Every year from Thanksgiving until just after New Year’s Day, you can experience the Bull Run Festival of Lights. There are 2.5 miles illuminated by holiday light displays. You can drive the festival route from your car, turn out your headlights and just follow the magical glow. After viewing the lights, bring your family and friends to the holiday village to enjoy rides, refreshments, and of course, photos with Santa Claus. The festival happens annually at Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville, Virginia.
The Bull Run Festival of Lights is more than just a light show. After enjoying two and a half miles of light displays, don’t forget to stop at the Holiday Village. Complete with bonfires, s’mores, holiday merchandise and free activities, the Holiday Village is fun for the whole family.
This event is limited to the first 1200 registrants. Prepayment required. All participants receive a long sleeve Snowflake Stampede t-shirt, glow necklace, and coupon for one free hot chocolate.
The seasonal light display features 40,000 animated lights set to music with displays including penguins, snowmen, candy canes, jumping deer, Santa’s workshop, Frosty the Snowman, tin soldiers, elves and Santa. While most of the displays repeat year-to-year, there are usually new scenes to enjoy, and seeing old favorites is part of the fun.
The Bull Run Festival of Lights holiday drive is a family activity for even the youngest kids, who stay warm and cozy as you slowly drive past the sparkly, animated displays. The recent favorite is the trees dripping with holiday lights in the Winter Wonderland.
The village includes a small carnival with a colorful Ferris wheel, refreshments and games, camel rides, and a photo opportunity with Santa. Tickets for the carnival and holiday village activities are $1.50 each, with quantity discounts available.
Maryam
View posts by MaryamMaryam N. is a Senior Writer at Nesbitt Realty. She is an expert on Fairfax County. Maryam has also worked previously as a geologist. She is a foodie and enjoys cooking and exploring new restaurants.