The holiday season is here and most of us are looking for family events. I have put together this Holiday Event Guide in the Shenandoah to make your searching easier! This also includes some of the Roanoke Valley due to it’s close proximity. So put on your light up necklaces and have some fun!
Holiday Events in Roanoke Updated 2022
In Roanoke, you can look at beautiful lights in the woods at Illuminights in Explore Park. This is a newer experience to the area. Buy tickets ahead of time to go for a walk through the woods and see 600,00 lights and displays. There are also vendors, food trucks and roasting marshmallows at the end!
Dickens of a Christmas takes place the first three weekends of December. This event has lights, tree lighting and rides for the kids.
The Hotel Roanoke hosts the Fashions for Evergreens event. Guests will tour the hotel and take in all the trees in the halls. Vote for your favorite with a monetary donation or just enjoy the sights.
Also, the Salem Christmas Parade will be December 2.
This facebook group encourages people to announce where their personal lights are so you can do your own driving tour.
Interestingly, Terror Manor is doing a Haunted Christmas House called “Christmas Slaying” if you want something different!
Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge has listed several of the above items and a few more in surrounding areas such as Bedford, Franklin County and a few others.
Additionally, you could even take a limo around the area for Christmas Light Tours and then the whole family can snuggle up in the back seat.
Holiday Events in Lexington Area
The Buena Vista Parade is December 1.
The Lexington Parade is December 2 and usually there is hot chocolate handed out by local churches.
Glasgow parade is December 3 at 4 pm.
The Jingle Bell Run is December 3 and you are encouraged to wear costumes. There is a fun run/walk that is shorter, too.
Festival of Trees at Natural Bridge supports the food bank. Bring in food to donate to the tree that is your favorite or just enjoy the trees.
South River Fire Department parade will be December 10 at 6 pm.
The Rockbridge Symphony will have the Rockbridge Symphony Brass Christmas Concert at Hopkins Green on December 10 at 3 pm. Join members of the brass section and local musicians for holiday music.
Washington and Lee University will be presenting their Holiday Pops concert on December 5 and 6. Tickets are free with a non perishable food donation or a monetary donation to the Campus Kitchen.
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Holiday Events in Staunton
The Staunton Christmas Parade will be November 29 at 7.
At Gypsy Hill Park, you can enjoy 214 acres of light displays at The Celebration of Holiday Lights. It starts November 22 and local businesses put up displays. Watch out for the sea monster in the pond, too!
ShenanArts will present a Miracle on 34th Street based off the holiday classic and shows are December 2-4 and 9-11.
Saturdays in December, Staunton will have several holiday themed events from 10-2 such as Santa’s Sleigh with reindeer, Santa’s cottage and Santa’s downtown workshop.
Holiday Events in Harrisonburg
Harrisonburg will be hosting Winter Wonderfest. There will be carriage rides, live music, marching bands, movies, lights, Santa and much more! This also includes the parade.
Want to get out of town and try something great?
If you are looking for a Christmas getaway, I highly recommend Busch Gardens Christmas Town in Williamsburg. Also, King’s Dominion Winterfest is a fun trip for the family!
I hope this list will help you find some fun ways to celebrate the season. Remember, you can always have Lasagna Soup waiting for you when you get home from all this adventure! If you know of an event not listed please let me know and I can add it in!