Month-long celebration features family-friendly events
Holiday carriage rides through Downtown Middleburg will be offered on Dec. 3,9,10,16, 17, 23, 24 and 31. Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/christmas-in-middleburg-horse-drawn-carriage-rides-tickets-753400219337?aff=oddtdtcreator to purchase tickets.
Photo by Derek Anderson
During the month of December, the Town of Middleburg will transform into the ultimate holiday destination. The historic village, located in the heart of Virginia’s horse country, will sparkle with festive decorations during the holiday season and also will host family-friendly activities, including a dog show, a Dickens-themed festival, and much more.
“We’re looking forward to people coming out and supporting our businesses,”said Middleburg Town Manager Danny Davis.
A “Dickens of a Dog Show” will be held on Dec. 9. At 1 p.m. dogs and their humans will parade through the village from the National Sporting Library & Museum the west end along Washington Street. Prizes will be awarded for the best holiday costume, best costume with a Middleburg theme, and best dressed dog and human pair.
The event will be followed by a “yappy hour”at Brick and Mortar Mercantile (201 W Washington St.) from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., featuring treats for dogs. Participants may register on the day of the event from noon until 1 p.m. at the National Sporting Library & Museum. Proceeds benefit the Middleburg Humane Foundation.
On Dec. 9 and 10, the Painted Trillium Celtic Band will perform music of the season from 1-3 p.m. at the corner of Washington and Pendleton Streets.
On Saturday, Dec. 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the town will host A Dickens of a Christmas festival on South Madison St., which will be closed to vehicular traffic. Throughout the day there will be local vendors, carriage rides, carolers, and street performers.
During the festival, members of the Shenandoah Valley Civil War Era Dancers will present “Dance Like the Dickens” at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The group will perform dances from the Victorian era and will also demonstrate steps and invite attendees to participate.
Interactive performances of “A Christmas Carol,” with a running time of 30 minutes, will be held at noon and 2 p.m. Performances of “St. George and the Dragon” will be held at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Each show will feature local actors and several actors from New York also will perform.
Sponsored by the Middleburg Business and Professional Association, complimentary cups of hot cocoa will be available at Scruffy's Ice Cream Parlor at 6 W Washington St. each weekend through Dec. 31, with the exception of Saturday, Dec. 2.
Visit www.middleburgva.gov/holidays for a full schedule of events or contact the Middleburg Town Office at 540-687-5152.