The big Holiday Weekend is coming up on December 11-13: Church Hill Vespers and Candlelight Walk, Church Hill Holiday Ball, Church Hill Historic House Tour, and 23rd Annual Court End Christmas.

Church Hill Vespers and Candlelight Walk on Friday, 11 December

Vespers Service at St. John’s Church (N 25th and East Broad Streets) beginning at 7:00 PM on 11 December. Admission is free. After the traditional Service, holiday carols start at St. John’s Church followed by a candlelight walk through the streets of historic Church Hill. Participants are lead by bagpipers through the neighborhood to Libby Hill Park for more carols.

Church Hill Holiday Ball on Saturday, 12 December

A Church Hill Holiday Tradition, the Church Hill Ball will be held 12 December in the beautiful ballroom of the Holocaust Museum. The event begins with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and live jazz from 8 until 10 p.m., followed by dancing with music by a DJ until midnight. Dress is creative black tie. Individual tickets for the Ball are $50.00 in advance or $60 the day of the Ball.

Church Hill Historic House Tour on Sunday, 13 December

Church Hill, one of the nation’s most historically significant neighborhoods, will host the annual Historic Holiday House Tour on 13 December from noon until 5 p.m. This year’s tour focuses on homes constructed in the 1800s, including several antebellum (pre-Civil War) homes. Many of the homes have never been opened to the public; all have been beautifully renovated and will be decorated for the holidays. Knowledgeable docents provide points of historical and architectural significance for each home. Journey back in time as you stroll through St. John’s Old and Historic District in Church Hill complete with a variety old-fashion carriages and carolers in period costume. Individual tickets for the Tour are $15 in advance and $20 the day of the Tour

Ten historic sites to host 23rd Annual Court End Christmas

St. John’s Church will be one of the ten historic downtown sites hosting the 23rd Annual Court End Christmas, a free holiday open house for the entire family. Includes St. John’s Church, Valentine History Center, the John Marshall House, the Virginia State Capitol, St. Paul’s Church and more; complimentary shuttle between sites all day. Sunday, December 13th 12-5PM.

Tickets to the Ball and/or House Tour are available online and at the following locations:

• Captain Buzzy’s (2623 E. Broad St.);
• The Hill Cafe (2800 E. Broad St.);
• Poe’s Pub (2706 E. Main St.);
• Hampton House (5702 Grove Ave); and,
• St. John’s Church, 25th and E. Broad St. (on the day of the House Tour following the Re-enactment which begins at 1:00).