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. 29 - Dec. 4 Lynchburg Area Holiday and Family Fun Events for 2025 - The first of our December weekly event guides!
Dec. 5 - Dec. 11 Lynchburg Area Holiday and Family Fun Events for 2025 - The second of our December weekly event guides!
Dec. 12 - Dec. 18 Lynchburg Area Holiday and Family Fun Events for 2025 - The third of our December weekly event guides!
Dec. 19 - Jan. 1 Lynchburg Area Holiday and Family Fun Events for 2025 - 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. 14 - Dec. 24 - Santa at River Ridge Mall - Daily hours vary; see schedule; closed Thanksgiving Day
Nov. 17 - Dec. 10 - Trees of Hope at Alan B. Pearson Regional Cancer Center (Monday through Friday from 8 AM - 5 PM)
Nov. 17 - Christmas in Lights at Liberty University at 6:30 PM
Nov. 21 - Altavista Christmas Tree Lighting at 5:45 PM - lights will remain lit every evening through the holiday season
Nov. 22 - Jan. 4 - Illuminights - Explore Park's Winter Walk of Lights (closed some dates, including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) starting at 5 PM
Nov. 23 - Jan. 4 - 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. 23 - Annual Tree Lighting at the Craddock Terry Hotel at 7 PM (remains lit through the holiday season)
Nov. 24 - Jan. 4 - Festival of Trees at Bedford Area Welcome Center from 9 AM - 5 PM (extended hours Dec. 5-7 and Dec. 12-14; closed major holidays)
Nov. 27 - Jan. 1 - Fashions for Evergreens at Hotel Roanoke - Daily from 8 AM - 9 PM at Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke
Nov. 28 - Jan. 3 - Osborne Express Annual Christmas Lights Display and Train Rides - Nov. 28 - Jan. 3 from 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM; No train rides on Dec. 24, Dec. 25, and Dec. 31
Nov. 30 - Appomattox Christmas Tree Lighting at 5 PM - Lights will remain lit throughout the holiday season - lights will remain lit every evening through New Year's
Nov. 30 - Tree Lighting and Community Christmas Party at Liberty Baptist Church in Appomattox from 5 PM - 7 PM - Tree Lit at 6 PM
Nov. 30 - Dec. 31 - Christmas Display at 1487 Church Street in Appomattox from 7 PM - 11 PM
Dec. 1-31 - Settje Christmas House Light Display at 205 Powtan Drive planned from Dec. 1-31 from 5:30 PM - 11 PM daily *Santa visits TBD from 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Dec. 3 - early Jan. - Lighting of the Garden at Awareness Garden from 5 PM - 9 PM (sing-a-long on opening night)
Dec. 3 - Tree Lighting Ceremony and Christmas Party at Tree of Life Ministries - starting at 7 PM (lights will remain lit through the season)
Dec. 4-6 - Christmas at Hydaway from 6 PM - 9 PM
Dec. 5-31 - Christmas Lights Display at Spring Oak Bedford (Former Elks National Home) from 5:30 PM - 10 PM
Dec. 6 - Bedford Christmas Tree Lighting from 3 PM - 6 PM *Santa and Grinch event - Tree lighting at 6 PM
Dec. 6 - Victorian Christmas Tree Lighting at Old City Cemetery at 6:30 PM *Santa event
Don't have 2025 dates yet
Mid- Nov. - early January - Select Air Mechanical Christmas Light Show in Altavista (1502 Avondale Drive) from 5:30 PM - 10 PM nightly - shows every 30 minutes; last show starts at 9:30 PM *tentative dates
Nov. - Jan. - Christmas Light Display at Liberty Lake in Bedford - Nov. - Jan. 1 around the clock
Nov. - Nelson County Tree Lighting in Lovingston at 7:30 PM - Photos with Santa before tree lighting
Nov. - Jan. - Buchanan Festival of Lights at Town Park from 6 PM - 11 PM
Nov. - Jan. - 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. - Jan. - Buchanan Festival of Lights at Town Park from 6 PM - 11 PM
