Abingdon is celebrating “A Season of Christmas Cheer,” with holiday activities for families November 16 – December 31

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Abingdon is celebrating “A Season of Christmas Cheer,”

with holiday activities for families November 16 – December 31

Abingdon, VA – Historic Abingdon is full of charms during the holidays, and this season, the town is ramping up its offerings for families.   Beginning Friday November 16, Abingdon celebrates “A Season of Christmas Cheer,” a month of family-friendly holiday activities.  At the heart of the holiday schedule is Barter Theatre’s musical “Elf,” which provided inspiration for the Town’s holiday celebration.

Southern Living wrote “If Frank Capra had made a Southern version of It’s a Wonderful Life, he might have set it in Abingdon, Virginia, with its tree-lined Main Street, scenic Blue Ridge setting, historic Martha Washington Inn & Spa, and legendary Barter Theatre.”

November 16^th through December 31^st, Abingdon’s quaint downtown will be transformed in to a Christmas wonderland, with concerts, magical storefront displays, a 20-foot-tall Christmas tree, and special events to celebrate the season.  There will be plenty of opportunities to find the perfect gift, as Abingdon’s merchants will stay open each weekend to accommodate shoppers.

The Christmas season begins in Abingdon with the opening of Barter Theatre’s “Elf: The Musical,” Friday November 16^th.  Barter is a holiday tradition for many families in the region, and this year’s offering is the hilarious story of Buddy the elf, based on the New Line Cinema Film starring Will Ferrell.  The fun continues with “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” a holiday story for young audiences, the heart-warming “Wooden Snowflakes, and “The Santaland Diaries,” (better suited for adults). For the first time, Barter will also hold a special 5K race, the “Holiday Hustle,” Sunday November 18^th at 9:00am.

With plenty to see and do each weekend, families will want to plan to spend the entire day in Abingdon.

Town-wide events include the Abingdon Holiday Merchant Open House, Sunday November 18^th, 1pm to 5pm, and Small Business Saturday, Saturday November 24^th.  Abingdon’s merchants will compete for the best store window, with “Elf” themed displays beginning November 18^th. 

The Abingdon Farmers Market will hold a Holiday Market each Saturday morning from 10am to 12pm with baked goods, crafts and gifts.

Abingdon’s official Christmas Tree is a beloved annual tradition, and in 2018 it’s bigger and better than ever.  The Town of Abingdon has increased the size of the tree to 20 feet, and relocated it from the Market Pavilion to the newly-christened Lois H. Humphreys Park on Main Street (located across from the post office).   The larger size and new location on Main Street will make it a more visible for Abingdon’s residents and visitors alike.  Abingdon’s Official Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place Thursday November 29^th at 6:00pm.  Youth choirs from Abingdon, Greendale and Watauga elementary schools will present a special concert of holiday music. 

Visitors can enjoy holiday concerts by the Virginia Highlands Community College Women’s Choir at Arts Depot December 1^st at 1pm, at Virginia Highlands Community College December 4^th at 7pm, and at Charles Wesley United Methodist Church December 16^th at 5pm – all three concerts are free to the public.

William King Museum of Art is offering Christmas crafts workshops for kids and adults.   December 15^th William King will hold the annual Elves Workshop for kids, 10am to noon and a Holiday Paint Party for adults, 2pm to 4pm.

Photos with Santa are available on several different dates and locations:  Breakfast with Santa at Heartwood December 1^st and December 15^th 9am to noon; Welcome to Whoville at The Coomes Center December 8^th 6pm to 8pm; Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Arts Depot December 15^th 10am to 2pm, Visit with Santa at Abingdon Cinemall December 22^nd noon to 4pm.

For a full list of holiday activities for families, go to VisitAbingdonVirginia.com. 

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