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Ok, first of all, yes, Oliver Anthony is returning to Farmville. But we’ll get to him in a minute. It’s time again to talk about Christmas events in Farmville, Prince Edward, Buckingham and Cumberland counties. And boy do we have a lot of them to spotlight.

Throughout this month, there are festivals, parades, tree lighting events and other Christmas activities going on. Oliver Anthony will be at the Christmas parade in Farmville, helping escort in Santa and Mrs. Claus. And at a lot of the other events coming up, there are plenty of opportunities to find something for a person on your Christmas list. Here’s a look at the celebrations happening throughout the region.

(Editor’s note: This has been updated as of Saturday, Dec. 2, adding more Christmas events).

DECEMBER 2-3

CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE — Historic Buckingham will hold their annual series of Christmas events at both the Housewright Museum and the Adams Museum, during the first weekend in December. Both museums will be open and decorated for Christmas on Saturday, Dec. 2 and Sunday, Dec. 3 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., with special exhibits and displays. The museums are located on Route 60 across from the Buckingham County Courthouse at 13012 W. James Anderson Highway in Buckingham.

LIGHTS AT THE LAKE — The annual Bear Creek ‘Light at the Lake’ will happen Saturday, Dec. 2 through Sunday, Dec. 3 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Residents can drive through the holiday lights, with the donation of a new unwrapped toy or a financial gift to Cumberland Christmas Mother. There will also be craft making activities going on and the Lakeside Snack Bar will be open to sell holiday-themed ornaments, light refreshments and some other gifts.

DECEMBER 2-4

HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE — The Friends of the Cumberland Library will hold a series of Christmas events on Saturday, Dec. 2 and Monday, Dec. 4 at the library during regular hours, with a holiday boutique each day. All proceeds will go to benefit the Cumberland Library, which is located at 1539 Anderson Highway in Cumberland.

DECEMBER 2

SANTA BREAKFAST — Cumberland Middle School will hold a Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. The cost is $8 per adult and $10 per child if you pay beforehand. It’s $12 per child at the door. The price includes a picture with Santa, a chance to do arts and crafts and breakfast.

ROTARY CLUB PANCAKE BREAKFAST — The Rotary Club of Farmville will hold their annual pancake breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 2 at the Woodland Community Center. Breakfast will include eggs, pancakes, breakfast meats and beverages provided by The Woodland. The event will be held from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., with all proceeds going to Prince Edward Christmas Mother. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 5 to 10 and children under 5 eat free. Tickets can be purchased at Benchmark Community Bank, Citizens Bank and Trust, Piedmont Real Estate and from any Rotarian.

WINTER WONDERLAND WORKSHOP — The Longwood Center for the Visual Arts, located at 119 W. Third Street in Farmville, will hold a free arts and crafts family workshop on Saturday, Dec. 2. Running from 10 a.m. to noon, the workshop contains a variety of arts and crafts, as well as light refreshments. Glitter, glue, and plenty of volunteers will be on hand.

CHRISTMAS SHOPPE — Payne Memorial Church, located at 1 Stoney Point Road in Cumberland, will hold its annual Christmas Shoppe on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. All items are 25 cents with free wrapping. There will also be free hot dogs, chips and drinks offered. Everyone also gets a free raffle ticket, with items drawn throughout the day.

HOLIDAY MARKET — The Farmville Downtown Partnership will hold a series of Christmas events on Saturday, Dec. 2, beginning at 11 a.m. Festive booths will line Mill Street and once you’re done with the Christmas Market there, you can explore the Farmville Holiday Bazaar at the Community Market Place, stop by the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts, where there will be a Winter Wonderland arts and crafts workshop or drop in at a number of different stores in downtown that will be holding different events.

CHRISTMAS MARKET — Historic Buckingham will hold the group’s annual Christmas market on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Historic Village, located at 84 Lee Wayside Road in Buckingham. The Christmas Market will feature art, crafts, jewelry, paintings, ornaments, baked goods and Foxfire Farm Christmas wreaths for sale.

LONGWOOD READER’S THEATRE – Longwood University’s theatre department will perform “A Christmas Carol”, done as a reader’s theatre. That is, the actors read straight from the script, with some staging, lighting, technical and sound to make it more exciting. The play is about 90 minutes long with two acts and an intermission, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Communications Studies and Theatre Arts Center on the south end of campus. Tickets are available at longwood.edu/boxoffice. 

DECEMBER 3

HANGING OF THE GREENS — Farmville United Methodist Church, located at 212 High Street in Farmville, will hold its annual Hanging of the Greens worship service on Sunday, Dec. 3, beginning at 10 a.m.

