The Holiday season is officially here, and it’s time to start celebrating! Although this Christmas won’t be like other years, at Kelley Astore Interiors we’re determined to make it just as special. We’ve put together a list of fun ideas to celebrate Christmas in Northern Virginia, to keep ourselves and our families safe, while keeping festive spirits high!

1. Watching live performances from home

Although it’s not possible to watch many live performances this year, a lot of theatres are broadcasting their shows for you to enjoy from home. The advantage is that you don’t have to live anywhere near the theatre to enjoy the show! Make a night of it by setting up the living room with cozy blankets, and preparing plenty of snacks and hot cocoa for everyone to enjoy.

The Manassas Ballet will be live-streaming their adapted version of The Nutcracker on Christmas Eve and then again on Christmas day, available to watch for 30 days.

Similarly, the Washington Ballet has created a fun Nutcracker Tea Party at home which is available to watch now, featuring interactive activities for the whole family to enjoy!

If ballet isn’t your thing, why not stream some live Christmas music with The Folger Consort or watch an adapted one-man version of A Christmas Carol with the Onley Theatre center?
                         

2. Ice Skating with the family

A lot of activities are still open to visitors as long as social distancing guidelines are followed and masks are worn. Look for local ice rinks near you and book a day out with the whole family! Unlike previous years, it’s very important to reserve a slot in advance, so book while you still can! The Pentagon Row Skating Rink is a fun opportunity to take a trip into town and enjoy some hot cocoa afterward.

3. DC Holiday Lights

One thing that is definitely safe and definitely still happening is the DC Holiday Lights! With different streets featuring different lights and designs, make a trip out of it. Load the car with goodies, blast some Holiday tunes, and do a drive-through tour of town after dinner one night. You can even participate in their Scavenger Hunt for an extra fun family-activity, with a chance to win great prizes from local businesses.

There is nothing like beautiful lights to get you in the holiday spirit!

4. Listening to a Radio Play

Radio plays are a lot of fun but are becoming less and less common. The beautiful thing about radio plays is how it allows your imagination to fill in the gaps. They’re great for the whole family to listen to, especially younger children who are learning listening skills. This year, Fords Theatre is presenting A Christmas Carol as an hour-long radio play. Set up the living room for everyone to listen. To engage younger children, give them the task to draw what they imagine as they listen to the play!

5. Socially distanced movie nights

If you’re still eager and itching to get out of the house, The Wharf at Transit Pier has got you covered! For the whole month, they’ll be showing Christmas Movie classics on a 20-foot screen. You’re able to attend with up to four people, seated around your own personal fire pit! There are also an array of snacks, drinks, and warm beverages available for purchase. Snag your tickets quickly before they go!

Covid-19 can’t take away our Christmas Spirit!

This year has no doubt been a long, tough, and unexpected year. We need to feel the joy and spirit of Christmas more than ever! And although we won’t be able to celebrate as usual, the meaning of Christmas cannot be taken away. We have a lot to learn from How The Grinch Stole Christmas…it can’t be stolen as long as we remember what matters most: our families, love, gratitude, and hope!