Roanoke Holiday Events

Christmas & Holiday Events in Virginia's Blue Ridge

We love the holiday season in the Roanoke Valley in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains!

It’s a special time of year for making memories with family and friends, and there are lots of great 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 2022 holiday events and festivals in the region. Keep in mind, many events will incorporate multiple items, such as food & drink, live music, and family fun, so 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 | 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 | Grandin Village | November 19
• Vinton Christmas Parade | Downtown Vinton | December 1
• City of Salem Christmas Parade | Downtown Salem | December 2
• City of Roanoke Christmas Parade (pictured above) | Downtown Roanoke | December 9
• Buchanan Christmas Parade | Downtown Buchanan | December 10

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Light Shows | Tree Displays | Tree Lightings | Decorations

As home to a mountain with a giant neon star on top of it that was originally 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 19 - December 30
• Bedford Festival of Trees | Bedford Area Welcome Center | November 22 - January 6 
• Land of Lights | Franklin County Recreation Park | November 24 - December 25
• Fashions for Evergreens | The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center | November 24 - January 1
• Fashions for Evergreens at Virginia Tech | The Inn at Virginia Tech & Skelton Conference Center | November 24 - January 1
• Parade of Christmas Trees | Vinton War Memorial | November 24 - January 2
• Franklin County Christmas Tree Lighting | Franklin County Courthouse | November 25
• Do You Want to Build a Snowman Trail | Town of Rocky Mount | November 25 - December 31
• Natural Bridge Festival of Trees | Natural Bridge State Park | November 25 - December 31
• Buchanan Tree Lighting | Town of Buchanan | November 26
• Buchanan Festival of Trees | Main Street Library - Buchanan | November 26 - January 1
• A Celebration of Life & Lights | Richfield Living | November 29
• Deck the Rails | Virginia Museum of Transportation | December 1-31
• City of Roanoke Christmas Tree Lighting - Dickens of a Christmas | December 2 | Downtown Roanoke
• City of Salem Christmas Tree Lighting | Salem Farmers Market | December 2
• Grand Illumination - Buchanan Festival of Lights | Buchanan Town Park | December 2-3
• 3rd Annual First Bank Tinsel Trail | Historic Fincastle | December 2 - January 1
• Live Outdoor Nativity | Bethlehem Church of the Brethren | December 3
• Hermitage Roanoke Festival of Lights | Hermitage Roanoke | December 3 - January 1
• Old Southwest Festival of Lights | Old Southwest Roanoke | December 3-31
• Buchanan Festival of Lights | Buchanan Town Park | December 4 - January 1
• Natural Bridge Luminary Nights | Natural Bridge State Park | December 9-11 & 16-18
• Live Nativity | Shenandoah Baptist Church | December 9-11 & 16-18
• O' Holy Bright Drive Thru Christmas Lights | St. Mark's United Methodist Church | December 2-4, 9-11, 16-18, & 24
• Miracle on 9th Street: A Blue Ridge Christmas | Center on 9th | December 17-18 
• Christmas Eve Luminaries | Town of Buchanan | December 24

Learn More: Christmas Lights & Decorations in VBR >

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Holiday Festivals

Chestnuts are roasting, carolers are singing, and other classic traditions are part of the popular holiday festivals throughout the region.

• The Roanoke Times Dickens of a Christmas | Downtown Roanoke | December 2, 9, 16
• Come Home to a Franklin County Christmas (pictured above) | Downtown Rocky Mount | December 2 
• Grandin Village Winterfest | Grandin Village | December 3

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Concerts | Performances | Shows

Singing along to your favorite Christmas songs and enjoying performances of timeless holiday stories are wonderful ways to enjoy the arts & culture of Virginia’s Blue Ridge.

