All events and venues are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances, and new events may be added. Check the www.christmasinshepherdstown.com for updates.

All events free except for those indicated with an asterisk (*), which require an entry fee/ticket.

There will be free parking in all the town’s metered spaces on Friday, Nov. 28 and every weekday from Dec. 13-26. There is always free parking at Shepherdstown’s metered spaces on weekends. Free weekend parking is also available in the Shepherd University parking lot at High and Princess streets, one block from downtown.

Welcome to Christmas in Shepherdstown! This year, each of our four weekend celebrations will highlight a special point in time in the life our town. We begin the weekend after Thanksgiving with the celebration of Christmas today in contemporary Shepherdstown. The first weekend in December will feature Christmas in Shepherdstown at the time of the Civil War. The third weekend celebration will highlight Shepherd’s Town in the late 18th Century when James Rumsey made history. The final weekend will take you back to the early years of our town, then called Mecklenburg. We hope you join us each weekend as we celebrate Christmas in Shepherdstown through the ages.

First Weekend

“21st Century Christmas Celebration in Shepherdstown: The Oldest Town in West Virginia”

This weekend will celebrate the spirit of life in Shepherdstown today with the Grinch, Santa, face painting and more!

Friday, Nov. 28

4-8 p.m. Chili and Cornbread Supper*. Sponsored by Kiwanis. War Memorial Building. $4-$6.

4-8 p.m. Bonfire with roasted chestnuts, hot chocolate and s ‘mores. King and German streets.

5:30 p.m. Grinch arrives with Mrs. Santa and the Whoville residents. King and German streets.

5:30-8 p.m. Hali Taylor Photo Exhibit and Reception. Studio 105, 105 S. Princess Street.

6 p.m. Mrs. Santa reads How the Grinch Stole Christmas. McMurran Hall lawn.

6:15 p.m. Lighting of Town Tree. McMurran Hall lawn.

6:30 p.m. Santa arrives. Santa and his elves entertain children. Inside McMurran Hall.

Saturday, Nov. 29

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Historic Shepherdstown Museum. One of Shepherdstown’s major historic icons will be open. 129 East German Street.

12-5 p.m. Roasted chestnuts*. King and German streets.

12-3 p.m. “Unity in Our Community” Celebration for Children. Santa, face painting, a magic show, hot chocolate and cookies. War Memorial Building.

12-4 p.m. Carriage rides. Pick up in front of Town Hall.

12-2 p.m. Little House. Another Shepherdstown landmark, a child-sized limestone cottage in full detail will be open. North Princess Street.

6, 7 and 8 p.m. Live Nativity on the lawn of Trinity Episcopal Church. Corner of German and Church streets.

Sunday, Nov. 30

9 a.m.-1 p.m. Shepherdstown Farmers Market. On King Street behind Library.

12-4 p.m. Carriage rides. Pick up in front of Town Hall.

1-4 p.m. Historic Shepherdstown Museum. One of Shepherdstown’s major historic icons will be open. 129 East German Street.

2-4 p.m. Music: Annual Christmas Concert at O’Hurley’s General Store. East Washington Street.

4:30-5:30 p.m. Music: Community Hymn Sing. Presbyterian Meeting House, 100 West Washington Street. All are welcome.

Second Weekend

“A Civil War Christmas in Shepherdstown” weekend.

Presented by the George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War, the Shepherd Foundation, and the History Department of Shepherd University.

A Union encampment in front of McMurran Hall and a Confederate camp in front of Trinity’s chapel across from the George Tyler Moore Center will welcome visitors and their questions anytime on Friday evening, throughout Saturday, and early Sunday morning as they strike their camps. They will discuss the everyday lives of soldiers, their equipment, their food, and other experiences.

Public history students will be on the streets, in restaurants and shops, and stationed in the Moore Center. Among the characters they will present are common soldiers from both the North and the South, a nurse, housewives and young single women, and workers of Shepherdstown. The students will actively engage with the public while staying firmly in the 19th century.

Shepherdstown restaurants and bars will offer special menus and/or drinks inspired by The George Tyler Moore Center’s Civil War Christmas. Those places with special menu offerings will have a Moore Center notice in their window.

