December is a busy month for families. With school events, holiday shopping, and many tasks on your to-do list, it's easy to get bogged down. Add a few of these events to your calendar during December and bring some Christmas cheer into your family time. Check out our list of SOME of the most popular holiday and Christmas events here in Central Virginia.
Due to the volume of holiday events in the Lynchburg area, we've created separate guides this year for the November and December holiday events. Check the Lynchburg Macaroni Kid calendar of events for detailed information about these and many other family-friendly events in Lynchburg and the surrounding counties.
You'll find our November Holiday Events HERE. Check the Lynchburg Macaroni Kid Visits with Santa Guide to find Santa in Central Virginia.
Let Lynchburg Macaroni Kid help you Find Your Family Fun® for the holidays in Central Virginia!
December 2019 Holiday Events
Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign -- Nov. 11 - Dec. 24 at River Ridge Mall, Lynchburg
Salvation Army Angel Tree -- Nov. 11 - Dec. 7 at River Ridge Mall, Lynchburg
Santa at River Ridge Mall -- Nov. 16 - Dec. 24 at River Ridge Mall, Lynchburg
Christmas Light Display - Nov. 24 - Jan. 1 at Liberty Lake Park, Bedford
Trees of Hope (Monday - Friday only) -- Nov. 25 - Dec. 12 at Alan B. Pearson Regional Cancer Center
Festival of Trees -- Nov. 26 - Jan. 3 at Bedford Welcome Center, Bedford
Festival of Trees -- Nov. 28 - Jan. 1 at Natural Bridge State Park, Natural Bridge
Illuminights - Explore Park's Winter Walk of Lights -- Nov. 29-Dec. 1, Dec. 5-8, Dec. 12-23, and Dec. 26-Jan. 1 at Explore Park, Roanoke
Santa Cares Sensory Friendly Santa Experience -- Dec. 1 and Dec. 7 at River Ridge Mall, Lynchburg
Museum Store Sunday -- Dec. 1 at Poplar Forest, Forest
Christmas Open House -- Dec. 1 at Brightwell's Mill, Madison Heights
Community Tree Lighting -- Dec. 1 at Courtland Festival Park, Appomattox
Tree Lighting Ceremony (formerly Deck the Hills on Nov. 30) -- Dec. 1 at Craddock Terry Hotel, Lynchburg
Santa Pet Photo Night -- Dec. 2 and Dec. 9 at River Ridge Mall, Lynchburg
Cirque Dreams Holidaze -- Dec. 2 at the Berglund Center, Roanoke
Puppets Alamode 10 Year Anniversary Show -- Dec. 3 at University of Lynchburg, Lynchburg
Christmas On The Boulevard: The Messiah -- Dec. 3 at Liberty University, Lynchburg
Lighting of the Garden and Holiday Sing-a-Long -- Dec. 4 at Awareness Garden, Lynchburg
Lights in the Garden -- Dec. 4 through mid-January at Awareness Garden, Lynchburg
Christmas at Hydaway -- Dec. 5-7 at Hydaway Outdoor Rec Center, Lynchburg
Holiday Candlelight Tours at Poplar Forest -- Dec. 5-6, 12-13, and 19-21 at Poplar Forest, Forest
Disney's Frozen Jr. -- Dec. 5-7, Dec. 12-13 at Lynchburg Christian Academy, Lynchburg
Brookneal Christmas Parade - Dec. 5 at 7 PM in Downtown Brookneal
Buena Vista Christmas Parade - Dec. 5 at 7 PM in Downtown Buena Vista
Christmas on the Boulevard: Christmas Ornaments -- Dec. 5 at Liberty University, Lynchburg
"The Cool Yule Holiday Cabaret 2019" -- Dec. 5-8, and Dec. 12-15 at Jefferson Forest Cavalier Theatre, Forest
