Trading Pumpkins for Peppermint: What to Expect in Northern Virginia and Washington DC During the Holidays

As we trade pumpkins for peppermint, we’re diving into one of our favorite times of the year: the holidays! To help you make the most of this festive, upcoming Christmas Season, we’ve gathered up some of Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C.’s top holiday events to enjoy this year.

Of course, we implore you to double-check each event’s official website for the latest dates, times, and ticket details before heading out.

Northern Virginia Holiday Highlights

Middleburg Christmas Parade – December 7, 2025
https://www.middleburgva.gov/356/December---Holiday-Activities
Middleburg’s annual Christmas celebration is one of the most charming holiday traditions in Virginia. The day begins with the iconic Christmas Parade featuring horses, hounds, and festive floats parading down Washington Street, followed by shopping, caroling, and hot chocolate. The whole town transforms into a Hallmark-worthy holiday scene that’s not to be missed.

Reston Town Center Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting – November 28, 2025
https://restontowncenter.com/
Reston Town Center kicks off the season with a lively parade, community sing-along, and the ceremonial lighting of its towering Christmas tree. It’s a family-friendly event filled with performances, horse-drawn carriage rides, and a warm, small-town feel right in the heart of Northern Virginia.

Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights (Vienna, VA) – November 8, 2025 – January 7, 2026
https://www.novaparks.com/events/winter-walk-of-lights
Stroll through a dazzling half-mile of holiday lights at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. This illuminated trail winds through gardens and wooded areas, making it a peaceful, magical experience perfect for families, couples, and anyone looking to slow down and savor the season.

Bull Run Festival of Lights (Centreville, VA) – November 22, 2025 – January 5, 2026
https://www.novaparks.com/events/bull-run-festival-of-lights
Drive through 2.5 miles of spectacular light displays at Bull Run Regional Park. The festival also features a Holiday Village with carnival rides, food, and photos with Santa, making it a long-standing local favorite for families across the region.

Leesburg Christmas and Holiday Parade – December 14, 2025
https://www.leesburgva.gov/departments/parks-recreation/events
Downtown Leesburg glows with holiday cheer during this annual parade and community celebration. Enjoy festive floats, local marching bands, and a true small-town Virginia holiday atmosphere.

Washington, D.C. Holiday Highlights

Downtown Holiday Market (Penn Quarter) – November 22 – December 23, 2025
https://downtownholidaymarket.com/
This open-air market brings a European flair to downtown D.C. with artisan goods, food vendors, live music, and hot drinks. It’s a great place to pick up unique gifts and experience holiday cheer in the city’s cultural heart.

The Wharf’s District Holiday Boat Parade – December 6, 2025
https://www.wharfdc.com/
The Wharf’s waterfront lights up with a stunning parade of decorated boats, fireworks, and live entertainment. There’s also a waterfront beer garden and s’mores by the fire pits—an ideal way to enjoy the season with a view.

Georgetown GLOW – December 6, 2025 – January 12, 2026
https://www.georgetownglowdc.com/
This immersive art experience features outdoor light installations throughout Georgetown’s streets and waterfront. It’s free, walkable, and makes for stunning evening photos and cozy winter strolls.

National Christmas Tree Lighting (The Ellipse) – December 4, 2025
https://thenationaltree.org/
A cherished D.C. tradition since 1923, this annual tree lighting near the White House features live performances and a truly magical atmosphere. Free tickets are distributed via lottery, so plan ahead for this unforgettable experience.

Downtown D.C. Holiday Lights – November 22, 2025 – January 5, 2026
https://downtowndcholidaylights.org/
Explore 20 blocks of lights and displays in downtown D.C., with participating restaurants and shops offering holiday specials. Perfect for date night or a festive evening walk with friends.

Bonus: Christmas at Gaylord National / ICE!
National Harbor, MD – November 14, 2025 – January 4, 2026

Experience the holiday for real: giant hand-carved ice sculptures (over 2 million pounds of ice!) featuring scenes from The Polar Express ™, thrilling ice slides, indoor snow tubing, scavenger hunts, and sprawling Christmas décor inside a resort along the Potomac. Be sure to bundle your tickets ahead of time and check for dress/accessibility notes (it’s kept at ~9 °F inside the main ice attraction). https://www.christmasatgaylordnational.com/ The images above were taken from 2022 when Shelby and her family enjoyed the “A Christmas Story” theme…and really, can’t you just HEAR some of the captions?!! Loved it so much. And it was definitely VERY cold! Towards the end of the attraction, they also had an Ice Nativity, and it was truly breathtaking. Well done - and thank you for incorporating the true meaning of Christmas!