• Spirit FM Drine-In Movie: Polar Express | Salem Civic Center | November 6
• Nutcracker! Magic of Christmas Ballet | Jefferson Center | November 22
• A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage | Berglund Center | November 23
• We Need a Little Christmas Holiday Concert | First Evangelical Presbyterian Church | November 28
• Holiday Inn | Mill Mountain Theatre | November 30 - December 23
• Roanoke Symphony Orchestra: Holiday POPS! | Salem Civic Center - December 2 | Moss Arts Center at Virginia Tech - December 3
• Mannheim Steamroller Christmas | Berglund Center | December 2
• Holiday Late Nights | Taubman Museum of Art | December 2, 9, 16
• Roanoke Valley Children's Choir - Community Carol Sing-A-Long | Taubman Museum of Art | December 3
• Winds of the Blue Ridge - Holiday Jubilee | William Fleming High School | December 5
• Christmas Belles | Attic Productions | December 8-18
• Roanoke Symphony Orchestra: Holiday Brass | Cave Spring United Methodist Church | December 9
• Beats, Brews and Buddies: Songwriters in the Round - Christmas Special | The Spot on Kirk | December 10
• SWVA Ballet’s The Nutcracker | Berglund Center | December 10-11
• Classic Film Series: Holiday | Grandin Theatre | December 10
• Salem Red Sox Movie Night: Elf | Salem Memorial Ballpark | December 10
• Roanoke Valley Children's Choir Annual Holiday Concert - Songs of the Season | Church of the Holy Spirit | December 10
• Roanoke Symphony Orchestra: Handel’s Messiah | Parkway Church on the Mountain | December 13
• Free Holiday Singing Classes | Bethel Baptist Church | December 15
• Christmas with the Templetons | Essig Recreation Center | December 16
• Roanoke Ballet Theatre - The Nutcracker (pictured above) | Jefferson Center | December 17
• 15th Annual Xmas Jam | Martin's Downtown Bar & Grill | December 17
• Roanoke Symphony Orchestra - Youth Strings Concert | Taubman Museum of Art | December 18

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Holiday Open Houses | Markets | Shopping

Historic homes and museums are beautifully decorated for the holidays, and there are some great local holiday markets for shopping and finding the perfect gift.

• Black Dog Salvage Holiday Open House | Black Dog Salvage | November 5
• 2022 Stocked Market | Berglund Center | November 11-13
• Holiday Gift & Craft Show | Lord Botetourt High School | November 12
• Lackey Studio & Art Gallery Holiday Open House | Lackey Studio & Art Gallery | November 19
• November Holiday Market | Botetourt Farmers Market | November 19
• Holiday Artisan Market | Roanoke County’s Explore Park | November 19 - December 30
• Buchanan Small Business Saturday | Main Street - Buchanan | November 26
• Downtown Roanoke Small Business Saturday | Downtown Roanoke | November 26
• 6th Annual Mistletoe Market | Holiday Inn Tanglewood - Roanoke | November 26
• The Ultimate Urban Market Pop-Up | Verses | November 26
• Grandin Village Small Business Saturday | Historic Grandin Village | November 26
• The Dilly Dally Christmas Market | The Dilly Dally | November 26
• 7th Annual Holiday Craft & Vendor Show | Berglund Center | December 3-4
• A Country Christmas | Beaver Dam Farm | December 3
• Salem Crafty Christmas | Salem Farmers Market | December 3
• Meet & Greet with Santa | The French Farmhouse | December 9
• Holiday Nights in Grandin Village | Historic Grandin Village | December 8, 15, 22
• Historic Fincastle Art & Craft Holiday Marketplace | Fincastle Baptist Church | December 10
• Buchanan Christmas Market | Town of Buchanan | December 10
• Salem Holiday Market | Salem Civic Center | December 10-11
• Wasena Last Minute Market | Roanoke Mountain Adventures | December 14
• Big Lick Comics Magical Christmas Party | Big Lick Comics | December 17
• The Holiday Market | AvenueBlack Boutique | December 17

Learn More: Christmas & Holiday Shopping in VBR >

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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.

• Yuletide Market | Virginia Mountain Vineyards | November 5
• Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival | Poplar Forest | November 12
• Alton Brown: LIVE | Berglund Center | November 17
• Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs: Fall Food Drive & Friendsgiving | Berglund Center | November 23
• Thanksgiving in the Barn | New Freedom Farm | November 24
• The Grand Thanksgiving Buffet Celebration | The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center | November 24
• Holiday Spirits Tree Lighting & Cocktail Party | Roanoke City Market Building | November 25
• Gingerbread House Competition (pictured above) | Salem Museum | November 26 - December 3
• Cocoa & Cookies with Santa | Chris's Coffee & Custard | December 1-3
• Sycamore Snacks Christmas Market | Sycamore Snacks | December 2
• S'Mores on the Patio | The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center | December 2-31 (Fridays & Saturdays)
• A Tacky Christmas Sweater Whodunnit | Beliveau Farm Winery | December 3
• Breakfast with Santa | The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center | December 3
• Gingerbread Festival | Longwood Park | December 3
• Living Proof Christmas Party | Living Proof Beer Co. | December 3
• Hometown Gingerbread Trail | Various Locations - Salem & Roanoke County | December 3-31
• Foodie Holiday Market | Gatewood Rose | December 4
• Wine & Art Wednesday: "Hangin' with My Gnomies" Needle Felted Ornaments | Crafteria: Handmade Food & Goods | December 7
• Tacky Christmas Sweater Murder Mystery | Chaos Mountain Brewing | December 8
• Hardywood Christmas Beer Party | Town Center Tap House | December 8
• Midday Holiday Market | RND Coffee Vinton | December 10
• Celtic Christmas Caroling & Craft Beer | Twin Creeks Brewing Company | December 11
• Deadly Holly-Days Murder Mystery | Stoney Brook Vineyards | December 15
• Santa's Candy Cane Hunt | Fishburn Mansion | December 17
• Tacky Sweater Murder Mystery Dinner | Well Hung Vineyard | December 18
• Photos with Santa | One Love Coffee House | December 18
• Deck the Hops and Drink Our Barley | Big Lick Brewing Company | December 23
• Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Buffet Celebration | The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center | December 24-25

