Sales of Christmas trees and other seasonal items are returning to Arlington and Falls Church for the holiday season.
As usual, many holiday markets begin shortly after Thanksgiving, representing an annual tradition and local pilgrimage for countless buyers and sellers in the area.
“Many of our customers tell us that they bought a tree from us when they were kids,” said Sandy Bushue, one of those who each year leads the Optimist Club of Arlington’s pop-up.
The 100% volunteer effort has taken place since 1947, first at a lot at the corner of N. Glebe Road and Langston Blvd and now in the back parking lot at the Knights of Columbus on Little Falls Road. Over the years, the Optimists have raised millions of dollars to support student academics and athletics across Arlington.
“The tree lot has a magical presence where you can really find the spirit of Christmas,” Bushue told ARLnow.
This sale is just one of numerous options available to those seeking trees, wreaths, garlands and other items in preparation for the Yuletide season. A list of local markets and their opening dates is below.
In Arlington
Clarendon United Methodist Church
When: Online pre-ordering available now
606 N. Irving Street (Clarendon)
The church has 280 Fraser firs from North Carolina, ranging in size from 6 to 8 feet. Pickups are available Saturday, Nov. 29 from noon to 5 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 30 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 6 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 7 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Proceeds benefit charitable organizations supported by the church.
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church
When: Starting on Saturday, Nov. 29 at 9 a.m.
830 23rd Street S. (Aurora Highlands)
Our Lady of Lourdes’ Christmas tree sale will run during the holiday season on Tuesdays and Fridays from 6-9 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. in the church parking lot by the parish hall at the corner of 23rd Street S. and S. Hayes Street. The church recommends shopping early.
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
When: Starting on Saturday, Nov. 29 at 9 a.m.
4000 Lorcom Lane (Donaldson Run)
St. Andrew’s will have more than 200 Fraser fir trees ranging in size from 5 to 8 feet, as well as 16-inch wreaths, when kicking off its annual Christmas tree sale on Friday. The Rossana coffee truck will be on-site opening weekend with refreshments.
The church sells the majority of its offerings on the first weekend. Opening weekend hours are Nov. 28-30, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. each day. The final sales weekend will be Dec. 6-7, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. each day.
Optimist Club of Arlington
When: Starting on Friday, Nov. 28
5115 Little Falls Road (Yorktown)
Optimists are selling tabletop to 9-foot Fraser firs as well as tree stands, garlands, wreaths and White House ornaments.
Regular hours are 2-8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, noon-8 p.m. on Fridays, and 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Sales benefit academic, civic and sports programs for Arlington youth.
Scout Troop 162
When: Starting on Friday, Nov. 28 at 9 a.m.
6000 Wilson Blvd (Boulevard Manor)
Now more than a half-century old, Scout Troop 162’s annual Christmas tree lot opens the Friday after Thanksgiving (Nov. 28) from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. at the Dominion Hills Pool parking lot.
Subsequent hours will be weekdays from 5-8 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
In addition to trees, wreaths and garlands will be available for purchase.
Scout Troop 167
When: Weekends from Nov. 28-Dec. 7; online pre-ordering option available now.
1500 N. Glebe Road (Waycroft-Woodlawn)
Scout Troop 167’s Christmas tree sale begins Friday, Nov. 28 at Mount Olivet United Methodist Church and will run weekends from 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. until supplies run out.
The troop is selling Fraser firs ranging in height from 6 to 9 feet. The troop’s trees come from a family-owned farm in North Carolina.
For pre-orders, delivery options are available, or trees can be picked up at the church parking lot.
Two types of 25-inch evergreen wreath designs from Minnesota, along with “EZ” hangers and tree stands, are also available.
In and around Falls Church
Boy Scout Troop 681
When: Saturday, Nov. 29 through Saturday, Dec. 20
St. James School, 830 W. Broad Street (Falls Church)
Scout Troop 681 will have a wide array of trees available for purchase in its lot at St. James Catholic School.
Trees of varying sizes and types will be available, with sales beginning Saturday, Nov. 29 and continuing through Saturday, Dec. 20.
The troop’s lot was a staple of the Falls Church holiday season, but was discontinued after the pandemic owing to a lack of tree supply. It returned in 2024, welcoming both previous customers and those from the surrounding community.
Merrifield Garden Center
When: Throughout the holiday season
8132 Route 29 (Falls Church area)
In addition to fresh trees arriving regularly throughout the holiday season, the local chain’s Merrifield-area location transforms into a Christmas shop from November to December each year, selling Christmas trees, ornaments, lights, decorations, artificial wreaths, gifts and other holiday goodies.
Meadows Farms Nurseries and Landscape
When: Throughout the holiday season
6461 Arlington Blvd (Falls Church area)
Minutes outside Falls Church, Meadows Farms typically has thousands of trees in several varieties in stock during the season, plus items like wreaths and other holiday items in the Christmas Shop. There will be complimentary hot chocolate, coffee, popcorn and a fire pit to keep holiday shoppers warm.
The Falls Church-area location is open daily from either 8 or 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
Disposing of trees
Both the Arlington and Falls Church governments offer options for disposing of trees for residents after the holiday season is over.
In Arlington, trees will be collected from homes on the county’s curbside collection routes. All decorations, nails and stands should be removed, trees should not be placed in plastic bags, and tall trees should be cut down so no piece is larger than 8 feet.
Residents without county pickup can bring trees to the Earth Products Yard in Shirlington.
“For safe dropoff, call 703-228-5000 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m., to schedule a weekday appointment,” county officials say. “You will need to provide proof of residence in Arlington to drop off.”
Trees will become mulch, which will be available to county residents for future planting.
In Falls Church, Christmas trees are collected free of charge on Wednesdays the first two weeks in January (except on city-observed holidays) for those on city collection routes.
“Place your Christmas tree next to your curbside carts for collection after removing plastic bags, rope and all decorations, including tinsel,” city officials said.
Falls Church residents who live in apartments and condominiums that receive private trash and recycling service should check with their provider, or can take them to the brush-collection area at the Fairfax County Citizens’ Disposal and Recycling Facility, 4618 W. Ox Road in Fairfax.
