Tysons Corner will be more that a shopping madhouse this holiday season, thanks to the opening of the Silver Line Metrorail service which connects this giant marketplace to Reston, downtown Washington, and the Maryland suburbs.
While the Silver Line isn’t promising the sounds of “Silver Bells” as portrayed in the old holiday favorite that reminds us of shoppers rushing home with their presents, it is almost certain to deliver more shoppers, diners, and entertainment seekers.
Nowhere will this be more visible than at Tysons Corner Center which is now connected to the Silver Line’s Tysons Corner Station via a pedestrian bridge leading to a football field size public plaza. The plaza willbe transformed into Winterfest 2014, a holiday wonderland to be dominated by a 52-foot tall Christmas tree and a 5,200 square foot ice rink.
All this will evoke the sense of Christmas in New York’s Rockefeller Center.
According to Tysons Corner officials, the holiday celebrations will begin with a tree lighting event on Nov. 29, complete with music and other entertainment, the details of which are still being developed with an eye toward creating a magical experience for young and old alike.
Throughout the season, visitors to the plaza nestled between Lord & Taylor, a new (but not yet open) Hyatt Hotel, and new residential and office towers, will be greeted by nightly light shows. And, there will be live musical and stage performances.
The skating rink will be open from Nov. 28 until the end of February. Skate rentals will be available.
There will also be an outdoor German Christmas street market, often referred to as Christkindlmarket associated with the celebration of Christmas taking place during the four weeks of the Advent season. Such markets date back to the late Middle Ages and were generally held in town squares and featured music and dance.
Vendors will include crafts by Kathe Wohlfhart, long a Christmas tradition in Germany and throughout the world for generations. Miniatures, nutcrackers, smokers, Schwibbogens (candle arches), Christmas tree ornaments, music boxes and more will be sold. It opens on
Nov. 28 and closes on Christmas Eve.
There will be more than 30 artisan gift and food purveyor vendors offering traditional fares, Gluhwein, and beer from December 5 through Christmas Eve.
In addition, Shake Shack, the popular Manhatten-based eatery which opened this summer, continues to offer up its very special frozen custards, hot dogs, burgers, fries, beer, and wine on the plaza.
Other holiday events will be held at Tysons Galleria and at hotels throughout Tysons Corner. Santa Claus will make appearances at both the Galleria and Tysons Corner Center.
One of the best known traditions is at the Ritz Carlton Tysons where a life-sized gingerbread house will open to the public Nov. 28 through Jan. 2. Special gingerbread decorating classes for children will be held in early December. Visit the hotel’s website for details.
Meanwhile, as the holidays approach, Metro continues to post positive ridership numbers for the Silver Line since its July opening. Weekend numbers are especially strong at the Tysons Corner Station.