The students are also writing scholarly papers on a wide variety of subjects which will be available for public viewing at the Moorwe Center.

Christmas ornaments, toys and games, and musket forms will be for sale at the Moore Center.

Public history students will conduct tours of the Moore Center with an emphasis on the history of the building, the history of the Center, and the Center’s past and current work.

Thursday, Dec. 4

5:30-6:30 p.m. Lecture: “Battle of Shepherdstown,” by Kevin Pawlak. Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church.

7:30-8 p.m. Music: Brass quintet with Dr. Anders Henriksson. Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church.

7:30-11 p.m. Music: Concert at O’Hurley’s General Store. East Washington Street.

8-9 p.m. Lecture: “State of the War,” by Dr. Matthew Foulds. Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church.

Friday, Dec. 5

2-5 p.m. George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War open to the public.

4 p.m. Civil War military camps set up, directed by Mike Galloway. McMurran Hall lawn.

4:30-7:30 p.m. “Christmas in Olde Shepherdstown” Dinner*. Shepherd University Dining Hall. $4-$8.50.

7 p.m. Lecture: “Churches and Slavery,” Dr. Matthew Foulds. St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.

7-11 p.m. Rotary Charity Gala*. Shepherdstown Fire Hall. Tickets required.

Saturday, Dec. 6

9 a.m.-6 p.m. George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War open to the public.

10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Open House and Nativity Sets Display at the New Street United Methodist Church. See church Christmas decorations and a display of nativity sets shared by the members of New Street church. The nativity sets are unique. Some are handmade, some come from world travels and others are antiques. Hot drinks and cookies served.

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Roasted chestnuts*. King and German Streets.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Trinity Church Christmas Fair. Annual Cookie Walk, Craft Fair, Soup and BBQ. Trinity Episcopal Church. Corner of German and Church streets.

11 a.m. Annual Shepherdstown Christmas Parade. German Street.

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Historic Shepherdstown Museum, with Santa. One of Shepherdstown’s major historic icons will be open, with Santa in residence from 12:30-5 p.m. 129 East German Street.

12-4 p.m. Music: Celtic Harp with Sea Raven. On the Wings of Dreams store, 139 West German Street.

12-4 p.m. Little House. Another Shepherdstown landmark, a child-sized limestone cottage in full detail will be open. North Princess Street

12-5 p.m. Children’s activities: School of the Soldier at Civil War encampments; Toy and Game demonstrations at the Little House

12-4 p.m. Carriage rides. Pick up in front of Town Hall.

1, 6, 7 and 8 p.m. Live Nativity on the lawn of Trinity Episcopal Church. Corner of German and Church streets.

2 p.m. Panel Discussion: “Women in Wartime,” Byrd Auditorium, North King Street.

5:30-7:30 p.m. Art Exhibit and Reception. The Bridge Gallery, 8566 Shepherdstown Pike.

7:30- 9:30 p.m. Music: Holiday Gala Concert*, sponsored by The Friends of Music. Frank Center for the Performing Arts on Shepherd University campus. $20.

8 p.m. Contra Dance and Holiday Potluck*. Potluck starts at 6:00; beginner’s workshop at 7:30. War Memorial Building. $7-$10.

9 p.m. Music: Opera House Holiday Party* featuring Lisa Lafferty and the Giant Souls with the Outpatients. Opera House.

Sunday, Dec. 7

9 a.m.-1 p.m. Shepherdstown Farmers Market. King Street behind Library.

11 a.m. Annual Jingle Bell Jog. Registration begins at 10:00 a.m. At the Shepherd University Wellness Center. Bring new and unwrapped toys for children between the ages of kindergarten and 5th grade.

12-4 p.m. Carriage rides. Pick up in front of Town Hall.

1-4 p.m. Historic Shepherdstown Museum. One of Shepherdstown’s major historic icons will be open. 129 East German Street.

2-4 p.m. Music: Annual Christmas Sing-Along at O’Hurley’s General Store. All are invited either to sing or just to listen. East Washington Street.

