Red Dragon Yoga Virginia

Ready, set, shop! If that’s how you feel once the last trick-or-treater has departed your doorstep, then you’re in luck. The Fredericksburg region has a whole season’s worth of experiences that will allow you to complete you holiday shopping while enjoying great food, interesting historical sites and plenty of holiday spirit.

Here are some key events to put on your calendar before it’s too late.

Grapes and Grains Holiday Spirits Festival – Nov. 5

Combine two great things—local craft beverages and holiday shopping, at this annual tradition, held at the A. Smith Bowman Distillery in Spotsylvania County. Sip wine, beer and spirits from 1781 Brewing, the A. Smith Bowman Distillery, Adventure Brewing Co., Hartwood Winery, Lake Anna Winery, Maltese Brewing Co., Mattaponi Winery, Potomac Point Winery, Red Dragon Brewery, Spencer Devon Brewing and Wilderness Run Vineyards. The event will include live music from Bruce Middle and food from Gourmeltz and The Northern Neck Oyster Co. Buy tickets online for $18 (designated drivers and under 21 are free) now through 5 p.m. Nov. 3. Tickets at the door are $20 per person.

For years, this has marked the official start of the holiday shopping season in Downtown Fredericksburg. Merchants will have their holiday merchandise on display, along with special holiday treats, music and Santa himself walking the streets. This also marks the start of the Window Wonderland contest. Participating businesses will display riddles in their decorated windows from Nov. 12 through Dec. 31. Do your best to answer the riddles on the form available at the Visitor Center or on VisitFred.com. Submit your answers, along with your vote for your favorite window, by Dec. 31 to be entered to win the grand prize: a $1, 000 Downtown Fredericksburg gift card, or one of several smaller gift cards and prizes donated by Downtown merchants.

On Friday and Saturday evenings from Nov. 12 through Dec. 24, B101.5 and the Spotsylvania Towne Centre will put on a laser light show, creating magical holiday scenes in the Village at Towne Centre, across from Sephora. These free shows are Friday evenings at 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Saturday evenings at 6 p.m., 7 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. Build a family shopping night around one of these shows, and enjoy dinner at one of the delicious restaurants in the Village at Towne Centre. The Spotsylvania Towne Centre will run special holiday hours throughout the shopping season, which you can find here.