Special events in the Fredericksburg region for the weekend of December 2 – 4, 2016. Click the links for more information.
Weekend of December 2 – 4, 2016
Fredericksburg Holiday Craft Show
Friday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 3, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 4, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center, 2371 Carl D. Silver Pkwy., Fredericksburg, Va.
With some 300 vendors expected, the 2016 Fredericksburg Holiday Craft Show is expected to be the ever to be held at the Fredericksburg Expo Center.
$6 – $8; children 12 and under, free.
First Friday Fredericksburg December
Friday, Dec. 2, 6 – 9 p.m.
Downtown Fredericksburg studios and galleries are featuring holiday-priced works and gifts during opening receptions for December’s artists and shows. Click the hyperlink for the complete list.
Free admission.
Rising Sun Tavern Holiday Open House
Friday, Dec. 2, 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Rising Sun Tavern, 1304 Caroline St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401
An evening tour of the tavern, with lively music and refreshments.
Free.
A Monroe Christmas Open House
Friday, Dec. 2, 6 – 8 p.m.
James Monroe Museum and Library, 908 Charles St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401
The holiday open house will feature cider and cookies, and seasonal music played on the harp and the Monroe family’s Astor pianoforte.
Free.
Mistletoe Market
Saturday, Dec. 3, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Fredericksburg City Farmers Market, Hurkamp Park, 500 William St.
Arts and crafts, seasonal produce, greens and greenery, kettle corn, and pre-order holiday food.
Free admission.
Christmas Open House at Montpelier
Saturday, Dec. 3, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
James Madison’s Montpelier, 11350 Constitution Hwy., Montpelier Station
Tour the Madisons’ home, decorated according to 19th-century customs. The Madisons will be at home and greeting visitors. Enjoy visits with Santa, children’s crafts, delicious food, and Museum Shop discounts.
Free admission.
Santa Arrives by Boat in Occoquan
Saturday, Dec. 3, 12 p.m.
Mamie Davis Park Dock in Occoquan, followed by visits with Santa at Town Hall.
Free.
Spotsylvania Parks and Recreation Department 38th Annual Christmas Parade
Saturday, Dec. 3, 1 p.m.
Spotsylvania Courthouse area
This year’s theme is “A Hollywood Holiday,” representing classic Christmas movies.
Free.
Fredericksburg Christmas Parade
Saturday, Dec. 3, 5:30 p.m.
Downtown Fredericksburg
Free.
Fredericksburg Community Chorus Performs Handel’s “Messiah”
Saturday, Dec. 3, at 2 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m.
Fredericksburg Baptist Church, 1019 Princess Anne St., Fredericksburg
Free
Mary Washington House Candlelight Tour & Open House
Sunday, Dec. 4, 4:30 – 7 p.m.
Mary Washington House, 1200 Charles St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401
Enjoy an candlelight tour of Mrs. Washington’s home. The museum store will be open for holiday shopping.
Free.
Courthouse Christmas Luminary
Sunday, Dec. 4, 4:45 p.m.
On the lawn of the Old Courthouse,
Come enjoy this outdoor celebration as the candles are lit at dusk, and area choirs sing. Bring your blanket.
Free.
Ongoing through December 2016
Home for the Holidays at Gari Melchers
Friday, Nov. 25 – Friday, Dec. 20, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont, 224 Washington St., Falmouth
Enjoy the house decorated for the holidays in the spirit and style of the Melchers.
Included with museum admission.
Ignite the Night Village Laser Show
Through Saturday, Dec 24, 2016.
Friday evenings 6 p.m., 7 p.m., 8 p.m.
Saturday evenings 6 p.m., 7 p.m., 8 p.m., and 9 p.m.
In the Village at Towne Center, across from Sephora, Spotsylvania Towne Centre Mall, 137 Spotsylvania Mall Dr.
Illuminate Light Show and Santa’s Village
Nightly through January 1, 2017, 5:30 – 10 p.m.
Meadow Event Park, 13048 Dawn Blvd., Doswell
Meadow Event Park presents Illuminate Light Show & Santa’s Village. The light show consists of hundreds of thousands of LED lights synchronized to music from your car radio, and features an 80-foot tunnel of lights, 50-foot Christmas trees, dancing snowmen, singing trees and Santas and festive decorations.
$25 cars; $55 limos and mini buses; $100 full-sized bus
Dominion GardenFest of Lights: Living Color
Nov. 25, 2016, through January 9, 2017 — closed December 24 and 25.
Nightly 5 – 10 p.m.
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Ave., Richmond, Va.
A holiday tradition featuring more than half-a-million twinkling lights, hand-crafted botanical decorations, model trains, holiday dinners, fire pit with s’mores and hot chocolate (for purchase), nightly family activities, and more.
$5 – $13
Paul’s Bakery Christmas Lights Display
Friday, Dec. 2, and continues nightly through Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 6:30 – 9 p.m.
Paul’s Bakery parking lot, 2006 Lafayette Blvd., Fredericksburg, Va.
“My greatest passion has been to create one of the largest, home-made Christmas displays in the area,” Glancy said. He developed a “special way” of creating characters and objects with PVC, and brining them to life with lights.
Admission is free, but visitors are invited to bring a donation for Toys for Tots.
Gingerbread House Contest & Exhibit
December 4 – 30 (Closed December 24 and 25), Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m;. Sundays 12 – 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.
More
Your Community Calendar December 2016
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