From parades and Santa visits to Christmas tree lightings and and holiday markets, here are the best family-friendly holiday events for your family to check out during the first week of December. This guide includes events from Nov. 28 - Dec. 5, 2025.
You'll find our top 75+ December events here: Lynchburg Area Top 75+ Holiday and Christmas Events for December 2025
This is the FIRST of our December weekly guides to help you find the best events in advance! Stay tuned for future weekly guides:
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 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.
** 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
Trees, Lights, and More
Plan ahead for the holidays with these fun events! Many are FREE!
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. 20 - 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
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. 27 - Jan. 1 - Christmas Light Display at Liberty Lake Park in Bedford - Nov. 27 - Jan. 1 around the clock
Nov. 27 - Jan. 1 - The Grinch Projection Show: Holidays in Hooper Woods from 5:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Nov. 28 - Jan. 10 - Trains Exhibit at Bedford Museum - Monday - Saturday from 10 AM - 5 PM (open until 3 PM on Saturdays in Nov. and Jan; closed Sundays and major holidays)
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. 28 - Nelson County Tree Lighting in Lovingston at 7:15 PM *Santa event
Nov. 29 - Jan. 3 - Buchanan Festival of Lights at Town Park from 6 PM - 11 PM
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 5 PM - 12 AM and 4:30 AM - 7 AM daily through Dec. 31
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. 1-31 - Ryan Family Lights Display at 64 Delaney Drive in Lynchburg - Synchronized light show from 6 PM - 10 PM nightly
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. 4-31 - Legacy in Lights Drive-Thru Winter Wonderland from 5 PM - 11 PM (Community Night celebration Dec. 4 from 5 PM - 9 PM)
Dec. 4-6 - Christmas at Hydaway from 6 PM - 9 PM
Nov. 28 - Dec. 4 Lynchburg Area Holiday and Christmas Events
Nov. 14 - Dec. 24 - Santa at River Ridge Mall - 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. 20 - 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
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. 24 - Jan. 4 - Bright Nights on the Bluffwalk Block Party and Tree Lighting from 4 PM - 11 PM through Jan. 4
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 - Christmas Light Display at Liberty Lake Park in Bedford - Nov. 27 - Jan. 1 around the clock
Nov. 27 - Jan. 1 - The Grinch Projection Show: Holidays in Hooper Woods from 5:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Nov. 28 - The Gobble Wobble at Claytor Nature Center at 9:30 AM
Nov. 28 - Jan. 10 - Trains Exhibit at Bedford Museum - Monday - Saturday from 10 AM - 5 PM (open until 3 PM on Saturdays in Nov. and Jan; closed Sundays and major holidays)
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. 28 - Nelson County Tree Lighting in Lovingston at 7:15 PM *Santa event
Nov. 29 - Mistletoe Market at Lynchburg Community Market from 8 AM - 3 PM (also Dec. 6, 13, and 20) - details vary each week
Nov. 29 - Peaksview Holiday Market at University of Lynchburg from 9 AM - 2 PM
Nov. 29 - Creative Kids Christmas Market in Bedford from 9 AM - 2 PM
Nov. 29 - Shop Small Saturday in Appomattox from 9 AM - 2 PM *Santa event from 10 AM - 12 PM
Nov. 29 - Coffee, Donuts, and Holiday Giving: Toys for Tots Drive at Apple Ford - Toy drop-off 9 AM - 6 PM; Coffee and donuts 10 AM - 12 PM
Nov. 29 - Barracks Road Holiday Parade in Charlottesville at 9:30 AM
Nov. 29-30 - Experience the Holidays in Appomattox - Small Business Saturday on Nov. 29; individual events noted on Nov. 30
Nov. 29 - Mistletoe Makers Market at Bower Center for the Arts from 10 AM - 3 PM *Santa and Mrs. Claus event
Nov. 29 - Holiday Makers Market at Academy Center of the Arts from 10 AM - 4 PM
Nov. 29 - Santa Around Bridgewater Plaza at Smith Mountain Lake from 11 AM - *Santa event
Nov. 29 - Santa and Mrs. Claus Visit the Farm Market at Saunders Brothers Farm Market from 11 AM - 2 PM *Santa and Mrs. Claus event
