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Hey neighbor! 👋
The holiday season is officially knocking. The Fredericksburg Tree Lighting is Saturday, November 14 at Riverfront Park, with live music, food trucks, and a visit from Santa, all free. Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, and our new Turkey Dinner Guide rounds up restaurants and caterers across Stafford, Spotsylvania, and Fredericksburg, so you can skip the roasting pan. Just note that some caterers close their orders as early as mid-November.
Also in this issue, the Riverfront Park skating rink returns November 27 and it’s bigger this year, plus a Tavern Talk at Rising Sun Tavern on December 1, where 24 guests will sample the cocktails of the American Revolution. Tickets are on sale now.
Let’s get into it.
Dori
Neighbor Poll
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Tree Before Thanksgiving, Yes or Absolutely Not? 🎄🦃
Somewhere in the ‘Burg, a neighbor is untangling Christmas lights while the turkey is still waiting for its big day. Another neighbor is watching from the window, deeply offended on behalf of Thanksgiving. We would like to settle this, or at least find out who’s on which side of the fence.
Are you team put up the tree before Thanksgiving?
- 🎄 Team Early: the tree’s up, the lights are on, and the turkey can wait its turn
- 🦃 Team Respect the Turkey: Thanksgiving gets its moment first, thank you very much
- 🗓️ Team December: I’ll decorate when the calendar says so, and not one minute sooner
- 🏠 Team Marriage Counseling: we’re a house divided, and the tree debate is still going
- 🌲 Team No Tree: I have no tree, but I will absolutely drive around looking at yours
Cast your vote above, then tell us how it’s going at your house by hitting reply. And if the turkey is the only thing on your mind, our Turkey Dinner Guide has restaurants, takeout, and caterers across the area, with ordering deadlines that start in mid-November.
Local Pulse: FXBG Edition
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The Fredericksburg Tree Lighting Is Back at Riverfront Park 🎄
Kick off the holiday season with a free evening for the whole family. The annual Fredericksburg Tree Lighting returns to Riverfront Park on Saturday, November 14, with plenty to enjoy before the big moment:
Live music
Food trucks
Local vendors
Kids’ activities
A visit from Santa
The lighting of the tree
When: Saturday, November 14, 4 to 7 PM
Where: Riverfront Park, 701 Sophia Street, Fredericksburg
Cost: Free
Presented with the City of Fredericksburg and Fredericksburg Main Street.
Skip the Roasting Pan: Your 2026 Guide to Turkey Dinner Around FXBG
Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, and this year you can enjoy the turkey, the stuffing, and the gravy without ever touching a roasting pan. Our new Turkey Dinner Guide rounds up the best ways to get a full holiday meal across Stafford, Spotsylvania, and Fredericksburg, whether you want to sit down at a local favorite, pick up a ready-to-heat dinner, or hand the whole feast to a caterer.
Here’s what’s inside:
Restaurants serving turkey dinners and seasonal turkey specials across the area
Local caterers offering full Thanksgiving meals, from smoked turkey to holiday buffets
Phone numbers and links so you can call or order right away
Ordering deadlines to help you plan
Timing matters. The most popular options book up early, and some caterers close their Thanksgiving orders as early as mid-November, so if you’re hosting, check the deadlines first. Hours and menus can change, so call ahead or check each website before you go.
A big thank you to our sponsors for keeping this newsletter free for the community🙏 Want your business in front of 52,000+ Fredericksburg-area neighbors? Become a sponsor. [email protected]
Your Skin Deserves More Than a One-Size-Fits-All Approach. Meet Your Neighborhood Skin Care Professionals
For nearly 20 years, Rejuvalase Medspa has been a trusted name in the aesthetics community, built on innovation, education, and a genuine commitment to helping people feel confident in their own skin.
