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 2025 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 22
• Vinton Christmas Parade | Downtown Vinton | December 4
• City of Salem Christmas Parade | Downtown Salem | December 5
• Craig County Christmas Parade | Craig County Fairgrounds (New Castle) | December 6
• Fincastle Christmas Parade | Town of Fincastle | December 6
• City of Roanoke Christmas Parade | Downtown Roanoke | December 12
• Buchanan Christmas Parade | Downtown Buchanan | December 13

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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 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!

• Festival of Trees | Natural Bridge State Park | November 14 - December 31
• Grand Illumination: Magical Christmas Village | Mountain Lake Lodge | November 22
• Illuminights | Roanoke County's Explore Park | November 22 - January 4 (Select Days)
• Festival of Trees | Bedford Area Welcome Center | November 24 - January 4
• Land of Lights | Franklin County Recreation Park | November 28 - December 25
• Fashions for Evergreens 2025 | The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center | November 28 - January 1 
• Deck The Doors | O. Winston Link Museum | November 28 - January 2
• Buchanan Tree Lighting | Town of Buchanan Town Hall | November 29
• Buchanan Festival of Lights | Town of Buchanan (Main Street) | November 29 - January 3
• Holiday Portraits in Front of the Tree | The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center | December 2 & 3
• City of Roanoke Christmas Tree Lighting | Downtown Roanoke | December 5
• City of Salem Christmas Tree Lighting | Downtown Salem | December 5
• Franklin County Tree Lighting Ceremony - Franklin County Courthouse | December 5
• Botetourt Chamber Tinsel Trail | Town of Fincastle | December 5 - 30
• Candlelight Christmas Tours 2025 | The Fishburn Mansion | December 11 - 12
• Santa's Winter Wonderland | Blue Ridge PBS | December 11 - 23 (Tuesday - Sunday)
• 2025 Luminary Nights | Natural Bridge State Park | December 12 - 21 (Friday - Sunday)
• 10th Annual Grandin Holiday Lights Extravaganza | Historic Grandin Village | December 17
• Buchanan Christmas Eve Luminary Display | Main Street (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.

• Magical Christmas Village & Marketplace | Mountain Lake Lodge | November 22 - January 3 (Fridays & Saturdays)
• Dickens of a Christmas | Downtown Roanoke | December 5, 12, 19
• Come Home to a Franklin County Christmas | Downtown Rocky Mount | December 6
• Grandin Village Winterfest 2025 | Historic Grandin Village | December 6
• Candy Cane Celebration | Virginia Museum of Transportation | December 6 - 7

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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.

