Holiday spirit is in the air, and the holidays are the time of year where people enjoy the holiday spirit, celebrate with friends and family and take part in festive activities. Festive lights are one of the traditions that people can do during the holiday season. Northern Virginia has evolved over the years, with more light shows each year hoping to brighten holiday spirits of all ages.
Northern Virginia has many light shows that all are welcome to attend. Locally, Franklin Park is hosting their 5th annual winter light walk from December 9 to 22. This walk is open to the public and is free of cost. From November 15 through January 5, the Bull Run Festival of Lights is ready for visitors. For this event, you can drive through 2.5 miles of holiday lights located in Centreville, Virginia. November 15 through February 23, there is a skating rink winter wonderland at Cameron Run Regional Park in Alexandria,Virginia. At this event, you and your family can explore unique light displays and enjoy a fun night of skating.
Speaking of holiday lights bringing a community together, this is also an exciting season for teachers as they decorate their room with festive lights and decorations to get their students in the holiday spirit. This dynamic can make students with all different holiday traditions feel welcome while also bringing a sense of unity within our school community. Mrs. Trinsy Stone, an English teacher at Woodgrove, is known for her festive classroom during the holiday season. She shared why she loves to have her classroom decked out not only for Christmas, saying, “I have been decorating for holidays since I started my career. I started back in 1990 at Broad Run High School, and I decorate for every holiday. I have always decorated my home, and growing up my mom was a big decorator, and I love to have things constantly evolving. For my classroom decorations, I decorate for Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and Chinese New Year, so it is an all-inclusive environment. I try to make it so no matter what you celebrate, you are celebrated and supported,” Stone said.
Living in a diverse community with all different holiday traditions is a great way to learn about other cultures. Diwali is known as the “Festival Of Lights” and shares a similarity with the Christmas tradition of lighting up homes and streets. Although these lights can be similar in ways, something that differs Diwali lights from Christmas lights is that they are not necessarily just for winter time. Diwali lights occur in October, and during Diwali, those who celebrate illuminate their surroundings with lamps, candles and vibrant lights to symbolize the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. This tradition of lighting up spaces creates a festive atmosphere, similar to Christmas lights. Both of these festivities bring joy, making them uplifting celebrations.
Senior Ariya Shah shared what her family does to celebrate Diwali. “During Diwali, my family and I put lights around on the inside and outside of the house and amp up the color inside. We set up our lights around Diwali and leave them up until January,” Shah shared, showing how they keep the holiday spirit alive throughout winter.
This holiday season, go out, spread some holiday spirit and enjoy holiday lights. That is what the holidays are all about.