Dec. - 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. - Ryan Family Lights Display at 64 Delaney Drive in Lynchburg - Synchronized light show planned for the month of December
Dec. - Legacy in Lights Drive-Thru Winter Wonderland from 5 PM - 11 PM (Community Night celebration from 5 PM - 9 PM)
Dec. - Buena Vista Christmas Tree Lighting at 6:30 PM
Dec. - Drive-Thru Winter Wonderland at Legacy Wealth Management Group from 5 PM - 11 PM (Community Night Dec. from 5 PM - 9 PM)
Dec. - Village Wonderland in Rustburg from 4 PM - 6 PM (Tree lighting and caroling at 5:45 PM)
Dec. - Evergreen Christmas at Ivy Hill Golf Club from 4 PM - 7 PM (Tree lighting at 6:30 PM) *Santa event
Dec. - The Grinch Projection Show: Holidays in Hooper Woods from 5:30 PM - 10 PM
Top 75+ Events for December 2025:
Dec. 2 - Gingerbread House Decorating at Patrick Henry Memorial Library from 3:30 PM - 5 PM
Dec. 3 - Happy Earth Market at Randolph College from 12 PM - 6 PM
Dec. 3 - Lighting of the Garden and Holiday Sing-a-Long at Awareness Garden at 5 PM
Dec. 3 - Christmas Community Dinner at Brookhill Wesleyan Church from 6 PM - 7:30 PM
Dec. 3 - Tree Lighting Ceremony and Christmas Party at Tree of Life Ministries - from 7 PM - 8:30 PM (lights will remain lit through the season)
Dec. 4 - Wrapping For a Cause at J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library from 5 PM - 8 PM
Dec. 4-6 - Christmas at Hydaway from 6 PM - 9 PM
Dec. 4 - Christmas Parade at Glen Maury Park in Buena Vista at 7 PM
Dec. 4 - Brookneal Christmas Parade at 7 PM
Dec. 4-6 - Drive-Thru Nativity at Tree of Life Ministries from 7 PM - 8:30 PM
Dec. 4 - Lynchburg Pops Community Band: 'Christmas in the 'Burg' at Academy Center of the Arts at 7:30 PM
Dec. 5-6 - Lynchburg Art Club Holiday Bazaar - Dec. 5 from 10 AM - 2 PM and 4 PM - 7 PM; Dec. 6 from 10 AM - 4 PM
Dec. 5 - Cookies and Crafts with Santa at Amherst Town Hall from 4 PM - 6 PM *Santa event
Dec. 5 - Sundaes with Santa at Chick-fil-A Timberlake from 5 PM - 7 PM *Santa event
Dec. 5-6 - Christmas in Wartime at National D-Day Memorial from 5 PM - 9 PM
Dec. 5-6 - Flames of Memory at National D-Day Memorial from 5 PM - 9 PM
Dec. 5 - Lexington Christmas Parade at 6 PM
Dec. 5 - Cookies with the Clauses at Hill City Montessori School (2 sessions) from 6 PM - 8 PM *Santa and Mrs. Claus event
Dec. 5 - Amherst Christmas Parade at 6:30 PM
Dec. 6 - Breakfast with Santa at Appomattox American Legion Post 104 from 8 AM - 10 AM *Santa event
Dec. 6 - Peaks of Otter Christmas Classic 5K and 1 Miler at 8:30 AM
Dec. 6 - The Summit Holiday Brunch and Market - 9 AM and 10:30 AM reservations *Santa event
Dec. 6 - Quaker Memorial Presbyterian Church 6th Annual Christmas Bazaar from 9 AM - 1 PM
Dec. 6 - The Happiest of Holidays Makers Market at Amherst Second Stage from 9 AM - 1 PM
Dec. 6 - Happy Pawlidays at Miller Center from 10 AM - 12 PM
Dec. 6 - Holiday Photos with Santa at Simply Grooming - Grooms By Keira from 10 AM - 2 PM *Verify if Santa event
Dec. 6 - A Very Merry Market at Smith’s from 10 AM - 3 PM
Dec. 6 - Holiday Art & More at Monroe Community Center from 10 AM - 3 PM *Santa event
Dec. 6 - Christmas at the Orchard at Drumheller's Orchard from 10 AM - 4 PM *Santa event
Dec. 6 - Pleasant Vista on Dancing Creek Christmas Market from 10 AM - 4 PM
Dec. 6 - Bedford Christmas Parade at 11 AM
Dec. 6 - Lynchburg Food Not Bombs Food Giveaway at Miller Park from 11 AM - 1 PM
Dec. 6-7 - Christmas at Avoca Museum - Dec. 6 from 11 AM - 5 PM; Dec. 7 from 1 PM - 5 PM *Santa event
