Middleburg is small even by Hunt Country standards: a few blocks of stone and brick buildings along Washington Street, surrounded by horse farms and stone walls. On one Saturday in early December, it becomes one of the busiest places in Northern Virginia. Christmas in Middleburg brings riders in hunting attire, packs of foxhounds, horse-drawn carriages, marching bands and Santa himself down the main street, and visitors come from all over the region to see it.
The event's charm is also its logistics problem. A village built for a few hundred cars at a time hosts a crowd many times that size, Route 50 through town closes for the parades, and parking fills early. This guide covers how the day usually unfolds, when to arrive, and how to plan transportation from Dulles, Loudoun, Fairfax or the DC area so you can enjoy it.
What Happens on the Day
Christmas in Middleburg is traditionally held on the first Saturday in December. The day usually begins with the hunt review, when riders from local hunts and their hounds parade down Washington Street, a rare chance to see a Virginia hunt up close. Later comes the Christmas parade itself, with floats, carriages, bands, community groups and Santa. Between the two, visitors browse the shops, eat at the town's restaurants and join seasonal activities around the village.
Schedules, times and any changes are set by the organizers each year, so check the official Christmas in Middleburg website before you finalize plans. The order of events, start times and road closures are what your pickup and drop-off will be built around.
Why Getting There Is the Hard Part
Middleburg sits on Route 50, about half an hour west of Dulles in normal traffic, and Route 50 is the main way in from the east. On parade day, the road through town closes during the hunt review and parade, traffic from the east backs up as visitors arrive, and every lot and side street fills well before the main events. Once you're parked, you're unlikely to leave easily until the crowds thin in the late afternoon.
Rural roads around the village are narrow and dark early in December, and many visitors aren't used to driving them. That, plus the fact that the day often includes a glass of mulled wine or a stop at a local winery, is why many groups prefer to let someone else drive.
When to Arrive
If you want to see the hunt review from a good spot on Washington Street, plan to arrive well before it starts. Families with young children often pick a spot early and stay put; others arrive for the afternoon parade and skip the morning. Either approach works, but decide ahead of time, because the crowds make it hard to change plans mid-day.
- Early arrival: best views of the hunt review, easiest drop-off, more time for shops and breakfast.
- Midday arrival: heavier traffic on Route 50 and limited options for a close drop-off.
- Afternoon arrival for the parade only: a viable option, but expect crowds along the route.
- Leaving: the hour after the parade ends is the busiest time on the roads out of town.
Choosing a Drop-Off and Pickup Point
Because Washington Street closes for the parades, drop-offs happen on the edge of the village rather than on the main street. The exact spot depends on that year's closures, so your chauffeur will confirm a practical drop-off point the morning of the event. The more important decision is the pickup point at the end of the day.
Agree on a specific, easy-to-find meeting place before you separate, and make sure everyone in the group knows it. Cell service can get congested in small towns during large events, so don't count on calling to find each other. A fixed pickup time, with a call to the chauffeur only if plans change, works best.
Making a Day of It in Hunt Country
Many visitors turn parade day into a full outing. Middleburg's shops and restaurants are busy but festive, and the surrounding countryside is home to many of Loudoun and Fauquier's wineries. If you'd like to add a winery visit or dinner, an hourly booking keeps the vehicle with your group all day, and our guide to a Loudoun wine country day trip covers some of the options. Restaurants in and around Middleburg can book up on parade day, so reserve ahead if you plan to eat in town.
Some visitors also stop in Leesburg or Purcellville on the way home, which are both decorated for the holidays and easier to park in than Middleburg on parade day.
Choosing the Right Vehicle
Parade day is a group outing for many families, and the right vehicle depends on how many people are coming and what they're bringing: folding chairs, blankets, strollers and shopping bags all take up room.
- Chevrolet Suburban: up to five passengers with room for five bags or folded chairs.
- Lincoln Navigator: up to six passengers with room for five bags.
- Mercedes Sprinter: up to thirteen passengers, suited to extended families, neighbors or a group of friends traveling together.
- Sedans: comfortable for up to three passengers with a little gear, good for couples.
Bringing Children and Older Relatives
Christmas in Middleburg is a family tradition for many Loudoun and Fauquier households, and children love the hounds, the horses and Santa. Crowds along Washington Street can be several people deep, though, so smaller children see more from a spot near the front that you claim early. Agree on what to do if anyone gets separated, and make sure older children know the pickup point.
For grandparents and anyone who finds long walks or standing difficult, the day is much easier with a drop-off close to the village and a chair to sit on along the route. Tell us when you book if someone in your group has limited mobility, so the chauffeur can plan the shortest practical walk on both ends of the day.
Dressing for an Outdoor December Day
Most of Christmas in Middleburg happens outdoors, and standing along a parade route in December is colder than walking around. Bring layers, warm hats and gloves, and something to sit or stand on if you'll be waiting for a while. A thermos of something warm and a blanket for small children go a long way. If you have an hourly booking, extra layers and supplies can stay in the vehicle until you need them.
Combining the Parade With an Airport Trip
Middleburg is close enough to Dulles that some visitors fly in on Friday, spend Saturday at the parade and fly home Sunday. If you're planning a weekend like that, book the airport pickup, the parade day and the return to Dulles together. Our chauffeurs track flights, and airport pickups include 45 minutes of complimentary waiting on domestic arrivals and 60 minutes on international arrivals, timed from touchdown.
Booking Your Parade Day Ride
The first Saturday in December falls in the middle of holiday party and airport season, so book early, especially for SUVs and Sprinters. Sedans and SUVs can be cancelled free of charge up to 3 hours before pickup, and Sprinter vans and special-event bookings up to 12 hours before. Your quote is all-inclusive, covering tolls, taxes and gratuity.
Reserve online through our booking page or call (877) 609-1919 any time. Tell us how many people are coming, whether you want to see the hunt review, the parade or both, and whether you'd like the vehicle to stay with you for the day.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When is Christmas in Middleburg?
It is traditionally held on the first Saturday in December, with the hunt review in the morning and the Christmas parade later in the day. Check the official Christmas in Middleburg website for this year's schedule.
How far is Middleburg from Dulles Airport?
Middleburg is about half an hour west of Dulles via Route 50 in normal traffic. On parade day, traffic approaching town can add significant time, so allow extra.
Where will the chauffeur drop us off?
Washington Street closes for the parades, so drop-offs are on the edge of the village. Your chauffeur confirms a practical spot based on that year's closures and agrees a fixed pickup point and time with your group.
Can the vehicle stay with us for the whole day?
Yes. With an hourly booking the vehicle and chauffeur stay with your group, so you can add a winery visit or dinner without arranging another ride.
What vehicle works for a family group?
A Chevrolet Suburban seats five and a Lincoln Navigator six, each with room for five bags. A Mercedes Sprinter carries up to thirteen passengers for larger groups.