From parades and Santa visits to Christmas tree lightings and and holiday markets, here are the top 75+ family-friendly holiday events for your family to check out during December.
You'll find all of the local December events in our weekly December event guides.
Check out our December weekly event guides at the links below:
Nov. 28 - Dec. 5 Lynchburg Area Holiday and Family Fun Events for 2024 - The first of our December weekly event guides!
Dec. 6 - Dec. 12 Lynchburg Area Holiday and Family Fun Events for 2024 - The second of our December weekly event guides!
Dec. 13 - Dec. 19 Lynchburg Area Holiday and Family Fun Events for 2024 - The third of our December weekly event guides!
Dec. 20 - Jan. 1 Lynchburg Area Holiday and Family Fun Events for 2024 - Our final December weekly+ event guide!
Add a few of these events to your calendar every week during December along with your family's annual holiday traditions to bring some holiday cheer into your family time.
Some of these events require advance reservations or tickets. Please check details for each event at the link.
As always, we've created separate guides this year for the November and December events, in addition to the weekly December event guides. 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.
** NOTE - First group of events below take place on multiple dates over an extended period and are not included in the daily listings below. Most weekend events are only listed once for the entire weekend on the first date if times are the same all days. **
Ongoing Events
Nov. 16 - Dec. 24 - Santa at River Ridge Mall - Daily hours vary; see schedule
Nov. 22 - Dec. 31 - Festival of Trees at Natural Bridge State Park from 10 AM - 5 PM (Closed Christmas Day)
Nov. 23 - Dec. 30 - Illuminights - Explore Park's Winter Walk of Lights (closed some dates, including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) starting at 5 PM
Nov. 24 - Jan. 5 - Bright Nights on the Bluffwalk Block Party and Tree Lighting from 5 PM - 9 PM on Nov. 24; lights on Bluffwalk from 5 PM - 11 PM through Jan. 5
Nov. 25 - Dec. 11 - Trees of Hope at Alan B. Pearson Regional Cancer Center (Monday through Friday from 8 AM - 5 PM)
Nov. 25 - Jan. 5 - Festival of Trees at Bedford Area Welcome Center from 9 AM - 5 PM (extended hours Dec. 6-8 and Dec. 13-15; closed major holidays)
Nov. 27 - early January - Select Air Mechanical Christmas Light Show in Altavista from 5:30 PM - 10 PM nightly - shows every 30 minutes; last show starts at 9:30 PM *tentative dates
Nov. 28 - Dec. 1 - Mistletoe Market at I Scream You Scream - Thursdays through Sundays from Nov. 14 - Dec. 22 from 11 AM - 7 PM
Nov. 28 - Jan. 1 - Fashions for Evergreens at Hotel Roanoke - Daily from 8 AM - 9 PM at Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke
Nov. 28 - Jan. 1 - Christmas Light Display at Liberty Lake in Bedford - Nov. 28 - Jan. 1 around the clock
Nov. 29 - Jan. 4 - Trains Exhibit at Bedford Museum - Monday - Saturday from 10 AM - 5 PM (open until 3 PM on Nov. 29 and Jan. 4; closed Sundays and major holidays)
Nov. 30 - Jan. 6 - Buchanan Festival of Lights at Town Park from 6 PM - 11 PM
Dec. 1 - Appomattox Christmas Tree Lighting at 5:15 PM - lights will remain lit every evening through New Year's
Dec. 1-31 - Christmas Display at 1487 Church Street in Appomattox from 7 PM - 11 PM - Starts Dec. 1 at 7 PM; lit through Dec. 31
Dec. 1-31 - Christmas Light Display at 1660 Rocky Branch Drive in Forest - from 5:30 PM - 11 PM daily *Santa visits on Dec. 21 from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Dec. 1-31 - Ryan Family Lights Display at 64 Delaney Drive in Lynchburg - Synchronized light show planned for the month of December
Dec. 4 - Jan. 5 - Lighting of the Garden at Awareness Garden from 5 PM - 9 PM (sing-a-long on opening night)
Dec. 4 - Tree Lighting Ceremony and Christmas Party at Tree of Life Ministries - starting at 7 PM (lights will remain lit through the season)
Dec. 5 - Legacy in Lights Drive-Thru Winter Wonderland from 5 PM - 11 PM (Community Night celebration from 5 PM - 9 PM)
Dec. 5-31 - Drive-Thru Winter Wonderland at Legacy Wealth Management Group from 5 PM - 11 PM (Community Night Dec. 5 from 5 PM - 9 PM)
Dec. 6-31 - Christmas Lights Display at Spring Oak Bedford (Former Elks National Home) from 5:30 PM - 10 PM
