Looking for Christmas events in Manassas this year? We found 3 for kids and families in 2026, including Academy of Russian Ballet and Northern Virginia Ballet, Virginia National Ballet: The Nutcracker and Manassas Ballet Theatre: Nutcracker. We check every date on the host’s own website, and each listing links straight there. For the rest of the state, see our Virginia Christmas events for kids guide.
The short version
- 3 Christmas events for kids in Manassas
- The season runs from Virginia National Ballet: The Nutcracker 2026 (Manassas, November 27) to Manassas Ballet Theatre: Nutcracker (through December 23)
- Every event here charges admission or a ticket; check each host
- Every date checked on the host’s own site on Nov 4
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Christmas events for kids in Manassas
3 events in Manassas itself, soonest first.
Holiday show
Virginia National Ballet: The Nutcracker 2026
- When: Fri November 27 (2 to 6:30 pm) and Fri December 4 (7 pm), 2026
- Where: Hylton Performing Arts Center, Merchant Hall, 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas, VA 20110 (opens in maps)
- Cost: $54.50 to $80, with child prices for ages 3 to 11
- Ages: Child tickets for ages 3 to 11
Expand to see the parent tip
Virginia National Ballet brings its Nutcracker to Merchant Hall at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas. The company describes the production as a family show with large backdrops, costumes, and classical choreography.
There are three performances: Friday, Nov. 27 at 2 pm and 6:30 pm, and Friday, Dec. 4 at 7 pm. Adult tickets range from $60 to $80, and child tickets for ages 3 to 11 range from $54.50 to $72.50, with fees included. The host notes that this production tends to sell out early each year.
Parent tip: Book early, since past runs have sold out. The Nov. 27 matinee suits younger children best.
- Host
- Hylton Performing Arts Center (opens in a new tab)
- Address
- Hylton Performing Arts Center, Merchant Hall, 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas, VA 20110 (opens in maps)
- Sign-up
- Required ahead of time
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
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Rally’s Christmas research
Rally the corgi has 2 more Manassas events researched for you.
- New events every week We research new events daily and send you one email a week with the new ones we find in Manassas.
- Exclusive access to free events Find the free Christmas events in Manassas before they fill up.
- Unlock the filters Find Santa visits, free events and weekend plans in one tap.
- Rally’s Christmas Eve Express and a free advent calendar Get early access to Rally the corgi’s Christmas Eve tracker, plus a free digital advent calendar to count down to Christmas.
- One-tap add to calendar Save any event to your Google, Apple or Outlook calendar so you never miss it.
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Holiday show
Academy of Russian Ballet and Northern Virginia Ballet: The Nutcracker
- When: Saturday, November 28, 2026, 2 to 8 pm
- Where: Hylton Performing Arts Center, Merchant Hall, 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas, VA 20110 (opens in maps)
- Cost: $50 adult, $40 child, senior, or military
Expand to see the parent tip
Northern Virginia Ballet and the Academy of Russian Ballet stage the classic story of Clara and her Nutcracker in Merchant Hall at the Hylton Performing Arts Center. The show follows Clara through the waltzing snowflakes to the Kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
The host describes a traditional version with detailed costumes and hand-painted European sets. There are two performances on Saturday, Nov. 28, at 2 pm and at 6 pm, so families can pick the matinee for younger children. Tickets are $50 for adults and $40 for children, seniors, and military, with fees included.
Parent tip: Buy tickets through the Hylton ticket office or website. The 2 pm show is the easier choice for little ones.
- Host
- Hylton Performing Arts Center (opens in a new tab)
- Address
- Hylton Performing Arts Center, Merchant Hall, 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas, VA 20110 (opens in maps)
- Sign-up
- Required ahead of time
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
New Manassas events every week
Rally researches Christmas events in Manassas daily and updates this page with new events. Enter your email to get a weekly update with new events in Manassas.
Free. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)
Holiday show
Manassas Ballet Theatre: Nutcracker
- When: Wed December 16 (7:30 pm), Thu December 17 (7:30 pm), Fri December 18 (7:30 pm), Sat December 19 (3 to 7:30 pm), Sun December 20 (3 to 7:30 pm), Mon December 21 (3 pm), Tue December 22 (3 pm) and Wed December 23 (3 pm), 2026
- Where: Hylton Performing Arts Center, Merchant Hall, 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas, VA 20110 (opens in maps)
- Cost: $50 to $90
- Ages: All ages
Expand to see the parent tip
Manassas Ballet Theatre presents its Nutcracker in Merchant Hall at the Hylton Performing Arts Center. The story follows Clara and her Nutcracker through the Land of Snow to the celebration in the Land of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
The score is played live by the Manassas Ballet Theatre Orchestra, with sets, costumes, and an international cast. Evening shows start at 7:30 pm on Dec. 16 to 20, and afternoon shows start at 3 pm on Dec. 19 to 23. Ticket prices run from $50 to $90, fees included.
