the Daughters of St. Paul. There
will be birthday cake, story time and crafts. Families are welcome to don
costumes for photos with baby Jesus and leave a prayer request in the chapel.
Country Christmas
St. James Church in Falls Church
Saturday, Dec. 8, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
103 N. Spring Street, Falls Church
Go to stjamescatholic.org or call 703/532-8815
Both horse-drawn carriages and real camels will offer rides
around St. James during the Country Christmas event. Sing along to Christmas
carols led by the Bishop O’Connell High School Band and Choir. Warm up by a
fire with hot chocolate and hot dogs. Other attractions include children’s
crafts and a petting zoo. The church’s Hispanic community will wrap up the
evening with a live Nativity.
Christmas Market Village
St. Francis de Sales Church in Purcellville
Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
37730 St. Francis Court, Purcellville
Go to saintfrancisparish.org/christmas-market-village or
call 540/338-6431
Get your Christmas shopping done at this daylong craft fair while
your kids make their own crafts or watch Christmas movies. To complete the Christmas
mart vibe, get a bite of German food. Those with a sweet tooth can sign up for
the gingerbread house making workshop to be held at the parish Dec. 15, 1-3
p.m.
Christmas Bazaar
St. Joseph Church in Alexandria
Saturday, Dec. 15. 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
711 N. Columbus St., Alexandria
Call 703/548-7239
This bazaar has everything: books, toys, antiques, jewelry,
baskets and more. Grab something to eat as you browse. World Youth Day pilgrims
will be selling T-shirts they designed to fund raise for their upcoming trip to
Panama.
Bethlehem Walk
Holy Trinity Church in Gainesville
Thursday, Dec. 20 and Friday, Dec. 21, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
8213 Linton Hall Road, Gainesville
Go to holytrinityparish.net/bethlehem-walk or call 703/753-6700
Take a trip back in time with the Bethlehem Walk at Holy Trinity.
Extensive decorations and parishioners in costumes set the scene for the birth
of Christ. Visitors meet King Herod, the Magi and the animals who kept the holy
family company.
Pick out a tree
Support your Catholic community and buy a tree from one of the
many churches hosting tree and wreath sales, including St. Timothy Church in
Chantilly, St. Mary of Sorrows Church in Fairfax and Our Lady of Lourdes Church
in Arlington.
Listen to some Christmas cheer
Many parishes are holding Christmas concerts or Lessons and Carols,
including the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington, St. Raymond of
Peñafort Church in Springfield and Our Lady of Hope Church in Potomac Falls.
Celebrate Advent the Filipino way
From Dec. 15 to Dec. 24, several churches will host evening and
morning Masses for Simbang Gabi, a novena of Masses celebrated during Advent. A
reception of Filipino food typically follows. For a full list of Masses, go to
arlingtondiocese.org/simbanggabi.
Know of another local event? Share it in the comments.
