Photo: David Hungate

The Dickens of Christmas tree lighting takes place in downtown Roanoke.

Perfect setting: Holidays in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains

Virginia,
© 2011 Group Tour Media
November 11, 2011

ROANOKE, Va. - As the holiday spirit begins to fill the  air, the Roanoke Valley transforms into an inviting scene for events, shopping and dining.  

You'll find all three at one of the most classic holiday experiences in the valley, Dickens of Christmas. This event is regularly rated among the Top 20 Events by the Southeast Tourism Society and takes place in downtown Roanoke. Featured are carriage rides, a Christmas parade, tree lighting, street performances, caroling, costume contests and more set among many vibrant shops that are all very walkable.

As part of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, even the trees transform to become part of the celebration. Enjoy the festive decorations and get ideas for decorating your own Christmas tree by visiting Fashions for Evergreens, a tree competition at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center that showcases 25 professionally designed and decorated trees. 

Along with ideas for decorating your tree, pick up some tips for home decorating on the Old Southwest Holiday Parlor Tour. The parlor tour showcases many of the beautiful homes that are decorated for the holidays in one of the Roanoke Valley's most historic communities. 

The excitement begins during the local communities' holiday parades. The first is the Grandin Village Holiday Children's Parade, which is always the Saturday prior to Thanksgiving. While there, grab a white peppermint cupcake from Viva La Cupcake to give your taste buds a sample of the season. Start off December by attending the Vinton Christmas Parade in neighboring Vinton, or the Salem Christmas Parade, which is set along Main Street in the city's downtown.

In addition to enjoying the holiday spirit in the streets, the Roanoke Valley also celebrates the holidays with its railroad heritage. The O. Winston Link Museum welcomes Santa as he rides into the city waving from the back of a red caboose. Santa's ride into Roanoke has become an annual event and additional activities include: sing-a-longs, crafts, snacks and performers from Southwest Virginia Ballet's The Nutcracker.

For a historical perspective on the holidays, step back in time at the Booker T. Washington Christmas in Ole Virginia celebration at the Booker T. Washington National Monument in Hardy. The monument features costumed interpreters and provides a portrayal of where Booker T. Washington celebrated Christmas during his childhood as a slave. The celebration also includes music, refreshments and children's activities.

	Photo: The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center
	Fashions for Evergreens at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center showcases 25 professionally designed and decorated trees.

The Roanoke Valley will also host several special performances. The musical, Scrooge, and the Southwest Virginia Ballet's The Nutcracker  are both performed at the Roanoke Civic Center. Also, the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra performs their Holiday Pops Spectacular at the Salem Civic Center. 

When it comes to specialty shopping, the Roanoke Valley offers great additions to gift lists and provides the perfect presents for friends and family. Pick up a lightweight rod and reel for a fly fisherman from Orvis, a sweet treat for the chocoholic from Chocolatepaper or a special souvenir from the gift shops at the Virginia Museum of Transportation or the Mill Mountain Zoo.

The Roanoke Valley offers the complete holiday experience. Between shopping, accommodations, dining, festivals, special performances and  more, the calendar is filled with fun activities. Check the specials and offers section of the Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau website for discounts and special packages to enhance your time in the Roanoke Valley. 

Here is a sample events list for the season. Visit www.visitroanokeva.com for continuing updates, locations and contact details.

2011 Holiday events calendar

Nov. 19 - Grandin Village Holiday Children's Parade - Grandin Village

Nov. 19 - Southwest Virginia Ballet's Nutcracker Ball - The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center

Nov. 24-Jan. 1 - Fashion for Evergreens - The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center

Nov. 25-Dec. 23 - Fantasyland - History Museum of Western Virginia

Nov. 26 - Virginia Dare Flotilla for Toys Boat Parade - Smith Mountain Lake

Nov. 26 - Christmas Open House - The Little Gallery at Smith Mountain Lake, Bridgewater Plaza

Nov. 26-27 - Christmas Time's A Coming Open House - Peaks of Otter Winery, Bedford

Nov. 30-Dec. 11 - A Christmas Carol - Showtimers Theater

Dec. 1 - Vinton Christmas Parade - Downtown Vinton

Dec. 1-3 - Scrooge by New Century Church - Roanoke Performing Arts Theater - Roanoke Civic Center

Dec. 2 - Salem Christmas Parade - Main Street, Salem

Dec. 2 - Roanoke Holiday Tree Lighting at Dickens of a Christmas - Downtown Roanoke

Dec. 3 - Christmas Days in Ole Virginia - Booker T. Washington National Monument, Hardy

Dec. 3 - Come Home to Franklin County Christmas - Rocky Mount

Dec. 3 - Santa by Rail - O. Winston Link Museum

Dec. 3 - Gingerbread Festival - Longwood Park, Salem

Dec. 3-4 - Old Southwest Parlor Tour - Old Southwest Neighborhood, Roanoke

Dec. 3-4 - Christmas Time's A Coming Open House - Peaks of Otter Winery, Bedford

Dec. 3 - 4 - Holiday Open House - Chateau Morrisette Winery & Restaurant, Floyd

Dec. 4 - Handel's Messiah by the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra - Jefferson Center

Dec. 4 - Rocky Mount Christmas Parade - Downtown Rocky Mount

Dec. 5 - Roanoke County Holiday Tree Lighting - Green Ridge Recreation Center

Dec. 9 - Roanoke Holiday Parade at Dickens of a Christmas - Downtown Roanoke

Dec. 9 - Holiday Pops Spectacular by the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra - Salem Civic Center

Dec. 10 - CHIP's Breakfast with Santa - The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center

Dec. 10-11 - Holiday Open House - Chateau Morrisette Winery & Restaurant, Floyd

Dec. 10-11 - Southwest Virginia Ballet's The Nutcracker - Roanoke Performing Arts Theater - Roanoke Civic Center

Dec. 10-11 - Christmas Time's A Coming Open House - Peaks of Otter Winery, Bedford

Dec. 10-11 - Holly Days - AmRhein's Wine Cellars, Bent Mountain

Dec. 16 - Pet Costume Contest at Dickens of a Christmas - Downtown Roanoke

Dec. 17-18 - Christmas Time's A Coming Open House - Peaks of Otter Winery, Bedford

Dec. 31 - New Year's Eve at Chateau Morrisette - Floyd

Dec. 31 - New Year's Eve Gala - Natural Bridge Hotel & Conference Center

Dec. 31 - Vinton's New Year's Eve Gala - Vinton War Memorial

To find out more, visit www.visitroanokeva.com, stop by the Roanoke Valley Visitor Information Center at 101 Shenandoah Ave. NE, Roanoke, VA, 24016 or call (800) 635-5535.