Santa To Ride Carriage Through Heart Of Virginia's Horse Country

MIDDLEBURG, VA — The town of Middleburg is hosting its annual holiday celebration, "Christmas in Middleburg," on Saturday, Dec. 7 where Breakfast with Santa will kick off the festivities at 8 a.m. at the Middleburg Community Charter School. Breakfast will be followed by an 11 a.m. Middleburg Hunt Review where about 150 horses and dozens of hounds will make their way through the streets of the small town.

On the day before the holiday celebration, the Middleburg Business and Professional Association will host a Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony behind the Pink Box Visitor Center at 12 North Madison St. The town's Christmas tree will feature more than 1,000 lights.

The Middleburg Christmas Parade begins at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7 with an assortment of floats, troops, and musical groups marching through the middle of town on Washington Street (Route 50). The parade will also include horses, ponies, llamas, alpacas and a variety of dog breeds. Santa will be riding in a horse-drawn coach at the rear of the parade.

In addition to the town's many restaurants, food trucks will be located on N. Pickering St., behind the BB&T Bank during the events. From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., a food and wine tasting known as the "Spirit of Middleburg" will allow adults to sample foods, wines and spirits from throughout the area at local restaurants.

Middleburg, located in southwestern Loudoun County and less than a 30-minute drive from Leesburg, is in the heart of Virginia’s horse country. Event parking for the event will be available for $20 per vehicle, one mile east of Middleburg on Rt. 50. Free shuttle service will be provided. Visit www.ChristmasinMiddleburg.org to view an event schedule and a list of activities.