• The Polar Express | Grandin Theatre | November 5
• The Ultimate Elvis Christmas | Jefferson Center | November 21
• Opera Roanoke - Handel's Messiah Sing-Along | Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church | November 22
• Westover Christmas Ballet | Mountain Lake Lodge | November 22
• Mannheim Steamroller | Salem Civic Center | November 24
• Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol | Berglund Center | November 25
• NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet | Jefferson Center | November 25
• Champions of Magic: Holiday Spectacular | Berglund Center | November 26
• A Christmas Story | Mill Mountain Theatre | November 28 - December 21
• Holiday Boots Scoot | Mountain Lake Lodge | November 29
• Stories and Songs with Santa | The Taubman Museum of Art | November 29 - December 20 (Saturdays)
• The Roanoke Valley Choral Society presents "A Kaleidoscope Christmas" | Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church | December 1
• Holiday Handbells | Raleigh Court United Methodist Church | December 2
• Sounds of the Season: A Christmas Celebration with TFox | The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center | December 2 & 3
• Last Illusion: Trans-Siberian Tribute | Grandin Theatre | December 4
• Attic Productions Presents "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" | Attic Productions | December 4 - 14 (Thursday - Sunday)
• Holly Jolly Film Series | The Grandin Theatre | December 4 - 20 (Various Dates)
• Make The Yuletide Gay: Crys Matthews, Flamy Grant, Heather Mae | The Spot on Kirk | December 5
• Roanoke Symphony Orchestra: Holiday Pops Spectacular! | Salem Civic Center | December 5 | Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech | December 6
• Roanoke Valley Children's Choir Holiday Sing-Along | The Taubman Museum of Art | December 6
• Roanoke Symphony Orchestra Youth Concert | The Taubman Museum of Art | December 7
• Squirrel Nut Zippers: Christmas Caravan | Jefferson Center | December 7
• Roanoke Symphony Orchestra's Holiday Brass | Cave Spring United Methodist Church | December 12
• Southwest Virginia Ballet presents The Nutcracker | Berglund Center | December 12 - 14
• Classic Film Series: Christmas in Connecticut | Grandin Theatre | December 13
• Come Celebrate Christmas Concert | Fincastle Presbyterian Church | December 13
• Barter Players: I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas | Jefferson Center | December 13
• On The Worst Day of Christmas | Shenandoah Baptist Church | December 13 & 14
• Blacksburg Master Chorale: Handel's Messiah | Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech | December 14
• G.F. Handel: MESSIAH | Second Presbyterian Church (Roanoke) | December 14
• Cirque Musica Holidays Wonderland | Berglund Center | December 16
• Roanoke Symphony Orchestra: Handel's Messiah | Jefferson Center | December 16
• A Foxy Little Christmas Jazz Show | The Hotel Roanoke | December 17
• Morgan Wade Home for the Holidays | The Jefferson Center | December 17
• Farmer Family Band Presents: Songs for the Season | The Spot on Kirk | December 18
• Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings | The Taubman Museum of Art | December 19
• Candlelight Serenade | Mountain Lake Lodge | December 19
• Isaac Hadden Family Christmas Jam | 5 Points Music Sanctuary | December 19
• Celtic Christmas | Mountain Lake Lodge | December 20
• SMWV Presents: The Holiday Mix | Science Museum of Western Virginia | December 20
• A Very Locatelli Christmas with guest Violinist Isaac Kay! | First Evangelical Presbyterian (Roanoke) | December 20 & 21
• Roanoke Ballet Theatre presents The Nutcracker | Jefferson Center | December 20 - 21
• The Santa Cares Experience | 5 Points Music Sanctuary | December 21
• Vienna Light Orchestra | Berglund Center | December 21 (3pm & 7pm shows)

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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.

• Holiday Open House | Black Dog Salvage | November 1
• Yuletide Market | Virginia Mountain Vineyards | November 1
• Who-ville Holiday Market | Downtown Roanoke | November 14
• 2025 Stocked Market | Berglund Center | November 14 - 16
• Persiflage Writers Holiday Book Sale | Salem Museum and Historical Society | November 15
• November Holiday Market | Botetourt Farmers Market | November 22
• Black Dog Friday | Black Dog Salvage | November 28
• Buchanan Christmas Market and Small Business Saturday | Downtown Buchanan | November 29
• Small Business Saturday | Downtown Roanoke | November 29
• Small Business Saturday at Black Dog Salvage | Black Dog Salvage | November 29
• Small Business Saturday at the Illuminights Artisan Christmas Market | Explore Park | November 29
• Spa at Hotel Roanoke Open House | The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center | December 3
• Dickens of a Christmas | Downtown Roanoke | December 5, 12, 19
• 44th Annual Old Southwest Holiday Parlor Tour of Historic Homes | The Historic Alexander-Gish House | December 6
• Salem Crafty Christmas | Salem Farmers Market | December 6
• 10th Annual Holiday Craft & Vendor Show | Berglund Center | December 6 - 7
• Christmas Marketplace | Mountain Lake Lodge | December 6 & 13
• Belle and Beast's Enchanted Christmas Ball | Historic Fishburn Mansion | December 13
• Buchanan Community Christmas Market | Downtown Buchanan | December 13
• Historic Fincastle Holiday Home Tour and Marketplace | Fincastle Baptist Church | December 13
• Christmas Market | Sycamore Station | December 13
• Salem Holiday Market | Salem Civic Center | December 13 - 14
• Free Holiday Open House | The Historic Fishburn Mansion | December 14
• Grooves & Goods with Femme Fatales Vinyl Club | The Spot on Kirk | December 19
• December Holiday Market | Botetourt Farmers Market | December 20

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.

• Christmas Wreath Making & Cocktails | The Maridor | November 5
• Grand Thanksgiving Day Buffet in The Regency Room | The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center | November 27
• Thanksgiving Day Buffet | Mountain Lake Lodge | November 27
• George's Flowers Blooms Into the Holidays with "Petals & Potions" | Well Hung Vineyard | December 3
• S'mores on the Courtyard | The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center | December 5 - 27 (Fridays & Saturdays)
• 2025 Gingerbread House Contest | Longwood Park & Salem Museum | December 6
• Breakfast with Santa | The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center | December 6
• Candlelight Wine Dinners | Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest | December 13 & 20
• Brunch with Santa | Mountain Lake Lodge | December 21
• Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Buffet Celebration | The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center | December 24 & 25
• Christmas Day Buffet | Mountain Lake Lodge | December 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.

