Event/Site: Christmas in Danbury in Downtown Danbury

Date: First Sunday after Thanksgiving, 2:00pm - 8:00pm.

Type: Afternoon festival with bluegrass, country, Moravian band music, pop, and Christmas music, culminating with the town's Christmas tree lighting at 5:30pm and caroling on the courthouse lawn.

Location: Located in downtown Danbury. Music takes place at the Dan River Art Market 502 (N.) Main St., as well as at the Artist's Way Café on 508 (N.) Main St. From I-40 Business, take US Hwy 311 North through Walnut Cove. About 1 mile past Walnut Cove, take NC Hwy 89 North about 8 miles to Danbury. NC Hwy 89 goes through downtown Danbury. Click here for a map.

Cost: Free.

Parking: Free. Parking adequate for bus tours.

Special Needs Access: Venue is fully accessible.

Signage: Signs at location, but not en route.

Sponsor: Stokes County Arts Council

Contact:
Sara Giroux or staff on duty
Stokes County Arts Council
PO Box 66
Danbury, NC 27016
(336) 593-8159
stokesarts@mindspring.com

Description of Event: Several hundred people visit downtown Danbury for the festive Christmas in Danbury. They are welcomed by Arts Council members wearing old English dress and treated to music as well as arts and crafts at the Dan River Arts Market. The sprawling building, with its wooden floors and appealing display cases, rings with the eclectic music traditions of the region, including bluegrass, country, and Moravian band music. The local restaurant and bakery are open with special pastries and coffees, and Santa is on hand for pictures. As evening falls, the town's tree lighting takes place on the courthouse lawn, and the crowd gathered joins in singing Christmas carols.

History of Site/Event: The event began in 2001.

Description of Site/Facility: On the first Sunday after Thanksgiving, much of tiny downtown Danbury is lit for the season and open to the community and visitors for holiday shopping and fellowship. All of this happens within easy walking distance, and police officers are on hand to assist pedestrians back and forth across Main Street.

Significance of Site/Event to the Community: Danbury is known as "The Gateway to the Mountains" and retains much of the character it developed as a 19th century mineral springs resort. "Christmas in Danbury" builds on the historic charm of the area and serves as a catalyst to bring residents in the town and surrounding communities together during the holiday season, generate business, and provide another public venue that showcases the region's exceptional musicians and artists.

Note: The inherent compatibility of visual arts and music, and the availability of a setting such as the Dan River Arts Market for bringing the two together, proved such a successful combination that the Stokes County Arts Council has begun sponsoring a winter-summer series using the same formula. "The Coffeehouse" at the Artist's Way Café on Main St. is held the last Friday of the month, January through April. "Picking On The Porch", held on the deck of the Dan River Arts Market the last Friday of the month May-September from 5pm - 8pm, features fine local musicians in impromptu sessions.