Issue link: https://fredparent.uberflip.com/i/910960
32 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • December 2017 & January 2018 written By BrEnDa saPanGhiLa family favorites This is a monthly column featuring winners and nominees of the 2017 FredParent Family Favorite contest. of the 2017 FredParent Family Favorite contest. Downtown Fredericksburg is magical around christmastime. Lights are twinkling, boutique windows are decorated festively, and jingle bells tinkle merrily alongside the clip-clop of horse hooves. You may even catch a glimpse of the big guy himself, stroll- ing the streets sneaking candy canes to kids. Is it any surprise that downtown events made our Family Favorites list for "Favorite Seasonal Activity" and "Best Free Activity?" There are many Christmas activities to enjoy downtown. Think: Christmas caroling in Market Square (Merry Carols), a jingle bell carriage ride or hayride, shopping for gifts while sipping hot cocoa, finding Santa using the Santa Tracker on the free Fred Map app, and of course the Fredericksburg Christmas Parade! This year's parade takes place at 5:30 p.m., on December 2. The theme is "The Magic of Christmas" and features a variety of traditional parade floats, marching bands and of course Santa with his sleigh! For more information on downtown events, the Santa Tracker app (yes, there's an app for that!), or holiday ideas, follow Downtown Fredericksburg on social media (@fxbgdntn), or visit https://fredericksburgdowntown.org Downtown Fredericksburg Holiday Events Photographs provided by Kerry Mulhern.