Parent tip: Afternoon performances, especially the weekday ones on Dec. 21 to 23, may be easier for younger children.
- Host
- Hylton Performing Arts Center (opens in a new tab)
- Address
- Hylton Performing Arts Center, Merchant Hall, 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas, VA 20110 (opens in maps)
- Sign-up
- Required ahead of time
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
New Manassas events every week
Rally researches Christmas events in Manassas daily and updates this page with new events. Enter your email to get a weekly update with new events in Manassas.
Free. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)
Look inside the book
Story time with Santa in Manassas? Bring Rally home.
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We check every event above on the host’s own page for the date, time and cost, plus the things parents ask about, like sign-ups and ages. Looking for a Santa train instead? Those are on our Virginia Christmas train rides page.
Manassas Christmas events for kids at a glance
- Kids’ Christmas events
- 3 confirmed for 2026
- Cities
- Manassas
- Season
- November 27 to December 23, 2026
- Free events
- 0
- Kinds of events
- Holiday shows
- Last checked
See every event on a December calendar
Plan your December
When each Manassas Christmas event for kids happens
The first is Virginia National Ballet: The Nutcracker 2026 in Manassas on November 27; the last runs to December 23. Each bar spans an event’s dates, not every hour in them, so check the host’s page for times.
- Virginia National Ballet: The Nutcracker 2026Manassas · Nov 27 to Dec 4
- Academy of Russian Ballet and Northern Virginia Ballet: The NutcrackerManassas · Nov 28
- Manassas Ballet Theatre: NutcrackerManassas · Dec 16 to Dec 23
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, Leesburg, 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. We add them here as soon as we confirm them.
The story of Christmas in Manassas
In Manassas, Santa has arrived by train to light the city's Christmas tree. The Greater Manassas Christmas Parade, which has marched since the 1940s, was in its 79th year in 2025, and the depot is never far from the story.
How Manassas celebrates
The Greater Manassas Christmas Parade is the city's biggest tradition. It has marched through downtown since the mid-1940s, usually on the first Saturday in December, and was the 79th annual parade in 2025. The night before, Santa Lights Manassas lights the city tree. Historic Manassas, Inc. described it as a fixture for over 29 years in 2023. In 2023 Santa arrived by train and walked to the Manassas Museum to light the tree. Candlelight tours of colonial Virginia holiday customs at Rippon Lodge have been another way to see how Christmas used to look.
Christmas last year in Manassas
On Friday, December 5, 2025, Santa Lights Manassas kicked off the weekend, and the 79th Greater Manassas Christmas Parade followed on Saturday, December 6, at 10 a.m. Its theme was "Elfin' Around." The parade had over 100 units, including marching bands, public safety departments and community groups, with hundreds of volunteers and thousands of people watching. It started on Mathis Avenue, rolled along Sudley Road, Prescott Avenue and Center Street through the historic downtown, and ended at Mosby Street. Grand Marshal Sara Knight led the way, and a livestream let families watch from home.
Fun facts about Christmas in Manassas
The parade is usually held rain or shine, so families bundle up and show up. The 2026 parade will celebrate its 80th year with the theme "80 Years. Still Sleighin'." In 2023, the Holiday Market in the Historic Manassas Train Depot parking lot had over 30 craft vendors, and downtown also offered Santa's Village, carriage rides, the VRE Santa Train and the Harris Pavilion Ice Rink. In 2013, a Winter Wonderland Train Show at the Center for the Arts at the Candy Factory asked guests to bring canned goods or unwrapped toys.
Trains and Christmas in Manassas
Trains and Christmas go together in Manassas. In 2023 Santa arrived by train at 5:15 p.m. to light the city tree, and downtown offered a VRE Santa Train. The Manassas Railroad Depot, a 1914 depot in Old Town that still serves VRE and Amtrak trains, holds the Historic Manassas Visitor Center and the Payne Railroad Heritage Gallery. Virginia Railway Express links Northern Virginia with Washington Union Station, and Alexandria Union Station is a 1905 Colonial Revival station where visitors can see interpretive exhibits.
