The Leesburg area has 2 Christmas events for kids we could confirm for the 2026 season, from Holiday Tree Lighting in Leesburg on December 5 to Christmas and Holiday Parade in Leesburg, on December 12. 1 of them is free, and every listing links straight to the host. It is one stop on our guide to Christmas events for kids in Virginia, part of our guide for every state.
The short version
- 2 kids’ Christmas events confirmed in Leesburg for 2026, in Leesburg
- First: Holiday Tree Lighting, Leesburg, December 5. Runs latest: Christmas and Holiday Parade, Leesburg, through December 12
- Free: Christmas and Holiday Parade
- Checked on each host’s own page; each listing links straight to it
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Christmas events for kids in Leesburg
2 confirmed events for kids in Leesburg, soonest first.
Tree lighting
Holiday Tree Lighting
- When: Saturday, December 5, 2026, 6 pm
- Where: Town Green, Leesburg
- Cost: Not stated
- Ages: All ages
Details, tips and host
The Town of Leesburg invites families to its Holiday Tree Lighting on the Town Green at 25 West Market Street on Saturday, December 5, 2026, at 6 pm. The town's holiday page describes lights, live music and community cheer, and says holiday characters will be there to greet children.
The tree lighting is held in the evening in early December, so bring warm coats and blankets for little ones. The Holiday Fine Arts and Crafts Show at Ida Lee Park Recreation Center is the same weekend, with free admission and free parking, so some families combine both. The town page did not list a price or registration.
Parent tip: Dress warmly for an evening outdoors and check the town page for any updates.
- Host
- Town of Leesburg Parks and Recreation (opens in a new tab)
- Address
- Town Green, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, VA 20176
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Holiday paradeFree
Christmas and Holiday Parade
- When: Saturday, December 12, 2026, 6 pm
- Where: Historic Downtown Leesburg (starts at Ida Lee Park), Leesburg
- Cost: Free
- Ages: All ages
Details, tips and host
The Town of Leesburg holds its Christmas and Holiday Parade every year on the second Saturday of December. In 2026 it steps off at 6 pm on December 12, with a rain date of December 13 at the same time. The route starts at Ida Lee Park and travels down King Street through Historic Downtown Leesburg, ending at the Safeway parking lot on King Street.
Santa and his friends are part of the parade, and the town says it is free and open to the public. Last year the town closed King Street to vehicles at 5:15 pm and published a detour map, so plan to arrive early, park in one of the downtown garages and walk to the route. Dress warmly for an evening outdoors.
Parent tip: Arrive early because King Street closes to traffic before the parade, and use a downtown parking garage.
- Host
- Town of Leesburg Parks and Recreation (opens in a new tab)
- Address
- Historic Downtown Leesburg (starts at Ida Lee Park), 60 Ida Lee Drive NW, Leesburg, VA 20176
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Look inside the book
Story time with Santa in Leesburg? Bring Rally home.
Rally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor. It makes a cozy bedtime story after a big day with Santa. Turn a few pages here.
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Every event above was confirmed on the host’s own page, with the date, time, cost and the small things parents ask about (sign-ups, ages, what is included). Looking for a Santa train instead? Those are on our Virginia Christmas train rides page.
Leesburg Christmas events for kids at a glance
- Kids’ Christmas events
- 2 confirmed for 2026
- Cities
- Leesburg
- Season
- December 5 to December 12, 2026
- Free events
- 1
- Kinds of events
- tree lighting and holiday parade
- Last checked
See every event on a December calendar
Plan your December
When each Leesburg Christmas event for kids happens
The first is Holiday Tree Lighting in Leesburg on December 5; the last runs to December 12. Each bar spans an event’s dates, not every hour in them, so check the host’s page for times.
- Holiday Tree LightingLeesburg · Dec 5
- Christmas and Holiday ParadeLeesburg · Dec 12
Looking further afield? Our Virginia Christmas events for kids guide lists every confirmed event in the state, and we have city guides for Virginia Beach, Richmond, VA, Norfolk, VA, Roanoke, Chesapeake, Occoquan, Manassas, Lynchburg, Dale City and Harrisonburg. The national search sorts every event by distance from your town.
A story for the drive home
A morning with Santa or an evening of holiday stories tends to end the same way: tired kids, a long drive and one more book before bed. Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is painted by hand. If your family is spending December missing someone, it was written for that too. For the car, print our free corgi and train coloring pages.
A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first ride on a California train, hand-painted in watercolor. $16.99 on Amazon, ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon2026 Christmas events are coming in late November
More Christmas events arrive in late November: unlock the list and we'll email you as soon as we confirm them.
The story of Christmas in Leesburg
In Leesburg, Christmas comes down King Street. Every second Saturday of December, Santa and his friends roll through Historic Downtown at 6 p.m., and the Town Green lights its tree the weekend before.
