Christmas Activities
VRE Santa Train: Every year just before Christmas, kids and their parents are given the opportunity to ride a train and meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, who are on board VRE trains to promote rail safety and Operation Lifesaver's "Look, Listen and Live" campaign. There will be plenty of Santa's helpers joining in handing out candy canes and coloring books, along with high school choral groups and other festivity-makers..
Santa's Paradise Express: Recapture the magic of the holiday season. Potbelly stoves gently warm the passenger cars as you travel with Santa. Sing Christmas carols along with musicians as they stroll from car to car. If you listen carefully, you may even hear the sounds of ringing bells. (Day trip - in Strasburg, PA)
Hurkamp Park has a tree lighting ceremony the Friday evening after Thanksgiving. Enjoy live Christmas Caroling, hot chocolate and Santa's arrival in a firetruck.
Cut Your Own Christmas Tree... be green and make it a family tradition! There are lots of tree farms in Virgina, visit Virginia Christmas Tree Growers Association to search for farms near you!
The National Christmas Tree is located in President's Park, just behind the White House in DC. The tree lighting ceremony by the President is the 1st Thursday in December and the tree remains lit until January 1st. Along the path to the tree are 56 smaller trees decorated by the 50 staes, 5 territories and DC itself. Musical entertainment is provided almnost nightly, as well as a yule log and a giant train set running around the base of the tree. The ligts are on from dusk until 11:00pm nightly during this time period.
Lunch With Santa Join Stafford Parks & Rec for a wonderful time of fun, food, and entertainment! Santa and his gang will provide plenty of good cheer and delicious goodies. Appropriate for ages 1-5. Tickets must be purchased in advance; space is limited. Deadline: Registration open until full. Price is $15 for one child (includes lunch & activities); parents may eat lunch for $4/each (not required). Time: 10:00am-12:00pm. Admission: $15/child ($18/non-resident of Stafford); $4/adult lunch (optional). (540) 658-4871.
Graham Cracker House Workshop Gather around the craft table to make several holiday crafts with Stafford Parks & Rec. Create a wide variety of Christmas crafts suitable to decorate your home. Be sure to wear a craft shirt. Appropriate for ages 3-10. Space is limited - register by 12/9. Time: 5:00pm (ages 3-5), 6:00pm (ages 6-10). Admission: $8/child ($10/non-residents of Stafford). (540) 658-4871.
USMC Museum Christmas Family Day Get into the spirit of Christmas at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Enjoy a visit from Santa, an ornament making workshop, and a puppet show in Chesty's Theatre. Christmas events take place in both the Museum's Leatherneck Gallery and the Museum Classroom. Time: 3:00-5:00pm. (877) 635-1775.
Holiday Night Walk Enjoy a night walk in downtown Fredericksburg and see the lights and sights of the holiday season. Walk at your own pace on either the 6k (3 mile) or 10k (6 mile) trails. Start between 3-6 pm, and finish by 8 pm. We will offer hot drinks and cookies! For information or inclement weather, call 540-842-8094.
Virginia Christmas Tree Growers Association to search for farms near you!
