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Your guide to the best of the holiday season in Virginia's Blue Ridge!
Roanoke Holiday Events
Christmas & Holiday Events in Virginia's Blue Ridge
We love the holiday season in the Roanoke Region in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains!
It’s a special time of year for making memories with family and friends, and there are many exciting events, activities, and annual traditions & celebrations to include in your experience.
We invite you to enjoy the magic of the holidays in Virginia’s Blue Ridge.
Here is your guide to 2023 holiday events and festivals in the region. Remember, many events will incorporate multiple items, such as food & drink, live music, and family fun. Check all the categories to find fun things to do during your holiday visit to Virginia’s Blue Ridge!
- Holiday Parades
- Light Shows | Tree Displays | Tree Lightings
- Holiday Festivals
- Concerts | Performances | Shows
- Holiday Open Houses | Christmas Markets | Shopping
- Holiday Food & Drink Fun
- Historical Holiday Events & Tours
- Fun Runs, Rides & Races
- New Year's Eve Events
- Other Holiday Activities
NOTE: This list is regularly updated as more events are announced and added to the calendar. All info is subject to change. Please check event websites and social media pages for the most updated information.
Holiday Parades
Take part in the parades that showcase our vibrant neighborhoods and communities, as well as local organizations and companies that create impressive floats and holiday decorations.
- Grandin Village Holiday Children’s Parade | Historic Grandin Village | November 18
- Vinton Christmas Parade | Downtown Vinton | November 30
- City of Salem Christmas Parade | Downtown Salem | December 1
- Biggest Little Christmas Parade | Rocky Mount | December 1
- Town of Fincastle Christmas Parade | Historic Fincastle | December 2
- Craig County Christmas Parade | New Castle | December 2
- City of Roanoke Christmas Parade (pictured above) | Downtown Roanoke | December 8
- Buchanan Christmas Parade | Downtown Buchanan | December 9
Light Shows | Tree Displays | Tree Lightings | Decorations
As home to a mountain with a giant neon star on top of it that was initially built as a holiday decoration (Learn More: Roanoke Star >), you know we make light shows and tree displays a big part of the holiday celebration in Virginia’s Blue Ridge!
- Illuminights (pictured above) | Roanoke County’s Explore Park | November 18 - December 30
- Bedford Festival of Trees | Bedford Welcome Center | November 21 - January 5
- Land of Lights | Franklin County Recreation Park | November 23 - December 25
- Fashions for Evergreens | The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center | November 23 - January 1
- Grand Illumination at Mountain Lake | Mountain Lake Lodge | November 24
- Festival of Trees | Natural Bridge State Park | November 24 - December 31
- Buchanan Christmas Tree Lighting | Town of Buchanan | November 25
- Buchanan Festival of Trees | Town of Buchanan | November 25 - January 1
- Deck the Rails | Virginia Museum of Transportation | November 28 - December 31
- City of Roanoke Christmas Tree Lighting | Downtown Roanoke | December 1
- City of Salem Christmas Tree Lighting | Salem Public Library | December 1
- Franklin County Christmas Tree Lighting | Rocky Mount | December 1
- Buchanan Festival of Lights | Buchanan Town Park | December 3 - January 1
- 4th Annual Botetourt Chamber Tinsel Trail | Downtown Fincastle | December 1 - January 1
- O' Holy Bright Drive Thru Christmas Lights | St. Mark's United Methodist Church | December 2-24 (Fridays & Saturdays | Christmas Eve)
- 20th Annual Roanoke County Christmas Tree Lighting | South County Library | December 4
- Luminary Nights at Natural Bridge | Natural Bridge State Park | December 8-17
- Live Nativity | Shenandoah Baptist Church | December 8-17
- Santa's Winter Wonderland | Blue Ridge PBS | December 8-23 (Wednesday - Sunday)
- Buchanan Christmas Eve Luminaries | Buchanan | December 24
Learn More: Christmas Lights & Decorations in VBR >
Holiday Festivals
Chestnuts are roasting, carolers are singing, and other classic traditions are part of the popular holiday festivals throughout the region.
- Delta Dental Dickens of a Christmas | Downtown Roanoke | December 1, 8, 15
- Come Home to a Franklin County Christmas (pictured above) | Downtown Rocky Mount | December 1
- 2023 Gingerbread Festival | Longwood Park & Salem Museum | December 2
- Grandin Village Winterfest | Historic Grandin Village | December 2
- Candy Cane Express | Virginia Museum of Transportation | December 2-3
- The Peaks Holiday Fest & Artisan Fair | The Peaks Retreat & Adventure Center | December 9
Concerts | Performances | Shows
Singing along to your favorite Christmas songs and enjoying performances of timeless holiday stories are exciting ways to enjoy the arts & culture of Virginia’s Blue Ridge.
- Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet | Jefferson Center | November 22
- Martina McBride: Joy of Christmas 2023 Tour | Berglund Center | November 25
- Elf the Musical | Mill Mountain Theatre | November 29 - December 23
- Holiday Late Nights: Let's Dance Band | Taubman Museum of Art | December 1
- Roanoke Symphony Orchestra: Holiday Pops Spectacular | Salem Civic Center - December 1 | Moss Arts Center at Virginia Tech - December 2
- A Very Merry Larry Keel Experience w. Colby T. Helms & The Virginia Creepers | 5 Points Music Sanctuary | December 2
- Roanoke Valley Children's Choir Holiday Sing-along | Taubman Museum of Art | December 2
- Hollins Winter Choir Concert | Hollins University | December 3
- Mannheim Steamroller Christmas | Salem Civic Center | December 3
- A Sense of Place, the Grid Art Show | The Market Gallery | December 3
- Roanoke Symphony Orchestra Youth Strings Concert | Taubman Museum of Art | December 3
- Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas | Sale Theatre - Ferrum College | December 5-17
- A Christmas Carol | Attic Productions | December 7-17
- Lost in Yonkers | Showtimers Community Theatre | December 7-17
- Holiday Brass | Cave Spring United Methodist Church | December 8
- Chatham County Line - Electric Holiday Tour | 5 Points Music Sanctuary | December 8
- Holiday Classics: Elf - 20th Anniversary | Grandin Theatre | December 8
- SWVA Ballet’s The Nutcracker | Berglund Center | December 9-10
- Handel’s Messiah | Jefferson Center | December 12
- A Charlie Brown Christmas - Live on Stage | Berglund Center | December 14
- Johnny King & Friends - Christmas and a Case of the Blues | 5 Points Music Sanctuary | December 14
- Sexbruise? A Christmastime Spectacular | 5 Points Music Sanctuary | December 15
- Holiday Classics: Scrooged | Grandin Theatre | December 15
- Christmas Movie Night: The Santa Clause | Salem Memorial Ballpark | December 15
- Cherry Poppin’ Daddies Tiki Xmas | Harvester Performance Center | December 16
- Roanoke Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker (pictured above) | Jefferson Center | December 16-17
- Blacksburg Master Chorale: Messiah | Moss Arts Center at Virginia Tech | December 17
- Broadway in Roanoke: Cirque Dreams Holidaze | Berglund Center | December 20
- Isaac Hadden Family Christmas Jam | 5 Points Music Sanctuary | December 22
- Holiday Classics: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation | Grandin Theatre | December 22
- Holiday Classics: It's A Wonderful Life | Grandin Theatre | December 23
Holiday Open Houses | Christmas Markets | Shopping
Historic homes and museums are beautifully decorated for the holidays. There are some great local holiday markets for shopping and finding the perfect gift.
- Black Dog Salvage Holiday Open House | Black Dog Salvage | November 4
- Yuletide Market | Virginia Mountain Vineyards | November 4
- 35th Annual Stocked Market | Berglund Center | November 10-12
- Holiday Craft & Gift Show | Lord Botetourt High School | November 11
- November Holiday Market | Botetourt Farmers Market | November 18
- Magical Christmas Village & Market Place | Mountain Lake Lodge | November 24 - December 24
- Buchanan Small Business Saturday Celebration | Main Street Buchanan | November 25
- Dilly Dally Christmas Market | The Dilly Dally - Salem | November 25
- Downtown Roanoke Small Business Saturday | Various Locations | November 25
- Clay Christmas Tree Workshop & After Hours Shopping | Two and a Half Sisters | November 30
- Salem Crafty Christmas | Salem Farmers Market | December 2
- 8th Annual Holiday Craft & Vendor Show | Berglund Center | December 2-3
- Parade Fashion Show | She's International Boutique (Roanoke City Christmas Parade) | December 8
- Buchanan Christmas Market | Town of Buchanan | December 9
- Salem Holiday Market | Salem Civic Center | December 9-10
- Wasena Last Minute Market | Roanoke Mountain Adventures | December 13
- December Holiday Market | Botetourt Farmers Market | December 16
- Free Holiday Open House at Fishburn Mansion | Historic Fishburn Mansion | December 17
Learn More: Christmas & Holiday Shopping in VBR >
Holiday Food & Drink Fun
Calories don’t count during the holidays, right? We’re pretty sure that’s a rule. Indulge in delicious celebrations at these local holiday events centered around food & drink.
- Sinkland Farms Wine Festival | Sinkland Farms | November 4-5
- Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival | Poplar Forest | November 11
- The Grand Thanksgiving Buffet | The Regency Room at The Hotel Roanoke | November 23
- Thanksgiving Champagne Mimosa Brunch | Living Proof Beer Co. | November 25
- Gingerbread House Competition | Salem Museum | November 28 - December 1
- Chris’s Cocoa & Cookies with Santa | Chris’s Coffee & Custard | November 30 - December 2
- 22nd Annual Breakfast with Santa | The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center | December 2
- Pines & Pints - Wreath Decorating Workshop | Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen & Brewery | December 7
- Pajama Themed Holiday Blowout | Living Proof Beer Co. | December 9
- A Christmas Carol Character Brunch | Attic Productions | December 9
- Christmas Storytime & Breakfast with Santa | Twin Creeks Brewpub - Explore Park | December 9
- Caroling, Craft Beer, and Celtic Christmas with Kinnfolk | Twin Creeks Brewing Company | December 10
- Holiday Candlelight Wine Dinner | Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest | December 9 & 16
- Christmas Storytime | Twin Creeks Brewing Co. | December 17
- Ugly Christmas Sweater Party | Big Lick Brewing Company | December 22
Learn More: Holiday Flavors in VBR >
Historical Holiday Events & Tours
Step back in time at the historical sites and attractions in the region that offer a unique holiday twist on the experience.