• Christmas in Wartime | National D-Day Memorial | December 12 - 13
• Holiday Candlelight Tours | Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest | December 5 - 6, 11 - 12, 18 - 19
• Flames of Memory | National D-Day Memorial | December 13 -14
• Holiday Open House | Vinton History Museum | December 6
• Wreaths Across America | The Salem Museum | December 13
• Christmas at the 1800 Farm | Blue Ridge Institute & Museum | December 19
• Daytime Holiday Tours | Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest | December 13 & 20

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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 various holiday-themed bicycle rides, races, and other sporting events.

• Star City Half Marathon & 10K | River's Edge Park | November 22
• Cranksgiving 2025 | Golden Cactus Brewing | November 23
• 2025 Drumstick Dash | Downtown Roanoke | November 27 (Thanksgiving Morning)
• Happy Valley Grit Gravel Race | Carvins Cove | December 7
• Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs Hockey | Berglund Center | Various Dates

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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!

• New Year's Eve Ball Celebration | The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center
• New Year's Eve Celebration | Taubman Museum of Art
• New Year's Eve Celebration on the Rooftop | 1772 Rooftop on Main (Fincastle)
• New Year's Eve Party ft. Mojo Sauce Hornsmen | 5 Points Music Sanctuary
• Fayetteville Marksmen vs. Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs | Berglund Center
• Killer Countdown | Stave & Cork
• Preceptor Omicron's New Year's Eve Gala Celebration | The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center
• The Exchange Music Hall Presents: Grace Potter w/ Holy Roller | The Exchange Music Hall
• New Year's Eve Vision Board | Canvas & Coffee Art Cafe
• Live Music - Soulacoustix | Pok-E-Joe's
• New Year's Eve Party with Eric Wayne Band | Martin's Downtown
• New Year's Eve Dinner & Dance | The Floyd Country Store 
• New Year's Eve Party | Corned Beef & Co.
• Ringing of the Bells in Fincastle | Historic Fincastle
• New Year's Day Breakfast & Brunch | The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center

New Year's Eve Celebrations in Virginia's Blue Ridge >

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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.

• Holiday Scherenschnitte Workshop | O. Winston Link Museum | November 8
• Winter Bliss Skating Rink | Mountain Lake Lodge | November 22 - January 3 (Wednesday - Sunday)
• Holiday Music Bingo | Mountain Lake Lodge | November 28 - December 26 (Fridays)
• The Elf on the Shelf Adventure Scavenger Hunt | Downtown Roanoke | November 28 - January 5
• Cloud Bobby's Holiday Photo Booth | 5 Points Music Sanctuary | December 1 - 21
• Holiday Late Nights | The Taubman Museum of Art | December 5, 12, 19
• Art at Night Exhibit & Family Art Activity | Art on 1st | December 5
• Christmas Wreath Workshop | Greenbrier Nurseries | December 6
• Visit with Santa at Rock Outdoors | Rocky Outdoors (Hardy) | December 6
• Winter Garland Workshop | O. Winston Link Museum | December 6
• Meet Santa | Grand Home Furnishings (Valley View) | December 6, 13, 20
• Deadly Holly-Days Murder Mystery | Beliveau Farm Winery | December 7
• Visit with Santa | Mast General Store | December 7, 14, 21
• Tacky Holiday Sweater Murder Mystery | The Claiborne House Inn and Retreat | December 12
• Christmas with the 611 | Virginia Museum of Transportation | December 12 - 13
• Meet Santa | Grand Home Furnishings (Tanglewood) | December 13
• SMWV Presents: Grinchmas | Science Museum of Western Virginia | December 13
• Holiday Ornament Painting | Canvas & Coffee Art Cafe | December 17
• Dickens of a Christmas: Pet Costume Contest | Downtown Roanoke | December 19
• Ugly Sweater Karaoke | Corned Beef & Co. | December 19
• Horse Drawn Carriage Rides | Mountain Lake Lodge | December 20
• Salsa Noke: Holiday Pajamas Dance Party | The Spot on Kirk | December 20
• SantaCon | Corned Beef & Co. | December 20
• Naughty & Nice Party | Corned Beef & Co. | December 23

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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!