There’s something about the traditions of a small-town Christmas that are especially magical. If you’re looking to fill the season of joy with some small-town festivity, plan a visit to Front Royal. You’ll find every weekend packed with holiday fun! Join our small community, support local business, and experience the magic of Front Royal’s holiday traditions. Read on to discover the best of Front Royal’s holiday celebrations this year.

​The first Saturday of December starts the season off with a bang! Head to Warren County High School on December 4, and enjoy a drive-thru pancake breakfast sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Front Royal. You can support a great cause, and fuel up for your day at the same time! But don’t head home yet! There’s plenty more on Front Royal’s Calendar today!  
 

A beloved annual tradition, the Front Royal Christmas Festival and Parade is scheduled for December 4. It’s a great time to be on Front Royal’s Main Street! Enjoy an afternoon of live performances, a free Christmas movie showing, and more. The parade starts at 4 p.m., so you can watch the best of Front Royal roll by, including many of our favorite local businesses and organizations. Do some Christmas shopping beforehand, or grab some gourmet coffee or baked goods to enjoy while you watch.
 

Front Royal’s picturesque holiday lights traditionally come on at the end of the Christmas Festival. Stick around to watch the ceremony, or come back any evening during the holidays and enjoy the display in the Main Street area.
 

If you miss the movie showing at the Christmas festival, no worries! Come back to Royal Cinemas any weekend in December to enjoy the screening of a Christmas Classic! It’s a great way to relax and get in a festive mood after a day of shopping, exploring the town, or outdoor adventure.
 

If you’re looking for the place where fine arts and Christmas festivity meet, check out the Blue Ridge Singers Holiday Concert. Coming to Front Royal on Friday, December 10, this local group performs challenging choral music in a way that will leave you enchanted and looking for more!
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6. Explore our Christmas Market
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If you’re a lover of Christmas Markets, you won’t want to miss Front Royal’s! The Front Royal Indoor Market on December 12, will be the place to finish up your holiday shopping! Check out local vendors, enjoy blacksmithing, stained glass making, and other crafts, and maybe even run into Santa Claus!
 

Another Front Royal Favorite, the American Legion Community Band Concert is a free show to put you in the holiday spirit. If the sound of the band is what tells you it’s the holidays, you won’t want to miss this one! 
 

It’s never too cold for ice cream! If you need your taste buds to remind you that it’s the holidays, don’t forget to stop by Spelunker’s! This local legend has some of the best burgers and fries around, but their frozen custard is truly out of this world. Their holiday custard flavors are highly anticipated, and for good reason! Upcoming delights include Candy Cane Blast, Caramel Sweet Potato, Peach Pecan, and Eggnog. Check their facebook page for a full schedule of flavor-of-the-day offerings. Don’t leave a stop at Spelunker’s out of your day in Front Royal!
 

With a calendar full of quintessential holiday events, great Christmas shopping options, and delicious ice cream to top it all off, Front Royal is a great place to celebrate the holidays! Plan your holiday outings in Front Royal now! Maybe you’ll find a new tradition that’ll keep you coming back year after year. 

What makes a great setting for your next vacation, getaway, or adventure? We’ve narrowed it down to a few criteria that truly make a destination great. 

• You need a great place to stay, where you can relax and feel at home (and maybe even a little bit pampered). 
• You need something fun to do during the day. 
• Later on, you’ll need a way to unwind and relax.
• And, of course, you need great food to enjoy throughout!

 
Today’s post is all about showing you how Front Royal has everything it takes to be the destination of your dreams. Read on for a run-down of Front Royal’s best features that make it the setting for the small-town adventure you’ve always wanted.

Lodging to Dream About (and At!)
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Whether you’re looking for a chain hotel, a quaint bed and breakfast, or a unique Airbnb, you can find it in Front Royal. A range of options to suit every budget will keep you comfortable and sleeping soundly on your Front Royal vacation. 
 
The Front Royal area draws lots of outdoor adventurers. Those heading to Front Royal in search of outdoor adventure may prefer to camp. There are plenty of options for campers, too. From backpacking to RV sites and car-camping, you can find something to suit your level of adventure. Sweet dreams!