- Holiday Candlelight Tours (pictured above) | Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest | November 30 - December 15
- Botetourt County Historical Museum Holiday Open House | Botetourt County Historical Museum | December 1
- Flames of Memory | National D-Day Memorial | December 1-3
- Christmas in Wartime | National D-Day Memorial | December 2
- An Old Virginia Christmas | Booker T. Washington National Monument | December 2
- Old Southwest Holiday Parlor Tours | Old Southwest Roanoke | December 2-3
- Fantasyland 2023 | O. Winston Link Museum | December 2-16
- Daytime Holiday Tours | Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest | December 7, 16, 21
- Historic Fincastle Holiday Home Tour & Marketplace | Historic Fincastle | December 9
- Candlelight Christmas Tours | Historic Fishburn Mansion | December 14-15
- Christmas at the 1800 Farm | Blue Ridge Institute & Museum | December 15
- Home Alive in '45: a WWII Christmas Celebration | Salem Museum | December 16
Fun Runs, Rides, Races, Sporting Events
We stay active throughout the year in Virginia’s Blue Ridge, including during the holiday season, with various holiday-themed bicycle rides, races, and other sporting events.
- Youth Mountain Bike Race | Waid Park | November 4
- VHSL State Cross Country Championships | Green Hill Park | November 9-11
- CIAA Football Championship | Salem Football Stadium | November 11
- Star City Half Marathon & 10K | River’s Edge Park | November 18
- VHSL Volleyball Championships | Salem Civic Center | November 18-19
- The Rescue Mission of Roanoke Drumstick DASH | Downtown Roanoke | November 23
- NCAA Division III Men’s & Women’s Soccer Championships | Kerr Stadium - Roanoke College | November 30 - December 2
- VHSL State Football Championship | Salem Football Stadium | December 9
- Happy Valley Grit Gravel Race | Carvins Cove | December 10
- 2023 Holiday Lights Tour (pictured above) | Cardinal Bicycle - Grandin Village | December 12
- Stagg Bowl - NCAA Division III Football Championship | Salem Football Stadium | December 15
- Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs Ice Hockey | Berglund Center | Various Dates
- 8th Annual Grandin Holiday Lights Extravaganza | Historic Grandin Village | December 18
- Holiday E-Bike Tours | Roanoke Mountain Adventures | Offered on Weekends
New Year's Eve Events
Ring in the new year at the New Year's Eve parties & celebrations in Virginia's Blue Ridge. There are formal events where you can put on your finest attire and celebrate in style, or more casual, family-friendly parties that don't even require staying up late!
- Fincastle Ringing of the Bells | Historic Fincastle
- Preceptor Omicron's New Year's Eve Gala Celebration | The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center
- The Regency Room New Year's Eve Dinner Celebration | The Regency Room at The Hotel Roanoke
- The Pine Room New Year's Eve Dinner Celebration | The Pine Room at The Hotel Roanoke
- Light It Up New Year's Celebration at Mountain Lake | Mountain Lake Lodge
- New Year's Day Breakfast & Brunch | The Regency Room at The Hotel Roanoke
- 8th Annual New Year's Eve Dinner & Dance | The Floyd Country Store
- VIRTUAL New Year's Eve Murder Mystery | Jump Into Mystery - Virtual Event
New Year's Eve Celebrations in Virginia's Blue Ridge >
Other Holiday Activities
It’s hard to contain the holiday excitement and cheer with so many fun things on the calendar during this time of year. Here are some other fun things to do during the holiday season in Virginia’s Blue Ridge.
- The Christmas Train | Salem Museum | November 18 - January 27
- The Elf on the Shelf Adventure | Participating Locations - Downtown Roanoke | November 22 - December 15
- WDBJ7’s Elmwood On Ice (pictured above) | Elmwood Park | November 24 - January 28
- Winter Wreath Fundraiser/Wreath Decorating | Grandin Village | December 2
- Murder Under the Mistletoe Murder Mystery | Beliveau Farm Winery | December 9
- Jump Into Mystery: Tacky Sweater Murder Mystery | Well Hung Vineyard | December 10
- Salts & Swags Holiday Workshop | Southlake Spa & Salt Room | December 10
- Vinton’s Santa Crawl | Vinton Area | December 12
- Dickens of a Christmas Pet Costume Contest | Downtown Roanoke | December 15
- Winter Solstice Celebration | Fishburn Mansion | December 21
- Ice Bumper Cars | Berglund Center | Various Dates
- Public Ice Skating | Berglund Center | Various Dates
For a complete list of upcoming events in Virginia’s Blue Ridge, check our Calendar of Events. You can also sign up to receive our monthly e-newsletter and follow us on social media.
Visit our Holidays section for more resources to help you plan your next visit!
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