Update on 12/12/17 — Please see our 2017 Christmas tree article for an updated list of locations.
The end of Thanksgiving dinner can be a signal to begin Christmas preparations, starting with getting a tree.
From grocery stores to community organizations, Arlington residents have a number of options for finding the right tree.
Local Christmas tree sales aren’t particularly well-publicized online, so for many residents the strategy is to go to where they bought their tree last year.
Here are some places in Arlington County that have been reliable vendors over the years from which to pick up your annual fir.
- The Optimist Club of Arlington, 2213 N. Glebe Road
The annual tree sale in the Wells Fargo Bank lot along Lee Highway will open this Saturday. Its hours are from 2-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 12-8 p.m. on Friday, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
- Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 830 23rd Street S.
The Knights of Columbus will sell trees at this church near Crystal City from 6-9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the weekends. An opening date wasn’t specified, but the sale will run through Dec. 20 or until the trees are gone, whichever comes first.
- Cathedral of St. Thomas More, 3901 N. Cathedral Lane
Another local Knights of Columbus organization will be selling trees in Arlington this season. Signs for the sale are up along Glebe Road, across from the Mr. Wash car wash. Last year, the sale was open seven days a week, from 6-9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the weekends.
- Boy Scout Troop 162, 6000 Wilson Blvd
In previous years, this sale began during the first week of December and sold out in less than two weeks. The troop’s sale does have a Facebook page to follow for updates.
- Food Star parking lot, 950 S. George Mason Drive
The Arlington South Lions Club has sold Christmas trees here for years, typically from the day after Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve.
- Unleashed by Petco parking lot, 5400 Lee Highway
Christmas trees are sold from this lot along N. Harrison Street, along with other seasonal items, like fireworks around the Fourth of July and pumpkins around Halloween.
- Whole Foods, 2700 Wilson Blvd
If you’re in Clarendon or Courthouse and on the car-free diet, this is the place to go. The trees tend to be on the smaller side, which presumably makes carrying them home easier.
- Local farmers markets
Local farmers markets often stock Christmas trees, some of which are grown right here in Virginia. Here’s a list of farmers markets in Arlington.
Other popular locations just outside of Arlington include the Home Depot in Falls Church, Greenstreet Gardens on W. Braddock Road near Fairlington and Merrifield Garden Center on Lee Highway in Fairfax County.
Know of any other Christmas tree sales in the area? Let us know in the comments.