Learn More: Holiday Flavors in VBR >

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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 | Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest (pictured above) | December 1-9
• Flames of Memory | National D-Day Memorial | December 2-4
• An Old Virginia Christmas | Booker T. Washington National Monument | December 3
• 41st Annual Old Southwest Holiday Parlor Tour | Old Southwest Roanoke | December 3-4
• Candlelight Christmas Tours | Historic Fishburn Mansion | December 8-9
• Holiday Open House | Historic Fishburn Mansion | December 11
• Christmas at the Farm | Blue Ridge Institute & Museum | December 16
• Home Alive in '45: A World War II Christmas Celebration | National D-Day Memorial | December 17
• Fantasyland | History Museum of Western Virginia | December 17

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Fun Runs, Rides, Races, Sporting Events

We stay active throughout the year in Virginia’s Blue Ridge, including during the holiday season, with a variety of holiday themed bicycle rides, races, and other sporting events.

• CIAA Volleyball Conference Championship | Salem Civic Center | November 12
• CIAA Football Conference Championship | Salem Football Stadium | November 12
• VHSL State Cross Country Championship | Green Hill Park | November 13
• Star City Half Marathon & 10K | River’s Edge Park | November 19
• Cranksgiving 2022 | Twisted Track Brewpub | November 20
• VHSL State Volleyball Championship | Salem Civic Center | November 20
• The Rescue Mission of Roanoke Drumstick DASH | River’s Edge Park | November 24
• NCAA Men’s & Women’s DIII Soccer National Championships | Roanoke College - Kerr Stadium | December 2-3
• VHSL State Football Championship | Salem Football Stadium | December 11
• 7th Annual Grandin Holiday Lights Extravaganza Run/Walk | Historic Grandin Village | December 19
• 2022 Holiday Lights Tour Bicycle Ride | Historic Grandin Village | December 20
• Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs - Christmas Eve’s Eve | Berglund Center | December 23

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New Year's Eve Events 

Ring in the new year by taking part in our 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!

• ValleyStar Big Lick Downtown Countdown | Market Square
• Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs - New Year’s Eve | Berglund Center
• New Year's Eve Prix Fixe Dinner | The River & Rail
• Sexbruise? New Year's Eve Party | 5 Points Music Sanctuary
• Adult Prom Night New Year's Eve | Twisted Track Brewpub
• bloom New Year's Eve Dinner | bloom - restaurant & wine bar
• I Wanna See All My Friends at Once New Year's Eve Riot | Golden Cactus Brewing
• Fincastle Ringing of the Bells | Historic Fincastle
• New Year’s Eve Dinner Celebration | The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center 
• Preceptor Omicron's New Year's Eve Gala Celebration | The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center
• New Year's Eve Party with The WORX Band | Sinkland Farms
• New Year's Eve at Beliveau Farm | Beliveau Farm Winery
• VIRTUAL New Year's Eve Murder Mystery | Jump Into Mystery
• New Year's Celebration Package | Mountain Lake Lodge 
• New Year’s Day Breakfast & Brunch | The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center

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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.

• Ice Bumper Cars | Berglund Center | Multiple Dates
• Public Ice Skating | Berglund Center | Multiple Dates
• The Elf on the Shelf Adventure | Downtown Roanoke | November 23 - December 16
• WDBJ7’s Elmwood on Ice (pictured above) | Elmwood Park | November 23 - January 29
• Santa Around Bridgewater Plaza | Bridgewater Plaza - Smith Mountain Lake | November 26
• Holiday Ice Skating presented by the Rail Yard Dawgs | Lancerlot Sports Complex | November 26 - January 2
• Candy Cane Express | Virginia Museum of Transportation | December 3-4
• Ho Ho Homicide! A Virtual Murder Mystery | Jump Into Mystery | December 9
• Winter Show 2022 - Skating Through the Decades | Lancerlot Sports Complex | December 10
• Vinton’s Santa Crawl | Town of Vinton | December 13
• Pet Costume Contest - Dickens of a Christmas | Downtown Roanoke | December 16

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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!