Can you believe people are counting down to Christmas already? I mean, as a kid, I’ve been asking when Christmas was coming back since last Christmas, but it is nice to see other people getting on board and getting excited too. Even Mama is getting excited because this year, we are having a huge celebration in Appomattox! I have to say, it sounds pretty neat.

On December 2nd, the Tourism Committee is putting on their first big event in town…Experience the Holidays! This will be a great day for families to get together and celebrate with food, vendors, history, music and a parade. There will be gingerbread house building, kids can write letters to Santa, explore Whoville on Main Street and meet some of their favorite characters!

Here’s the full schedule:

10-4 – Local vendors and artisans will be open in the new Courtland Festival Park

10-4 – A Civil War Christmas at the downtown Courthouse

10-2:30 – Santa’s Village     12-2:30 – Meet Santa!

3-4 – Christmas Parade on Main Street

4-5 – Music & Caroling     5:30-6 – Community Candles & Tree Lighting

6:00 pm – Live Nativity

Characters and music will be planned with the help of Wolfbane Productions. Meet the Grinch, Jack Skellington, Anna and Elsa and, of course, Santa Claus! The American Civil War Museum and Appomattox Court House National Historical Park will be contributing to the Civil War Christmas. You can step back in time and see how the residents of Appomattox celebrated over 150 years ago. Plus the Town of Appomattox will be welcoming a variety of food trucks for you to enjoy while you’re there.

Over fifty vendors are expected to attend. Some of these are Long Ears Herbs, Tater Tots Trendsetters, Sally’s Knits, Nina Bell’s Cottage, All Things Wooden, L and B Southern Design, Hoppy Layne, Thistle & Lark, Sweet Sarah’s and Corn Cob Custom. Check off your shopping list all in one stop with so many stops to choose from featuring handmade jewelry, home decor, cookies, photography, clothing and accessories, repurposed and vintage items….and that’s just the beginning!

On December 3rd, stick around town because your holiday weekend won’t be over yet. You can attend a Wreath-making event at Evergreen Lavender Farm, always a delightful place to visit. Or you can tour Patrick Henry’s Red Hill from 2-4 during their Holiday Open House. Enjoy mulled cider, Brunswick Stew and homemade cookies. There will be discounts in their gift shop where you can find something for everyone on your list. They will also be selling their boxwood wreaths and kissing balls, but there is a limited supply, so get there early!

The next week, you can catch another Christmas Parade in Brookneal at 7:00 pm on the 7th and the Gaither Christmas concert at Thomas Road Church in Lynchburg on the 8th. December 9th has the Reindeer Run and a showing of “The Nutcracker” at E.C. Glass Theatre at 4:00 pm. On December 16th, have a little wine with your holiday at Hickory Hill Vineyards in Moneta from 12-5 or take in the Holiday Spectacular by the Spectrum Arts Society in Lynchburg. You can also enjoy your favorite Christmas movies at Venue Cinemas, showing a different one each week.

There is certainly no shortage of holiday events planned here in our area. Whether you’re coming to visit family and just need something to fill the time or you want to plan a trip especially for visiting Appomattox during the holidays, we can help you find just the right thing to help you celebrate.