Dec. 13-30 - The Grinch Projection Show: Holidays in Hooper Woods from 5:30 PM - 10 PM
Top 75+ Events for December 2024:
Dec. 1 - Christmas at the Orchard at Drumheller's Orchard from 10 AM - 5 PM *Santa event
Dec. 1 - Santa Event and Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Timberlake Tavern from 1 PM - 5:30 PM *Santa event from 2 PM - 5 PM
Dec. 1 - Handel's Messiah Sing-Along at St. John’s Episcopal Church at 3 PM
Dec. 1 - Experience the Holidays in Appomattox - from 3 PM - 5:30 PM
Dec. 1 - Appomattox Christmas Parade at 4 PM
Dec. 1 - “Christmas Time Is Here” Show at Liberty Baptist Church in Appomattox at 7:30 PM
Dec. 2 - Liberty University School of Music Jazz - Sounds of the Season at River Ridge from 6 PM - 7 PM
Dec. 3 - Santa Cow & Elf at Chick-fil-A Wards Road from 5 PM - 7 PM
Dec. 3 - Cookies and Photos with Santa at Amherst Second Stage from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM *Santa event
Dec. 4 - Lighting of the Garden and Holiday Sing-a-Long at Awareness Garden at 5 PM (lights lit daily from 5 PM - 9 PM through early January)
Dec. 4 - Santa Claus at Original Italian Pizza Appomattox from 6 PM - 8 PM *Santa event
Dec. 5 - Legacy in Lights Drive-Thru Winter Wonderland from 5 PM - 11 PM (Community Night celebration from 5 PM - 9 PM)
Dec. 5 - Gingerbread House Decorating at Patrick Henry Memorial Library from 3:30 PM - 5 PM
Dec. 5-7 - Christmas at Hydaway from 6 PM - 9 PM
Dec. 5 - Buena Vista Christmas Parade at 7 PM
Dec. 5 - Brookneal Christmas Parade at 7 PM
Dec. 5-7 - Drive-Thru Nativity at Tree of Life from 7 PM - 8:30 PM
Dec. 6 - Santa Swim at Crosswhite Athletic Club from 5 PM - 7 PM *Santa event
Dec. 6-31 - Christmas Lights Display at Spring Oak Bedford (Former Elks National Home) from 5:30 PM - 10 PM
Dec. 6 - Lexington Christmas Parade at 6 PM
Dec. 6 - Amherst Christmas Parade at 6:30 PM
Dec. 7 - Breakfast with Santa at Tomahawk Elementary School from 8 AM - 12 PM *Santa event
Dec. 7 - 45th Peaks of Otter Christmas Classic 5K and 1 Miler at 8:30 AM
Dec. 7 - Bedford Christmas Parade at 11 AM
Dec. 7 - Meet and Greet Buddy the Elf at Anderson's Country Market II from 11 AM - 1 PM *Elf event
Dec. 7 - 5th Annual FREE Photos with Santa at Kissed Cupcakes from 1 PM - 5 PM *Santa event
Dec. 7 - Saturday Matinee presents "White Christmas" at Bedford Central Library at 3:30 PM
Dec. 7 - Village Wonderland in Rustburg from 4 PM - 6 PM (Tree lighting and caroling at 5:45 PM) *Santa and friends event
Dec. 7 - Altavista Christmas Parade at 5 PM
Dec. 7 - Happy Holidays with the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra at Academy Center of the Arts *Santa event at 6:30 PM; concert at 7:30 PM
Dec. 8 - Christmas At The Barn at Seneca Lake Venue from 12 PM - 4 PM *Santa event
Dec. 8 - Rustburg Christmas Parade at 3 PM (Rain date Dec. 15 at 3 PM)
Dec. 8 - Lynchburg Christmas Parade at 4 PM
Dec. 8 - Gretna Christmas Parade at 4:30 PM
Dec. 8 - Live Nativity at Bible Baptist Church in Appomattox at 6 PM
Dec. 9 - Santa at the Airport from 4 PM - 6 PM *Santa event
Dec. 10 - Santa at Patrick Henry Memorial Library in Brookneal from 6 PM - 7:30 PM *Santa event
Dec. 12 - Jingle Jam Holiday Sing Along at Miller Center at 6:30 PM
Dec. 13 - Santa Under the Stars at Timbrook Library from 6 PM - 8 PM *Santa event
Dec. 13-15 - Virginia Christmas Spectacular at Thomas Road Baptist Church - Dec. 13 at 7 PM; Dec. 14 at 11 AM, 3 PM, and 7 PM; Dec. 15 at 4 PM
Dec. 14 - 3rd Annual Breakfast with Santa at Appomattox Volunteer Fire Department from 8:30 AM - 11 AM *Santa event
Dec. 14 - Pancake Breakfast With Santa at Big Island Emergency Crew from 9 AM - 11 AM *Santa event
Dec. 14 - Breakfast with Santa at Pinkerton Chevrolet from 9 AM - 11 AM *Santa event
Dec. 14 - Children's Holiday Festival at Amazement Square from 9 AM - 12 PM *Santa event
Dec. 14 - Downtown Lynchburg Historic Church Open House from 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Dec. 14 - Christmas On The Farm with Minicamelots Emotional Support Horses from 10 AM - 3 PM *Santa event
Dec. 14 - Free Pic with Santa at Madison House of the Arts from 10 AM - 10 PM *Santa photo times by ages noted in event
