Each year, the historic settlement of Rugby comes alive with Christmas spirit and celebrates the holidays as if it were still 1880, the year the town was settled. The village will bustle with children’s activities, caroling, craft demonstrations, holiday shopping and much more on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 4 to 9 p.m. EST (3-8 p.m. CST).
Highlights of the Victorian Christmas celebration include craft demonstrations, holiday music, children’s activities, a visit from Father Christmas and the sounds of carolers performing throughout the village. This year the event has expanded to include a showing of Scrooge (1935) at the Rugby Visitor Centre and visits from traditional Victorian Mummers, costumed performers that visit homes during the Christmas season, performing jokes and skits in exchange for food and drink.
Refreshments including cider, cookies and traditional British wassail, a hot mulled cider, will be served at the schoolhouse and visitor center. Admission for Christmas at Historic Rugby is $9/adults and $4/children for Historic Rugby members and $12/adults and $5/children for non-members. Event admission is available in advance by calling 423-628-2441 or upon arrival at the Rugby Visitor Centre. Lodging is available for visitors wishing to spend the weekend. For more information please visit http://www.historicrugby.org/.
Guests may also partake in a traditional four-course Christmas meal at Harrow Road Café that will feature a choice of roast goose breast or filet mignon, three sides, plum pudding or old-fashioned apple stack cake for dessert and cocktails. Price for the meal is $29/person and seatings are offered at 5:45 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. EST. Reservations are required in advance and can be made by calling 423 628-2441, or emailing rugbylegacy@highland.net.