Dec. 6 - Christmas on the Farm at Bryant's Cidery and Brewery from 12 PM - 5 PM *Santa and Mrs. Santa event from 1 PM - 3 PM
Dec. 6 - CAB Kids Jingle Bell Jamboree at Bower Center for the Arts from 1 PM - 3 PM
Dec. 6 - Family & Friends Holiday Portraits at Miller Center from 1 PM - 3 PM
Dec. 6 - Afternoon with the Grinch at Mellow Mushroom from 1 PM - 4 PM *Grinch event
Dec. 6 - Happy Holidays with the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra at Academy Center of the Arts at 2 PM (also at 7:30 PM)
Dec. 6 - Bedford Christmas Tree Lighting from 3 PM - 6 PM *Santa and Grinch event - Tree lighting at 6 PM
Dec. 6 - Bedford Farmers Market December Holiday Market from 3 PM - 6 PM
Dec. 6 - Glasgow Christmas Parade at 4 PM
Dec. 6 - Village Wonderland at Campbell County Public Library in Rustburg from 4 PM - 6 PM *Santa and Grinch event
Dec. 6 - Altavista Christmas Parade at 5 PM
Dec. 6 - Village Tree Lighting at Historic Courthouse in Rustburg at 5:45 PM
Dec. 6 - Freedom Market at Venue 4/24 from 5 PM - 7 PM *Santa event
Dec. 6 - Victorian Christmas Tree Lighting at Old City Cemetery at 6:30 PM *Santa event
Dec. 6 - Lovingston Christmas Parade at 6:30 PM
Dec. 6 - Happy Holidays with the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra at Academy Center of the Arts at 7:30 PM
Dec. 7 - Bedford Humane Photos with Santa at Bedford Tractor Supply from 12 PM - 3 PM *Santa event
Dec. 7 - Christmas Open House at Patrick Henry's Red Hill from 2 PM - 4 PM
Dec. 7 - Monelison Volunteer Fire Department Toy Drive at Madison Heights Walmart from 2 PM - 5 PM *Grinch event
Dec. 7 - 66th Annual Lynchburg Christmas Parade at 4 PM
Dec. 7 - Riverview Rotary Christmas Parade in Danville at 5 PM
Dec. 7 - Christmas on Rivermont at Gospel Community Church at 7 PM
Dec. 7 - KIDSing Presents "The Christmas Dream Team Parade" at Liberty Baptist Church in Appomattox at 7 PM
Dec. 8 - Santa at the Airport from 4 PM - 6 PM *Santa event
Dec. 8 - Get Lit Christmas Fun Run at the Bluffwalk at 4:30 PM
Dec. 9 - Moxie Moms on the Move Group at Riverside Park from 10 AM - 11 AM
Dec. 9 - Visit With Santa at Appalachian Orthodontics of Lynchburg from 12 PM - 6 PM *Santa event
Dec. 9 - Winterfest Celebration and Choral Concert at Amherst County High School - Celebration from 5-7 PM; Concert at 7 PM
Dec. 9 - Santa at Patrick Henry Memorial Library from 6 PM - 7:30 PM *Santa event
Dec. 10 - Blue Christmas at St. Paul's Episcopal Church at 5:30 PM
Dec. 11 - Santa at the Airport from 4 PM - 6 PM *Santa event
Dec. 12-14 - Luminary Nights at Natural Bridge State Park from 5 PM - 9 PM (also Dec. 19-21) *Carriage rides on Dec. 14 and Dec. 21
Dec. 12 - Santa Under the Stars at Timbrook Library from 6 PM - 8 PM *Santa event
Dec. 12-14 - Virginia Christmas Spectacular at Thomas Road Baptist Church - times vary
Dec. 13 - Mistletoe Market at Lynchburg Community Market (also Dec. 20)
Dec. 13 - Breakfast with Santa and Mrs Claus at Fairview Christian Church from 8 AM - 11 AM *Santa and Mrs. Claus event
Dec. 13 - Santa and the Grinch at Long's Farm Supply in Brookneal from 8 AM - 1 PM *Santa and Grinch event
Dec. 13 - Children's Holiday Festival: Candy Cane Carnival at Amazement Square from 9 AM - 12 PM *Santa event
Dec. 13 - Wrapping For a Cause at J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library from 10 AM - 1 PM
Dec. 13 - Holiday Market at Mountain Run Farm from 10 AM - 4 PM
Dec. 13 - A Hometown Christmas at Hometown Finds from 10 AM - 5 PM *Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Grinch event
Dec. 13 - Lynchburg Food Not Bombs Food Giveaway at Miller Park from 11 AM - 1 PM