Rejuvalase goes beyond the traditional medspa, bringing together medical-grade esthetics and personalized care in one place. Whether you’re coming in for advanced treatments, results-driven skincare, or restorative day spa services, every experience is designed with intention - rooted in science, guided by education, and tailored to you.
Because confidence isn’t created overnight. It’s built through consistency, trust, and a plan that actually makes sense for your goals.
You don’t need to follow trends to feel confident in your skin. At Rejuvalase Medspa, we take a comprehensive approach - combining injectables, laser treatments, facials, massage, and medical-grade skincare to create plans that are fully customized to you.
It’s not about one treatment. It’s about how everything works together, so your results feel natural, balanced, and aligned with your lifestyle.
The Riverfront Park Skating Rink Returns, and It’s Bigger This Year ⛸️
Winter traditions are coming back to Riverfront Park. The seasonal skating rink opens Friday, November 27, and this year it’s bigger, with more room for friends and family to glide, giggle, and make memories, whether it’s your first time on the ice or your twentieth. Opening hours will be announced closer to the date, and tickets will go on sale soon through the Fredericksburg Main Street website.
Bundle up, grab a hot cocoa, and watch for the ticket announcement: fredericksburgmainstreet.org
Raise a Glass to the Revolution at Rising Sun Tavern 🍻
Historian and award-winning author Brooke Barbier brings Tavern Talk: Spirits of the Revolution to Rising Sun Tavern (1304 Caroline Street) on Tuesday, December 1, from 6 to 8:30 PM. Just 24 guests will tour the tavern’s rooms, sampling historic cocktails (plus a nonalcoholic mocktail) with light food pairings while hearing the story behind each drink. Tickets are $70, on sale now, and include a keepsake Rising Sun Tavern shot glass. Barbier’s book, Cocked and Boozy, is available to pre-order through November 9, with proceeds benefiting Washington Heritage Museums.
Learn more: washingtonheritagemuseums.org
Neighbors of Courthouse Magazine
The October edition of Neighbors of Courthouse Magazine is here, packed with the neighbors, stories, and local businesses that make our community shine.
Click below to read the full issue!
A heartfelt thank you to our writers, photographers, advertisers, sponsors, and local businesses who make Neighbors of Courthouse possible each month. Your support allows us to continue sharing the stories, people, and organizations that make our community stronger. 💙
What’s Happening In & Around the ‘Burg
Here are some of the top events happening soon. Always check with the venue for the latest details. Got an event coming up? Add it to our calendar.
Tuesday 11/3
Homeschool History Day - Homeschool students ages 6 and up can explore colonial life through educator-led tours at Washington Heritage Museums.
Zoe Freedom Center IHOP Charity Night - Present a flyer at IHOP on Plank Road to have 20% of sales donated to Zoe Freedom Center.
Wednesday 11/4
Sake: Beyond the Warm Stuff - Explore a range of Japanese sake styles with guided tastings and pairings at City Vino.
Open Mic Wednesdays - Perform or enjoy an eclectic mix of music genres during a free community open mic at Original Grinds.
Thursday 11/5
32nd Annual Women's Leadership Colloquium at UMW - Build confidence, resilience, and practical leadership skills alongside fellow professionals at the Cedrick Rucker University Center.
SPEAKER SERIES: A Colonial Virginia Fashion Show - Discover 18th-century menswear and womenswear presented by the Rappahannock Colonial Heritage Society at Central Rappahannock Regional Library.
Thriller Book Club at Tales & Tails - Discuss Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone and vote on next month’s selection at Tales and Tails Book Cafe.
Friday 11/6
History after Hours: A Revolutionary Evening - Meet historian Mark Maloy for a discussion of the Battle of Princeton at the Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop.
First Friday at Fraser Wood Elements - Meet adoptable ODHS rescue dogs while you sip and stroll at Fraser Wood Elements.
Mom & Daughter Pajama Party - Enjoy games, crafts, dinner, and a movie with your favorite mother figure at Dorothy Hart Community Center.
