Stonebridge Christmas Tree Lighting 2026: Your Complete Guide to Woodbridge's Holiday Kickoff

When is the Stonebridge Christmas tree lighting in Woodbridge, VA? The Woodbridge/Stonebridge Christmas Tree Lighting and Christmas Market is Friday, November 20, 2026, from 5 to 9 PM at Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, 15201 Potomac Town Place, Woodbridge, VA 22191.

Every year there is one night when Woodbridge decides the holidays have started. For a lot of my neighbors, that night happens at Stonebridge. The tree goes on, the market tents fill the walkways, and the whole center smells like kettle corn and cold air.

I have lived and sold homes around Woodbridge for 35+ years, and I have watched Stonebridge grow from a construction site into the place where this community gathers. If you are new to the area, this is one of the easiest ways to meet it. If you have been here for decades, you already know.

Here is everything you need to plan the evening.

Event details at a glance

You can confirm details on the official Eventbrite listing.

What to expect

The tree lighting. This is the centerpiece. The organizer describes it as the first night the Christmas lights come on and the season officially begins. Plan to be in place early. The crowd builds quickly once the sun goes down, which is right around 5 PM this time of year.

The artisan Christmas market. Local makers set up with handcrafted gifts and holiday décor. This is a good night to get ahead on your list. You are buying directly from small businesses, and you will find things that are not on a shelf at the mall.

Santa. The event is billed as including Santa's arrival, and photos with Santa are part of the evening. The organizer encourages you to bring the kids and their wish lists. Bring your phone charged and expect a line.

How to get there and where to park

Stonebridge sits off Opitz Boulevard between I-95 and Route 1, a few minutes from Potomac Mills. From I-95, most drivers use the Dale Boulevard or Opitz Boulevard exits.

Parking at the center is free. On event nights, the spaces closest to the main plaza fill first. My advice is to park farther out on purpose and walk in. You will leave faster at the end of the night.

If you are coming from Lake Ridge or Occoquan, note that the traffic pattern at Route 123 and I-95 changed this month. I explain the new turn in my Route 123 update.

Make an evening of it

One reason this event works so well is that everything else is already there. You can eat, shop and see a movie without moving your car.

• Dinner before or after. Stonebridge has a wide range of restaurants, from quick bites to sit-down dinners. Two newer additions are Cooper's Hawk Winery and Restaurant and Bebop Korean-Mexican Grill, which stays open late. I cover both in new restaurants in Woodbridge.

• Reservations. If you want a table at a sit-down restaurant on tree-lighting night, book ahead. Friday evenings are busy here even without an event.

• A movie after. Alamo Drafthouse is in the center if the kids still have energy.

Local tips from someone who has done this for years

1. Arrive by 4:45 PM. You will get parking and a good view.

2. Dress for standing still. It feels colder when you are not moving. Hats and gloves for the kids.

3. Bring a tote bag. Market purchases add up, and not every vendor has bags.

4. Carry a little cash. Most vendors take cards, but cash is faster when the signal is crowded.

5. Pick a meeting spot. With a crowd and low light, agree on a place to regroup.

6. Take your photos early. The tree is the backdrop everyone wants once it is lit.

Make it a two-night weekend

The Stonebridge lighting is Friday. On Saturday, November 21, at 6 PM, Historic Occoquan lights its tree in front of Town Hall, with fire pits, hot cocoa and carolers. The two are a short drive apart and feel completely different. I walk through that event in my Occoquan holiday guide.

If you cannot make November 20, the same organizer returns to Stonebridge on December 19 for the Artisan Christmas Market. For the full season calendar, see Woodbridge Christmas events 2026.

Why events like this matter when you choose where to live

When clients relocate to Northern Virginia, they ask me about commute times and prices first. A few months after they move in, they tell me what they value most is having places like this close by.

The communities around Stonebridge, including Potomac Club, Rippon Landing, Belmont Bay and Marumsco, put you minutes from dining, shopping, the VRE and I-95. That convenience is part of everyday life here, and it is one of the things buyers notice when they tour homes in this part of Woodbridge.

Price, condition, location and presentation all work together. Location is the one you cannot change later, so it is worth getting to know an area in person. A Friday night at the tree lighting is a pleasant way to do that.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Stonebridge Christmas tree lighting free? The event is listed as free to attend. Market purchases, food and any photo packages are separate. Check the Eventbrite listing for current details.

What time does the tree get lit? The event runs from 5 to 9 PM. The organizer has not published an exact lighting time, so arrive early in the evening to be safe.

Where do I park for the Stonebridge tree lighting? Parking at Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center is free. Lots near the main plaza fill first on event nights, so plan to park a little farther out and walk.

Can I bring my dog? The organizer's December market at the same location is listed as pet friendly. The November listing does not say, so confirm with the organizer before you bring a pet.

Thinking about a move in Woodbridge?

If you see me at the tree lighting, come say hello. And if you are thinking about buying or selling in Woodbridge or anywhere in Prince William County, let's build a plan around your timing.

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Johnny Sarkis, Realtor / Associate Broker Keller Williams Solutions Cell: 703-400-9660 | Office: 703-357-9200 contactjohnny.com 4310 Prince William Pkwy, Woodbridge VA 22192

Event details are provided by the organizer and can change. Please confirm with the organizer before attending.