Fredericksburg Weekend Guide, Nov. 13–15: Tree Lighting, Pottery Throwdown and a Holiday Shopping Kickoff
The holiday season gets its unofficial start in downtown Fredericksburg this weekend. Saturday, Nov. 14, brings the annual tree lighting at Riverfront Park, a daylong pottery marke...
Fredericksburg · Community Photo
The holiday season gets its unofficial start in downtown Fredericksburg this weekend. Saturday, Nov. 14, brings the annual tree lighting at Riverfront Park, a daylong pottery market in Hurkamp Park and the first day of Holiday Open House Weekend, when downtown shops roll out their seasonal displays and a new round of shopping games.
Away from downtown, the region's stages are busy with two musicals, the Fredericksburg Convention Center hosts two separate Saturday festivals, and a ranger-led foliage walk in King George offers a quieter morning outdoors. Expect cool, dry weather: the National Weather Service forecast calls for sunshine and highs in the low to mid-50s all three days, with overnight lows near freezing. Details were checked Nov. 12, 2026; organizers can change plans, so confirm before you head out.
The weekend at a glance
Friday: partly sunny and breezy, high near 52, with north gusts as high as 24 mph. Low near 33 overnight.
Saturday: mostly sunny, high near 52 and gusty at times. Mostly clear Saturday night, with a low near 32.
Sunday: mostly sunny, high near 55.
Biggest day: Saturday downtown, with the pottery market from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the tree lighting from 4 to 7 p.m. A free holiday trolley runs from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Deadline: the $40 early price for the Thanksgiving Day YMCA Turkey Trot 5K goes up after 11:59 p.m. Saturday.
Forecast from the National Weather Service point forecast for Fredericksburg, issued 3:53 p.m. Thursday.
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'A Christmas Carol' at Riverside Center
Riverside Center for the Performing Arts has opened its holiday run of the Alan Menken and Lynn Ahrens musical version of the Dickens story, which continues through Jan. 3. Evening shows Thursday through Saturday begin at 7:30 p.m., with an optional dinner beforehand.
Where: 95 Riverside Parkway, Fredericksburg (off Interstate 95 at Exit 133). Cost: from $67 for adults, $62 for seniors 65 and older and military, and $55 for ages 3 to 17, plus a $5 fee per ticket online; dinner is $25 more. Same-day rush seats are $35 at the box office only. Weather: indoors; free parking. Tickets and dates.
'Dear Evan Hansen' at UMW's Klein Theatre
The University of Mary Washington's Department of Theatre and Dance stages the Tony-winning musical about a lonely teenager whose lie after a classmate's death spins out of control. The run continues through Nov. 22.
When: 7:30 p.m. Where: Klein Theatre in duPont Hall, College Avenue and Thornton Street, Fredericksburg. Cost: $5 to $40. Note: the university advises that the show includes discussion of mental health, references to suicide and grief, and some strong language. Buy tickets.
Gari Melchers' mural studies in Falmouth
Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont is showing sketches and studies the artist made for large history murals, part of an America 250 exhibition that runs into January. The exhibition is listed from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Where: 224 Washington St., Falmouth, in Stafford County. Cost: general admission is $12; students 18 and younger get in free with a paying adult (limit two). Free parking. Visitor information.
Fredericksburg Tree Lighting
The city's annual tree lighting fills Riverfront Park with live music, food trucks, local vendors, children's activities and a visit from Santa before the tree is lit. The free event is presented with the City of Fredericksburg and Fredericksburg Main Street.
When: 4 to 7 p.m. Where: Riverfront Park, 701 Sophia St. Cost: free. Weather: outdoors after sunset on a cold, clear evening, so bring layers. Event page.
FXBG Pottery Throwdown
More than 30 potters from around the region sell their work for one day in Hurkamp Park, with demonstrations throughout the day and live music. Organizers say the farmers market will also be running until 1 p.m.
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where: Hurkamp Park on Prince Edward Street, downtown Fredericksburg. Weather: outdoors. Event listing.
Holiday Open House Weekend begins downtown
Downtown shops open the season Saturday and Sunday with decorated storefronts and holiday promotions. Two games also start Saturday: Window Wonderland, which posts riddles in participating shop windows with a grand prize of $1,000 in downtown gift cards, and the FXBG Holiday Shopping Passport, which collects virtual stamps in the free Visit Fredericksburg app through Dec. 31.
Parking tip: a free holiday trolley shuttle runs Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., looping through five downtown stops from the former PNC Bank lot on Fall Hill Avenue and the VRE lot off Prince Edward Street. Open House details.
Two festivals at the Fredericksburg Convention Center
Anime Fredericksburg is a one-day convention for anime, video game and cosplay fans, with voice-actor guests, an artist alley, a game zone and a cosplay contest open without advance sign-up. The organizer's ticket page lists hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and children's tickets are free with the purchase of a regular pass. Passes.
The Honey Teas and Sweet Treats Festival, hosted by True Honey Teas, offers tea tastings, a make-your-own tea bag station, a small-business marketplace and beekeeping talks from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is listed at $15 on the University of Mary Washington's community calendar. Festival listing.
Where: 2371 Carl D. Silver Parkway, Fredericksburg. With both events in the building, plan for a busy parking lot.
Fall Foliage Fun at Caledon State Park
Rangers lead a wagon ride and short hike to look at fall color and listen for migrating birds, then finish with a leaf-rubbing craft. Binoculars are available to borrow.
When: 10 a.m. to noon. Where: Caledon State Park Visitor Center, 11617 Caledon Road, King George. Cost: $8 per person or $20 per family, plus the $5 parking fee. Registration required: call 540-663-3861 or stop by the visitor center. Weather: outdoors; dress for the cold and wear sturdy shoes. Program details.
More Saturday options
Container gardening talk, Spotsylvania: Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners explain which plants grow well together in containers, 10 to 11 a.m. at the Snow Branch library, 8740 Courthouse Road. Library listing.
'Dear Evan Hansen': 7:30 p.m. at UMW's Klein Theatre; the department's season schedule also lists a sensory-friendly performance at 2 p.m.
'A Christmas Carol': 7:30 p.m. at Riverside Center.
Historic Port Royal, Caroline County: the museum and school buildings are open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to the county's tourism calendar; call 703-380-3829 for tours.
Holiday Open House, day two
Downtown Fredericksburg's shops continue their Open House promotions Sunday, and the Window Wonderland riddles and Holiday Shopping Passport stay active through the season. The free trolley is scheduled for Saturday only.
Stafford Sunday market
Long Family Markets holds its Stafford Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the 610 commuter lot, 163 Staffordboro Blvd. The market's website says the Sunday season runs through Thanksgiving week, followed by holiday markets Dec. 6 and Dec. 20. Market information.
Sunday matinees
'Dear Evan Hansen': 2 p.m. at UMW's Klein Theatre, $5 to $40.
'A Christmas Carol': 3 p.m. at Riverside Center, with optional dinner seating beginning at 1 p.m.
Visit Fredericksburg: Holiday Open House Weekend and Tree Lighting
Riverside Center: A Christmas Carol and plan your visit
University of Mary Washington: Dear Evan Hansen and 2026-27 season
Anime Fredericksburg: Tickets and Convention Center listing
Honey Teas festival: UMW calendar and Free Press listing
Central Rappahannock Regional Library: Container Gardening and Beyond
Featured image: original illustration created for Go Fredericksburg; it does not depict a real event or place.
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