- Manassas Railroad Depot: A 1914 depot in Old Town that still serves VRE and Amtrak and holds the Payne Railroad Heritage Gallery.
- Virginia Railway Express historic collections: Riding the Manassas line is the best way to see Virginia's commuter railroad history.
- Alexandria Union Station: A 1905 Colonial Revival station with interpretive exhibits and trains rolling by.
Traditions today
- Greater Manassas Christmas Parade: Marching bands, floats and community groups travel through historic downtown on the first Saturday in December, a tradition since the 1940s.
- Santa Lights Manassas: The Friday night tree lighting before the parade, a community fixture for more than 29 years as of 2023.
- Merry Old Town and Holiday Market: A downtown holiday celebration with Santa's Village, carriage rides and a craft market at the train depot.
- Santa by train: In 2023 Santa arrived by train and walked to the Manassas Museum to light the city's Christmas tree.
- Ice skating at Harris Pavilion: Families skate at the Harris Pavilion Ice Rink during the downtown holiday celebration.
A fact for kids
In Manassas, Santa has arrived at the Christmas tree lighting by train. He climbs off, walks to the Manassas Museum and switches on the lights.
Questions about Christmas in Manassas
When did the Greater Manassas Christmas Parade start?
It began in the mid-1940s. A 2026 report says the parade has been a community tradition since 1945, but its 79th edition in 2025 and 80th in 2026 suggest a start closer to 1947, so "since the 1940s" is the safest answer. It is the city's biggest Christmas tradition and draws crowds downtown.
What is the theme of the Manassas Christmas Parade?
Each year the parade has a theme. The 79th parade in 2025 was "Elfin' Around," and the 80th parade in 2026 will be "80 Years. Still Sleighin'." The 2026 parade will also feature a Miller Toyota Santa float designed by a contest winner, which kids can watch for.
What happened at the Manassas Christmas Parade last year?
The 79th Greater Manassas Christmas Parade was held on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 10 a.m. in downtown Manassas. Over 100 units, from marching bands to public safety departments and community organizations, took part, with thousands of spectators and hundreds of volunteers. A livestream was available for families at home.
What route does the Manassas Christmas Parade take?
In 2025 the parade started on Mathis Avenue at Red Yank Drive, turned onto Sudley Road, continued onto Prescott Avenue and Center Street through Historic Downtown, turned right onto Peabody Street and ended at Mosby Street. Several streets close in the morning, so families should arrive early and use side-street parking.
How big is the Manassas Christmas Parade?
The 2025 parade had more than 100 units, including marching bands, public safety departments and community groups, with hundreds of volunteers behind the scenes. Thousands of spectators lined the downtown route, so it is the biggest Christmas gathering in Manassas and worth arriving early for.
Where do families park for the Manassas Christmas Parade?
The 2025 guidance told attendees to use side streets along the route, and accessible parking was at the Church Street Lot, though the Center Street closure affects access. Road closures began as early as 5 a.m. on Mathis Avenue and 8 a.m. on Center Street, so plan to arrive early. Our Manassas Christmas events guide on this page has this year's tips.
Does the Manassas parade get canceled for bad weather?
Typically not. The 2025 coverage noted that the parade is usually held rain or shine, so families should dress warmly. If you cannot attend, a livestream was offered in 2025 for people who could not make it in person. Our Manassas Christmas events guide on this page has this year's parade details.
What is Santa Lights Manassas?
Santa Lights Manassas is the city's tree lighting, held the Friday night before the Christmas Parade. In 2023 Santa arrived by train at 5:15 p.m. to light the tree. Historic Manassas, Inc. describes it as a community fixture of over 29 years, and in 2025 it was held on Friday, December 5.
How old is Santa Lights Manassas?
Santa Lights Manassas was described as a fixture for over 29 years in 2023, so it dates to the mid-1990s or earlier. It is held the Friday night before the Greater Manassas Christmas Parade, and in 2023 Santa invited children to share their wish lists after the lighting.
Where is the Manassas Christmas tree lit?
In 2023 the city's Christmas tree was lit at the newly renovated Manassas Museum in Old Town. Santa arrived by train at 5:15 p.m., walked to the museum, lit the tree and invited children to share their wish lists. For this year's details, see our Manassas Christmas events guide on this page.
What is Merry Old Town in Manassas?
Merry Old Town is the Historic Manassas holiday celebration. In 2023 it began Friday, December 1, with the tree lighting and continued with Santa's Village, carriage rides, a VRE Santa Train, shopping and dining downtown and the Harris Pavilion Ice Rink. The Holiday Market followed on Saturday, December 9.