Finding your Front Royal Adventure
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When you’re looking for something to do around Front Royal, the problem isn’t knowing where to start; it’s figuring out how to stop! 
 
With Shenandoah National Park on our doorstep, as well as the George Washington National Forest and Shenandoah River State Park, our small town is a natural destination for outdoors lovers. Hikers, backpackers, rock climbers, and lovers of nature’s beauty will find that the Front Royal area is the stuff great memories are made of! With options for every activity level, from a scenic drive to an intense adventure, there’s something to love for everyone here. 
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The Shenandoah River, which runs right through Front Royal, is another great place for recreation. In fact, Front Royal is such a great spot for a river trip, that we’ve earned the title: Canoe Capital of Virginia. Plan your river trip for a relaxing and rejuvenating day in a stunning setting. 

Take it Slow around Town
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A weekend packed with outdoor adventure doesn’t leave everybody energized, though. Some of us need to take life at a slower place to really feel rejuvenated after a trip. There couldn’t be a better place to take a break in the slow lane than Front Royal. With a downtown area filled with unique shops, art studios, and delightful cafés, there’s plenty to satisfy the lover of the slower pace. Enjoying a picnic at a winery, or planning a gentle stroll by the iconic Shenandoah river are other great ways to slow down and take a deep breath in the Front Royal area.

Gourmet Dining to Suit Every Taste
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However you decide to spend your day, you’ll be looking for a satisfying meal in the evening. Front Royal has you covered here, too! If you’ve worked up an appetite exploring the mountain trails of the Front Royal area, or kayaking the river, you’ll probably looking for something hearty. Check out Vibrissa Beer, or Pavemint Taphouse, for that classic beer and burger combination. If you’re a lover of the finer things in life, it’s definitely worth spending a little more, and enjoying the fine dining experience at the Element. The list goes on, with Italian, Mexican, Pizza, Thai, and much more. No matter your taste, you’ll find what you love in Front Royal!
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So if you’re looking for everything you need to make a memorable getaway, it’s time to plan your visit to Front Royal. Look forward to relaxing accommodations, exhilarating adventures, and delightful dining. It’s a recipe for a trip you’ll want to take again.
 

Hiking is truly a sport that has something for everyone. It can be as simple as a walk in the woods, or as complex as an expedition that’s several days long (or more!). One thing’s for sure; those who’ve discovered the joys of hiking keep on coming back for more! It’s the feeling of accomplishment as you put the miles behind you, one step at a time. It’s the companionship you find along the way. It’s nature’s beauty and the reward of a enjoying a stunning view after a tough climb. 

​If the hiking bug has bitten you, and you’re looking for more ways to get out and explore the hiking trails of the Front Royal area, this post is for you! Read on for five tips on getting the most out of your Front Royal hiking adventures!

1. Get the Right Gear (It’s Worth It!)
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If you’ve fallen in love with hiking, you may have become an enthusiastic hiker while making do with gear you already had in your closet. We’re here to tell you that it’s worth investing a little money on some high quality gear. For your adventures on the trails, you want to make sure you have long-lasting equipment that won’t let you down. The proper gear can also make a huge difference in making your time on the trails more enjoyable. It’s time to make the switch from from random-backpack-lying-at-the-bottom-of-the-closet to properly-designed-hiking-backpack. You’ll find the difference is magical! Stop by Mountain Trails in Front Royal to have all your equipment needs met. 
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​With fantastic hikes all around, deciding where to start can be overwhelming. That’s why we recommend keeping a bucket list of hikes in the area that you’d like to check out. Take your hiking to the next level by committing to a weekly or monthly hike. When the hiking day rolls around you can pull out your bucket list and you’ll have a list of great hikes calling your name! No more wasting time trying to figure out where to go. Having trouble figuring out what to put on the list? See here for some ideas to get you started. Shenandoah National Park and Shenandoah River State Park are two prime locations for hiking in the Front Royal area. Have a chat with a park ranger at either of these parks. They’ll be able to put you onto some more great hikes to add to your list. 

​3. Get off the Beaten Path
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We don’t mean this literally! We know one of hiking’s prime safety and conservation rules is to stay on marked trails. What we’re talking about is choosing a less popular hike; one that sparks your interest, but perhaps isn’t on everyone’s “top ten hikes” list. Don’t be afraid to strike out on your own and check out a hike that’s calling your name, even if no one’s recommended it. You may discover a hidden treasure! And you’ll probably enjoy a more secluded adventure in the process.
 