How Leesburg celebrates
Leesburg's Christmas season is built around Historic Downtown. The town holds its Christmas and Holiday Parade on the second Saturday of December, with floats, marching bands, community groups, and Santa and his friends moving down King Street from Ida Lee Park. The weekend before, the Town Green hosts a holiday tree lighting with lights, live music and holiday characters, and the Holiday Fine Arts and Crafts Show fills Ida Lee Park Recreation Center. The Leesburg Nativity Tour, starting at the courthouse, adds a quieter tradition in December.
Christmas last year in Leesburg
The 2025 parade took place on Saturday, December 13 at 6 p.m.. King Street closed to vehicles at 5:15 p.m. from Battlefield Parkway to Catoctin Circle, and the parade ran from Ida Lee Drive to just before Fairfax Street. Four public parking garages and lots were suggested for visitors. The Holiday Fine Arts and Crafts Show ran December 6 and 7 with free admission and parking, and the Leesburg Nativity Tour ran from December 1 to 31. Nearby, Purcellville and Middleburg held their own parades.
Fun facts about Christmas in Leesburg
Leesburg's parade always takes place on the second Saturday of December, and the town sets a rain date for the very next day. King Street closes for the evening, so the parade passes right through the middle of downtown. Nearby Purcellville's parade weekend included a LEGO train display, and Middleburg's included a Hunt Review with horses and hounds. The Town Green, at 25 West Market Street, is where Leesburg lights its tree.
Trains and Christmas near Leesburg
Near Leesburg, Purcellville's 2025 holiday weekend included a LEGO train display and Santa photos at the Train Station. For real railroad history, the Manassas Railroad Depot, Alexandria Union Station and the Virginia Railway Express historic collections are all in Northern Virginia, a drive from Leesburg. Check each page for opening days before you go.
- Manassas Railroad Depot: A historic depot in Manassas, a drive from Leesburg.
- Alexandria Union Station: A 1905 station still used by Amtrak and VRE, with interpretive exhibits in the waiting room.
- Virginia Railway Express historic collections: Northern Virginia commuter rail history collections for older train fans.
Traditions today
- Christmas and Holiday Parade: An evening parade down King Street on the second Saturday of December, with Santa and his friends.
- Holiday Tree Lighting: A Town Green gathering with lights, live music and holiday characters, on the first weekend of December in 2026.
- Holiday Fine Arts and Crafts Show: A free indoor show at Ida Lee Park Recreation Center with local and regional artisans.
- Leesburg Nativity Tour: A December tour of nativity scenes that starts at the Leesburg Courthouse.
- Lucketts Holiday House: A seasonal event at the Lucketts Store that ran from early November to mid December in 2025.
A fact for kids
In Leesburg, King Street closes to cars for the parade. In 2025 it shut at 5:15 p.m. so Santa and his friends could travel down the street.
Questions about Christmas in Leesburg
What is the Leesburg Christmas and Holiday Parade?
It is Leesburg's annual parade down King Street through Historic Downtown, held on the second Saturday of December. Santa and his friends take part, along with floats, marching bands and community groups. In 2026 it is set for December 12 at 6 p.m.. Our Leesburg Christmas events guide on this page has the details we confirmed.
When is the Leesburg parade held?
The town holds the parade on the second Saturday of December at 6 p.m., with a rain date the next day. In 2025 it took place on Saturday, December 13, and in 2026 it is scheduled for December 12. Check our Leesburg Christmas events guide on this page for this season.
Where does the Leesburg parade go?
In 2025 the parade began at Ida Lee Drive and ended just before Fairfax Street, moving down King Street through historic downtown Leesburg. For 2026 the town lists a start at Ida Lee Park and an end at the Safeway parking lot on King Street.
Which streets close for the parade?
In 2025 King Street closed to vehicles at 5:15 p.m., from Battlefield Parkway to Catoctin Circle, and reopened after Public Works finished cleanup. The town publishes a detour map at leesburgva.gov/parade-detour, so check it before you drive downtown with kids.
Where can I park for the Leesburg parade?
The town suggested the Town Hall Parking Garage, the Pennington Parking Garage, the Loudoun County Government Center Parking Garage and the Liberty Street Parking Lot in 2025. Arrive early because King Street closes before the parade, and plan a short walk with strollers.
Does Santa come to the parade?
Yes. The town says Santa and his friends are featured in the Leesburg Christmas and Holiday Parade. Kids can watch for floats and marching bands as the parade goes by, so it helps to find a spot near the curb early.
Is the Leesburg parade free?
Yes. The town lists the parade as free and open to the public, and the 2025 holiday guide also listed it as free. Plan for parking and snacks, and bring warm layers, since the parade begins at 6 p.m. on a December evening.
When is the Leesburg tree lighting?
The 2026 Holiday Tree Lighting is on Saturday, December 5, at 6 p.m. on the Town Green, 25 West Market Street, according to the town's holiday page. Holiday characters, lights and live music are part of the evening. Check our Leesburg Christmas events guide on this page.
