Christmas 2026 around Manassas: Bull Run Festival of Lights Nov. 14 to Jan. 3, the Harris Pavilion ice rink, Santa Lights Dec. 4 and holiday markets.
Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Sources: NOVA Parks, the City of Manassas ice skating page and City Connection, Historic Manassas Inc. and the Greater Manassas Christmas Parade. Where a 2026 date is not out yet, we say which year a date is from.
The holiday season around Manassas starts Nov. 14, when the Bull Run Festival of Lights switches on, and peaks the first weekend of December. Santa arrives by train for the tree lighting on Friday, Dec. 4, the ARTfactory’s Holiday Market runs Dec. 4-5, and the outdoor ice rink at the Harris Pavilion reopens in November. The Christmas parade and tree lighting have their own page: Christmas parade and tree lighting.
What this means for you
- Lights: Bull Run Festival of Lights at Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville, from Nov. 14. Buy tickets online ahead; the park says advance tickets save up to $20 a vehicle.
- Skating: the Harris Pavilion rink, 703-403-8297, sells session tickets online.
- Santa: Friday, Dec. 4, at the Manassas train depot and museum lawn.
Light displays
Bull Run Festival of Lights
NOVA Parks runs 2.5 miles of drive-through light displays at Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville.
- Dates: daily, Nov. 14, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027, weather permitting. Open on Thanksgiving night, 5:30 to 10 p.m.
- Hours: 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 5:30 to 10 p.m. Friday to Sunday and holidays.
- Tickets: $30 to $45 a vehicle bought online in advance, depending on the date.
- Also included: the Holiday Village, stable and carnival at the end of the drive. Carnival rides and camel rides cost extra.
Downtown lights
City electric crews hang holiday lights in Historic Downtown each year, the city’s December 2025 City Connection said. The lit Christmas tree on the Manassas Museum lawn goes up at Santa Lights Manassas.
Ice skating at the Harris Pavilion
The city’s outdoor rink at the Harris Pavilion, 9201 Center St., reopens for the season in November 2026.
| Times and prices | |
|---|---|
| Weekday sessions | 4 to 5:30 p.m., 6 to 7:30 p.m., 8 to 9:30 p.m. |
| Weekend sessions | Noon, 2, 4, 6 and 8 p.m., 90 minutes each |
| Admission | Adults $10; children 12 and under $8 |
| Skate rental | $7 |
During the 2025-26 winter break the rink opened at noon, closed early on Christmas Eve and was closed on Christmas Day, with theme nights including an Ugly Sweater Night and a Glow Skate Night. The city had not posted 2026 holiday hours when we checked. The rink is open until 10 p.m. on the night of Santa Lights Manassas, Dec. 4, the parade organizers say.
Santa visits
- Santa Lights Manassas, Friday, Dec. 4: Santa arrives on the VRE train at 6:19 p.m., the tree is lit at 6:30 p.m. on the museum lawn, and Santa then greets children in the Santa tent until the last child has visited, according to the organizers. Free wagon rides follow.
- The Greater Manassas Christmas Parade, Saturday, Dec. 5, at 10 a.m., ends with Santa.
- Cookies with Santa: the city held this at the Community Center on Dec. 13, 2025, from 3 to 5 p.m. A 2026 date is not out yet.
Holiday markets and shows
| Date | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Nov. 20-29, 2026 | ARTfactory’s Frozen | Hylton Performing Arts Center |
| Nov. 27-28, 2026 | The Nutcracker | Hylton Performing Arts Center |
| Sat. Nov. 28, 2026, 11 a.m. to noon | Holiday Family Day | Liberia House, 8601 Portner Ave. |
| Fri. Dec. 4, 5 to 9 p.m. | ARTfactory’s Holiday Market | 9419 Battle St. |
| Sat. Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | ARTfactory’s Holiday Market | 9419 Battle St. |
Last year’s December calendar (2025 dates)
These ran in December 2025, according to the city’s December 2025 City Connection. Most return each year; 2026 dates had not been published when we checked.
- Free carriage rides at the railroad depot, Sundays Dec. 7, 14 and 21, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Holiday Train Show at the City of Manassas Community Center, 8750 Sudley Road, Dec. 10-14.
- Deck the Museum, trees decorated by Baldwin Elementary at the Manassas Museum, Dec. 5-31.
- GFWC Woman’s Club of Manassas Holiday Homes Tour, Dec. 14, 1 to 4 p.m.
- Manassas Ballet Theatre’s Nutcracker at the Hylton Performing Arts Center, Dec. 17-23.
- Prince William Little Theatre’s It’s a Wonderful Life at the Hylton, Dec. 12-21.
- Christmas Cabaret at the ARTfactory, Dec. 18.
Menorah lightings
We did not find a public menorah lighting in the City of Manassas announced for Hanukkah 2026, which begins at sundown on Friday, Dec. 4. If your congregation or group is holding one, send us the details.
Christmas week services
- Trash: no pickup on Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25; Friday collection moves to Saturday, Dec. 26. Christmas trees are collected the first two weeks of January on your yard waste day. See our trash and recycling guide.
- Manassas City Public Schools winter break runs Dec. 21, 2026, to Jan. 1, 2027.
Related: New Year’s Eve in Manassas, Black Friday and holiday shopping and things to do this month.
Frequently asked questions
When does the Bull Run Festival of Lights open in 2026?
It runs daily from Nov. 14, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027, at Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 5:30 to 10 p.m. Friday to Sunday and holidays, weather permitting.
Is there ice skating in Manassas?
Yes. The outdoor rink at the Harris Pavilion, 9201 Center St., reopens in November 2026. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for children 12 and under, with skate rental $7.
Where can kids see Santa in Manassas?
Santa arrives by train at Santa Lights Manassas on Friday, Dec. 4, 2026, and greets children in the Santa tent after the 6:30 p.m. tree lighting. He also rides in the Christmas parade on Saturday, Dec. 5.
Is there a menorah lighting in Manassas?
We did not find a public menorah lighting in the City of Manassas announced for Hanukkah 2026, which begins the evening of Dec. 4. We will add one if it is announced.
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