Dec. 13 - MESH Sensory Friendly Christmas on the Farm from 11 AM - 3 PM *Santa event
Dec. 13 - Wreaths Across America at Old City Cemetery at 12 PM
Dec. 13 - Winter Benefit Show at Rustburg High School at 12 PM
Dec. 13-14 - World of Nativities at St Thomas More Catholic Church - Dec. 13 from 1 PM - 5 PM and 6 PM - 8 PM; Dec. 14 from 12 PM - 4 PM
Dec. 13 - Deck the Heels 5k Night Run at the Booker Building at 5 PM *Santa and Mrs. Claus event
Dec. 14 - Pictures with Santa at Four Paws Pet Spa from 10 AM - 2 PM *Santa event
Dec. 14 - MESH Christmas On The Farm with Minicamelots Emotional Support Horses from 10 AM - 3 PM *Santa event
Dec. 14 - "A Family Christmas" Christmas Program at Gracepointe Baptist Church at 11 AM
Dec. 14 - Rustburg Christmas Parade at 3 PM
Dec. 14 - A Festival of Christmas Lessons and Carols at St. John's Episcopal Church at 4 PM
Dec. 14 - Gretna Ugly Sweater Christmas Parade at 4:30 PM
Dec. 14 - Christmas Cantata at El Bethel Church and Community Association at 5 PM
Dec. 14 - Gingerbread Bash at Liberty Baptist Church in Appomattox from 6 PM - 7:30 PM
Dec. 14 - The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting at Church of the Covenant at 6:45 PM
Dec. 16 - Wrapping For a Cause at J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library from 5 PM - 8 PM
Dec. 17 - Starfire Life Christmas Celebration at The Briar Patch from 6 PM - 9 PM
Dec. 17 - Bells of the Blue Ridge: “Holiday Rings from the Holiday Screen” at University of Lynchburg at 7 PM (also Dec. 20 at 4 PM)
Dec. 19-21 - Luminary Nights at Natural Bridge State Park from 5 PM - 9 PM *Carriage rides on Dec. 21
Dec. 20 - Mistletoe Market at Lynchburg Community Market
Dec. 20 - Riverside Runners Jingle Bell Fun Run at 8:30 AM
Dec. 20 - Toddler Saturday Character Event at FunQuest - Christmas Party with The Grinch from 10 AM - 12 PM *Grinch event
Dec. 20 - Wrapping For a Cause at J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library from 10 AM - 1 PM
Dec. 20-21 - Charlottesville Ballet's 'The Nutcracker' - Dec. 20 at 3 PM and 7 PM; Dec. 21 at 4 PM
Dec. 20 - Bells of the Blue Ridge: “Holiday Rings from the Holiday Screen” at University of Lynchburg at 4 PM
Dec. 20-21 - Sleighbells & Snowflakes Dance Performance in Bedford - Dec. 20 at 7 PM; Dec. 21 at 3 PM
Dec. 20 - Handel’s “Messiah” Presented by Appomattox Community Chorale at Liberty Baptist Church at 7:30 PM
Dec. 21 - Charlottesville Ballet's Sensory-Friendly 'Nutcracker Sweets' at 1 PM
Dec. 22 - Jan. 2 - No School for Lynchburg City Schools for Winter Break
Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve Fun Run at E.C. Glass at 8 AM
Dec. 28 - Community Holiday Sing-Along at Amherst Second Stage at 4 PM
Dec. 31 - New Year's Eve Fun Run at E.C. Glass at 8 AM
Dec. 31 - New Year's at Noon at Amazement Square from 10 AM - 1 PM
Dec. 31 - Nearly New Year's Eve Skate at AJ Skateworld - Two sessions: 2:30 PM - 5 PM and 6 PM - 8:30 PM
Jan. 1 - New Year's Day Fun Run at Riverside Park at 8 AM
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 2025 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
Lynchburg Macaroni Kid Visits with Santa and Friends Guide
Christmas and Holiday Parade Guide
Live Christmas Tree Locations in Lynchburg and Central Virginia
Lynchburg Christmas Lights and Area Holiday Tree Lighting Guide
Local Shopping in Lynchburg and Central Virginia
Give the Gift of LOCAL Family Fun for the Holidays
8 Ways To Celebrate Hanukkah - Hanukkah is observed Dec. 14-22 in 2025
Celebrate Christmas Eve or Christmas Day at a Lynchburg Area Church
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!
