The Town of Middleburg to Host Dickens-Themed Holiday Celebration

Month-long celebration features family-friendly events.

MIDDLEBURG, VA — During the month of December, the Town of Middleburg will transform into the ultimate holiday destination. The historic town, located in the heart of Virginia’s horse country, will sparkle with festive decorations during the holiday season. The town will also host family-friendly activities including a dog show, a Dickens-themed festival, and much more! For more information, visit: middleburgva.gov/holidays.

A Dickens of a Dog Show will be held on December 9. At 1 p.m. dogs and their humans will parade from the National Sporting Library & Museum (102 The Plains Road) through Downtown Middleburg. Prizes will be awarded for the best holiday costume, best costume with a Middleburg theme, and best dressed dog and human pair. The event will be followed by a “yappy hour” at Brick & Mortar Mercantile (201 West Washington Street) from 1:30 to 3 p.m., featuring treats for dogs. Participants may register on the day of the event from noon until 1 p.m. at the National Sporting Library & Museum. Proceeds benefit the Middleburg Humane Foundation.

On December 9 and 10, Painted Trillium Celtic Band will perform music of the season from 1 to 3 p.m. at the corner of Washington and Pendleton Streets.

On Saturday, December 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the town will host A Dickens of a Christmas festival on South Madison Street, which will be closed to vehicular traffic. Throughout the day there will be local vendors, carriage rides, carolers, and street performers.

During the festival, members of the Shenandoah Valley Civil War-Era Dancers will present “Dance Like the Dickens” at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. The group will perform dances from the Victorian era. The dancers will also demonstrate steps and invite attendees to participate.

Interactive performances of “A Christmas Carol,” with a run time of 30 minutes, will be held at noon and 2 p.m. Performances of “St. George and the Dragon” will be held at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Each show will feature local actors, and several actors from New York will also perform in the production.

Holiday carriage rides through Downtown Middleburg will be offered on December 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, and 31. Visit Eventbrite to purchase tickets.

Sponsored by the Middleburg Business and Professional Association, complimentary cups of hot cocoa will be available at Scruffy’s Ice Cream Parlor (6 West Washington Street) each weekend through December 31. Complimentary cups of hot cocoa will not be available on December 2.

Visit middleburgva.gov/holidays for a full schedule of events. For additional information, please visit facebook.com/townofmiddleburgva or contact the Middleburg Town Office at 540-687-5152.

Photo courtesy of the Town of Middleburg.

Posted on: November 30, 2023