Festive small-town holiday celebrations near D.C.
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The Middleburg Christmas Parade. Photo: Carol Guzy/The The Washington Post via Getty Images
Small towns around the DMV celebrate the season with holiday markets, Christmas parades and plenty of Main Street charm.
Why it matters: Nothing says Christmas like a big small-town celebration.
All the charmers listed here are under 80 miles from the city (closest to furthest).
Alexandria and Mt. Vernon, Virginia
Nearby Old Town feels a world away during the holidays — especially during the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade and Holiday Boat Parade on Saturday.
- Festivities continue throughout the season: Take in the giant tree at historic City Hall, skate through Ice & Lights park, or check out holiday markets like the new Gustave Marché de Noël Gift Market (Dec. 13-15) in Del Ray.
- Nearby, George Washington's Mt. Vernon goes all-out for the holiday season with candlelight tours, fireworks displays and meet-and-greets with Aladdin the Christmas camel — George's favorite!
Distance: Alexandria (8 miles); Mt. Vernon (23 miles)
Annapolis, Maryland
Maryland's charming capital hosts holiday events throughout the month, including the illuminated boat parade (Dec. 14), a downtown holiday market (Dec. 12-14), "midnight madness" shopping and plenty of waterfront lights.
- Sandy Point State Park (a 15-minute drive) is aglow during Lights on the Bay. The two-mile drive-thru holiday light display celebrates 30 years (through Jan. 1). Passes start at $20 per vehicle.
Distance: 32 miles
Middleburg, Virginia
Holidays in hunt country aren't complete without Middleburg's famous Christmas parades, which start at 11am Saturday with a must-see procession of mounted sportsmen and hounds.
- Festivities continue through December with carriage rides, free cocoa, caroling and terrific shopping (e.g., German holiday finds at The Christmas Sleigh).
Distance: 43 miles
Washington, Virginia
Christmas in Little Washington, the tiny Rappahannock County town made famous by The Inn, is a big affair. On Sunday, horses and hounds parade with Santa in the streets, kids ride ponies and get face paintings, shoppers browse a holiday market and bonfires keep things cozy.
- The Inn at Little Washington's gift shop is a personal favorite for stocking up on luxe treats and home goods, as is R.H. Ballard Shop & Gallery down the road. Nearby Sperryville is another delight for foodies and shoppers — from teas and tinctures at Wild Roots to local Copper Fox whiskeys.
Distance: 70 miles
St. Michaels and Easton, Maryland
Charming decorations and shops are always a draw, but don't miss Christmas in St. Michaels (Dec. 13-15). The harbor town's packed weekend includes ticketed tours of historic homes decked out for holidays, parades by boat and land and church-hosted holiday meals with local fried oysters.
- Nearby Easton boasts chic eateries and shops, light displays and holiday events — many happening this weekend and next.
Distance: Under 80 miles