Last year our December's "Off the Beaten Path" was unusual in the way that it is not really just one location, but the entire Fredericksburg area. This year we choose to do that again, we hope you enjoy.
Unlike large Cities,Christmas in Fredericksburg is more traditional, slower, and generally more enjoyable. Walking down Caroline Street, visitors and residents are greeted with brilliant white lights strung between the Bradford pear trees.
The Trees themselves are also wrapped in those brilliant lights. Store fronts are decorated in lights, wreaths and traditional Christmas decorations. Actors and actresses can be seen dressed in traditional Christmas attire. Butch Whimmer decorates his trolley's (Rebecca and Gracie Gal) in brilliant lights. Mac has General and the rest of his horses all decked out in full holiday spirit on the Fredericksburg Carriage Tours. Mayor Bill Beck has Beck's Antiques decorated in the holiday spirit. Christmas is truly a beautiful time of the year in Fredericksburg.

Early in the month, the Fredericksburg Jaycees held the annual Fredericksburg Christmas Parade. Spotsylvania County also held the Spotsylvania Christmas Parade on that same day (earlier in the day, so as not to conflict with Fredericksburg's parade). This year SimplyFredericksburg had family members in both parades. Our son, Brent, was in the Spotsylvania parade with his Tiger Cub Den (which Joe was the leader of), and Brent was also on the B101.5 float with his buddy, Buzzy the Bee. Brent would like to thank B101.5 for allowing him to be on the float.

The Hope House, (a local organization that supports battered women and their children) holds the annual Christmas Festival of Trees. This years festival featured over 70 local businesses and organizations, with each donating a decorated Christmas tree to be silently auctioned off at the festival. All the proceeds go towards the Hope House. If you have not been to the Festival of Trees, it is really a sight to see. SimplyFredericksburg donated a tree this year. We were happy to participate this year and would like to thank those that bid on the trees. You can see our tree online and see this years photos from the festival.

The City of Fredericksburg holds it's annual Christmas tree lighting downtown near the courthouse. This little known ceremony has been gaining popularity every year and is a good time for all. This years crowd approached numbers over 500 people. This years ceremony featured Santa (Mrs. Claus was sick this year) arriving by horse drawn carriage and Santa talking and singing to all the kids, young and old alike. Elves are in the crowd passing out holiday cheer and candy canes. Santa departed on Fredericksburg's own Christmas decorated trolley, "Rebecca" driven by owner and operator of the Fredericksburg Trolley Tours, Butch Wimmer. Santa Claus can be seen out and about town in the weeks before Christmas. This year, SimplyFredericksburg was invited to meet with Santa before the tree lighting. We took many photos of this momentous occasion. 

As you are walking down the streets of Olde Towne, on the weekends, you will hear live concerts being given at some of the local music stores. The "concerts" are held on the sidewalks and all are invited to stop and listen. 

Every year, a group of area residents open their doors to guest for what is called the Candlelight Tour. The tour is held by the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation and has been running for 30 years. Tour historic homes, see civil war re-enactments and listen to carolers as you stroll a historic neighborhood of Olde Towne. Most of the historic places to visit also have open houses, like Belmont and The James Monroe Museum. Belmont opens it's doors to the public to view the lovely Christmas decorations. James Monroe Museum opens their doors to the public and James Monroe is on hand to greet the guests as they enter. Rising Sun tavern and others also have some sort of holiday celebration that is open to the public. 

SimplyFredericksburg's community calendar has many of the events listed. Christmas is a wonderful time of the Year and celebrating it in Fredericksburg makes it so much more enjoyable. And if you're wondering where to find Santa all the time, he can been seen at Spotsylvania Mall most days. 

After Christmas, Fredericksburg is one of 200+ Cities that brings in the New Year with a First Night Celebration. You can learn more about First Night Fredericksburg online.
 

Kids: We hope that you and your family have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. You can also track Santa on Christmas with the Santa Tracker Radar or email him your Christmas list. Another great Christmas web site is Claus.com.