This year, treat yourself to an amazing evening of festive lights and holiday fun by taking your family to The Bull Run Festival of Lights in Centreville, Virginia. I know what you’re thinking: Another holiday light show, they’re a dime a dozen. This one is different. It’s like a scoop of Christmas with summer sprinkles, because it includes the last actual carnival you will see until next summer. That’s right, I said carnival, with rides and a Midway, cotton candy, and much, much more.
My family has been enjoying this particular holiday tradition for years, and we don’t plan on changing it anytime soon. It begins with a 2.5-mile drive through the park, which is illuminated with hundreds of thousands of Christmas lights. There are several themes, as well, such as Candy Land, Toyland, and The Wizard of Oz, and this year they have added a brand new feature: Santa’s Enchanted Lights set to music. The lights are beautiful, and my kids love them; they have always enjoyed shouting out the different characters they recognize as well as the doing the Countdown to Christmas along the way. The best part is the big surprise at the end so I won’t ruin it for you.
Once you finish the drive you will pull up to The Winter Wonderland Holiday Village, where the fun really gets going. The first thing you notice is the old familiar scent of funnel cake, but then something odd hits you, its the smell of a campfire and Smores mixed in with pine and spiced cider. It’s an aromatic overload of seasonal sweets. Your mind begins to spin and if you’re not careful you will get lost in this crazy mix-up of fantastic festival festivities. The carnival rides include the Merry-Go-Round, Ferris wheel and The Matterhorn and don’t forget to try your luck on the Midway.
While you’re there don’t miss your chance to get a picture with the big guy, Santa Claus. He’s in the holiday shopping tent where you can get a variety of seasonal crafts and candy treats. Finally go relax and warm up by the bonfire and enjoy a variety of tasty goodies.
As you can see, I get quite excited just writing about it. I am a carnival connoisseur and this one, for me, takes the Christmas cake.
As you can see, I get quite excited just writing about it. I am a carnival connoisseur and this one, for me, takes the Christmas cake.
This year the fun begins on November 20 -January 5, 2014 at Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville, Va.
The hours are Monday-Thursday, 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m., and Friday-Sunday, 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m.
The cost:
– $15 a car Mon-Thurs/$20 a car Fri-Sun
– $25 a van Mon-Thurs/ $30 a van Fri-Sun
– $50 a bus Mon-Thurs/$55 a bus Fri-Sun
The Bull Run Festival of Lights has been entertaining locals for 15 years now and is a great option for anyone looking to have a unique and exciting night out. My wife and I go twice a year, once for our anniversary, and then with the kids the following weekend and we encourage you to go yourselves. Just remember to dress warm, we always get decked out in all our favorite winter gear, funny hats and colorful gloves. The kids love it, even the oldest, and the memories we have made will last a lifetime.
