The Last Weekend Before Christmas
Open Late Friday
Downtown Fredericksburg businesses displaying the yellow “Open Late” flag will be open until at least 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 19.
Hillbilly Christmas Extravaganza benefiting Feed Fred
The Fredericksburg Theatre Ensemble presents its Hillbilly Christmas Extravaganza at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, and at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, at Central Rappahannock Regional Library Headquarters Branch, 1201 Caroline St. Admission is $5 or free with the donation of a nonperishable food item at the door. Enjoy live bluegrass music, food, a Christmas carol singalong, a silent auction and two hilarious hillbilly-themed Christmas plays.
A 19th Century Christmas at Ellwood
Friends of Wilderness Battlefield present their sixth annual free Christmas open house from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20, at Ellwood Manor, 36380 Constitution Hwy. (Route 20), Locust Grove, Va. View the schedule of events online.
The Nutcracker
The Fredericksburg Ballet Centre presents “The Nutcracker” at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday at James Monroe High School, 2300 Washington Ave., Fredericksburg. General admission is $16 in advance or $18 at the door. Reserved seating is $20. Scout Troop discounts are available for Saturday’s 2 p.m. show. See the website for ticket details.
Winter Solstice S’mores Celebration
Downtown Greens is hosting a campfire circle, complete with s’mores, beginning at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20. Bring tea or treats, or just yourself. Downtown Greens is located at 206 Charles St. in Fredericksburg.
Santa at the Spotsylvania Volunteer Rescue Squad Training Center
Have milk and cookies with Santa at the Spotsylvania Volunteer Rescue Squad Training Center from 6 to 8 on Saturday. All you need to bring are smiles and a camera. The training center is located at 8711 Courthouse Rd. in Spotsylvania.
Rappahannock POPS Orchestra Holiday Concert
The Rappahannock POPS Orchestra presents “We Need a Little Christmas” 7:30 p..m. Saturday at Grace Church of Fredericksburg’s Center of the Arts, 1141 Heatherstone Dr., Fredericksburg. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors age 65 and older, $15 for students with a valid ID. Children under 18 are free.
Civil War Santa at Chatham Manor
Old Saint Nick will be taking time out of his busy schedule to greet children at Chatham Manor from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21. In addition to a visit from Santa Claus, children will learn what Christmas was like in the 1860s. Refreshments will be served. Chatham is located at 120 Chatham Lane in Stafford County. The event is free.
Santa in Downtown Fredericksburg
Santa will be strolling along Caroline Street from 1 to 4 p.m.
Living Christmas Pageant
At Ferry Farm Baptist Church, 1 Westmoreland Dr., Fredericksburg, guests will be welcomed in the parking lot with a gift of homemade cookies, and directed to a parking spot from where they view the pageant taking place on the church lawn. The Living Christmas Pageant runs from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, and Monday, Dec. 21.
Ongoing
Concert in Lights
The Spotsylvania Towne Center Concert in Lights runs November 8 – December 24, 2014, at 6:30, 7:30, 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Finale at 5:30 p.m. The Village at Spotsylvania Towne Center, 137 Spotsylvania Mall Dr., Fredericksburg. Free.
Meadow Event Park Illuminate Light Show and Santa’s Village
November 14, 2014, through January 3, 2015, nightly, 5:30 – 10 p.m., including holidays
Meadow Event Park, 13111 Dawn Blvd., Doswell.
Experience hundreds of thousands of LED lights synchronized to music from your car radio. The show features an 80-foot tunnel of lights, 50-foot Christmas trees, dancing snowmen and festive decorations. After the show, spend some time in Santa’s Village, with pictures with Santa, children’s activities, food and more.
Cost is $23 per car online in advance, or $25 at the gate. See the website for limousine and mini-bus and full-size bus admission prices.
Christmas Lights Walk Through Display
Outside Paul’s Bakery and Paul’s Young at Heart, 2008 Lafayette Blvd., Fredericksburg.
Thanksgiving Weekend Kick-Off hours are 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 27, through Sunday, Nov. 30. Santa visits 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30.
Regular hours are 6:30 – 9 p.m. daily from Friday, Dec. 5, through Thursday, Dec. 25.
Free. A donation for Toys for Tots is requested.
Mr. Grinch Carriage Rides
Sundays, Nov. 30, Dec. 7, Dec. 14, and Dec. 21 (weather permitting). Call 540-318-7455 for times.
In front of the Fredericksburg Visitor Center, 706 Caroline St.
Take a 15 minutes carriage ride with Mr. Grinch along Caroline Street in downtown Fredericksburg.
$5 tickets can be purchased from Mr. Grinch on a walk up basis only.
The Holidays at Ferry Farm and Kenmore
28th Annual Gingerbread Contest and Exhibit at Ferry Farm, December 7 – 30 (closed December 24 and 25). 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 at Kenmore, dollhouses and miniatures show, December 8 – 30 (closed December 24 and 25). Admission to Kenmore and exhibit: $10 adults, $5 students, under 6 free. Exhibit only: $5 adults, $2.50 students, under 6 free.
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