3- 4:30 p.m. Music: Holiday Gala Concert*, sponsored by The Friends of Music. Frank Center for the Performing Arts on Shepherd University campus. $20.

Tuesday, Dec. 9

6:30-9 p.m. Shepherdstown Community Club Annual Holiday Dinner* with the Village Brass Quartet. War Memorial Building. Reservations required. Call 304-702-3026.

Third Weekend

“Celebrating James Rumsey and the late 18th Century in Shepherd’s Town.” See the replica of James Rumsey’s steamboat, take a guided tour to Rumsey Monument and visit the Tobacco Warehouse and much more.

Friday, Dec. 12

7:30 p.m. Music: Free Holiday Concert with the Charles Washington Symphony Orchestra. Reynolds Hall.

Saturday, Dec 13

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Historic Shepherdstown Museum. One of Shepherdstown’s major historic icons will be open. 129 East German Street

12-4 p.m. Carriage rides. Pick up in front of Town Hall.

12-4 p.m. Little House. Another Shepherdstown landmark, a child-sized limestone cottage in full detail will be open. North Princess Street.

12-5 p.m. Roasted chestnuts*. King and German streets.

1 p.m. Star Wars Night at The Opera House*. Photo ops, face painting, door prizes, trivia prizes plus some other Star Wars style treats and the classic movie. Benefit for Toys for Tots. 131 W German Street. $5 donation or new toy.

2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Nutcracker Ballet*, performed by The Shepherdstown School of Dance. Frank Center for the Performing Arts on Shepherd University campus. $15-$20.

2:30 p.m. Special Holiday Story Time with Ms. Lilly and Friends, sponsored by the Shepherdstown Public Library. Cookies, hot cocoa and cider served. Train Station.

3-4 p.m. Music: Harp Music. Four Seasons Book Store. 116 W German Street.

Sunday, Dec. 14

9 a.m.-1 p.m. Shepherdstown Farmers Market. King Street behind Library.

12-4 p.m. Carriage rides. Pick up in front of Town Hall.

1-3 p.m. Music: Choral Arts Society of Frederick strolling the streets.

1-4 p.m. Historic Shepherdstown Museum. One of Shepherdstown’s major historic icons will be open. 129 East German Street.

2 p.m. Rumsey Steamboat “Walk and Talk.” Local historian Nick Blanton will lead a walk from the Historic Shepherdstown Museum to the Rumsey Monument, along the way reviewing the history of James Rumsey’s 1787 steamboat experiments in Shepherdstown.

2 p.m. Nutcracker Ballet*, performed by The Shepherdstown School of Dance. Frank Center for the Performing Arts on Shepherd University campus. $15-$20.

Tuesday, Dec. 16

8 p.m. Music: Irish Christmas in America*. Reynolds Hall, 109 North King Street. $10-$25.

Fourth Weekend

“Christmas in Mecklenburg” weekend. Enjoy re-enactors from the 18th Century strolling through town.

Saturday, Dec. 20

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Historic Shepherdstown Museum. One of Shepherdstown’s major historic icons will be open. 129 East German Street

12-2 p.m. Little House. Another Shepherdstown landmark, a child-sized limestone cottage in full detail will be open. North Princess Street.

12-4 p.m. Carriage rides. Pick up in front of Town Hall.

1 p.m. Music: Tuba Christmas! Reynolds Hall. 109 North King Street.

1-3 p.m. Music: Choral Arts Society of Frederick strolling the street.

Sunday, Dec. 21

9 a.m.-1 p.m. Shepherdstown Farmers Market. King Street behind Library.

10 a.m. Sunday worship service with Christmas Music Program by the Children’s Choir and Chancel Choir. New Street Methodist Church. All welcome. Fellowship Hour follows with refreshments.

12-12:30 p.m. Music: Winter Solstice Crystal Bowl Concert. Harmony Healing Arts, 211 New Street.

12-4 p.m. Carriage rides. Pick up in front of Town Hall.

1-4 p.m. Historic Shepherdstown Museum. One of Shepherdstown’s major historic icons will be open. 129 East German Street