Timberlake Garden Club Christmas Bazaar -- Dec. 6-7 at the Barn, Lynchburg
Holy Cross School Choir -- Dec. 6 at River Ridge Mall, Lynchburg
Christmas Open House -- Dec. 6 at English Meadows Elks Campus (Former Elks National Home), Bedford
Christmas Community Night -- Dec. 6 at Holiday Lake 4-H Educational Center, Appomattox
Lights and Christmas Tree Displays -- Dec. 6 - Dec. 31 at English Meadows Elks Campus (Former Elks National Home), Bedford
Appomattox Christmas Market -- Dec. 6-7 at Appomattox Christian Academy, Appomattox
Santa at Amherst Town Hall -- Dec. 6 at Amherst Town Hall, Amherst
Lexington Christmas Parade - Dec. 6 at 6 PM in Downtown Lexington
Rustburg Tree Lighting and Christmas in Courthouse Square -- Dec. 6 In Courthouse Square, Rustburg
Amherst Christmas Parade - Dec. 6 at 6:30 PM in Downtown Amherst
Santa at the Library in Rustburg -- Dec. 6 at Campbell County Public Library, Rustburg
Christmas in Clifford -- Dec. 6 at Clifford Baptist Church, Clifford
Effulgent Productions Presents "All Is Bright" -- Dec. 6-8 at Gibson Memorial Auditorium, Bedford
Christmas on the Boulevard: President's Encore Performance -- Dec. 6 at Liberty University, Lynchburg
"Miracle on 34th Street" -- Dec. 6-8 at Brookville High School, Lynchburg
"TWINKLETOES TOO" Christmas Comedy -- Dec. 6-8 at 246 The Main, Brookneal
Pioneer Theatre Presents "Scrooge, the Musical" -- Dec. 6-8; Dec. 12-15 at Heritage High School, Lynchburg
University of Lynchburg Christmas in the Chapel: Concert Choir and Choral Union Concert -- Dec. 6-7 at University of Lynchburg
Mistletoe Market -- Nov. 30, Dec. 7, Dec. 14, and Dec. 21 at Lynchburg Community Market (Santa and carriage rides only on Dec. 7 and Dec. 14)
Breakfast with Santa and Christmas Bazaar -- Dec. 7 at Holy Cross Regional School, Lynchburg
40th Peaks of Otter Christmas Classic 5K -- Dec. 7 at Beale's Brewery, Bedford
Santa Cares Sensory Friendly Santa Experience -- Dec. 1 and Dec. 7 at River Ridge Mall, Lynchburg
Reindeer Run 2 Miler -- Dec. 7 at Hydaway Outdoor Rec Center, Lynchburg
Yellow Branch Breakfast with Santa -- Dec. 7 at Yellow Branch Elementary, Rustburg
Breakfast with Santa -- Dec. 7 at the Glass House, Lynchburg
Santa at Timberlake Garden Club Christmas Bazaar -- Dec. 7 at the Barn, Lynchburg
Cookies with Santa and Bee Merry Market -- Dec. 7 at Leesville Road Elementary School, Lynchburg
Holiday Craft and Vendor Event -- Dec. 7 at Lynchburg South Moose Lodge 1727, Lynchburg
Quaker Memorial Presbyterian Church 2nd Annual Christmas Bazaar -- Dec. 7 at Quaker Memorial Presbyterian Church, Lynchburg
Christmas Extravaganza Vendor Fair -- Dec. 7 at Brookville High School, Lynchburg
Hill City Handmade Pop-Up -- Dec. 7-8,. 14-15, and 21-22 at River Ridge Mall (former Macy's location), Lynchburg
Photos with Santa and The Grinch -- Dec. 7 at Harley Davidson, Lynchburg
Experience the Holidays in Appomattox -- Dec. 7 in Downtown Appomattox
Appomattox Vintage and Artisans Merry Market -- Dec. 7 at Courtland Festival Park, Appomattox
Christmas Open House -- Dec. 7 at The Vintage Shoppes of Amherst
St Nick's Workshop -- Dec. 7 at Timberlake United Methodist Church, Lynchburg