We’re so excited to make the most of the season ahead—and to share our adventures with you along the way. Follow Shutter and Compass for more holiday fun, festive inspiration, and travel stories as we count down to closing out an incredible 2025!

One Year of Shutter and Compass: Travel, Photography, and Adventures Around the World

It’s hard to believe that just one year ago, Shutter and Compass was nothing more than two best friends daydreaming about how we could combine our passions for travel, storytelling, and photography. Today, that dream is a thriving travel and lifestyle brand filled with blog posts, podcasts, social media content, and unforgettable adventures.

Shutter and Compass is the result of two photographers—Shelby and Megan—who wanted to share more than just pretty pictures. Megan, with a background as a travel agent, realized that her true calling wasn’t booking trips but living them, documenting them, and inspiring others to follow their wanderlust. With Shelby’s photography expertise and shared love of exploration, the path became clear: create a platform where our imagery, words, and voices could transport people into the heart of travel.

At its core, Shutter and Compass is:

• A travel blog and podcast filled with tips, stories, and insights. Have you subscribed to our YouTube Channel? If not, this is an open invitation!

• A content creation hub for businesses who want to showcase their experiences, services, or destinations with a professional and creative touch.

• A photography brand that thrives on capturing detail, emotion, and adventure.

• A community for travelers—especially women ages 25–55 who are inspired by exploration, luxury travel, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Our Facebook Group is growing to be a wealth of knowledge for newbie travelers and experienced alike.

Whether we’re highlighting a charming winery in Virginia, sailing the Caribbean with Virgin Voyages, or racing through Universal Orlando’s newest theme park, our goal is the same: to bring our imagery and storytelling to the masses and help others discover the beauty and excitement waiting for them.

October 2024

Just one year ago, at the Shutter and Compass Launch Party at The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm! Grateful for Sunshine Ridge and Maria Rafferty who graciously allowed us to celebrate there — and Maria and Sunshine were the first official video published!
Grateful for so many who came out to support and offer services, including Ofe Cox and her team at Love Wedding & Events, and Ester Malinowski, of Castle Drive Flowers. We couldn’t do what we do without support from our amazing small business family!

Local Adventures: The Best of the DMV and Northern Virginia

This past year, we leaned into our own backyard and discovered how much there is to see and do right here in the Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia area.

We’ve highlighted some of the region’s most beloved spots:

• Lark Brewing Co - A relatively new local gem that we LOVE hanging out at! Great for relaxing weekends or weeknights, and family friendly.

• Stone Tower Winery – A gorgeous backdrop for wine lovers, where rustic charm meets rolling hills.

• The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm – A hidden gem on the water with a welcoming community and a perfect sunset view. Maria and her team are fantastic, and we’ll always love our adults only time to just chill with a lake view.

• The People’s House in Washington, D.C. – A unique space blending history, architecture, and a sense of national pride. As it’s only a year old, this was a perfect way to check out some of what DC h as to offer, without the craziness.

• Alexandria Colonial Tours Ghost Tour – An after-dark adventure that revealed the spooky (and fascinating) history of Old Town Alexandria.

• Nationals Game from a rooftop — yes, please!

• We didn’t forget the winter festivities - between the Bull Run Festival of Lights and Hi Lawn’s Northern Lights Dome Experience on Union Market’s rooftop, we had it covered with unique and fun visual outings.

And that’s just to name a few amazing opportunities for local travel we’ve enjoyed. Our local content has reached tens of thousands of views and proved that people are hungry to explore what’s right outside their front door. We also had the immense honor of video hosting the opening for one of our favorite local charities, Boxes of Basics. How incredible is it to have people, friends, and groups acknowledge all that we are doing, even as a brand new business?! Truly, we love being able to support our community, and this was a fantastic opportunity to help shed light on the issue of clothing insecurity.

Besties doing what we do…for our favorite charity.

Blessed to be asked by Sarah Tyndall of Boxes of Basics to open for their Dueling Keys for a Cause event. While we were still quite new to being “public” and on video, we got out of our comfort zones and went for it! It was a blast, and using our skills for charity was an honor.

Learn more about Boxes of Basics, volunteer, or donate here: https://boxesofbasics.org

Thank you to Tammy with Sweetheart Photo Booths - so great finally connecting on this special evening!

International Travel: Cruising the Caribbean

Internationally, we spent time in the Caribbean aboard Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady, sailing to some of the most stunning islands in the world. From San Juan, Puerto Rico to Tortola, Bridgetown, Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, and St. Maarten, we captured and shared a “sample size” of each destination. This particular cruise was either our 2nd (Shelby) or 3rd (Megan) cruise with Virgin, and let us say — we are fans. For adult cruising. Otherwise, I think we’d go Disney all the way!

