Gloucester and Mathews counties will kick off the holiday season this weekend with a full calendar of events.
In Gloucester
On Friday night, Arts on Main will hold its First Friday Small Works Show and Holiday Marketplace from 6-8 p.m. at the studio on Main Street. This show will be available for viewing through the month of December and features 23 Virginia artists. Light refreshments will be provided Friday night for this free event. Beer and wine will be available for purchase.
Small artworks (pottery, glass, jewelry, cards, fiber arts, wood and more) will also be available for purchase, suitable for gifts and/or stocking stuffers.
The big event of the weekend will be the Gloucester Christmas and Holiday Parade, which kicks off at 3 p.m. Saturday along Main Street. Parade goers are invited to stick around for the Community Tree Lighting, which will take place at 5 o’clock at the court circle.
After the tree lighting, the Courthouse Community Orchestra will perform a free holiday concert at Newington Baptist Church, Gloucester, beginning at 6 p.m.
The Tidewinders will also perform Saturday night at Flat Iron Crossroads, Ware Neck, beginning at 6:30. The cost is $18.
On Sunday, the Main Street Preservation Trust will host its Holiday Open House from 1-5 p.m. There will be caroling, pictures with Santa Claus at the court circle, and more. There will also be a Main Street Cookie Tour. Pre-purchase a ticket and visit participating businesses to pick up their cookies. Chesapeake Bank’s annual “The Buck Stays Here” holiday campaign will take part in the open house, beginning at 1 p.m. on the lawn of the Tabb House, 6596 Main Street
The Abingdon Ruritan Club will hold its annual Children’s Christmas Party from 2-4 p.m. Sunday at the club building in Bena. Gloucester County children eight years and younger are invited. There will be door prizes, games, crafts, a cake walk and refreshments. Santa and Mrs. Claus are scheduled to make a special appearance. No more than two adults should accompany each child, due to space limitations.
Andrews Funeral Home & Crematory, Gloucester Main Street, will hold a memorial service for those who have lost loved ones on at 2 p.m. Sunday. There will be a candlelight service, refreshments and tree decorating.
In Mathews
Mathews will also have its fair share of holiday fun this weekend.
The Made in Mathews Open Studio Tour, which began this past weekend, will be open Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and again on Sunday from noon until 5 p.m. Visit 13 local artists and artisans in their studios. A tour map can be viewed online at madeinmathews.com.
The Kiwanis Club of Mathews will hold its Breakfast with Santa event at the Hyco House Event Center from 8:30-10 a.m. Saturday. Attendees can expect breakfast entrees, hot cocoa, juice, coffee and tea. Bring your camera for a photo opportunity with Santa. Tickets are $5 for children 12 and under and $10 for adults.
Beginning at 10:30 a.m., the Kiwanis Club will hold Donuts with Santa at the same location. Bring your camera for a photo with Santa. Donuts and hot cocoa included. A $5 donation is appreciated.
Contact Kelley Oakland at 757-220-0015 for tickets to either Kiwanis event.
On Saturday night, the East River Lighted Boat Parade will begin at 6 o’clock. The parade can be viewed from Williams Wharf.
The L’il Ole Opry’s Smith Family & Friends Christmas Show will be held in the Harry M. Ward Auditorium at Mathews High School also on Saturday night, beginning at 7:30. Doors open at 7 o’clock. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased at the door on show night via cash or checks. No credit cards will be accepted. Tickets can also be purchased in advance at the Mathews Visitor & Information Center, Main Street, or at Marketplace Antiques in Gloucester.
All shows are subject to last-minute changes. Join the L’il Ole Opry’s email list or check its Facebook page for real-time updates.
On Sunday, Concerts by the Bay will host the band Good Shot Judy at the MHS auditorium from 3-5 p.m. Tickets are $25 each and will be available at the door and in advance at MCVIC. Students are admitted for free.