Christmas at Avoca Museum -- Dec. 7, 8, 14, and 15 at Avoca Museum, Altavista
Frozen Christmas -- Dec. 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, and 22 at Yogurt Yeti, Lynchburg
Santa is Coming to Avoca Museum -- Dec. 7, 8, 14, and 15 at Avoca Museum, Altavista
Bedford Christmas Parade - Dec. 7 at 11 AM in Centertown Bedford
Appomattox Christmas Parade - Dec. 7 at 11 AM in Downtown Appomattox
Christmas in Centertown Bedford -- Dec. 7 in Centertown Bedford
Glasgow Christmas Parade - Dec. 7 at 4 PM in Downtown Glasgow
First Pres Presents "Tidings of Comfort and Joy" -- Dec. 7 at First Presbyterian Church, Lynchburg
Altavista Christmas Parade - Dec. 7 at 5 PM in Downtown Altavista
Cocoa and Carols at the Lights on the Bluffwalk -- Dec. 7, 14, 21 and 28 at the Lights on the Bluffwalk, Lynchburg
LIVE Nativity -- Dec. 7 at Courland Festival Park, Appomattox
Lighting Of The Tree in Bedford -- Dec. 7 at Centertown Bedford
Jefferson Choral Society Presents "A Magnificent Season" -- Dec. 7-8 at Heritage United Methodist Church, Lynchburg
Charlottesville Santa Fun Run and Walk -- Dec. 8 at Sprint Pavilion on the Downtown Mall, Charlottesville
Advent Lessons and Carols -- Dec. 8 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Lynchburg
Photos with Santa Paws -- Dec. 8 at Canine Cuts, Lynchburg
37th Annual Christmas Open House -- Dec. 8 at Point of Honor, Lynchburg
Holiday Open House -- Dec. 8 at Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, Appomattox
Holiday Open House -- Dec. 8 at Old City Cemetery, Lynchburg
Christmas Open House and Santa at Brightwell's Mill -- Dec. 8 at Brightwell's Mill, Madison Heights
Christmas Open House -- Dec. 8 at Red Hill, Brookneal
Amahl and the Night Visitors -- Dec. 8 at Liberty University, Lynchburg
Southwest Virginia Ballet - Clara's Tea Party -- Dec. 8 at Star City School of Ballet, Roanoke
Rustburg Christmas Parade - Dec. 8 at 3 PM in Downtown Rustburg
Lynchburg Christmas Parade - Dec. 8 at 4 PM from Lynchburg City Stadium to E.C. Glass, Lynchburg
A Thrill of Hope: 2019 Christmas Concert -- Dec. 8 at Calvary Baptist Church, Lynchburg
Old Fashioned Christmas Tree Lighting Event -- Dec. 8 at Leesville Road Baptist Church, Evington
Holiday Pops and Vespers Service -- Dec. 8 at Sweet Briar College, Sweet Briar
Christmas Vespers -- Dec. 8 at Randolph College, Lynchburg
Santa Pet Photo Night -- Dec. 2 and Dec. 9 at River Ridge Mall, Lynchburg
Amherst County Public Schools Community Winter Festival -- Dec. 9 at Amherst Centra Medical Center, Amherst
LCA Concert Choir -- Dec. 10 at River Ridge Mall, Lynchburg
Santa at the Library -- Dec. 10 at Patrick Henry Memorial Library, Brookneal
Santa Visits with 'Old Fuzzy Face' -- Dec. 10 at Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance Holiday Open House, Lynchburg
Movies at Downtown Branch of Lynchburg Public Library: "Elf" -- Dec. 12 at Lynchburg Public Library, Downtown Branch
Pioneer Theatre Presents "Scrooge, the Musical" -- Dec. 6-8; Dec. 12-15 at Heritage High School, Lynchburg
"The Cool Yule Holiday Cabaret 2019" -- Dec. 5-8, and Dec. 12-15 at Jefferson Forest Cavalier Theatre, Forest
