Occoquan Holiday Events 2026: Tree Lighting, Artisan Market and Santa by Boat
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What holiday events are happening in Occoquan, VA in 2026? Occoquan's season opens with the Annual Tree Lighting on Saturday, November 21 at 6 PM, followed by Shop Small weekend November 27 to 29 and the Holiday Artisan Market December 5 and 6, when Santa arrives by boat.
People describe Occoquan in December as looking like a holiday movie set. After 35+ years in this market, I think that undersells it. A movie set is empty when the cameras leave. Occoquan is a working riverfront town where the shop owners know your name and the mayor lights the tree himself.
It is also five minutes from most of Woodbridge and Lake Ridge, which means you can do it on a weeknight. Here is the full season, in order, with the practical details that make the visit easier.
The 2026 Occoquan holiday calendar
| Date | Event | Time | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Nov 21 | Annual Tree Lighting | 6 PM | Town Hall, 314 Mill Street |
| Fri to Sun, Nov 27 to 29 | Shop Small Weekend | Shop hours | 40+ boutiques in town |
| Sat, Dec 5 | Santa arrives by boat | 10:30 AM | Town dock |
| Sat and Sun, Dec 5 and 6 | Holiday Artisan Market | 11 AM to 6 PM | Downtown Occoquan |
| Sat, Dec 5 | Fireside with Friends | 4 to 7 PM | Inside the market |
Sources: Prince William Living and Potomac Local. The town's own listings are at Visit Occoquan.
Annual Tree Lighting: Saturday, November 21
The season starts in front of Town Hall at 6 PM. Mayor Earnie Porta leads the lighting, a tradition residents plan their weekend around.
What to expect on the night:
Fire pits and hot cocoa
Roaming carolers from First Baptist Church of Woodbridge
A holiday sing-along
Shops open until 8 PM or later
The ceremony itself is short. The reason to come is the hour before and the hour after, when Mill Street is full, the storefronts are lit and nobody is in a hurry. Arrive by 5 PM, walk the street, and find your spot near Town Hall by 5:45.
Shop Small Weekend: November 27 to 29
Thanksgiving weekend, Occoquan's more than 40 boutiques decorate fully and offer deals for Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.
If the thought of a mall parking lot on Black Friday makes you tired, this is the alternative. You park once, you walk, and the money you spend stays with families who run businesses here all year. It is also the best weekend for unusual gifts, because the shops stock up for it.
Holiday Artisan Market: December 5 and 6
This is the big one. More than 90 local makers and creators fill downtown from 11 AM to 6 PM both days, with handmade goods you will not find elsewhere.
Santa arrives by boat. On Saturday, December 5, at 10:30 AM, Santa comes up the Occoquan River and opens the market. If you have children, or simply enjoy a good tradition, be at the dock by 10:15. This is the most photographed moment of the season in eastern Prince William County.
Fireside with Friends. Saturday from 4 to 7 PM, the middle of the market turns into a gathering place with fire pits, s'mores, live music and a Fireside Cocktail Bar. The organizers have also hinted at a snowy surprise.
Parking, shuttle and restrooms
Occoquan is small, and parking is the one thing that can sour a visit. Plan it and you will be fine.
Parking: On-street and public lot parking in town is free.
Shuttle for the tree lighting: A free shuttle runs from 1 to 9 PM from the commuter lot at Old Bridge Road and Route 123. Look for the blue shuttle signs. It drops off at Mamie Davis Park, 205 Mill Street.
Restrooms: Public restrooms are at River Mill Park, 458 Mill Street, and Mill Street Draft Garden, 200 Mill Street.
My recommendation for the tree lighting and the market Saturday is to use the shuttle. You will spend your time on Mill Street and not circling for a space.
One more note for drivers. The Route 123 and I-95 interchange has a new traffic pattern as of November 12. If you come through that interchange, read what changed at Route 123 and I-95 before you go.
Tips for a better visit
Come early, stay late. The best hours are before the crowd and after dark.
Wear real shoes. Mill Street has brick walks and some uneven spots.
Make a dinner reservation. Restaurants in town fill on event nights.
Bring a bag for purchases. Ninety vendors is a lot of temptation.
Dress for the river. It is always a few degrees cooler by the water.
Plan Santa first, shopping second. Children have more patience at 10:30 AM than at 4 PM.
A full holiday weekend, close to home
You can pair Occoquan with other events the same weekend:
November 20 and 21: The Stonebridge Christmas Tree Lighting is Friday night, and Occoquan's is Saturday.
December 5: The Greater Manassas Christmas Parade steps off at 10 AM. You will have to choose between the parade and Santa's boat. I would not try both.
December evenings: The free Holiday Walk of Lights at Neabsco is ten minutes away.
For every market in one place, see Woodbridge Christmas markets 2026.
Living near Occoquan
I am often asked what it is like to live near the town, because buyers fall for it on a visit.
The Town of Occoquan itself is small, with a limited number of homes, and they do not come up often. Most people who call Occoquan their backyard live in the surrounding communities: Lake Ridge, Belmont Bay, Occoquan Heights and the neighborhoods along Old Bridge Road. From those areas you are minutes from Mill Street, the river, I-95 and the VRE.
If that is the life you want, the practical question is which of those areas fits your budget and your commute. Every situation is different, and that is a conversation I am glad to have. You can start with where Prince William County home prices stand this fall.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Occoquan tree lighting in 2026? Saturday, November 21, 2026, at 6 PM in front of Town Hall, 314 Mill Street. Shops stay open until 8 PM or later.
What time does Santa arrive by boat in Occoquan? Santa arrives on Saturday, December 5, 2026, at 10:30 AM and opens the Holiday Artisan Market, which runs 11 AM to 6 PM that day and the next.
Is there free parking in Occoquan for holiday events? Yes. On-street and public lot parking is free, and a free shuttle runs from the Old Bridge Road and Route 123 commuter lot for the tree lighting.
How many vendors are at the Occoquan Holiday Artisan Market? More than 90 local makers and creators are expected across the two days.
Let's talk about your next move
Real estate is personal. People are not just moving houses. They are moving into the next chapter of their life. If Occoquan, Lake Ridge or Woodbridge is where you want that chapter to happen, I would be glad to help you plan it.
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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 organizers and can change. Please confirm before attending.