While all of Loudoun County may not fit neatly under the tree this holiday season, giving the gift of an authentic Loudoun experience is sure to land you on the ‘nice’ list with friends and family.
One of the most important lessons of the last two years is that time with loved ones is precious, made better by experiencing something unique together. A non-scientific NBC poll found that as many as 81% of readers preferred a meaningful experience this year instead of a physical gift.
To give the gift of happy memories and new traditions this year, consider this list curated for Loudoun.
Holiday/Winter Getaways:
- Tinsel: Featuring exclusive activations with the Washington Capitals ice hockey team, Tinsel! is an open-air winter showcase with spectacular interactive light displays, themed light trails (Candy Lane, Stargazer Square, Snowflake Street) and a 120-foot tinsel tunnel decked out with twinkling lights and filled with holiday music. Taking place in Sterling from November 19-January 22, this authentic Loudoun experience includes igloos for rent, craft demonstrations, scavenger hunts, food trucks, a giant 18-foot Christmas tree and selfie stations for pictures with Santa. Hockey fans can visit #Allcaps Corner on the site for Caps-themed arts, crafts, photographs and swag. For each ticket purchased, a $1 donation will go to the Inova Health Foundation. Learn more.
- Holiday Road: Starting November 26, historic Morven Park in Leesburg hosts the Mid-Atlantic debut of Calabasas, California’s spectacular Holiday Road experience, an immersive walking trail of twinkling illuminations, giant themed installations and iconic holiday scenes. Running until January 2, guests of all ages are transported to a snow-carpeted fantasy land replete with North Pole, Elf Village, Gingerbread Lane, light tunnels, Christmas tree forests and more. Learn more.
Loudoun in Springtime:
- Leesburg Flower & Garden Festival: Each April, the Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival celebrates the beginning of spring in the historic downtown of Leesburg. This annual event heralds the coming of spring and typically features more than 140 vendors. Amazing landscape displays, plant material, annuals, perennials, tools, furniture, garden décor and so much more is on hand at this event. Stroll the streets and enjoy great festival food, live kids entertainment and craft area, a beer garden and great music on our main stage. Whether you are a novice or a regular green thumb, this festival has something for everyone. The 2022 Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival will be held on Saturday, April 23, and Sunday, April 24. Learn more.
- Spring Farm Tour: The Loudoun Spring Farm Tour is an authentic Loudoun expeirence decades in the making, as farmers welcome the public to learn more about farming at the start of the growing season. Always the third weekend of May, the Spring Farm Tour is a perfect time to shop from local farms and forge relationships with the people growing your food, beverages and artisan products. Learn more.
Summertime in the Loudoun Sun
- Polo in the Park: Loudoun County’s Morven Park, located just north of Leesburg, offers the closest weekly polo matches to downtown Washington, D.C., taking place every Saturday evening at the large equestrian arena. Come by the carload and pay for just one ticket as you eat from the local food trucks, sip local wine, and enjoy the sport of kings. Learn more.
- Middleburg Summer Sidewalk Sale: The unofficial capital of horse country, Middleburg is also a world-class retail destination. Once per year, the quaint shops and storefronts turn out for a massive sidewalk sale that includes some of the best pricing for the year. Whether you’ve had your eye on a piece and are waiting for a discount, or just like to browse the finest products available, this annual event is perfect for the shop-o-holic in all of us. Learn more.
Fall Into Loudoun Fun
- Lovettsville Oktoberfest: Lovettsville, originally known as the “German Settlement” due to being settled by German immigrants relocating from Pennsylvania in 1732. The original settlement of Lovettsville pre-dates Oktoberfest as Munich would come to know it (October 12, 1810) by nearly a century. Original settlers to the area would have celebrated Erntedank (“Harvest Thanks”) – a time to celebrate, feast, and enjoy the company of the community. It’s in that spirit that we cordially invite you to Lovettsville and this authentic Loudoun experience, celebrating Lovettsville’s past but paying homage to the present. Learn more.
- Fall Farm Tour: In much the same model as the Spring Farm Tour, the Fall Farm Tour is a celebration of the harvest season in Loudoun County, where consumers are encouraged to visit and support Loudoun farmers. Each year, farms are given a chance to opt into the experience, which requires an education component. Learn more.
Think of something else? Drop your favorite Loudoun experience in the comments below!