LONGWOOD READER’S THEATRE – Longwood University’s theatre department will perform “A Christmas Carol”, done as a reader’s theatre. That is, the actors read straight from the script, with some staging, lighting, technical and sound to make it more exciting. The play is about 90 minutes long with two acts and an intermission, beginning at 2 p.m. at the Communications Studies and Theatre Arts Center on the south end of campus. Tickets are available at longwood.edu/boxoffice. 

FARMVILLE CHRISTMAS PARADE — The annual Farmville Christmas parade will be held on Sunday, Dec. 3, starting at 5:30 p.m. with a theme of “All About The Lights”. The parade will start near the Department of Motor Vehicles on North Virginia Street and 2nd Street and make its way west on 2nd Street to the North Main Street intersection and turn left onto South Main Street before ending near the McDonalds on Putney Street. If you want to learn more about it, just click here. 

DECEMBER 5

WINTER FAMILY FUN NIGHT — Buckingham Preschool will celebrate a Winter Family Fun Night on Tuesday, Dec. 5, beginning at 5 p.m. Santa will be there, to take pictures with the children. There will also be holiday crafts and light refreshments.

WINTER CONCERT — The Cumberland Band and Choir will hold a Winter Concert on Tuesday, Dec. 5, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Cumberland High cafetorium. The event will feature Cumberland High’s Jazz Ensemble, Beginning Band, Concert Band, Chorus and Wind Ensemble.

DECEMBER 6

ADVENT LUNCHEON — Payne Memorial Church, located at 1 Stoney Point Road in Cumberland, will host an Advent Luncheon on Wednesday, Dec. 6, beginning at noon. Residents can enjoy a homemade lunch, followed by an inspirational message.

DECEMBER 8 – 10 

LIGHTS AT THE LAKE – The annual Bear Creek ‘Light at the Lake’ will happen Friday, Dec. 8 through Sunday, Dec. 10 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Residents can drive through the holiday lights, with the donation of a new unwrapped toy or a financial gift to Cumberland Christmas Mother. There will also be craft making activities going on and the Lakeside Snack Bar will be open to sell holiday-themed ornaments, light refreshments and some other gifts.

DECEMBER 8

CHRISTMAS MARKET — The United Women in Faith group at Farmville United Methodist Church, located at 212 High Street, will hold a Christmas Market on Friday, Dec. 8. That will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the church, with seasonal baked goods, crafts, collectibles, antiques and angel figurines. Proceeds will go to help local missions.

SANTA VISITS ANIMAL HOSPITAL — The Cumberland Animal Hospital will get a visit from Santa Claus on Friday, Dec. 8, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Animals, children and adults are all welcome to come, but there are some rules. Dogs must be on leashes until it is time to take photos and cats must be comfortable in social situations. There is no fee, but the Hospital asks people to bring a gift for Cumberland County Animal Control, be it blankets, towels, dry or canned dog food. Residents can get a photo with Santa, which will then be emailed to them.

CHRISTMAS BALLET – Beginning at 6 p.m., the Carrington Academy of Performing Arts will hold its annual Christmas production. This year’s event is “A Christmas Wish”, including a cast of more than 50 students telling a story of friendship, kindness and holiday magic. The event will be held at the Jarman Auditorium, located at 408 High Street. Tickets are available at the Academy, ranging from $18 to $25.

CHRISTMAS CANTATA – Cartersville Baptist Church will present the cantata, “A Promise Kept”, on Friday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. The cantata will tell the Christmas story in word and song, with narration read by Wayne Poates and music from an adult choir. Solos will be presented by Victoria Kinney and Pastor Tyler Mull. Other solos with choir will be performed by Jennifer Norman and Dave Hale. The church’s children’s choir will also perform.

DECEMBER 9 

HOLIDAY HOUSE TOUR – The Farmville Area Chamber of Commerce will hold a Holiday House Tour on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There are 12 homes on the list this year, all with unique holiday decorations and some with a long history. The houses, all in Farmville, include 800 Second Avenue, 303 Second Avenue, 615 First Avenue, 400 Fourth Avenue, 900 Fourth Avenue, 1130 Barrow Street, 203 Fayette Street, 306 Beech Street, the Longwood Rotunda, Farmville United Methodist Church, Johns Memorial Episcopal Church and the Centra Hospitality House at 900 High Street, which is where registration will take place. Tickets are $25 now or $30 at the door, with a portion of the proceeds going to the nonprofit PE’s Kids. 

