The 32nd annual Victorian Christmas will be held Thursday and Friday, December 13th and 14th from 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. both evenings. A Thomasville tradition, Victorian Christmas has become a well-loved event for both locals and visitors alike.
“Victorian Christmas brings in visitors from all over the country,” says Bonnie Hayes, City of Thomasville tourism director. “Each year we even meet international guests that are here just to experience this nostalgic holiday event. Victorian Christmas is a huge economic boost to the Thomasville-Thomas County economy. These visitors are dining in our local restaurants, shopping throughout the city and spending money with multiple businesses.”
In fact, local businesses are why the whole event got started. “Victorian Christmas was originally created by our downtown merchants over 30 years ago,” says April Norton, City of Thomasville main street and business development director. “The idea was to drive shopping and dining traffic to our up-and-coming downtown. Now, the event has grown to cover several city blocks and utilizes nearly every inch of our award-winning downtown area.”
This year’s event will include traditional favorites like carriage rides, the live nativity, and costumed strollers, as well as a few fun new additions. “Victorian Christmas is a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together and showcase what makes Thomasville so special,” says Sherri Nix, City of Thomasville marketing project manager. “We look forward every year to having local schools, churches, and other organizations participate in the event, while also including new and different programming to keep the event fresh.”
Victorian Christmas will feature a wide variety of dining options, street performers such as jugglers and carolers, live music, plein air artists, children’s activities, fire performers, and more. “My favorite new additions are the photo ops,” says Nix. “We have several talented local artists working on new photo op areas that will really transport you to the Victorian era. We’ll also be debuting a brand new St. Nick photo area that will surely please children and parents alike.”
Also new this year is a trackless train, sponsored by CNS and winding through the West Jackson Street area. Train rides will be free both nights of the event. “We’ve added more programming than ever to the West Jackson Street area and the Ritz Amphitheater stage,” says Norton. “This is a creative and happening area of downtown that continues to grow each year.”
Admission to Victorian Christmas is free and open to the public. For more information about this event, please visit www.thomasvillega.com or call the Thomasville Visitors Center at 229-228-7977.