Cruising allows us to experience beaches, local culture, and community life in quick snapshots—whether it’s soaking up the sun, tasting fresh island flavors, or wandering cobblestone streets. And the beauty is, if a place captures our hearts (and many of these islands did), we know we can always go back for a longer stay. Megan will be heading back to Jost van Dyke in February and is excited about the opportunity to bring you images and stories from our favorite island!! Truly, it’s a must-do.

Our podcasts and videos about Virgin Voyages have inspired others to consider cruising as their next vacation. It’s a lifestyle we’ve fallen in love with—relaxing, adventurous, and filled with stories to tell. We are also thrilled to share that we’ve opened up our podcasts to include guest speakers to share guidance and experiences, and you’ll want to keep listening for more!

National Travel: A Day at Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe

Closer to home, we traveled to Florida to experience the newest Universal theme park: Epic Universe. Even though we had only one day, we made it count, traveling through each portal and fully immersing ourselves in the magic.

Highlights included:

• Helios Grand Hotel – Elegant and stunning, a luxurious anchor to the park. We highly recommend this amazing hotel if you can swing it. Yes, it’s expensive, and there’s no real way around that. But the ease of getting into and out of the park, plus the captivating views makes it worth it. At least once.

• Ministry of Magic (The Wizarding World of Harry Potter) – A stunningly detailed expansion that transports you straight into the magical heart of Harry Potter’s world. From intricate architecture to immersive storytelling, this new land is a must-see for fans who want to step inside the Ministry itself.

• Isle of Berk (How to Train Your Dragon) – Shelby met Toothless (a true bucket-list moment!) and we all felt like Vikings flying through the skies. From the moment you walk in to see this “Isle”…you are fully immersed. It’s not just magical, it’s transformative. You’ll walk right alongside your favorite HTTYD characters!

• Mario World (Super Nintendo World) – Our teenagers were in heaven, racing through Donkey Kong, meeting Luigi, and dining at Toadstool Café. The only thing we all wish we had more of — time in the park!

• Dark Universe – Creepy, thrilling, and a must-see for fans of Universal’s iconic monsters. Truth be told, we weren’t ‘as’ excited about this Universe. That said - it was VERY well done. Go at night. You’ll thank us.

• Celestial Park – A beautifully designed hub that ties everything together. The food, the atmosphere and the Stardust Racers Coaster are all fantastic! Again, the ONLY thing we needed at Epic was more time.

We were especially impressed with Universal’s attention to dietary needs, making it easy for allergy-conscious families to enjoy their visit. And beyond the rides and restaurants, we treasured the chance to create memories with our children—whether they’re small kids or (like ours) 19-year-old college students who still light up at the magic of theme parks.

Beyond Epic Universe, we also spent two regular park days at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. These days were packed with thrills, from riding the heart-pounding VelociCoaster to soaking in every magical detail of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Universal always delivers when it comes to immersive worlds and adrenaline-pumping attractions, and it’s a destination we never get tired of returning to.

We also dedicated a full week to Walt Disney World. While Universal is our go-to for big-kid rides and roller coasters, Disney will forever hold a special, nostalgic place in our hearts. We are, and always will be, Disney kids at heart—captivated by the magic, the storytelling, and the joy that fills every corner of the parks. From Cinderella’s Castle to EPCOT evenings, Disney remains a place where our family makes memories that last a lifetime.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Shutter and Compass

While our first year has been filled with growth, exploration, and storytelling, we’re just getting started. Behind the scenes, we’re working on some exciting projects and collaborations that we can’t wait to share with you.

And looking further ahead, we’re thrilled to announce our First Annual Shutter and Compass Group Trip to Sandals Montego Bay, Jamaica in May 2026! We’ll be partnering with our friend and travel expert, Kristen Faye Alfred (@Travel.With.Kristen), to host an unforgettable all-inclusive getaway. If you’ve been inspired by our travels and want to experience the Shutter and Compass community in person, this is your chance. Whether you join us for the full group experience or simply want an excuse to escape to Jamaica, we’d love to see you there.

Thank You for a Wonderful First Year

This journey would not be possible without all of you—our readers, listeners, collaborators, and fellow travelers. Your encouragement and support have helped Shutter and Compass grow from an idea into a brand that inspires, connects, and creates. And, in our first year, we are honored to have even won our very first award! Each year, Inside Nova hosts a competition, and we are beyond grateful to have won The Best of Prince William County - Best Blogger Award. Seriously, y’all. Pinch us!! We love what we do, and we are blessed to share it with an audience who supports and encourages our work.

Here’s to more adventures, more stories, and more memories in the year ahead. ✨