Although the area has already braved several winter storms in 2025, Fredericksburg’s Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) is still eight days away. 

This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!

Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you.

On Saturday, February 1, local musicians and bands are gathering at Strangeways Brewing for the Eric Becker Memorial Concert benefiting the Fredericksburg SPCA. 

A member of Radar Theory, bandmate Johnny Boothe said Becker was known for being genuinely caring to everyone in his life. He “loved his friends, his family, and his wife Kathleen deeply,” Boothe said. Becker and Boothe met in 2021 at an Adventure Brewery Open Mic night and decided to form a band called Radar Theory.  In the fall of 2022, Becker noticed chest pain during a rehearsal and went to the hospital a few days later. He was diagnosed with cancer and began aggressive treatment immediately. Becker had several months of treatment and seemed to be doing well for a few months in 2023 before his cancer returned.   Becker proposed to his girlfriend Kathleen in October and they married in November. After an illness and brief hospitalization, Becker passed away shortly after Christmas. Booth said “Playing and writing music with Eric was a gift.  There's a bond in creating something with others, sharing it with the outside world and risking the world telling you how awful it is.  But sometimes, they also tell you how it meant something to them. You take that ride together.” 

In 2024, Boothe and other local musicians joined and played live at a Celebration of Life honoring Becker. Afterward, they discussed holding a memorial concert in January to honor his memory and give back somehow. The concert was scheduled around Becker’s January 27 birthday. Strangeways was chosen for their support of the local music scene and for their ability to host live music and large crowds. Eric’s wife, Kathleen, works at the Fredericksburg SPCA and supports animal rescues.  The concert will feature six performers and bands: Emily Woodhull, Sarah Perrotto, Green Bean & The Rhythmic Meadows, and Richmond band Bucko.  In addition to the live music, the event will feature raffles of gift card bundles from local breweries, wineries, and restaurants. Boothe said they were grateful for the generosity of local businesses.  Boothe said honoring Becker by combining music with the SPCA just made sense. Becker was passionate about music, people, and animals.  Boothe said he’s hoping for an excellent audience for Saturday's concert. “Without them, we're just up there on stage having band practice.  The audience is everything.” He hopes they recognize being part of the tribute to Becker and  “realize the impact they make every time they go out and support local music and local business.” The Eric Becker Memorial Concert will begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1 at Strangeways Brewing. The brewery is located at 350 Lansdowne Road. Food truck Rosie’s Pizza & Doner Kebab will arrive at 1 p.m. Donations can also be made to the Fredericksburg SPCA in Becker’s name.

After 17 years as a teacher, Spotsylvania's Leslie Robinson has learned how to make her students laugh. In almost two decades, Robinson has taught every grade level from pre-school to adult high school, and currently teachers High School Family and Consumer Sciences in Spotsylvania County Public Schools. She is also a popular social media content creator, with thousands of followers and views on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.

Join Fredericksburg’s premier improv team for a night of spontaneous comedy and audience participation games, culminating in a unique one-act play crafted with your input.

Event Details:

– Dates: Friday, January 17, 2025 – Saturday, January 18, 2025
– Time: 8 PM
– Location: Stage Door Productions, 810 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
– Tickets: $15

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the event website.

Do you have an event to share with the community? Submitting your event is FREE and simple! Click here to fill out the submission form. Provide key details such as date, time, location, and a brief description to ensure your event gets the attention it deserves.

Share your events today and keep our community engaged and informed!

Date: February 1, 2025
Time: 6–8 PM
Location: 9419 Battle St, Manassas
Admission: Free and open to the public

Join the Prince William County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for an evening featuring contemporary figurative painter William Kennedy. Explore his exhibit, “Beyond the Surface,” which delves into the emotional depth of Black male figures. The reception includes light refreshments and an opportunity to meet the artist.

Free Event Submissions

Have an event you’d like to share? Submit it for free!

Here’s how:
1. Click this link.
2. Fill in the required details about your event, including title, date, time, location, and a brief description.
3. Submit your form—it’s that simple!

Showcase your community events on Potomac Local News today.

Stafford County is gearing up for a magical evening to kick off the holiday season with its annual Tree Lighting Event, scheduled for Friday, December 6, 2024, at the Stafford County Government Center, 1300 Courthouse Road. Beginning at 6 p.m., the event promises various performances, activities, and surprises for the whole family.

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.

Virginia State Parks offer a variety of holiday events, including light displays, educational programs, crafts, and guided hikes, at locations across the state. Many activities are free or included with park admission, with details and reservations available online.

Press release:

Virginia State Parks invites visitors of all ages to experience the magic of the holidays with various festive events across the state. From historic educational programs to enchanting light displays, many parks offer unique ways to create memories and celebrate the holidays amidst Virginia’s breathtaking natural landscapes.

