From Main Street shop windows draped with garlands to a towering, twinkling spruce in the town plaza, Farmville has trimmed itself in classic Christmas greenery — and we’re ready to host you for an old-fashioned holiday!
Steeped in tradition, our little town celebrated its 224th anniversary this year, and there’s no better way to step back in time than to spend a weekend exploring the heart of Virginia. After all, there’s no place like Farmville for the holidays!
Starting on November 7, enter our Old-Time Christmas Giveaway for your chance to win an overnight stay package on Saturday, December 10 — plus lots of perks valued at more than $400! The contest will be open November 7-28, and the winner will be chosen on November 29.
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Read more to see what’s in store for our lucky winner!
No Place Like Home for the Holidays: A Historic Holiday House Tour
What better way to get into the vintage Christmas spirit than Farmville’s Holiday House Tour? Back after a two-year hiatus, this town tradition will be the first stop on your weekend getaway as you admire our historic High Street homes all decked out for the holidays. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 10, wrap up in your scarf and hat and enjoy a stroll along the Avenues, one of Farmville’s oldest neighborhoods with homes dating back to the early 1900s. From Queen-Anne-style houses to a Gothic Revival church built in 1881, you’ll discover mantles bedecked with greenery, unique decorations and notable architectural features (like a custom circular floating staircase)!
Even better? You can feel good knowing that the Holiday House Tour, sponsored by The Farmville Area Chamber of Commerce, serves as a fundraising event for STEPS, a South Central Virginia nonprofit dedicated to creating a stronger community. So take your time and enjoy a brisk December afternoon exploring the tree-lined avenues of Farmville.
Holiday Home Away from Home: Tru by Hilton
After enjoying your merry holiday home excursion, check into your home away from home, Tru by Hilton. While this hotel isn’t exactly old-fashioned, we think its modern conveniences will offer you the perfect retreat during your old-time holiday getaway! Located on South Main Street between Longwood University and Hampden-Sydney College, Tru by Hilton includes fast Wi-Fi, a free hot breakfast and a 24/7 fitness center. With huge, eight-foot windows, your room will feature lots of natural light and a comfortable Serta mattress for a good night’s sleep.
Holiday Shopping: The Tradition of Gift Giving
After checking into your hotel, head back Downtown for an afternoon of holiday shopping, continuing the centuries-old tradition of giving gifts to loved ones during the holidays.
Start by taking your voucher for two hot drinks to the local Starbucks, tucked in the front of our Barnes and Noble bookstore, and then enjoy small-town Main Street shopping. Myriad options include chic, new boutiques like Sweet Violet and Lex on Main. You’ll also find handcrafted pottery and Christmas ornaments at Mainly Clay (you’ll be taking a heart of Virginia ornament home as part of our giveaway!) and unique Christmas cards at the Longwood Center for Visual Arts.
Best of all, you’ll have a $250 Green Front Furniture gift card to spend! Explore this third-generation, family-owned business, housed in 12 historic tobacco warehouses and storefronts in and around Downtown Farmville. Head straight for the holiday decorations in Building 5, or peruse Green Front’s rugs, furniture and home decor at your leisure.
Dinner for Two in a Historic Venue: North Street Press Club
All that shopping making you hungry? Grab your dinner vouchers and head to North Street Press Club, a thoroughly modern restaurant housed in one of Farmville’s historic buildings. The former printing location for the Farmville Herald, North Street Press Club now serves up burgers and internationally inspired eats across the street from the Herald’s present-day offices. Bonus: NSPC loves to get into the holiday spirit with lots of decorations!
Enjoy the atmosphere as you select from the variety of entrees, flatbreads, tacos and burgers. With delectable appetizers — saucy cheese curds, anyone? — and an impressive vegan selection, you’ll find delicious fare for everyone. In the mood for a hand-crafted cocktail? Lean into that nostalgic holiday spirit with an old fashioned, featuring a muddled cube of rough-cut sugar, Angostura bitters, a Luxardo cherry and an orange peel.
Holiday Entertainment: Classic British Pantomime
After dinner, head to Waterworks Players to experience an old British tradition: the holiday pantomime. Affectionately dubbed a “panto,” this one-of-a-kind Christmas performance has roots in 14th-century masques in the Stuart and Elizabethan days. Produced by our local theater group, Farmville’s traditional panto, The Little Mermaid by Andrew O’Leary, will retell the classic children’s story in a combination of song, dance and slapstick comedy. Arrive ready to cheer on the heroes, boo the villains and participate in this festive community event!
Holiday Lights: Farmville’s Christmas Vacation
Before heading back to your hotel, embrace some ‘80s nostalgia with a National Lampoon-esque light tour of our little town. Keep cozy in your car as you follow the route for Farmville’s annual Battle of the Bulbs, featuring local homes and businesses all lit up for a little friendly competition. While some homes may not reach Clark Griswold’s 25,000 bulbs, we promise you’ll see stunning displays. Vote online for the best business, classy residence and tacky residence.
Finish your perfect Farmville getaway at the town plaza, admiring the bright lights on our community tree, a Norway spruce from Merwine Farms in Pennsylvania. After all, there’s not much more festive than a twinkling Christmas tree.
Longing for an old-fashioned Christmas? Enter to win our Farmville Old-Time Christmas Giveaway, and celebrate holiday tradition in the heart of Virginia.