How to Spend the Holidays in Hunt Country
Written by Kaitlin Hill
The early December Christmas parades around Hunt Country, especially Middleburg’s iconic main street march, signal the start of the holiday season. However, the festive fun doesn’t need to end there. From history tours to Christmas concerts, Hunt Country has a plethora of activities and events all month long. To get and stay in the holiday spirit, check out a few of our favorite suggestions on how to spend the season in Hunt Country.
Gifts for Everyone at AiM’s “GASP” Exhibit
Shopping small and local is one of the best ways to celebrate the holiday season, find truly unique gifts, and give back to the community. The Artists in Middleburg’s annual “GASP: Great Art, Small Prices” exhibit offers the opportunity to shop for amazing art and support the local artisan community. Running through January 5, this year’s exhibit will feature 68 local artists with all pieces priced at $500 or less.
AiM Executive Director Sandy Danielson says, “The first ‘GASP: Great Art, Small Prices’ exhibit launched in 2018 at Artists in Middleburg. It has been a much-anticipated annual tradition ever since, celebrating the arts and the artists during the holiday season! There is no theme to the exhibit other than art is priced at $500 and below. Perfect for a holiday gift for someone special, including oneself!”
The collection features works of art in a variety of mediums like oil, watercolor, photography, and pastel with all sorts of subject matter like wildlife, florals, Hunt Country landscapes, and even chickens in cars.
And don’t miss AiM’s Annual Open House on December 8 from 1 to 4 p.m. The event promises to be full of holiday cheer and is a great way to experience all that AiM has to offer.
Good Cheer at Goodstone Inn
When asked about favorite holiday activities, Goodstone Inn’s general manager, Raeshawna Scott, has an enthusiasm for the season that is hard to contain. She says, “Middleburg is just so beautiful and charming right at the holiday, so we are already starting with our decorations.” In addition to The Conservatory and Carriage House, each individual cottage will be decorated for guests to enjoy during their stay. “You can go into any of our homes and there’ll be a Christmas tree that’s decorated.”
Holiday cheer extends to the food and beverage offerings at Goodstone, too, with special menus planned for December 24 and 25, as well as “a hot chocolate bar in your guest room that you can indulge in,” Scott shares. She adds, “It is part of our holiday cheer package that is already live.” As for the Christmas Eve and Christmas dinners, the menu will include delightful dishes from Executive Chef Paul Verica. Scott says, “Whatever the chef creates, I am excited for,” adding, “the dessert that we are doing is a traditional Bûche de Noël.” There will also be fresh pastries in the lobby for the colder months. Menu information and reservations are already live online.
Outdoor activities will be available, too, though some are weather dependent. In addition to the firepits and s’mores available, Scott says, “If we do get some snow, we are investigating how we can offer snow tubing.”
While Scott is keeping her fingers crossed for a white winter, she offers some of her favorite activities in town during the month of December. “I am looking forward to the tree lighting, the carriage rides, and then the shopping.” She adds, “I am definitely going to go to Middleburg Gourmet. I could live in there. It’s a very dangerous store, in a good way. And Knead Wine. I’ll get some pizza and wine from there while I am shopping.”
Goodstone is also offering the opportunity to do some wine shopping in their cellar every Sunday through the month of December. The cellar will be open from 12 to 4 p.m., and guests and visitors are welcome to browse Goodstone’s rare wine selection with no entry fee. “We’ll be serving sparkling wine, charcuterie, and cheese as people learn more about the wine we have. I think it is a really cool way to stock your personal cellar or bring some unique and interesting labels to holiday parties.”
Holiday History Throughout Hunt Country
Hunt Country has plenty of programs to step back in time and experience the rich history of the area.
Fans of “The Christmas Carol,” “The Chimes,” and “The Cricket” will enjoy a Dickens of a Christmas in Middleburg as the beloved annual event returns to town. The magic of a Charles Dickens Christmas jumps off the page onto South Madison Street with carolers, dancers, actors, and musicians on December 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Later in the evening, the Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area Association will offer a glimpse into Christmas during the Civil War with an evening of education and music. “Christmas in Camp: Holiday Traditions During the Civil War” will take place on December 14 at 7 p.m. at the Upperville Baptist Church, where VPHA Board Director and musician Bess Putnam will perform music and share soldiers’ stories. This educational event will shed light on the enduring hope and joy of Civil War soldiers during Christmastime through the power of music and camaraderie. To reserve a spot, visit piedmontheritage.org.
Continue the holiday history tour with “Christmas at Selma Mansion” on December 15. The land Selma Mansion sits on was once owned by Lord Fairfax in 1741 and passed down through notable Virginia families, including the Masons. George Mason IV inherited the southern portion of the property to establish Gunston Hall, and his younger brother Thomas Mason inherited the northern section, which would later be the site for Selma Mansion, built in 1810.
Over two centuries later, Selma is decking its halls and inviting guests to tour the first level of the mansion, visit with Santa, check out the many Christmas trees, and enjoy an elaborate dessert buffet from 2 to 4 p.m. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Loudoun Museum. Be sure to get tickets at loudounmuseum.networkforgood.com.
Can’t-Miss Christmas Concerts and Merry Music Events
Emmanuel Episcopal Church’s most popular concert returns to the Parish House on December 15 at 3 p.m. “A Celtic Christmas” will be performed by a traveling group out of Williamsburg, Virginia, and include Scottish and Irish renditions of classic Christmas music and year-round Celtic favorites. The band will sing specials like “I Saw Three Ships” and “Pat-a-Pan,” accompanied by accordion, Irish flute and whistle, Uilleann pipes, bodhran, guitar, violin, and viola. Concert tickets can be reserved online at emmanuelmiddleburg.org or by calling (540) 687-6297. Alternatively, a suggested donation of $20 can be made at the door. All are welcome and no one will be turned away.
For more classic Christmas music (and dancing!) Loudoun Ballet Performing Arts Company will put on its performance of “The Nutcracker,” set to Tchaikovsky’s timeless musical score. Follow Clara on a magical Christmas Eve adventure, complete with tasty global treats, all from the comfort of nearby Loudoun Valley High School in Purcellville. The show opens on Friday, December 20, at 6:30 p.m. with three encore performances over the weekend. For more information, visit lbpac.org. ML
Featured photo: “Middleburg Christmas Parade” by Kathy Bleau on display at AiM. Photo courtesy of the Artists in Middleburg.
Published in the December 2024 issue of Middleburg Life.
Updated: December 11, 2024