HOLIDAY SEASON TREE AND LIGHT DISPLAYS
Illuminations Explore Park is happening at the Roanoke County
Explore Park November 22, 28-30 and December 5 – January 4! Enjoy
over 650,000 lights and unique displays along the ½ mile walking path
through the woods. The event will also feature a special Christmas
market, campfires, and materials for roasting marshmallows. Santa will
be onsite December 5-7 and 15-18, and they’re closed December 8-11,
24-25 and 29-1/1. Tickets must be purchased in advance via
https://www.showpass.com/illuminights-2025/ or by calling 540-387-6078
(56 Roanoke River Parkway Rd or 3900 Rutrough Rd)
Downtown Lynchburg Bright Nights Block Party is happening on
Sunday, November 23 from 4PM-8PM! The event includes festive
vendors, music, photo opportunities with Santa, and the annual Craddock
Terry hotel Christmas Tree lighting at 7PM. Enjoy over 30 Artisan
Vendors, Whoville Square, Trackless Train, Multiple Snow Simulator
Machines, Heritage Baptist Choir, Photo Ops & Letter Writing with Santa,
Bounce House, Nomad Movie Screen – Grinch (1966), Food Truck Zone,
BRIGHT NIGHTS Marquee Letters, DJ Malik Bringing all the Pop
Christmas Hits, Puppy Kissing Booth, Pony Carousel, Starr Hill Beer
Garden, Craddock Terry Tree Lighting, Academy Art Bus, Live-Action
Christmas Characters, 360 Photo Booth, Banaiah On-Site Screen Printing,
and so much more! Following the block party, visitors can enjoy the lights
on trees and the walk all season long through January 4! (Downtown
Lynchburg)
Deck the Rails is happening at the Virginia Museum of Transportation
in Roanoke from Wednesday, November 26 – Friday, January 2!
Walkthrough the festive holiday trees and holiday decorations in the
museum will provide great photo opportunities. They’re open Tuesday –
Saturday from 10AM-5PM and Sunday 1PM-5PM. (303 Norfolk Ave SW)
Fashions for Evergreens is happening at the Hotel Roanoke
Conference Center from Thursday, November 27 – Thursday, January
1 from 8AM-10PM! Walkthrough and enjoy over 30 beautifully decorated
trees displayed throughout the historic property. It's a great setting for
family holiday photos, and you can vote for your favorite trees which
support the local United Way. The trees are sponsored and decorated by
local businesses and organizations. (110 Shenandoah Ave, NE)
High Country Lights is happening in Galax at 6 PM nightly in Felts
Park November 27 – January 3! This musical light show features 125,000
Christmas lights choreographed to your favorite sounds of the season and
centers around fun, joy, and excitement for children of all ages. Enjoy
carriage rides, food trucks, Santa visits, and selfie areas that fill the park
with Christmas magic. Admission is free, and any cancellations will be
updated on their Facebook page or by calling 336.756.7529.
Presented by Johnson Family Chevrolet and hosted by the City of Galax
Tourism and Galax Parks and Recreation.
Land of Lights is happening at the Franklin County Recreation Park
Friday, November 28 – Thursday, December 25! This drive-thru display
is a 1/2 mile loop with over 50,000 Christmas lights and unique displays
with your entire family. The event is free to attend, but cash donations
are accepted. (2150 Sontag Rd, Rocky Mount)
Buchanan Festival of Lights is happening at Buchanan Town Park
Saturday, November 29 from 6PM-11 PM!
Bedford Festival of Trees is happening at the Bedford Area Welcome
Center from Sunday, November 30 – Sunday, January 4 from 9AM-
5PM! Walkthrough and enjoy a variety of trees decorated by local
businesses and organizations. Vote for your favorites with a $1 donation
to benefit local charities displayed. Extended hours December 5-7 and
12-14 until 8 PM. (816 Burks Hill Rd, Bedford)
The Appomattox Christmas Tree lighting is happening on Sunday,
November 30 at Courtland Park around 5:15 PM! The tree lighting will
follow the Christmas parade and include music, cookies, hot chocolate,
food vendors and more! (217 Atwood St)
Tree of Life Christmas Party and Tree Lighting Ceremony is
happening on Wednesday, December 3 at 7PM in Lynchburg! Join in
the front parking lot for a night filled with joy, worship, and community
fun. Enjoy s’mores, hot chocolate, light refreshments, and seeing our
campus light up for the season! Lights will remain throughout the holiday
season (2812 Greenview Dr)
The Flames of Memory at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford
Friday, December 5 from 5PM-9PM! Walkthrough this moving and
powerful scene each night to honor the 4,426 men killed on D-Day with
thousands of luminaries that shine in recognition of their sacrifice (3
Overlord Circle)
Delta Dental Dickens of a Christmas will feature the City of
Roanoke Christmas Tree Lighting on Friday, December 5 at 6:20
PM! This will occur on Salem Ave in the Plaza behind the Market
Building with a ceremony at 5:30 PM and live stage performances.