Dec. 14 - Happy Pawlidays at Renaissance Theatre in Miller Center from 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM *Santa Paws event
Dec. 14 - Christmas Party with Santa at Bedford Museum from 1 PM - 3 PM *Santa event
Dec. 14 - Afternoon with the Grinch at Mellow Mushroom from 1 PM - 4 PM *Grinch event
Dec. 14 - Saturday Afternoon Open Skate at AJ Skateworld with Santa from 2 PM - 4:30 PM *Santa visits at 4 PM
Dec. 14 - Dedication of Lights and Holiday Open House at Lynchburg Humane Society from 3 PM - 5 PM *Santa event
Dec. 14 - Lovingston Christmas Parade at 6 PM
Dec. 15 - Traditional Christmas Choir Cantata at Timberlake Church at 9 AM
Dec. 15 - Christmas Cantata: "Peace on Earth" at Bible Baptist Church in Appomattox at 11 AM
Dec. 15 - "A Perfect Christmas" Christmas Program at Gracepointe Baptist Church at 11 AM
Dec. 15 - Christmas at Stonehurst Manor from 2 PM - 5 PM *Santa event
Dec. 15 - Community Holiday Sing-Along at Amherst Second Stage from 4 PM - 6 PM
Dec. 16 - Santa at Lynchburg Public Library from 3 PM - 5 PM *Santa event
Dec. 17 - Bells of the Blue Ridge presents "A Dickens of a Christmas" Carol Ring at Forest Presbyterian Church at 7 PM
Dec. 20 - Caroling with Lew Taylor at Apocalypse Ale Works at 7 PM
Dec. 21 - Santa on the Farm at Lottie J Farm from 10 AM - 3 PM *Santa event
Dec. 21 - Bells of the Blue Ridge presents "A Dickens of a Christmas" Carol Ring at Fort Hill United Methodist Church at 4 PM
Dec. 21 - Santa Visits at Christmas Light Display at 1660 Rocky Branch Drive in Forest from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM *Santa event
Dec. 21 - Handel’s “Messiah” Presented by Appomattox Community Chorale at Liberty Baptist Church at 7:30 PM
Dec. 22 - New Hope United Methodist Church Christmas Play at 7 PM
Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve Fun Run at E.C. Glass at 8 AM
Dec. 24 - Track Santa with NORAD - ALL DAY!
Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve Pajama Party at FunQuest from 12 PM - 7 PM
Dec. 24-25 - Celebrate Christmas Eve or Christmas Day at a Lynchburg Area Church - Check times of services at many area churches
Dec. 25 - Christmas Day
Dec. 26 - Jan. 1 - Kwanzaa is celebrated
Dec. 28 - Last Saturdays - Rustburg from 10 AM - 12 PM
Dec. 31 - New Years at Noon at Amazement Square from 10 AM - 1 PM
Dec. 31 - Nearly New Year's Day Skate at AJ Skateworld (Afternoon) from 2 PM - 4:30 PM
Dec. 31 - Nearly New Year's Day Skate at AJ Skateworld (Evening) from 5:30 PM - 8 PM
Dec. 31 - How to Throw an Easy At-Home New Year's Eve Celebration Kids Will Love
As always, we've created separate guides this year for the November and December events and then broken down the month of December by week to help you plan around your busy schedule. 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.
Make time for family fun while holiday planning. Soon enough, the kids will be out of school for the holidays. Pile in the car and go look at Christmas lights together. Walk around the mall and take selfies at all of the pretty displays. Visit the Bluffwalk in downtown Lynchburg and check out all of the lights. Bake cookies or make holiday treats. Making memories together is what Christmas is all about.
If you have a large holiday display at your home or business, reach out to us on our Facebook page or by email to sandyw@macaronikid.com to have your location added to our guide!
Check the Lynchburg Macaroni Kid 2024 Christmas Holiday Guide for links to all of our holiday guides as well as holiday crafts, foods, gift ideas, and much more all in one place.
Holiday Shopping Events in Lynchburg and Central Virginia for 2024
Lynchburg Macaroni Kid Visits with Santa Guide
Live Christmas Tree Locations in Lynchburg and Central Virginia
Lynchburg Christmas Lights and Area Holiday Tree Lightings Guide
Local Shopping in Lynchburg and Central Virginia
Give the Gift of LOCAL Family Fun for the Holidays in 2024
8 Ways To Celebrate Hanukkah - Hanukkah is observed Dec. 25 - Jan. 2 in 2024
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.
December is always a busy month for families with so many fun activities and events for children of all ages. Make time to make some memories this month!
Let Lynchburg Macaroni Kid help you Find Your Family Fun® for the holidays in Central Virginia!
