McLean holiday crafts festival returns for 40th year this weekend

The McLean Holiday Art and Crafts Festival will hit the 40-year mark this weekend, just as gift shopping kicks into full gear.

Featuring work by 80 artisans from around the region, the annual handmade crafts fair will be held Friday through Saturday (Dec. 2-4) inside the McLean Community Center. Hours will be 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.

This will be second time that MCC hosts the event in person during the pandemic. It first returned to 1234 Ingleside Avenue last year after going virtual in 2020.

“This fun and festive community event includes every price point and is sure to inspire holiday cheer,” MCC Special Events Manager Catherine Nesbitt said in a news release. “Esteemed jurors have carefully selected artists who have created extraordinary treasures. Support your community and shop locally.”

Selected by a jury, the festival artists work in a range of mediums, from pottery, glass, wood and jewelry to soap, mixed media, holiday decor, and the culinary arts. Their works will be available for purchase.

There will also be an on-site café where visitors can grab a meal and drinks.

Admission is free for kids 12 and younger, but it otherwise costs $5, though that price covers all three days of the festival. The first 200 attendees will receive a free MCC-branded tote bag.

All proceeds will go to the nonprofit Northern Virginia Handcrafters Guild, which is cosponsoring the event and supports local artists with exhibits, scholarships and educational opportunities.

We're giving away these MCC tote bags to the first 200 people who join us each day of the McLean Holiday Art & Crafts Festival! Don't miss it

Friday, Dec. 2, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 3, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 4, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.https://t.co/svZaHJTwh4 pic.twitter.com/pSiVux4DtP

— McLean Community Center (@mcleanvacenter) November 23, 2022

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