If you’re looking for fun activities to add to your Christmas bucket list, you’ve found the right place to look. From ice skating to magical Christmas towns, here are the top five activities to do and places to be this holiday season.
Meadowlark
Founded in 1987, Meadowlark Gardens is a botanical garden located in Vienna, VA. Open year-round with beautiful gardens and scenery, Meadowlark offers a Winter Walk of Lights. Starting on Nov. 4, 2025 and ending on Jan. 4, 2026, this magical light walk is open from 5 PM to 10 PM, with tickets starting at $19 per person online and $24 in person. The light walk has thousands of lights, themed animated displays, photo opportunities, hot chocolate, and, everyone’s favorite, a smores station.
Reston ice staking
Located in Reston, Virginia at Reston Town Center, an ice skating rink was established in 2001. This ice rink has been a popular activity during the holidays to enjoy with friends and family. Tickets are $11 per adult and $9 per child. The ice rink is located near many restaurants and shops to visit to add to your fun time.
Snow tubing at Liberty University
Liberty University, located in Lynchburg, Va, has annual snow tubing at the Mountain Snowflex Center. This winter activity is the perfect addition to your bucketlist. It is family-friendly and very popular from mid-November to late February. Tickets are sold for $30-$40 for two hour sessions. Consider Liberty snow tubing for your holiday experience.
Bull Run
Bull Run Car Show (Festival of Lights) is an annual 2.5-mile drive-through holiday light show located at Bull Run Regional Park in Centerville, VA. The drive-through light show features millions of holiday lights. The light show requires customers to turn off headlights to fully experience the beautiful show. Tickets are $30 online and $40 in person. The light show runs from Nov. 14, 2025, to Jan. 4, 2026.
Bush Gardens Christmas Town
If you are looking to get out of town for the weekend, a popular amusement park located in Williamsburg, VA, is unlike any other amusement park. Bush Gardens stays open all year, despite some rides being closed at certain times. Bush Gardens offers a beautiful Christmas Town in the winter months, transforming the amusement park into a winter wonderland with millions of lights, festive shows, Christmas rides, and other attractions. Tickets start as low as $32-$40 per person but can go up to $72 per person. Christmas Town stays open from Nov. 14, 2025, to Jan. 4, 2026.