4. Learn About Nature as You Hike
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Hikers love being out in nature, but it’s possible to spend many hours outdoors with only a vague idea of all that’s going on around you. Diving in to learn a little more about the natural world can be a great way to make the landscape around you come to life even more! Try bringing along a field guide to trees, birds, flowers, or wildlife, and identifying some of the species you come across as you’re walking. Tip: if you aren’t interested in spending long periods standing still while you wait for animals to appear, it’s probably better to start with trees or flowers!

5. Enjoy a Fantastic Post-Hike Meal
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There are few things more satisfying than enjoying a delicious meal after a long day out on the trails. It’s the moment you can relax with a burger and a beer (and muscles that are just sore enough to remind you that you’ve thoroughly earned it!). When you’re back from your hike and looking to satisfy your hunger, fueling station Front Royal is here for you! For that classic post-hike burger and beer combo, check out Vibrissa Beer or PaveMint Taphouse. Or if you’re looking for something more unique, Front Royal has you covered, too. From fine dining, to oriental cuisine, to delicious Mexican eateries, there’s definitely something for everyone. So whether you’re a local or a visitor, don’t forget to stop in town after your hike and fill up with a delicious meal from one of Front Royals’ many delightful restaurants.
 
With exciting hiking trails to keep you supplied with adventure, fantastic restaurants, and a handy supply store, Front Royal is a hiker’s dream come true. Get your hiking boots on and explore all the hiking fun that awaits you in the Front Royal area.
 

Getting off the beaten path means excitement, adventure, solitude. It means taking the road less traveled . . . and perhaps discovering a hidden treasure. That’s what’ll happen if you get away from it all and explore the small mountain town of Front Royal, the gateway to Shenandoah National Park. Get away from it all in Front Royal, and you’ll find a group of incredibly talented locals waiting to provide you with unique and memorable shopping, dining, and crafting experiences. Read on for a run-down of some of hidden treasures you’ll want to find as you explore Front Royal!

​If you’re in search of a gift that’s lovingly crafted, high-quality, and unique, you’ll hit the jackpot when you stop by Inklings on Main Street. From organic baby swaddles to herbal teas, handmade candles and soaps, and loads of other goodies, you’ll find a wide array of unique gifts to please the pickiest person on your list (or yourself!). Inklings sources their products from small businesses and artisans across the country, and there are always new items coming in. Imagine browsing Etsy, but in person!
 

The Apple House is about a ten minute drive from downtown Front Royal, and here you can find genuine country food and products in a genuine country setting! Stop in for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and explore the gift shop for a wide range of tempting items, including locally produced jellies, jams, and condiments. Don’t forget to grab some of the famous Apple Butter Cinnamon Donuts for the road!
 

​If you’re exploring Main Street, you’ll want to be sure to stop at Turnmeyer Galleries. It’s a unique blend of boutique gift shop and art gallery. Browse the fine art photography and metal work on display, or check out the incredibly wide range of gifts and luxury items. Plan ahead and you can even participate in a photography workshop or schedule an indoor or outdoor portrait session.

If you want to make your Front Royal souvenir even more unique, why not paint it yourself? Sign up for a class or workshop at The Studio on Main Street, and complete a painting or craft project under the expert direction of local artist Kelly Walker. You’ll walk away with a piece you can be proud of!  
 

Pining after pottery? Stop by Explore Art and Clay and check out all this full service pottery studio has to offer. You can participate in a pottery workshop, paint your pre-made pottery piece (they’ll fire it for you!), or even schedule time to use their equipment if you have your own supplies. Whether you’re an experienced potter or you’ve never tried it before, stop in for a fun date, family outing, or solo creative outlet! You’ll bring home a souvenir that you made yourself!

Sometimes you just need to get away from it all: the crowds, the hustle and bustle, the pace of the city. If you’re looking to take a break from the busy-ness of modern life, come and explore the unique shops and special treasures of the town of Front Royal. You’ll come away with fond memories, and a souvenir that’s just as unique as our town.