Special events in the Fredericksburg area for New Year’s weekend 2017.
Gingerbread House Contest & Exhibit
Thursday and Friday, Dec. 29 – 30, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
George Washington’s Ferry Farm, 268 Kings Hwy., Fredericksburg
General admission to Ferry Farm and the exhibit: $8 adults, $4 students, under 6 free.
Exhibit only: $4 adults, $2 students, under 6 free.
A Wee Christmas – Dollhouses and Miniatures Show
Thursday and Friday, Dec. 29 – 30, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Kenmore Plantation, 1201 Washington Ave., Fredericksburg
Admission to Kenmore and exhibit: $10 adults, $5 students, under 6 free.
Exhibit only: $5 adults, $2.50 students, under 6 free.
Holiday Hours at Washington Heritage Museums
Thursday and Friday, Dec. 29 – 30, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
– Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop, 1020 Caroline St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401
– Mary Washington House, 1200 Charles St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401
– Rising Sun Tavern, 1304 Caroline St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401
Admission to the museums is $5 for adults; $2 for children age 6 – 18; and free for children under 6. Discounts are available for groups of 8 or more and AAA members.
Merry Trees at the Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center
December 1, 2016, through January 5, 2017, 12 – 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sunday
Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center,
The museum is displaying 10 small Christmas trees with different children’s literature themes. Hugh Mercer Elementary school classes selected a book, read it in class, and created a theme for their class tree. Each student designed and created an ornament relating to their story, and the ornaments adorn their class’s tree. The trees will be available for free viewing during the museum’s regular hours.
Noon Year’s Eve Party
Saturday, Dec. 31, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Newton Library Branch, 22 Coles Point Rd., Hague, Virginia
For those who want to celebrate, but can’t quite make it to midnight, ring in 2017 with a classic New Year’s Eve countdown and balloon drop, after you decorate a party hat, make a time capsule to open in 2018, set your resolutions, and snap your pic in our New Year’s photo booth.
Free.
New Year’s Eve Family Frolic at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Ave., Richmond, Va.
Thursday, Dec. 31, 2 – 5 p.m.
Enjoy fun family activities all afternoon with the New Year’s Eve Family Frolic. Live music, a parade, make your own New Year’s party hat, write your wish for 2017 and add it to our wishing chain, and more.
Regular admission. Those who attend the New Year’s Eve Family Frolic and are already in the garden can stay to attend the Dominion GardenFest of Lights from 5 – 10 p.m.
Downtown 31 Finale- Fredericksburg’s New Year’s Eve Celebration
Saturday, Dec. 31, 5 – 9 p.m.
Riverfront Park, 600 Sophia St., in downtown Fredericksburg.
Music, food, activities, ping pong ball drop, and prizes.
The main stage in Riverfront Park will feature the Double Koru Rock Ensemble, Silver Liner Dancers, and Steve Jarrell & the Sons of the Beach.
The children’s area will include Unicycle Lady, Pied Piper of Percussion, Else the Snow Queen, Kathryn Carr, Juggler, Bounce Castle, and Snow Maze.
The teen party in Market Square, 907 Princess Anne St., will feature DJ Marvelous & Hit the Deck Entertainment, Spryo Gryoscope, and Party Monster Selfies.
Free admission.
New Year’s Eve at The Silk Mill
Saturday, Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.
The Inn at the Old Silk Mill, 1707 Princess Anne St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401
Live music, dancing, food station dining, New Year’s Eve countdown and celebration with balloon drop, champagne toast, hats, and noisemakers.
$149 per couple or $74.50 for single.
New Year’s Eve at Spencer Devon Brewing
Saturday, Dec. 31, 9 p.m. – 1 a.m.
Spencer Devon Brewing, 106 George St., Fredericksburg
Includes commemorative glass, toast pour, snacks, and live music by The Feathered Fish.
$30
New Year’s Eve Live Music
8:30 p.m Hard Times Cafe – Four Mile Fork, 5099 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Rt 1: Come Together New Year’s Eve Party
9 p.m. Colonial Tavern, 406 Lafayette Blvd, Downtown Fredericksburg: Elby Brass (Rockin’ Brass Band)
9 p.m. Eleni’s Restaurant, 5390 Lyndon Dr, Locust Grove: SunStone (Country)
9 p.m. Legume Kitchen & Bar, 715 Caroline St, Downtown Fredericksburg: Karen Jonas (Alt Country)
River Rock Outfitter New Year’s Day Hike and Trail Run
Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Alum Spring Park – access from Alum Spring Road off Lafayette Blvd., or from Greenbrier Drive off Route 3 in Fredericksburg.
Julia will lead a 5-mile run through the park. Meegana will lead a 2.5-mile hike on the paved VCR trail. The trail is stroller and dog friendly. Both groups will meet back at the picnic area for traditional New Year’s Day fare.
Free.
First Day Hikes at Virginia State Parks
Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017
Visit any of the 37 Virginia State Parks on January 1 and participate in guided hikes and programs or create your own adventure. All parks are free to enter this day. Click the hyperlink for a complete list of hikes and programs. Featured below are the three state parks closest to Fredericksburg.
– Caledon State Park, 11617 Caledon Rd., King George, VA 22485 – 1 – 2 p.m. Find the gifts hidden along Fern Trail.
– Lake Anna State Park, 6800 Lawyers Rd., Spotsylvania, VA 22551 – 2 – 3:30 p.m. Hike with a ranger to a hidden treasure in a secluded cove.
– Westmoreland State Park, 145 Cliff Road, Montross, VA 22520 – 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Hike to Fossil Beach and hunt for fossils.
____