What is the Manassas Holiday Market?
The Holiday Market is a craft market in the Historic Manassas Train Depot parking lot. In 2023 it ran on Saturday, December 9, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with over 30 craft vendors and food vendors selling treats like s'mores and hot cocoa. It is a good stop for families who enjoy browsing crafts and sharing a treat.
Is there a Santa Train in Manassas?
The 2023 Merry Old Town celebration included a VRE Santa Train, and Santa also arrived by train on December 1 to light the city tree at 5:15 p.m. Manassas is a VRE stop, so trains are part of the holiday story. Check our Manassas Christmas events guide on this page for this year's schedule.
What was A Rippon Lodge Christmas?
It was a candlelight tour of colonial Virginia holiday customs at Rippon Lodge, offered every half hour on December 7, 2013, with reservations required. It shows another side of Manassas Christmas, with a look at how families in colonial Virginia celebrated before parades and tree lightings.
What was the Winter Wonderland Train Show in Manassas?
It was a December 2013 train show at the Center for the Arts at the Candy Factory, from December 11 to 15. Admission was a donation of canned goods or unwrapped toys for SERVE, a local charity. It shows how Manassas has long linked its love of trains with Christmas giving.
Who was the grand marshal of the 2025 Manassas Christmas Parade?
Sara Knight, founder of the Sweet Julia Grace Foundation, was the grand marshal of the 79th parade. The Woman of the Year was Maria E. Guzman, founder and director of LAREXPO, and the Man of the Year was Miguel Pires, founder and CEO of Great Eats Hospitality.
How can I explain the Christmas parade to my toddler?
Tell them that all the bands, floats and elves line up and walk down the street together, and Santa comes to say hello. Manassas has done this for nearly 80 years, and the marching bands give kids something to clap along to. Bring a blanket and warm hats for the morning wait.
Where can kids see a giant Christmas tree in Manassas?
The city's tree is lit during Santa Lights Manassas, which in 2023 took place at the Manassas Museum in Old Town and in 2025 on Friday, December 5. For this season's confirmed time and place, see our Manassas Christmas events guide on this page.
Where can kids see trains in Manassas at Christmas?
The Manassas Railroad Depot is a 1914 depot in Old Town that still serves VRE and Amtrak trains and houses the Historic Manassas Visitor Center and the Payne Railroad Heritage Gallery. Santa has arrived there by train, and the Holiday Market is held in the Historic Manassas Train Depot parking lot.
Is there a train station museum near Manassas?
Yes. Alexandria Union Station is a 1905 Colonial Revival station on the National Register, still used by Amtrak and VRE, where visitors can stop in for interpretive exhibits. Its waiting room is open daily, 6 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. Virginia Railway Express runs the Manassas line, so riding it is a fun outing for train fans.
Sources
- 80th Manassas parade theme revealed, Potomac Local News
- Greater Manassas Christmas Parade 2025: route and what to know, Patch
- Wrap yourself in the magic and charm of the Historic Manassas Merry Old Town and Holiday Market, Historic Manassas, Inc.
- Santa Lights Manassas, Historic Manassas, Inc.
- Holiday events in Manassas, Patch
- Manassas Railroad Depot, Rally Takes the Train
- Virginia Railway Express historic collections, Rally Takes the Train
- Alexandria Union Station, Rally Takes the Train
Keep the Christmas magic going: watch Rally deliver presents on Christmas Eve, print free coloring pages for a cozy night in, learn how kids say Merry Christmas around the world, find railroad museums for little train fans, or browse Christmas events in every Virginia city.
Manassas Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask
What are the best Christmas events for kids in Manassas this year?
Rally Takes the Train has confirmed 3 Christmas events for kids in Manassas for the 2026 season. Good places to start: Academy of Russian Ballet and Northern Virginia Ballet (Nov 28), Virginia National Ballet: The Nutcracker (Nov 27 to Dec 4) and Manassas Ballet Theatre: Nutcracker (Dec 16 to Dec 23). Each one is listed with its dates, times, cost and a link to the host.
Are there Christmas shows for kids in Manassas?
Yes, three this season. Families usually start with . Shows sell out closer to Christmas, so grab seats early if you have a date in mind.
Do we need tickets or reservations?
For 3 of the 3 Christmas events for kids in Manassas, 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.
Are there Christmas train rides for kids in Manassas?
Yes. Santa trains and holiday train rides have their own guide: Rally Takes the Train’s Virginia Christmas train rides guide. This Manassas guide covers story times, Santa visits, light shows 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.