Here’s a glimpse of what guests can look forward to this holiday season:

Holiday lights

• Southwest Virginia Museum: Festival of Trees, Nov. 10-Dec. 31
• Natural Bridge: Festival of Trees, Nov. 22-Dec. 31, and Luminary Nights, Dec. 13-15 and Dec. 20-22
• Wilderness Road: Karlan Christmas: Parade of Trees, Nov. 29-Dec. 1, Dec. 6-8, Dec. 13-15 and Dec. 20-22
• Bear Creek: Lights at the Lake, Dec. 6-8 and Dec. 13-14
• Staunton River Battlefield: Lighting of the Bridge, Dec. 6-8 and Dec. 13-15
• Natural Tunnel: Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel, Nov. 29-30, Dec. 6-7, Dec. 13-14 and Dec. 20-21
• Caledon: Night Before Christmas Wagon Ride: Dec. 6, Dec. 8, Dec. 13-15, Dec. 20-22

Educational programs

• Mason Neck: Ranger at the Refuge: Tundra Swans, Dec. 7, Dec. 8, Dec. 21 and Dec. 22
• Machicomoco: Christmas at Timberneck, Dec. 14
• Powhatan: Winter Birding, Dec. 14
• Southwest Virginia Museum: Birding in the Gap, Dec. 14
• Wilderness Road: A Frontier Christmas, Dec. 14
• Sweet Run: Christmas Bird Count, Dec. 15
• High Bridge: Christmas in the Camps, Dec. 21
• Sailor’s Creek Battlefield: The Science Behind the Star of Bethlehem, Nov. 30 and Dec. 21

Crafts

• Pocahontas: Winter Wreath Workshop, Nov. 30, Dec. 1 and Dec. 7, and Handmade Holidays, Dec. 1, Dec. 8, Dec. 15, Dec. 22 and Dec. 29
• Widewater: Deck the Halls, Dec. 1, Dec. 8, Dec. 15, Dec. 22 and Dec. 29
  Claytor Lake: Holiday Cheer Celebration, Dec. 7
• False Cape: Tree Cookies and Cocoa Ornament Workshop, Dec. 7

Guided walks/hikes

• First Landing: Season’s Greetings Nature Walk, Nov. 23
• Sky Meadows: A Winter Tree-mendous Hike, Dec. 7
• Belle Isle: A Walk on the Wild Side: Nature in Winter, Dec. 12
• Pocahontas: Winter Solstice Rambles, Dec. 21

Some events are free with standard park admission, while others may require pre-registration or additional fees. Learn more and find other upcoming events at virginiastateparks.gov/events.

Depending on the park, overnight accommodations, including cabins, family lodges or campsites may still be available. Go to reservevaparks.com for more information.

December is going to be a festive month around Prince William County and Manassas with several events and activities scheduled. Take a look at some highlighted events. Monday (Dec. 2)

• Board of County Supervisors Joint Legislative Meeting, 9 a.m. (Woodbridge)
• Holiday Gift Bringers Scavenger Hunt, All day through the month (Bull Run Library)
• Festival of Trees, All day through the month (Haymarket Gainesville Library)
• Ornament Take & Make, All day while supplies last (Independent Hill Library)
• Manassas City Council Meeting, 5:30 p.m. (Manassas City)

Tuesday (Dec. 3)

• Cardboard Gingerbread House Contest, through Dec. 8 (Manassas Park City Library)

Friday (Dec. 6)

• Holiday Through the Ages, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Woodbridge)
• Santa Lights Manassas and Tree Lighting Ceremony, 5:15 to 7 p.m. (Manassas City)
• Holiday Walk of Lights, 5:30 to 9 p.m. until Dec. 22 (Woodbridge)
• Kids Night Out, 6 to 9 p.m. (Woodbridge)

Saturday (Dec. 7)

• West County Household Hazardous Waste Disposal, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Manassas)
• Holiday Market, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Woodbridge)
• Greater Manassas Christmas Parade, 10 a.m. to noon (Manassas City)
• Elementary School Strings Holiday Performance, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Haymarket Gainesville Library)
• Craft & Create: Coffee Filter Snowflakes, 2 to 3 p.m. (Manassas Park)

Sunday (Dec. 8)

• Holiday Carriage Rides, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday until Dec. 15 (Manassas City)

Dec. 9

• Chinn Park Library reopens (Woodbridge)
• Woven Wall Hangings Take and Make, All day (Dumfries Library)
• Manassas City Council Meeting, 5:30 p.m. (Manassas City)

