Welcome to the first edition of the Festivefly Weekend Guide — a brand-new, Fredericksburg-exclusive newsletter focused on what’s happening right here in our area. This weekly drop brings together local events, food truck finds, hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and the Flavor Route — a map that connects where you go to where you should eat next. Scroll through, tap in, and plan a weekend worth getting out for.👇Around the Burg!
🧚♀️✨ FAIRY PICK OF THE WEEKEND
🎨 FXBG First Friday (Downtown Fredericksburg)
Fredericksburg First Fridays
Friday, Jan 2 • 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
706 Caroline St, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
If you only make it to one thing this weekend — make it this. Downtown comes alive with art walks, galleries, music, pop-ups, food, and that unmistakable Fredericksburg street energy. It’s walkable, social, family-friendly if needed, and the easiest event to pair with local eats. Start here to feel plugged into the city. Learn more by clicking here!
✨ FRIDAY — Jan 2
🎤 First Fridays Karaoke — Reclaim Arcade
8:00 PM – 11:45 PM – 2324 Plank Rd, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Retro arcade vibes + neon nostalgia + karaoke night = peak Fredericksburg energy.
📝 Breaking Lines Poetry Night & Spoken Word
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM – 615 Caroline St, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
A creative space for writers, storytellers, spoken word, and community soul. Mic on, heart open.
🍫 FREE Hot Chocolate Bar — Topside FCU
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM – 9622 Patriot Hwy, Fredericksburg, VA 22408
Free hot chocolate + donuts = the coziest start to the new year.
🎶 New Year Same Jams Music Bingo — Laudenbach Brewing
6:30 PM – 45 Centreport Pkwy, Fredericksburg, VA 22406
Music bingo, prizes, craft beer, and Cousin’s Maine Lobster. Good vibes only.
🎸 The Cold North Live — Adventure Brewing North
7:00 PM – 4 Hazel Park Ln, Fredericksburg, VA 22405
Live music, food truck, and a crowd ready to welcome 2026 loud and proud.
🖼️ In Search of Rest — Exhibit Reception
5:00 PM – 601 Caroline St, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
A reflective First Friday gallery opening to ground the year in intention.
🍽️ FLAVOR ROUTE — Where to Eat Based on Where You Go
If you’re here → go eat here.
🎨 First Friday → Bangkok Café
Walkable Thai heat + art night energy.
🎨 First Friday → Benny Vitali’s
Late-night slices the size of your future.
🎤 Reclaim Karaoke → Reclaim Grill (On-Site)
Smash burgers + mic drops + retro games.
🎶 Live Music @ Adventure Brewing → Tacos & Tequila
Pre-show tacos / after-show margaritas.
🏛️ Gari Melchers Museum → Mercantile Cafe
Belmont-area brunch, coffee, and calm.
Know a food truck or hidden gem we should feature next?
Just reply with the name — we’ll check it out and spotlight it. 🍽️✨
Have a photo or plate pic? Send it — it might be the next Pull-Up Pick.
👇 Your recommendations go here. Literally. 👇
Festive Fairy of Festive Fly and Tuko of Trukfoo
🚛 TRUKFOO: THE LOCAL FOODIE CHEAT CODE
Fredericksburg deserves better than guessing where to eat. Trukfoo gives locals early access — schedules, drop spots, menus, and the moments to pull up before the crowd.
🍊 FOR FOODIES — Be first to know
Get alerts before locations go public.
🚛 FOR FOOD TRUCKS — Claim your page
Post once → update everywhere.
📆 SATURDAY — Jan 3
🕹️ Southeastern Sports & TCG Expo
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM – 2371 Carl D Silver Pkwy, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Pokémon, trading cards, retro games, collectibles — hobby heaven.
🐴 Hazelwild Farm Equestrian Show
8:00 AM – 5325 Harrison Rd, Fredericksburg, VA 22407
A winter horse show with riders of all levels — perfect for families and equestrian fans.
😂 Comedy in “The Back Room” — FXBG Comedy Scene
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM – 911 Charles St, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Regional comics bring the heat. 21+, intimate venue, strong lineup.
🤼 Spotsylvania HS vs. Lightridge HS Wrestling Match
9:30 AM – Spotsylvania HS, 6975 Courthouse Rd, Spotsy, VA 22551
Local pride. Local noise. Local sports energy.
🌤️ SUNDAY • January 4, 2026
🏛️ Free Admission Sundays — Gari Melchers Home & Studio
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM – 224 Washington St, Falmouth, VA 22405
History, grounds, Belmont estate, and a zero-cost art experience.
💃 Swing Dance Lessons — 7-Week Kickoff
7:00 PM – 902 Caroline St, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Beginner friendly. Partner optional. Smiles guaranteed
Creator’s Corner
📸 Through the Lens of Brian Smith: A New Giant Rises in Spotsylvania
Kalahari Resorts & Convention Center photo by Brian Smith
This week, we're spotlighting something big — and we mean massive — happening right here in Spotsylvania County. Local creator Brian Smith took to the skies and captured a first-look at the construction of Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, the $900M destination rising right off I-95. His aerial shots show just how dramatic this project already is, even mid-build.
Kalahari Resorts & Convention Center photo by Brian Smith
This isn’t just another development — it’s a future anchor for tourism, jobs, and weekend plans that rewrite what “local entertainment” means for our region.
Kalahari Resorts & Convention Center photo by Brian Smith
🏗️ QUICK FACTS FROM BRIAN’S FLYOVER
175,000 sq ft indoor waterpark — one of the largest in the country
10 acres of outdoor pools & seasonal water attractions
900+ guest suites + 150,000 sq ft of convention space
Tom Foolerys Adventure Park: rides, bowling, arcade, and more
Target Opening: Late 2026 (mid-November)
Total Investment: Nearly $900 million into Spotsylvania County
📍 Why It Matters
Whether you’re excited, curious, or nervous about traffic — this project is going to change the map. New jobs, new tourism, new family spots, and yes… probably new conversations about I-95.
🚌 Brian’s Question to the Community
“How do you feel about this project coming to Spotsylvania? Pick your number.”
1️⃣ Awesome — we needed a major entertainment option
2️⃣ Excited for the jobs & economic boost
3️⃣ Concerned about the traffic/crowding on I-95
Tell us where you land — reply with 1, 2, or 3.
🚁 Want more views like this?
Follow Brian Smith on Facebook for aerial updates, new builds, and his journey across America — one flight at a time.
That’s a wrap on Edition #1. We post every Thursday, so if you want to make weekends easier — stick around.
If you liked this, share it with someone who:
Loves local food
Never knows what’s happening
Or needs a reason to leave the house
The more locals reading this, the better the city gets. 💜