2021 Holiday Festivities in Orange County, VA!
When winter arrives, it’s time to indulge in local, seasonal wines, and holiday feasts. Towns of Orange and Gordonsville transform into old-fashioned holiday villages, historical sites and homes are adorned with vintage 19th century holiday customs and our local shops and markets offer festivities all month long in their beautiful farm market settings. December offers many holiday events and special experiences to enjoy the festive season in Orange County, Virginia.
■ The Market at Grelen, Holiday Headquarters
Santa and lots of holiday fun all starts the day after Thanksgiving! Santa makes a visit EVERY Saturday through the holiday season. Starting November 28th until December 19th.! Visiting with Santa is FREE! Cut-Your-Own Christmas Trees will be available every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10-3pm. Enjoy the magic of driving through the nursery and finding that special tree in Grelen’s Christmas Tree Field. Don’t miss their Fraser Firs, Greens, Wreaths, Christmas trees and gifts galore. Make The Market at Grelen your Holiday Headquarters!
■ Downtown Orange, Central Virginia’s Holiday Village
Beginning on Black Friday and running through Christmas Eve, make Downtown Orange your holiday shopping and holiday cheer headquarters!
■ Holiday Village Gingerbread Walk, December 4th 10 am – 4 pm
Part of the month-long Holiday Village — The Gingerbread Walk will take place on Saturday, December 4 from 10 am – 4 pm. Including the Gingerbread House Contest, coordinated by Orange County Parks and Recreation and The Arts Center in Orange, LIVE music, special family photo backdrops, a children’s Toyland walk-through activity, an array of holiday crafts presented by Paint it Orange in the Train Station, tours of the historic Orange County Courthouse, and Santa and his Orange Holiday Elves. Many shops will have special sales and events, and local churches have a great line-up of activities planned, too.
- Join the Rotary Club for the Christmas Parade in downtown Orange, Sunday, Dec.5 at 4:30 pm. Parade Theme: Christmas in America—How do you celebrate Christmas in America!
- Christmas Tree Rededication Service approximately 6pm after the parade in
Taylor Park, Town of Orange.
■ Barboursville Vineyard, Holiday Feasts
Join Barboursville Vineyard and Palladio Restaurant for their holiday feasts and special celebrations. The Octagon, a spectacular feast of four courses paired with a rare flight of four distinct vintages of Octagon, their Christmas Lunch Celebration and the New Year’s Eve Dinner and Celebration.
■Christmas Candlelight Tour at Exchange Hotel and Civil War Medical Museum
Saturday, December 11th, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm. The Exchange Hotel is hosting a Christmas Candlelight Tour, experience the museum decorated in Victorian era Christmas decorations in candlelight along with museum curators dressed in period attire. Hot chocolate and Christmas sweets will be served. Entry fee will be a donation to the Museum.
■Christmas Open House at Ellwood
Saturday, December 19th 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Friends of Wilderness Battlefield is pleased to welcome visitors to Ellwood to see the beautiful Victorian Christmas decorations prepared by the Fawn Lake Lawn and Garden Club. They will be open from noon to 3:00 PM Saturday, December 11 – Friday, December 17.
The holiday season in Orange County brings a special time for the community to enjoy local traditions and small town charms. Come for the events, stay for the warm welcomes and cozy destinations—there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the holidays. The events listed here are only the beginning, visit our events page for even more great holiday activities!
Looking for a cozy spot to call home for the weekend? Check out our award winning Inns, Resorts, and Bed and Breakfasts on our STAY page.