Santa Visits with 'Old Fuzzy Face' -- Dec. 13 at United Way of Central Virginia Holiday Open House, Lynchburg
Flames of Memory -- Dec. 13-15 at National D-Day Memorial, Bedford
Storytime with Santa -- Dec. 13 at River Ridge Mall, Lynchburg
Ecclesia School of the Arts Presents "The Nutcracker" -- Dec. 13-14 at R. S. Payne Elementary School, Lynchburg
Virginia Christmas Spectacular -- Dec. 13-15 at Thomas Road Baptist Church, Lynchburg
Nelson County Christmas Tree Lighting and Caroling -- Dec. 13 in Downtown Lovingston
Mistletoe Market -- Nov. 30, Dec. 7, Dec. 14, and Dec. 21 at Lynchburg Community Market (Santa and carriage rides only on Dec. 7 and Dec. 14)
Winter Gift Fair and Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus -- Dec. 14 at Acorn Hill Lodge, Lynchburg
Breakfast with Santa -- Dec. 14 at English Meadows Elks Campus, Bedford
Very Merry Vendor Fair -- Dec. 14 at the Jamerson YMCA, Lynchburg
Christmas in Sedalia -- Dec. 14 at the Sedalia Center, Big Island
Children's Holiday Festival -- Dec. 14 at Amazement Square, Lynchburg
Santa Photos -- Dec. 14 at Tractor Supply, Bedford
Hill City Handmade Pop-Up -- Dec. 7-8,. 14-15, and 21-22 at River Ridge Mall (former Macy's location), Lynchburg
Christmas Open House -- Dec. 14 at Historic Sandusky, Lynchburg (Santa from 10-2)
Saturday with Santa -- Dec. 14 at Forest Library, Forest
That’s My Santa Pictures with Santa -- Dec. 14 at Mrs. Joy's, Lynchburg
Wreaths Across America -- Dec. 14 at Old City Cemetery, Lynchburg
Santa Claus Is Coming To the Farm -- Dec. 14 at Wilt Family Farm Boarding, Appomattox
Frozen Christmas -- Dec. 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, and 22 at Yogurt Yeti, Lynchburg
2019 Candy Cane Fun Run -- Dec. 14 at Timbrook Park, Lynchburg
Festival of Gingerbread -- Dec. 14 at Natural Bridge Historic Hotel and Conference Center
Charlottesville Ballet Presents “The Nutcracker” -- Dec. 14-15 at Academy Center of the Arts, Lynchburg
Holiday Showcase and Cookies with Santa -- Dec. 14 at T C Miller Elementary School, Lynchburg
Santa Comes to Timbrook Library -- Dec. 14 at Timbrook Library, Lynchburg
Santa Visits Lovingston -- Dec. 14 in Lovingston
Christmas Open House -- Dec. 14 at Woodruff's Store, Monroe
Cocoa and Carols at the Lights on the Bluffwalk -- Dec. 7, 14, 21 and 28 at the Lights on the Bluffwalk, Lynchburg
Luminary Nights - Dec. 14-15 and Dec. 21-22 at Natural Bridge State Park, Natural Bridge
IFF Christmas Party -- Dec. 14 at Forest Recreation Center, Forest
Christmas in Wartime -- Dec. 14 at National D-Day Memorial, Bedford
Nelson County Christmas Parade - Dec. 14 at 6 PM in Downtown Lovingston
Breakfast with Santa and Reindeer Pancakes -- Dec. 15 at Market at Main, Lynchburg
Santa Visits with 'Old Fuzzy Face' -- Dec. 15 at Moore's Country Store - Boonsboro, Lynchburg
Christmas Open House and House Tour -- Dec. 15 at Amherst County Museum, Amherst
Lynchburg Symphony Youth Orchestra and Junior Strings Present: Sounds of the Season -- Dec. 15 at E.C. Glass, Lynchburg
Lessons and Carols -- Dec. 15 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Lynchburg
Tuba Christmas -- Dec. 16 at River Ridge Mall, Lynchburg
