Christmas in Little Washington: Plan Your Dec. 6 Day

Christmas in Little Washington takes place on Sunday, December 6, 2026, in the town of Washington, the Rappahannock County seat. The annual holiday celebration brings a Christmas parade, an artisan market, a Santa meet and greet, and family activities, and it benefits local nonprofits. If you are driving out from the DC metro, here is how to turn the day into an unhurried early-December outing.

Quick Facts

• Event: Christmas in Little Washington
• Date: Sunday, December 6, 2026
• Location: Washington (Little Washington), Rappahannock County seat
• Organizer: Christmas in Little Washington Committee
• What is on: Christmas parade, artisan market, Santa meet and greet, family activities
• Proceeds: Benefit local nonprofits

What to Expect on the Day

The draw is the scale: a small county seat dressed for the season, with a parade as the centerpiece and an artisan market for the kind of gifts that do not come from a mall. Because the proceeds support local nonprofits, the afternoon is as much a community gathering as a shopping trip. The organizers have not given us a published schedule, so check with the Christmas in Little Washington Committee before you travel for parade and market start times.

Building the Rest of the Day

The best approach to a village event is to arrive early, park once, and treat the surrounding countryside as the second half of the day. Rappahannock County rewards a slow drive, and several of its shops sit along the Lee Highway corridor.

Antiques and Local Art

Hazel River Arts & Antiques, at 12625 Lee Highway in Washington, is a multi-vendor space with fine antique furniture, WWII memorabilia, primitive antiques, vintage vinyl, and work from local artists. It is open Thursday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and closed Monday through Wednesday, so a Sunday parade day fits neatly. Our data on this venue is not recent, so call ahead at (540) 987-8440 to confirm.

Handmade Ceramics in Sperryville

For a gift with a maker behind it, Sperryville Pottery at 42 Main Street offers handcrafted pieces and pottery classes. Listed hours are 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily, though we recommend confirming by phone at (540) 987-1000 before making a special trip.

A Quiet Walk in Rappahannock

If the crowds are more than you want, the county's conservation community offers a calmer counterpoint. The Rappahannock League for Environmental Protection, a volunteer nonprofit protecting the county's rural character and dark skies since 1970, runs monthly stargazing events and Stroll for the Soul nature walks. It has no fixed public hours, so use its website to find the next program.

A Few Notes on Timing

• Arrive ahead of the parade to settle in before roads in a small town fill up.
• Bring cash and a card for artisan vendors; payment methods vary by booth.
• Dress for a December afternoon outdoors in the foothills.

Planning Your Visit

• Event location: Washington (Little Washington), Rappahannock County seat, Virginia
• Date: Sunday, December 6, 2026
• Hazel River Arts & Antiques: 12625 Lee Highway, Washington, VA 22747; (540) 987-8440; Thursday-Sunday 10:00 AM-5:00 PM; closed Monday-Wednesday; website
• Sperryville Pottery: 42 Main Street, Sperryville, VA 22740; (540) 987-1000; daily 10:00 AM-6:00 PM; website
• RLEP: volunteer-run, no fixed public hours; contact through rlep.org

Confirm event details with the organizers before you go, since schedules can change.