Enjoy Festive Merry Making & Holiday Shopping during Culpeper Downtown for the Season

By Candice Hayes

Culpeper Downtown for the season will deliver holiday fun and merriment throughout November and December!  Explore unique retail shops, fashion boutiques, interactive experiences, and flavorful restaurants and breweries, all while spending time in Culpeper’s idyllic downtown, soaking up seasonal joy and holiday spirit with a variety of retail holidays, Santa visits and so much more!

Beginning this week, set out to see storefront and holiday window displays at over 20 downtown businesses, voting online for your favorite!  Then get ready to start your holiday shopping by celebrating Pink Friday on November 21st in Culpeper Downtown!  Over 25 downtown shops, spas and restaurants will be offering specials or promotions as we #shopsmallfirst during this “unofficial” kickoff to the holiday season. 

For the official kickoff to Culpeper Downtown for the season, join Culpeper Renaissance, Inc., your favorite nonprofit Main Street program for the Holiday Open House and Community Tree Lighting on Sunday, November 23rd!  Stroll through the streets to sounds of spirited holiday music, brought to you by Eastern View High School Band (1pm-3pm) at the Grass Rootes porch (East Davis Street), while finding over 25 downtown specials and promotions to enjoy: from a museum to mimosas, it’s sure to be a delightful day!  Beginning at 11am, find Olde Towne Carriages at the Depot until 3pm.  Plus, enjoy Caricature Art by Daniel Ryman (10am-5pm), Danny’s Bounce House (11am-4:30pm), Brennan’s Balloons (12pm-3pm), and Sandy’s Face Painting (2pm-5pm), all complimentary and all within the Depot District of Culpeper Downtown.  Arriving around 2pm, Santa and Mrs. Claus will spend time in the Caboose, before the Community Tree Lighting Ceremony begins at 4:55pm!  Arrive early at the famous LOVE sign in Culpeper Downtown, for a view of the newly planted picturesque holiday tree!  Create holiday crafts, sip on warm beverages and sample cookies with booths from Culpeper Girl Scouts, MFA Studios, Culpeper Little Theater, Art of Dance, Culpeper Cub Scouts, State Climb, and event sponsors Kid Central, Smyth Team Realtors, Duckett-Corbin RE/MAX Gateway, and UVA Community Credit Union!  As the tree lighting ceremony begins, choral, theater and dance performances from MFA Dance Studio, Karen’s Line Dancing – Boom Fitness, Culpeper Little Theater, Art of Dance, Eastern View High School Troubadours, and Blue Ridge Choral will bring the magic of the holidays to life, all culminating in a warm winter greeting from Mayor Reaves and the lighting of the tree!

The glow of the tree will last throughout the season, along with holiday fun and shopping specials!  Don’t miss Black Friday on November 28th and mark your calendar to shop Small Business Saturday on November 29th!  Find Santa and Mrs. Claus strolling from 1pm to 5pm during Small Business Saturday, throughout Culpeper Downtown, checking their list twice!  And take a beat, shopping Cyber Monday from your couch on December 1st! 

Sunday, December 7th, Culpeper Downtown merchants welcome you and your littles to spend the afternoon enjoying Holiday Sunday Funday for Kids!  With a variety of children friendly shopping promotions, menu specials, interactive workshops and more, its family fun delivered to your doorstep!  While downtown, be sure to visit Lily Rose & Company for Brennan’s Balloons Pop-Up from 2pm to 4pm and be sure to stop in for a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Visit Culpeper Depot from 2pm to 4:45pm, sharing your holiday wish list and taking a memorable photo!  End the day with the Culpeper Christmas Parade, taking over Main Street at 5pm.

Saturday, December 20th, 9am to 12pm marks the final Santa and Mrs. Claus visit to Culpeper Downtown before their big day!  Find them at the Culpeper Downtown Winter Farmers Market, located at the East Davis Street parking lot (near the Depot).  The Winter Market, taking place the first three Saturdays in December will be packed full of your favorite regular season vendors, providing an opportunity to stock up on eggs, honey, meat, bread, available seasonal produce, along with soap, candles and other artisan goods!  Listen to live music, while enjoying a cool morning stroll at the Winter Market in Culpeper Downtown this holiday season!

Finally, a huge thank you to our annual and holiday sponsors who make events and experiences like this possible, including Kid Central, Country Chevrolet, UVA Community Credit Union, Duckett-Corbin RE/MAX Gateway, Amtrak Virginia, YHB CPAs & Consultants, Appleton Campbell Heating & Air Conditioning, Smyth Team Realtors, Strong Arm Media, Prince Michel Winery & Vineyard, WJMA & SAM-FM, Culpeper Media Network, Cintas, Culpeper Chamber of Commerce and Culpeper Times.

Get all the Culpeper Downtown for the Season details by visiting www.culpeperdowntown.com and be sure to follow Culpeper Renaissance, Inc. on Facebook and Instagram.  Questions?  Email crievents@culpeperdowntown.com or call 540-825-4416.

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