Where is the Town Green?
The Town Green is at 25 West Market Street in Historic Downtown Leesburg. It is the site of the town's Holiday Tree Lighting, so families can walk from downtown parking. Bring warm coats and blankets, since the lighting happens in the evening in early December.
What happens at the Holiday Fine Arts and Crafts Show?
It is a free indoor show at Ida Lee Park Recreation Center with local and regional artisans selling candles, stained glass, carved wood, jewelry and table linens. In 2026 it runs December 5 and 6. It is mainly for shoppers, but admission and parking are free.
What is the Leesburg Nativity Tour?
The 2025 Patch holiday guide listed a Leesburg Nativity Tour from December 1 to 31, starting at the Leesburg Courthouse. Times vary, and no price was listed. A walk past nativity scenes can be a calm tradition for families who want something quieter than the parade.
What is the Lucketts Holiday House?
The Lucketts Holiday House is a seasonal event at the Lucketts Store, 42350 Lucketts Road. In 2025 it ran from November 6 to December 14, with times that varied. The 2025 holiday guide listed it as an option outside of town for families who like to browse seasonal shops.
What holiday events happen near Leesburg?
Nearby towns add to the season. In 2025 Purcellville held a Holiday Parade and Market on December 13 with a LEGO train display, ornament workshops and Santa photos at the Train Station, and Middleburg held a tree lighting, Hunt Review and parade on December 5 and 6.
Where can kids see Christmas lights near Leesburg?
The 2025 holiday guide listed the Winter Walk of Lights at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, a half-mile family-friendly light trail, and the Holtz Family Christmas Lights in Ashburn, a neighborhood show set to music that you can watch from your car. Check each host's page for this year.
How can I explain the parade to my toddler?
Tell your child there will be a long line of floats, bands and Santa walking down King Street in the evening. Talk about waving, clapping and staying close, and bring a blanket and snacks. Decide beforehand where you will go if the noise gets to be too much.
What time should we arrive for the Leesburg parade?
In 2025 King Street closed to vehicles at 5:15 p.m. and the parade began at 6 p.m., so arriving a bit before the closure gives families time to park in one of the suggested garages and find a spot. It starts after many toddlers' dinnertime, so bring snacks and warm layers and plan an easy exit.
What if it rains on parade day?
The town lists a rain date of the next day. For 2026, the parade is set for December 12 at 6 p.m., with a rain date of December 13 at 6 p.m.. Check the town's holiday page or call 703-777-1368 for updates before you head downtown.
How do I get information about the parade?
The Town of Leesburg posts details at leesburgva.gov/holidaysinleesburg, and you can call 703-777-1368. The town also publishes news releases about street closures and parking before the parade. Our Leesburg Christmas events guide on this page lists what we have confirmed for kids.
Are there train museums near Leesburg?
Yes. The Manassas Railroad Depot is in Manassas, Alexandria Union Station is in Alexandria, and our guide also lists Virginia Railway Express historic collections in Northern Virginia. Each has a page in our museum guide with details for visiting with kids.
Where can I find this year's Leesburg Christmas events?
Our Leesburg Christmas events guide on this page lists events we have confirmed for kids this season, including the Holiday Tree Lighting on December 5 and the parade on December 12, 2026. The Town of Leesburg also keeps its holiday schedule at leesburgva.gov/holidaysinleesburg.
Sources
- Holidays in Leesburg, Town of Leesburg
- News Release: Annual Christmas and Holiday Parade Scheduled for Saturday, December 13, Town of Leesburg
- 2025 Leesburg holiday guide: lights, festive fun, good cheer, Patch
- Manassas Railroad Depot, Rally Takes the Train
- Alexandria Union Station, Rally Takes the Train
- Virginia Railway Express historic collections, Rally Takes the Train
Leesburg Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask
What are the best Christmas events for kids in Leesburg this year?
We confirmed 2 for the 2026 season, and 1 of them are free. Good places to start: Christmas and Holiday Parade (Dec 12) and Holiday Tree Lighting (Dec 5). Every event on this page has the times, the cost and a link to the host.
Are there free Christmas events for kids in Leesburg?
Yes, 1 of the 2. Some free events still need a reservation, so check the listing before you go.
Where can kids meet Santa in Leesburg?
Bring your own camera; most visits allow photos.
Do we need tickets or reservations?
For 1 of the 2 events, yes: they sell tickets or ask you to sign up ahead. Meals with Santa and ticketed shows fill up first. Most library and park events are walk-in, and each listing says which is which.
Are there Christmas train rides for kids in Leesburg?
Yes, but they have their own guide. Santa trains and holiday train rides are listed in our Leesburg Christmas train rides guide, so this page sticks to story times, Santa visits and other events off the rails.
How do you confirm these events?
We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on November 4, 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.