Join Centertown Bedford for a Christmas celebration on Saturday,
December 6! Enjoy a Christmas Classic 5K at 8:30 AM, town parade at
11AM, lighting festivities and guest appearances with Santa, The Grinch,
Hot Chocolate & Cider, Vendor Market, Kid activities, Live performances &
Music to put you in the holiday spirit! The day concludes with the
community Christmas Tree lighting at 6 PM. (Main St)
The Grandin Village WinterFest is happening on Saturday, December
6 from 3PM-7PM in Roanoke! The event will feature the Grandin
WinterFest Boogie Woogie Band featuring guest vocalists singing jazzy
holiday tunes, over 50 crafters and artists selling handmade goods, an Ugly
Sweater Contest For People & Pets, Santa onsite for photos, shops and
restaurants open, photo booth onsite, the Clean Valley Council’s Children’s
Area for ornament making and selfie taking, face painters, snowman stilt
walkers, and pipers piping carols during the Grandin Village Holiday Tree
lighting! (1320 Grandin Rd SW)
Spring Oak at Bedford “Elks Home” Lights Display in Bedford is
happening December 6-31 at from 5:30PM to 10PM! Enjoy this drive-
through light display with an optional donation. (931 Ashland Ave)
Join Old City Cemetery for their Victorian Tree Lighting on Saturday,
December 6 at 6:30 PM in Lynchburg! Get into the Christmas spirit with
the tree lighting and Christmas carols led by a local choral group. This
event is free and open to all. Parking will be first-come
first-serve on the grounds. (401 Taylor St)
Botetourt Chamber Tinsel Trail is happening at Historic Fincastle from
December 6-30! Get your camera ready to take pictures of the many
Christmas trees decorated by community businesses and organizations
in Fincastle and take a stroll through the charming downtown.
(Downtown Fincastle)
Lights at Legacy is happening in Lynchburg from December 7-31!
Enjoy this drive-through light display and bring a canned food item as a
donation if possible. (1971 English Tavern Rd)
Santa’s Winter Wonderland is happening at the Blue Ridge PBS on
December 11-23 (closed Mondays) from 6PM-9PM in Roanoke!
Children and adults alike will have a chance to see and enjoy a fantastic
light display during this one-of-a-kind, drive-thru holiday light
experience! Santa and Mrs. Clause appearances are on Fridays and
Sundays, along with special guest appearances from Pip’s Tips, Jingle
the North Pole Helper Elf, Elfie, their very own Elf on a Shelf, and the
Roanoke Grinch! The event is free to attend, but cash donations are
accepted. (1215 McNeil Dr, SW)
Natural Bridge Luminary Lights is happening December 12-21 from
5PM-9PM at the Natural Bridge State Park! Walkthrough and see the
bridge and the Cedar Creek Trail and under the Natural Bridge, lit up to
show the crags and clefts of the arch in festive colors. Back at the
pavilion, warm up around one of our campfires and relax with friends
and family or stop by to see Mr. and Mrs. Clause. Guests can register for
carriage rides along the luminary-lined banks of Cedar Creek on
December 14 and 21 by calling 540-254-0795. (6477 South Lee Hwy)
Delta Dental Dickens of a Christmas will feature the City of
Roanoke Christmas Parade on Friday, December 12 at 6:30 PM,
presented by Valley Star Credit Union! The parade begins on
Jefferson Street at Elm Avenue, turns onto Campbell Avenue, goes past
Market Square, and ends at Williamson Road. The parade is rain or
shine!
Delta Dental Dickens of a Christmas will feature the Roanoke Valley
SPCA Pet Costume Contest on Friday, December 19 at 6:30 PM!
The beloved Roanoke Valley SPCA Pet Costume Contest returns, taking
place on Salem Avenue at the Plaza behind the Market Building. Pet
owners may start registering their pets at 5:30pm the night of the event.
Categories: Best Holiday Theme, Crowd Favorite, Most Creative,
Funniest Costume, and Best Smile
Liberty Lake Park Lights Display is happening in Bedford in
December from 5PM to 11PM! Enjoy this drive-through light display during
the holiday season. (939 Burls Hill Rd)