Cookies and Milk with Santa -- Dec. 16 at El Cabrito's, Lynchburg
Gingerbread Storytime -- Dec. 17 (3 time slots) at Lynchburg Public Library, Lynchburg
Simply Christmas by Bells of the Blue Ridge -- Dec. 17 at Quaker Memorial Presbyterian Church, Lynchburg
Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town -- Dec. 18 at Essex Bank (Old Forest Road), Lynchburg
Lynchburg Tacky Lights Tour -- Dec. 18 and 19 (4 time slots each day) starting at The Miller Center, Lynchburg
Bake With Me - Cookie Decorating -- Dec. 19 at Miller Center, Lynchburg
Lighting of the Christmas Tree -- Dec. 19 at The Arc of Central Virginia, Lynchburg
Tiny Tots Christmas Party -- Dec. 19 at FunQuest, Lynchburg
Brookville High School Choral -- Dec. 19 at River Ridge Mall, Lynchburg
Cookies with Santa -- Dec. 19 at The Filling Station, Amherst
A Christmas Carol -- Dec. 19 at Academy Center of the Arts, Lynchburg EVENT CANCELED
A Christmas Carol '84 Free Screening -- Dec. 19 at Academy Center of the Arts, Lynchburg
Photos with Santa -- Dec. 20 at El Mariachi, Amherst
Mistletoe Market -- Nov. 30, Dec. 7, Dec. 14, and Dec. 21 at Lynchburg Community Market (Santa and carriage rides only on Dec. 7 and Dec. 14)
Riverside Runners Jingle Bell Fun Run -- Dec. 21 at Riverside Runners, Lynchburg
Pancakes with the Grinch -- Dec. 21 at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, Forest
Hill City Handmade Pop-Up -- Dec. 7-8,. 14-15, and 21-22 at River Ridge Mall (former Macy's location), Lynchburg
That’s My Santa Pictures with Santa -- Dec. 21 at Mrs. Joy's, Lynchburg
Santa Visits with 'Old Fuzzy Face' -- Dec. 21 at St. Nic's / Divine Designs and Delights, Forest
Live Nativity and Cowboy Social -- Dec. 21 at Holiday Ranch, Appomattox
Frozen Christmas -- Dec. 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, and 22 at Yogurt Yeti, Lynchburg
Cocoa and Carols at the Lights on the Bluffwalk -- Dec. 7, 14, 21 and 28 at the Lights on the Bluffwalk, Lynchburg
Simply Christmas by Bells of the Blue Ridge -- Dec. 21 (2 performances) at University of Lynchburg
The Barter Players present "Frosty" -- Dec.21 at Academy Center of the Arts, Lynchburg
Breakfast with Santa and Reindeer Pancakes -- Dec. 22 at Market at Main, Lynchburg
Santa Visits with 'Old Fuzzy Face' -- Dec. 22 at Moore's Country Store - Waterlick, Lynchburg
Skate with Santa -- Dec. 22 at AJ Skateworld, Appomattox
Kids Christmas Party -- Dec. 23 at Buffalo Wild Wings, Lynchburg
Christmas Eve with Elsa and Olaf -- Dec. 24 at FunQuest, Lynchburg
Christmas Eve -- Dec. 24 Everywhere
Christmas Day -- Dec. 25 Everywhere
Cocoa and Carols at the Lights on the Bluffwalk -- Dec. 7, 14, 21 and 28 at the Lights on the Bluffwalk, Lynchburg
See yourself in 2020: Selfie and Photo Opportunity -- Dec. 28 - Jan. 11 at River Ridge Mall, Lynchburg
The list is updated as information is received about local family-friendly events. To add your organization’s Christmas or holiday family-friendly event to the list, message us at our Lynchburg Macaroni Kid Facebook page or click the “submit an event” link on our website. You’ll find more information about many of the local festival on the Lynchburg Macaroni Kid calendar of events.