Nov. 29 - Santa Story Time and Photos at Trading Post by Traber Ranch from 12:30 PM - 3 PM (also Dec. 6, 13, and 20) *Santa event
Nov. 29-30 - Santa at Forest Lions Club Tree Lot at 2 PM *Santa event
Nov. 29 - Santa at Huckleberry Knob Nursery from 2 PM - 6 PM *Santa event
Nov. 29 - Deck the Halls with the Dundies at Academy Warehouse Theatre at 7 PM
Nov. 30 - Old Soul Sunday with Santa at Old Soul Vintage from 12 PM - 4 PM *Santa event
Nov. 30 - Brunswick Stew Drive-Thru at Brightwell's Mill from 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM *Must pre-order - SOLD OUT
Nov. 30 - Santa Photos for Families Kids and Pets at Steph’s Bubbles and Bows from 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM *Santa and Santa Paws event
Nov. 30 - Santa at Forest Lions Club Tree Lot at 2 PM *Santa event
Nov. 30 - Santa Workshop Event at Timberlake Tavern from 2 PM - 4:30 PM *Santa event
Nov. 30 - Annual Lowesville Christmas Parade at 3 PM
Nov. 30 - Handel’s Messiah Sing-Along at Opera On The James at 4 PM
Nov. 30 - Appomattox Christmas Parade at 4 PM
Nov. 30 - Appomattox Christmas Tree Lighting at 5 PM
Nov. 30 - Tree Lighting and Community Christmas Party at Liberty Baptist Church in Appomattox - Party from 5-7 PM; Tree lighting at 6 PM
Nov. 30 - “Christmas Time is Here” Show at Liberty Baptist Church in Appomattox at 6:30 PM
Nov. 30 - Dec. 31 - Christmas Display at 1487 Church Street in Appomattox from 7 PM - 11 PM
Dec. 1 - Community Christmas Tree Lighting at Centra Bedford Memorial Hospital from 5 PM - 6 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. 1-31 - Ryan Family Lights Display at 64 Delaney Drive in Lynchburg - Synchronized light show from 6 PM - 10 PM nightly
Dec. 2 - Gingerbread House Decorating at Patrick Henry Memorial Library from 3:30 PM - 5 PM
Dec. 3 - Preschool Story & Craft Time at J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library (11 AM and 12 PM story times)
Dec. 3 - Happy Earth Market at Randolph College from 12 PM - 6 PM
Dec. 3 - Christmas Ornament Decorating With The Grinch at River Ridge from 4 PM - 6 PM *Grinch event
Dec. 3 - Visit with Santa at The Colonial Restaurant from 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM *Old Fuzzy Face Santa event
Dec. 3 - early Jan. - Lighting of the Garden and Holiday Sing-a-Long at Awareness Garden from 5 PM - 9 PM (sing-a-long on opening night)
Dec. 3 - Christmas Community Dinner at Brookhill Wesleyan Church from 6 PM - 7:30 PM
Dec. 3 - OIP Appomattox Santa Meet & Greet from 6 PM - 7:30 PM *Santa event
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 - Cocoa, Cookies, and Caroling with Santa at Heritage Green Assisted Living from 2 PM - 4 PM *Santa event
Dec. 4 - Santa and Holiday Market at Rustburg Ruritan Community Farmers Market from 3 PM - 7 PM *Santa event from 3 PM - 6 PM
Dec. 4 - Monelison Middle School Holiday Bazaar from 5 PM - 7:30 PM
Dec. 4 - Wrapping For a Cause at J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library from 5 PM - 8 PM
Dec. 4-31 - Legacy in Lights Drive-Thru Winter Wonderland - Community event Dec. 4 from 5 PM - 9 PM; Lights will be lit nightly from 5 PM - 11 PM through Dec. 31
Dec. 4 - Annual Cookies & Pictures with Santa at Amherst Second Stage from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM *Santa event
Dec. 4-6 - Christmas at Hydaway from 6 PM - 9 PM
Dec. 4 - Buena Vista Christmas Tree Lighting at 6:30 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 - 6 - "It's a Wonderful Life" at E.C. Glass High School - Dec. 4, 5, and 6 at 7 PM; Matinee Dec. 6 at 2 PM
Dec. 4 - Lynchburg Pops Community Band: 'Christmas in the 'Burg' at Academy Center of the Arts at 7:30 PM
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
Visit with Old Fuzzy Face Santa in 2025
Christmas and Holiday Parade Guide
Live Christmas Tree Locations in Lynchburg and Central Virginia
Lynchburg Christmas Lights and Area Holiday Tree Lightings Guide
25 Lynchburg Area Holiday Photo Shoot Locations
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
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!
