Weekend Planner: Carriage Rides with the Grinch, Gingerbread Houses, Virginia R&B All-Stars and More

Take a break from holiday shopping to enjoy weekend the weekend's festivities.

Christmas Train Exhibit

• When: Friday Dec. 21, Saturday Dec. 22 and Sunday Dec. 23, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Where: Washington’s Ferry Farm
• Why Go: View two model train sets, one of a 1930s Christmas Village, and the second of a winter of 1862 Confederate supply camp from the Rappahannock Model Railroad Club
• Price: $8 adults, $4 students, under age 6, free

Jingle Bell Carriage Rides

• When: Friday, Dec. 21, Saturday, Dec. 22 and Sunday, Dec. 23, 5 p.m.
• Where: Fredericksburg Visitor Center
• Why Go: Experience your own sleigh ride through the streets of downtown, complete with holiday music, cookies and the Christmas sites of Fredericksburg.
• Price: $100 - $120, tickets required

Friday Night Wine Tasting

• When: Friday, Dec. 21, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
• Where: The Virginia Wine Experience
• Why Go: New wine is featured each week, with the bottle sold at a discounted price
• Price: FREE

End of the World Party

• When: Friday, Dec. 21, 10 p.m.
• Where: Brock’s Riverside Grill
• Why Go: Celebrate the end of the world with a DJ, giveaways and drink specials
• Price: FREE

Railroad Museum and Train Rides

• When: Saturday, Dec. 22, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• Where: 11700 Main Street
• Why Go: Tour railroad cars, sit in the caboose and weather permitting take a ride down county tracks in a restored crew car.
• Price: FREE, donations accepted

26th Annual Gingerbread House Contest and Exhibit

• When: Saturday, Dec. 22, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 23, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Where: Historic Kenmore
• Why Go: Creative gingerbread houses will be on display, all made to the theme “Songs of the Holidays.” Choose your favorite and see the winner.
• Price: $10, adults; $5, students; FREE, under age 6 (includes tour of Kenmore). $5, adults; $2.50, students; FREE, under age 6 (exhibit only)

Flawless Face and Body Open House

• When: Saturday, Dec. 22, 12 - 2 p.m.
• Where: Flawless Face and Body
• Why Go: Visit with Santa, win door prizes, enjoy mini makeups and holiday glitter polish.
• Price: FREE

Holiday Swing Dance

• When: Saturday, Dec. 22, 6 - 8 p.m.
• Where: The Village at Spotsylvania Towne Center
• Why Go: Introductory dance lessons, group performances, aerial performances and lots of social dancing.
• Price: FREE

Carriage Ride With Mr. Grinch

• When: Sunday, Dec. 23, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Where: 706 Caroline Street
• Why Go: Enjoy a 15 minute carriage ride and sing the songs of Whoville with the Grinch himself. Kids will receive a Christmas goody bag.
• Price: $5

Sunday Night Bingo

• When: Sunday, Dec. 23, 6:30 p.m.
• Where: 1114 Potomac Avenue
• Why Go: Enjoy a Bingo night with proceeds going to local charities, as well as a chance to win cash prizes
• Price: FREE entry, pay for Bingo cards at the door

Sunday Trivia

• When: Sunday, Dec. 23, 7 p.m.
• Where: Colonial Tavern
• Why Go: Complete your weekend with a trivia night and compete to win cash prizes and more
• Price: FREE

Keller Williams: 12th Annual Benefit for The Fredericksburg Regional SPCA

• When: Wednesday, Dec. 26, 9 p.m.
• Where: Fredericksburg Field House
• Why Go: Enjoy music from Keller’s new six piece project, “More Than A Little,” made up of Virginia R&B all-stars.
• Price: $20 in advance, $25 at the door, all proceeds benefit the Fredericksburg SPCA

Arts

Beading Class at Artful Dimensions Gallery, Learn how to make a cuff bracelet using beads, buttons and other objects. Friday, Dec. 21, 9:30 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 22, 9:30 a.m., $60.

December “Art Attack” at Liberty Town. Friday, Dec. 21, Saturday, Dec. 22, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 23, 12 - 4 p.m., FREE

Picturing the Civil War at the Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center, Friday, Dec. 21 and Saturday, Dec. 22, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 23, 12 - 5 p.m., $7 for adults, $2 for students, children 6 and under, FREE

2nd Annual Jewelry Show at Ponshop Gallery. Friday, Dec. 21 and Saturday, Dec. 22, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 23, 12 - 5 p.m., FREE.

All Member Holiday Exhibit at Art First Gallery. Friday, Dec. 21, Saturday, Dec. 22 and Sunday, Dec. 23, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., FREE

“Artist Showcase” at Brush Strokes Gallery. Friday, Dec. 21, Saturday, Dec. 22 and Sunday, Dec. 23, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., FREE

December Work by Tanya Richey Studio Gallery. Friday, Dec. 21 and Saturday, Dec. 22, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 23, 12 - 5 p.m., FREE

Holiday Show and “It’s Small” at Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts. Friday, Dec. 21, 12 - 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 22, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 23, 12 - 4 p.m., FREE

December All Member Show at Artful Dimensions Gallery. Friday, Dec. 21, Saturday, Dec. 22 and Sunday Dec. 23, 12 - 6 p.m., FREE.

From Recycled Cereal Box to One of a Kind Art Journal at Artful Dimensions Gallery, Saturday, Dec. 22, 9:30 a.m., $45.

Altered Books From Start To Finish at Artful Dimensions Gallery, Create a discarded volume into an individual work of art. Saturday, Dec. 22, 9:30 a.m., $45.

Music

Michael Geddes Sr. at Amy’s Cafe. Friday, Dec. 21, 7 p.m., FREE. Wil Gravatt, Saturday, Dec. 22, 7 p.m., FREE.

Wayne Fairfax & Hardcore at The Recreation Center. Friday, Dec. 21 and Saturday, Dec. 22, 8 p.m., FREE.

Pocket Aces at Colonial Tavern. Friday, Dec. 21, 8:30 p.m., FREE. Joe Vex Band, Saturday, Dec. 22, 9 p.m., $5.

End of Day’s Party with DJ Tony B. at Hard Times Cafe. Friday, Dec. 21, 9 p.m., $5. The Garnet Hearts, Saturday, Dec. 22, 8 p.m., $5.

Borrowed Time Band at Yak-A-Doo’s. Friday, Dec. 21, 9 p.m., FREE. Legend Band, Saturday, Dec. 22, 9 p.m., FREE.

Damion Wolf at Cheeseburger in Paradise. Friday, Dec. 21, 9 p.m., FREE. Marty Dickerson, Saturday, Dec. 22, 9 p.m., FREE.

Eli Cook at The Otter House. Friday, Dec. 21, 10 p.m., $5. River Blue, Saturday, Dec. 22, 10 p.m., $5.

The Brokedown Boys at TruLuvs Bistro. Saturday, Dec. 22, 8:30 p.m., FREE.