PAMPLIN CHRISTMAS MARKET – The Town of Pamplin City will hold a series of Christmas events on Saturday, Dec. 9, beginning at 9 a.m. with a Christmas Market at the Pamplin Depot. The depot is located at 115 Main Street in Pamplin and the event will run before and after the parade. Santa will be around to take pictures between 10:30 a.m. and noon, along with The Grinch and Cindy Lou Hoo. There will be children’s Christmas craft projects to try, along with antique cars on display and different vendors at the market. 

PAMPLIN CHRISTMAS PARADE – Beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9, the Town of Pamplin City will hold its annual Christmas Parade. The route starts at the old Pamplin Elementary School on Church Street, then loops Main Street and returns to the school.

ANTEBELLUM SANTA CLAUS – Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park, located at 6541 Saylers Creek Road in Rice, will hold its annual antebellum Saint Nicholas Christmas Program on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hillsman House and Visitor Center. Saint Nicholas will be resting by the fireplace in the historic Hillsman House, where he will receive children of all ages, listen to holiday wishes, and pose for photographs. There will also be holiday craft stations set up at the Visitor Center. Four-legged family members are also welcome, but must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet and under control at all times. This event is free to the public.

DECEMBER 10 

CHRISTMAS MUSICAL – “The Music of Christmas”, a Christmas musical performed by the Farmville United Methodist Church Choir, will be held on Sunday, Dec. 10, beginning at 10 a.m. The church is located at 212 High Street in Farmville. 

CUMBERLAND CHRISTMAS PARADE – The Cumberland County Christmas Parade will be held on Sunday, Dec. 10, beginning at 2 p.m. The parade starts at NAPA at 1587 Anderson Highway and runs down U.S. 60 towards C & F Bank. 

SANTA AT THE FIREHOUSE – The Arvonia Volunteer Fire Department, located at 341 Arvon Road, will convince Santa to take time out of his busy schedule and drop by the firehouse from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 10. Children and their parents can come by, share their wish list and get pictures taken with him. 

CHRISTMAS CANTATA – Cartersville Baptist Church will present the cantata, “A Promise Kept”, on Sunday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. The cantata will tell the Christmas story in word and song, with narration read by Wayne Poates and music from an adult choir. Solos will be presented by Victoria Kinney and Pastor Tyler Mull. Other solos with choir will be performed by Jennifer Norman and Dave Hale. The church’s children’s choir will also perform.

DECEMBER 13

ADVENT LUNCHEON — Payne Memorial Church, located at 1 Stoney Point Road in Cumberland, will host an Advent Luncheon on Wednesday, Dec. 13, beginning at noon. Residents can enjoy a homemade lunch, followed by an inspirational message.

DECEMBER 16

CHRISTMAS BAZAAR — St. John’s Lutheran Church will hold a Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 16, running from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be Christmas gifts, baked goods and a cookie walk, with proceeds going to benefit the church and local charities. The church is located at 1301 Milnwood Road in Farmville.

PICTURES WITH SANTA – The Farmville Downtown Partnership will give children one last chance to get a picture with Santa and share their wish list before the big night. On Saturday, Dec. 16, beginning at 10 a.m. and running through 2 p.m., children can come to the stage at the caboose in High Bridge Plaza and get their picture taken with Santa. 

HANGING WITH SANTA – The Robert Russa Moton Museum, located at 940 Griffin Boulevard in Farmville, will hold its annual Hanging with Santa event from noon to 2:30 p.m. Children can take free pictures with Santa Claus, as well as a special activity bag. Snacks will be provided.

DECEMBER 17

HOLIDAY TRAIN DISPLAY – Jim and Susan Kimbrough will open the doors of their home on Sunday, Dec. 17, inviting the community to come see Jim’s holiday train world he has set up. The train world, which takes up a room in their home, located at 900 Fourth Avenue in Farmville, includes a town with buildings and residents handcrafted by Jim. In addition to the 900 square foot layout, Santa Claus will be on hand, along with Mickey Mouse and some Disney princesses. This latest in the series of Christmas events is free and runs from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.  

DILLWYN CHRISTMAS PARADE – This year’s Christmas Parade in the Town of Dillwyn will be held on Sunday, Dec. 17 at 3 p.m. The theme is Home for the Holidays and the parade will travel down Route 15, starting at the Dollar General in town.

DECEMBER 20

ADVENT LUNCHEON — Payne Memorial Church, located at 1 Stoney Point Road in Cumberland, will host an Advent Luncheon on Wednesday, Dec. 20, beginning at noon. Residents can enjoy a homemade lunch at the Christmas event, followed by an inspirational message.

Now this list of Christmas events just covers those in the Farmville Herald’s territory. For a list including what’s happening in Charlotte, Lunenburg and some of Nottoway County, you can click here.