7 Nearby Hallmark-y Towns to Check Out This Holiday Season
Don’t get us wrong, Richmond knows how to celebrate the holidays, from all the themed pop-up bars to the annual Christmas Parade and the Richmond Ballet’s performances of The Nutcracker. But sometimes you just need a little small-town charm to really get in the holiday spirit. Check out these nearby spots that will make you think you’ve stepped onto the set of a Hallmark movie.
Image Source: Christmas in Middleburg
Middleburg
We can’t prove it, but we’re pretty sure Hallmark movies were modeled after Middleburg in December. This picturesque town goes all out for Christmas with beautifully decorated storefronts, festive greenery, and plenty of old-fashioned holiday charm. Its seasonal celebrations include Jingle in the Burg, which features carolers and live performances of A Christmas Carol, and the adorable Jingle Paws dog parade. And because it’s horse country, of course, you can take a carriage ride through the historic cobblestone streets. Honestly, all that’s missing is a big-city executive falling in love with the local Christmas tree farmer.
Distance from RVA: 2.5 hours
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Image Source: Downtown Ashland Association
Ashland
Ashland might be the closest you can get to a Hallmark-esque town without really having to leave the city. Every holiday season, Ashland transforms its historic downtown area into a twinkling winter wonderland with a display of more than 10,000 lights along the famous railroad tracks. The town also hosts holiday markets, seasonal performances, and its annual Olde Time Holiday Parade, so there’s plenty of Christmas cheer to go around.
Distance from RVA: 30 minutes
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Image Source: FXBG
Fredericksburg
There’s something about a historic downtown decked out for the holidays that just hits different. Fredericksburg’s charming Caroline Street is lined with local boutiques, restaurants, and beautifully decorated storefronts that make holiday shopping feel like an actual experience instead of another errand. Plan your visit around the annual Fredericksburg Christmas Parade so you can see all the floats, marching bands, and Santa (duh) marching downtown. Add a hot chocolate, and you’ve got yourself a pretty solid December day trip.
Distance from RVA: 1.5 hours
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Image Source: Visit Charlottesville
Charlottesville
Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall is already a great place to spend an afternoon, but throw in some Christmas lights and decorations, and it’s even better. This pedestrian-only stretch of downtown is packed with local shops and cozy restaurants, but one of its biggest highlights is the annual Grand Illumination and tree lighting. Can’t get more festive than that.
Distance from RVA: 1 hour
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Image Source: Visit Alexandria
Alexandria
You may not expect a larger city to have Hallmark-level charm, but Old Town Alexandria delivers just that. We’re talking cobblestone streets, historic row houses with wreaths and garlands, and twinkling lights lining King Street all the way down to the waterfront. Thee city also celebrates with their annual Scottish Christmas Walk Parade and the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights. Seriously, if this doesn’t put you in the Christmas spirit, we’re not sure what will.
Distance from RVA: 2.5 hours
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Image Source: Visit Culpeper
Culpeper
Culpeper is the kind of town that makes you want to slow down and enjoy the holiday season. Picture historic buildings decked out in classic Christmas decorations, cozy cafés, and local shops with the kind of gifts you can’t get on Amazon. Spend the afternoon exploring the downtown streets and stick around until dusk to see the Christmas lights turn on throughout the town. It’s a little old-fashioned, a little nostalgic, and exactly the kind of place where you can pretend you’re the main character in a Christmas movie.
Distance from RVA: 2 hours
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Image Source: Visit Middlesex
Urbanna
Consider Urbanna a Hallmark movie with a coastal feel. This tiny waterfront town goes big for the holidays, turning its annual Christmas Parade into an all-day celebration with a Christmas market, festive treats, and a pet parade. There’s also a community tree-lighting celebration and a special Polar Express experience for those who want to feel like a kid again. It’s small-town Christmas at its finest in the kind of place where you’ll probably run into everyone in town while you’re there.
Distance from RVA: 1 hour
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A born and bred Richmonder, Christine’s love of RVA runs deep. So does her love of words. She’s wanted to be a writer since she was 8 years old, leading her to earn a degree in Communication Studies from Roanoke College. Since then she’s edited and contributed to a handful of local and national publications. When she’s not working on her next article, you can find her taking walks throughout the city with her fiancé and their adorable rescue pitty Rosie. You can also find her on Instagram @christinewinder where she posts way too many photos of her cats.
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