The holidays are almost here, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll hear about a great local event two days after it happened and think, How did I miss that?
So I thought I’d put a few things in one place.
Whether you live in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania or somewhere nearby, there are some fun things happening around our area this holiday season. Some are great for the whole family, some make a nice girls’ day out, and some are simply a good excuse to get out of the house, grab something warm to drink and enjoy the season.
Save this list, send it to a friend and start filling in that holiday calendar.
Fredericksburg Merry Market | November 21, 2026
If you enjoy shopping small and finding gifts you probably won’t see everywhere else, this is one to add to your calendar.
The Fredericksburg Merry Market brings together local artists and makers with handmade items and gifts. It’s an easy way to support small businesses while getting some Christmas shopping done.
My suggestion? Don’t rush through it. Grab coffee, walk around downtown, browse the vendors and make an afternoon of it.
This would also make a fun little girls’ day if you’ve been saying, “We need to get together before Christmas” for the last three months.
Fredericksburg Mistletoe Market | November 28, 2026
If Thanksgiving weekend usually has you looking for something to do besides eating leftovers and online shopping, put the Mistletoe Market on your list.
It’s another opportunity to shop from local makers and enjoy downtown Fredericksburg during the holidays.
And because it falls right after Thanksgiving, this could be a nice way to officially kick off your Christmas season.
Invite a friend, do a little shopping, stop somewhere for lunch and enjoy downtown before December gets really busy.
Spotsylvania Christmas Parade | December 5, 2026
If you love a good hometown Christmas tradition, Spotsylvania’s Christmas Parade is one to know about.
The parade takes place in the Historic Courthouse District and celebrates its 49th year in 2026.
This is an easy family outing, especially if you have little ones or family visiting from out of town. Bundle up, bring everyone along and enjoy a little old fashioned Christmas fun.
One neighbor to another: December weekends fill up fast. If this sounds like something your family would enjoy, put it on the calendar now instead of saying, “We should go,” and remembering on December 6.
Fredericksburg Christmas Parade | December 5, 2026
Yes, there are two Christmas parades happening on the same day!
Fredericksburg’s Christmas Parade begins at 5:30 PM in downtown Fredericksburg along Caroline and Princess Anne Streets. The 2026 theme is A Timeless Christmas.
If you’re going, I’d make an evening out of it rather than driving downtown just for the parade.
Get there early, walk around, visit a few local businesses, grab dinner and then find your spot for the parade.
This could be especially fun if you have family visiting. Sometimes we forget that the things we see around town every year are exactly the experiences our out of town guests enjoy most.
A Few More Ways to Enjoy the Holidays Close to Home
Not every holiday memory needs a ticket or a big plan.
Pick an evening and drive around looking at Christmas lights. Meet a girlfriend for coffee and Christmas shopping. Take the kids to choose an ornament. Visit a local restaurant you’ve been meaning to try.
Or finally have that Christmas gathering you keep saying you’re going to host “one year.”
Sometimes the best holiday memories aren’t the big things. They’re the simple traditions we actually make time to do.
Thinking About Hosting Something Yourself?
After going to enough holiday events, eventually somebody says:
“We should have something at our house.”
And it really doesn’t have to be complicated. Invite a few friends over for a holiday brunch, host a family dinner or have the neighbors over for drinks and dessert.
Add one special touch like a pretty table, festive photo spot, Flower Bar or Fragrance Bar, and you’ve got a celebration.
And If You Don’t Want to Do All the Work…
That’s okay too!
If you have the idea but don’t necessarily want to handle all the decorating, setup and little details, that’s where Elevate Designs & Events can help.
We offer event planning and coordination, event design and décor, florals, backdrops, Flower Bars, Fragrance Bars and other event experiences throughout Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania and surrounding areas.
From One Local to Another, Enjoy the Season
Fredericksburg, Stafford and Spotsylvania have so much happening during the holidays, and I’ll keep adding great local finds to this list as I come across them.
So save this page and share it with that friend who’s always asking:
“What are we doing this weekend?”
And if one of those holiday outings inspires you to host something of your own, Elevate Designs & Events would love to help you make it beautiful.
Happy holidays, neighbors. I hope you make some really good memories this year.
Ready to Plan Something Beautiful?
Whether you need a little help with the details or want someone to bring the entire celebration together, we’d love to hear what you’re planning.