Dec. 10

• Homeschool Hangout, 1 to 3 p.m. (Chinn Park Library)
• Board of County Supervisors Meeting, 2 p.m. (Woodbridge)
• Busy Hands Social Club, 6 to 7:30 p.m. (Central Library)

Dec. 11

• Coffee with a Cop, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. (Gainesville)
• Pajama Story Time, 7 to 7:30 p.m. (Haymarket Gainesville Library)

Dec. 12

• Holiday Illustrated Poems, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Dumfries Library)
• Teens Create: Holiday Picture Frames, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (Manassas Park)

Dec. 13

• Kids Create: Play-Doh Snowmen, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (Manassas Park)

Dec. 14

• Santa Trains 2024, various times and locations
• Family Gingerbread House Building Contest, 10 a.m. to noon (Woodbridge)
• Mistletoe Holiday Craft Festival, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Montclair Library)
• Building Emergency Kits for a Safer Tomorrow, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Potomac Library)
• Yuletide Yoga, Noon to 1:30 p.m. (Woodbridge)
• Teddy Bear Picnic, 2 to 3 p.m. (Bull Run Library)

Dec. 16

• Ribbon Rendezvous, 4 to 7:30 p.m. (Chinn Park Library)
• Teen Gingerbread Challenge, 6 to 7:30 p.m. (Haymarket Gainesville Library)
• Recording in Progress, 6 to 7:30 p.m. (Bull Run Library)

Dec. 17

• Board of County Supervisors Meeting, 2 p.m. (Woodbridge)
• Adults Create: Clothespin Snowflake Ornament, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (Manassas Park)
• Winter Snowflake Making, 6 to 7 p.m. (Haymarket Gainesville Library)

Dec. 18

• AARP Smart Driver Course, 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (Haymarket Gainesville Library)
• Crochet and Coffee, 11 a.m. to noon (Nokesville Library)

Dec. 20

• Memory Café with Comfort Keepers of Greater Prince William, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Haymarket Gainesville Library)
• Taverns & TTRPGs, 6 to 9 p.m. (Great Mane Brewery)

Dec. 21

• BRAVA Handbells Holiday Concert, 2 to 4 p.m. (Haymarket Gainesville Library)

Dec. 22

• Bad Art, 3 to 5 p.m. (Great Mane Brewery)

Dec. 23

• Bad Art Night, 6 to 7:30 p.m. (Chinn Park Library)

Dec. 30

• Brit Lit Book Club, 1 to 2:30 p.m. (Potomac Library)

Dec. 31

• New Year's Eve Pre-Party Palooza, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Central Library)
• Countdown to Noon, 11:45 a.m. (Bull Run Library)

The latest: We’re working on bringing you more details on a person who was struck by a train at the Fredericksburg station.

Kick Off December with Holiday Cheer: December is here, and the holiday spirit is in full swing. Start the month with these exciting local events happening on December 1, 2024.

Winter Reading Kick-Off
Prince William Ice Center
5180 Dale Blvd, Woodbridge, VA 22193
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Dive into winter reading with fun activities for the whole family. Grab your library card and get ready to enjoy a frosty afternoon at the rink.

A Chanticleer Christmas
Hylton Performing Arts Center
10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas, VA 20110
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Experience the magic of the holiday season with the Grammy-winning Chanticleer ensemble. This breathtaking performance will feature classic carols and timeless Christmas melodies.

Heritage Brewing Company Winter Market
Heritage Brewing Co.
9436 Center Point Lane, Manassas, VA
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Browse over 20 local vendors offering handcrafted gifts and enjoy festive treats like mulled wine, hot chocolate, and Duck Donuts. Don’t forget to sip on your favorite Heritage beer while soaking in the holiday cheer.

The Kitchen of Don Alfredo Food Truck
The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm
15850 Sunshine Ridge Ln, Gainesville, VA
7:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Start your day with a delicious breakfast or brunch from The Kitchen of Don Alfredo. Enjoy the stunning vineyard views while indulging in comforting dishes.

Gingerbread House Contest and Exhibit
George Washington’s Ferry Farm
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Enjoy the whimsical sights and delicious smells of gingerbread creations at the 38th Annual Gingerbread House Contest and Exhibit. This year’s theme is Holidays: Past, Present, and Future. Categories include children, families, and professionals. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children ages 6 to 17. Children under 5 are free.

Post your events FREE to our calendar.

Prince William County Parks and Recreation is hosting the 3rd annual Holiday Walk of Lights at Neabsco Regional Park, featuring hand-crafted light displays, holiday characters, carolers, and a holiday market on select nights. The event runs from December 6–27 with a special sensory-friendly evening on December 10, and shuttle services are provided from designated parking areas.

Press release:

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.